HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SECOND-ROUND PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
The original group of 30 Broward and Palm Beach county football teams in the playoffs has been winnowed down to 18. All 18 of those teams will play this week as they look to get one step closer to a state championship. I was 16-3 in the first round of the playoffs last week, and I am am 100-27 this season. All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted:
Class 8A
Western (8-2) at Miami Palmetto (10-1), Harris Field, 7 p.m. (Thursday): These two teams played each other in this year’s Kickoff Classic, and Palmetto won 23-0. But those points largely came off Western mistakes, with Wildcats quarterbacks throwing two pick-sixes. Western’s offense has largely looked better since that preseason loss, but there have still been issues with turnovers — the Wildcats threw five interceptions against St. Thomas two weeks ago. Both defenses have game-changing potential. This game could very well come down to
which defense gets key turnovers. Miami
Palmetto 21, Western 20.
Deerfield Beach (8-3) at Palm Beach Central (9-2), 7 p.m.: This is a rematch of last year’s regional final, in which Deerfield Beach came out victorious. The Bucks are just as good this year, as they showed in a 53-9 rout of Palm Beach Gardens in the first round. Deerfield will likely have quarterback Michael Pratt back from injury this week, and their offense has largely excelled with him. The Broncos won a close game against a solid Port St. Lucie Centennial team last week, but the Bucks are more talented to Centennial and likely have too many weapons to hold in check. Deerfield Beach 32, Palm Beach Central 24.
Class 7A
Atlantic (7-3) at McArthur (8-2): These teams seem like mirror images of each other. Both teams have put together key wins but have had tough losses. Both teams have excellent defenses and like to run the ball. I expect this game to be low-scoring, and one mistake by either side could decide the game. McArthur 14,
Atlantic 13.
Venice (6-4) at Palm Beach Lakes (10-0), 7 p.m.: Don’t let Venice’s record fool you. The Indians are a solid team. Their only losses this year have been against other good teams, like Bradenton IMG Academy, Maryland’s St. Frances Academy and more. Venice will give Lakes a tough challenge. The Rams won their first-round game against Tarpon Springs East Lake, but it was close. Venice is likely better than East Lake, so this will be a hard game for the Rams. Palm Beach
Lakes 28, Venice 27.
Plantation (9-1) at St. Thomas Aquinas (10-0): This is a rematch of two district opponents, and the Raiders got a big win the last time they faced the Colonels. Plantation remains a very good team, but St. Thomas is arguably the best team in the state and one of the best in the country. Not enough has changed to make me think Plantation will score a major upset here. St. Thomas Aquinas 35,
Plantation 13.
Class 6A
Fort Myers (9-2) at Dillard (11-0): The Panthers kept rolling last week, scoring 48 points against Naples Lely in the first round last week. Fort Myers is a tougher team than Lely. The Green Wave is primarily a running team, racking up 3,397 rushing yards and 45 rushing touchdowns so far this year. Dillard will need to stop that rushing attack in order to move on to the regional finals. Dillard 27, Fort
Myers 21.
Class 5A
North Miami Beach (8-3) at American Heritage (9-1): These two district rivals met up during the regular seasons, and Heritage came out with a 31-8 win. That’s not the worst margin of defeat for a Patriots’ opponent, but Heritage would need to stumble a lot to lose this game. Given that the Patriots cruised to a 53-15 first-round win, I don’t think that’s likely.
American Heritage 42, North Miami Beach 14.
Class 4A
Tampa Catholic (6-5) at American
Heritage-Delray (5-5): The Stallions are coming into this playoff game, looking to get back on track. Heritage lost three straight games entering the postseason, falling to Hialeah Champagnat, Cardinal Newman and Miami Gulliver Prep. All three of those teams are playoff teams, though, and two of those three games came while the Stallions were dealing with quarterback injuries. Senior starter Zach Bohannon suffered a minor injury that kept him out for two weeks, and his backup, freshman Dylan Rizk, was injured early in his first start. Bohannon is back, though he struggled against Gulliver Prep, and Heritage has had a week off to get healthy and reorganized. American Heritage-Delray 21, Tampa Catholic 17.
Cardinal Gibbons (9-2) at University School (8-2), at Nova High: This game has the potential to be the Broward game of the year. These are two of the top teams in the county, and I think they match up well. Both teams have strong defenses and offenses with explosive players. On the one hand, U-School had a bye week to get healthy and has homefield advantage in this game. On the other hand, Gibbons has the experience that comes from winning a state title. I think this is a toss-up, but I’ll give the slightest of edges to the Chiefs. Cardinal Gibbons 21, University School 20.
Class 3A
Benjamin (8-3) at Fort Myers Bishop Verot (8-2): The Buccaneers picked up an impressive win over Cardinal Newman in the first round to earn a trip to the regional semis. But Benjamin’s offense has struggled against some of its strong opponents, scoring only 30 combined points combined in losses to American Heritage-Delray, Calvary Christian and Gulliver Prep. I think this game will be close, but with Benjamin going on the road against a tough team, I give the advantage to the Vikings. Bishop
Verot 24, Benjamin 21.
Miami Edison (6-5) at Calvary Christian (9-1), 8 p.m.: The Eagles had an excellent season, only dropping one game to Gulliver Prep. Miami Edison has four more losses under its belt, but those losses have come against Naples, Miami Central, Coral Gables, Miami Booker T. Washington and Miami Northwestern. With the exception of Coral Gables, those are all strong playoff teams. Calvary is well-rested, but I also give a lot of weight to teams that have played strong schedules. Miami Edison 20, Calvary Christian
17.
Miami Somerset Academy Silver Palms (8-2) at Chaminade-Madonna (8-2): Chaminade’s quest for a third straight state championship starts this week, and the Lions are the big favorites in this game. I expect Chaminade’s talent to overwhelm Somerset. ChaminadeMadonna 42, Somerset Academy Silver Palms 10.
Class 2A
Moore Haven (6-5) at Westminster Academy (9-1), 7 p.m.: Westminster has rolled through many of its opponents this year, thanks in large part to a strong rushing attack. Moore Haven looked good in its first round game, but the Lions are rested and ready to go. Westminster Academy 28, Moore Haven 17.
Class 1A
Hawthorne (8-3) at Pahokee (4-5): Midway through the season, it looked like the Blue Devils might not make the playoffs. But Pahokee won its final three games, earning a playoff spot and the No. 2 seed in the region. Hawthorne has a solid team, but the Hornets have a long road trip ahead of them after playing last week. This has the potential to be a huge win for Pahokee first-year coach D.J. Boldin, as well. Pahokee 20, Hawthorne 17.