Local teams set sights on big prize
The playoffs are here, and 30 Broward and Palm Beach teams still have a shot to bring home a state title.
Of those 30 teams, 24 games this weekend.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Adam Lichtenstein predicts the outcome of this week’s most interesting contests involving teams from Broward and Palm Beach. I am 84-24 this season.
All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
Class 8A
will play firstround
The Bobcats exceeded expectations this year, especially after quarterback Michael Pratt transferred. But Boca Raton excelled, only dropping games to Deerfield Beach and Treasure Coast, both of which are playoff teams. But beating Vero Beach at home is a tall task.
Santaluces is the higher seed in this game by virtue of winning its district. But Treasure Coast has had an outstanding season, losing only to Vero Beach (and by one point). When it comes to similar opponents, Boca Raton beat Santaluces, and Treasure Coast beat Boca Raton.
The Bucks have been rolling lately, winning seven of their last eight. Their only loss in that stretch is to St. Thomas Aquinas. Deerfield should pick up the win here.
Centennial, despite being a four-loss No. 7 seed, is a solid team. Those losses have largely been tight games against good teams. But the Broncos have been rolling lately, and I think they come out of this with a victory. It might be closer than they would like, though.
Taravella grabbed a playoff spot with a Week 11 win, but this will be an incredibly difficult game. Palmetto has a defense loaded with Division I prospects, and they gave up only about 10 points per game.
Western has a very tough task ahead of it, facing the top at-large team, South Dade. The Buccaneers were the top team in the Class 8A in the Associated Press poll for several weeks before dropping three straight games. This should be a close game.
Stoneman Douglas won its first eight games before dropping its season finale against Plantation. The Eagles get to host Miami after winning their first district title in 18 years. Both of these teams feasted against weaker competition, but I think Douglas is the better team here.
Class 7A
East Lake is traveling across the state to face Palm Beach County’s top team, and I don’t think it will end well for the Eagles. Lakes ended the season on a high note and should have no problems in the first round.
The Hawks took advantage of some of their weaker competition, but the games get much tougher now. Mitchell hasn’t faced a tough schedule, either, though, so Ridge does have a shot.
New South Broward coach Anthony Collins pulled off a major accomplishment this year, turning the Bulldogs from a 2-8 team last year to a 6-4 playoff team. But unfortunately for South Broward, the Bulldogs have to face St. Thomas in the first round. A South Broward win would be nothing short of the upset of the year.
Hialeah might not be a traditional power like Miami Central or Miami Northwestern, but the Thoroughbreds’ only losses are to U-School, Palmetto and Lakeland — all very good teams. On the other side, the Colonels’ only loss is to St. Thomas. This is one I have my eye on.
These two teams squared off just two weeks ago, and Atlantic came away with a 34-16 win to clinch the district title. Both had disappointing losses to close out the year, and Ely kept the first edition of this game close, but not enough has changed to make me think this game will have a different result.
The Flying L’s had a tough schedule and only lost to solid teams, but McArthur is closer in talent level to the teams Fort Lauderdale lost to. McArthur’s defense should carry the Mustangs to a win here.
Class 6A
Dillard won’t have to face Miami Central in the first round this year, which is a big win. Dillard largely dominated its competition in the regular season, and I think they pick up another win this week.
Class 5A
Key West is at an extreme disadvantage here. The Conchs have a long way to travel, and they have to face a rested, talented Heritage team when they get to Plantation.
24.
Beach 28, Palm Beach Gardens 13.
20.
Vero Beach 38, Boca Raton 17.
Treasure
Coast
42,
Santaluces
Deerfield
Palm Beach Central 28, Centennial
Palmetto 38, Taravella 10.
South Dade 21, Western 20.
Miami 17.
Stoneman Douglas 28,
Beach Lakes 35, East Lake 14.
Palm
Mitchell 27, Seminole Ridge 17.
45, South Broward 10.
Plantation 24, Hialeah 21.
Atlantic 30, Blanche Ely 17.
21, Fort Lauderdale 14.
St. Thomas Aquinas
McArthur
Dillard 35, Lely 20.
American Heritage 48, Key West 13.
Stranahan improved by five wins this year, going from 1-9 to 6-4. That’s a major accomplishment. But the reigning Class 6A champions are just as good this year. The Mighty Dragons have talent, but this would be a massive upset.
10.
Northwestern
Cardinal Gibbons 28, Monsignor Pace 21.
Newman 21, Benjamin 17.
35,
Stranahan
Class 4A
Gibbons starts the playoff round of its title defense with a deceptively solid opponent. Pace has five losses, but those losses were against American Heritage, Naples, Treasure Coast, Hialeah Champagnat and Miami Columbus. All of those are solid teams. The Chiefs should win, but it won’t be easy.
Class 3A
I expect this to be a really intriguing matchup. Since losing three straight games to American Heritage-Delray, Calvary Christian and Miami Gulliver Prep, the Buccaneers have rebounded and won three straight in convincing fashion. The Crusaders have had a solid all-around season, so I think this could be a close one.
Cardinal
Jimmy Robertson has built St. Andrew’s into a solid small-school program, improving the Scots from 2-7 in his first year to 7-2 this year. But one of those losses was a 27-12 loss to Pine Crest last week. Somerset beat the same Pine Crest team 42-3.
Somerset Academy Silver Palms 32, St. Andrew’s 20.