Exciting matchups kick off season
Football is back in South Florida, which means it’s time for my Week 1 predictions.
The first week of high school football offers some fun matchups. St. Thomas Aquinas opens the season on ESPN against Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy, while American Heritage travels to the Gulf Coast to play Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast in Naples.
I went 82-15 in my predictions last season.
All games start at 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted.
Chaminade-Madonna at Western The Wildcats host the reigning Class 3A state runner-ups in this big-time Broward matchup. Western looked strong in its preseason game against Stranahan, and the Wildcats will get an added boost when four-star wide receiver AJ Johnson joins the squad this week after transferring from Louisiana. Chaminade’s defense is the strength of its team, and the Lions held Dillard scoreless in the preseason game. It could be a low-scoring affair as both teams’ strengths collide. ChaminadeMadonna 14, Western 10.
Dwyer at Jupiter, 6:30 p.m.
Two of Palm Beach County’s top teams face off in this north-county showdown. The Panthers are coming off a resurgent season under thirdyear coach McKinley Rolle. The Warriors had a winning record for the second consecutive season — a feat Jupiter had not accomplished since 2004-2005. Jupiter is 0-11 against Dwyer dating back to 2004, according to MaxPreps’ records, so a win over the Panthers would be a milestone victory for the Warriors. However, I still think Jupiter is the underdog. Dwyer 27, Jupiter 17.
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) at St. Thomas Aquinas, Saturday, noon
St. Thomas Aquinas hosts one of the Mid-Atlantic’s top teams in St. Frances Academy. St. Frances did not play in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but when the Panthers last took the field, they were one of the nation’s best. The Raiders have a strong record against out-of-state teams, and they haven’t lost to a team from outside Florida since 2017. The Raiders will have to contend with top prospects like four-star linebacker Jaishawn Barham, fourstar defensive lineman (and Oklahoma commit) Derrick Moore and four-star cornerback (and Virginia Tech commit) Cam Johnson. Playing against high-end talent is something St. Thomas is used to, though. St. Thomas Aquinas 20, St. Frances Academy 14.
American Heritage vs. Treasure Coast, Saturday, 7 p.m., Paradise Coast Sports Complex
American Heritage had a big test in
the preseason, but the Patriots fell short against Bradenton IMG Academy. If that loss was deflating, the team has another opportunity to get excited for a big game. The Patriots travel to Naples to play in the Battle at the Beach against Treasure Coast, which has been one of the best teams on the Treasure Coast the last several years. The Titans have a solid running back in Eden James, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, but I expect the Patriots to roll to a win. American Heritage 35, Treasure Coast 17.
King’s Academy at Cardinal Newman
One of Palm Beach County’s top signal-callers and potentially a potential star quarterback square off in this matchup of two Palm Beach County private schools. King’s Academy quarterback Will Prichard put up solid numbers as a sophomore in four games last season. Cardinal Newman freshman quarterback Davi Belfort, the son of former MMA fighter Vitor Belfort, garnered national attention in the offseason after picking up offers from Alabama, FSU, Miami and more before making his high-school debut. Both teams also have new coaches: Cardinal Newman hired former Dwyer legend Jack Daniels in January, and King’s Academy promoted defensive
coordinator Ronnie Lee after former coach Keith Allen resigned in July. Cardinal Newman 27, King’s Academy 21.
Miami Edison at Deerfield Beach The Bucks enter their first game of the year coming off a solid 24-7 win over TRU Prep Academy, and they get a good test to start the regular season. Miami Edison beat Miramar 24-17 in its preseason game. Standouts like Francois Nolton, Syveion Ellis and Elijah Mc-Cantos make the Red Raiders a dangerous opponent. However, Deerfield Beach has enough talent of its own to pick up a win in this home game. Deerfield Beach 28, Miami Edison 17.
Atlantic at Palm Beach Gardens, 6:30 p.m.
This game is a good opportunity to see where each of these two programs stand to start the season. Atlantic has a new coach in Jamael Stewart after T.J. Jackson departed to take a college position. The Eagles picked up a 31-20 win in their Kickoff Classic against Palm Beach Central. The Gators’ preseason game against Coconut Creek ended in a 21-21 draw, so we’ll see if they can improve and pull off an upset. Atlantic 35, Palm Beach Gardens 20.
Plantation at South Miami, Thursday, 7 p.m., Tropical Park Plantation had a last-minute change of schedule after its season-opener against Monarch was canceled. The Colonels quickly scheduled a game against South Miami. Plantation would have been favored over Monarch, and I still think they’re the favorites in this game. Plantation 38, South Miami 17.
Palm Beach Central at Forest Hill, 6:30 p.m.
Palm Beach Central comes into the season optimistic despite the preseason loss to Atlantic. The Broncos have playmakers in quarterback Ahmad Haston, wide receiver Luby Maurice and transfer Cody Wasielewski. Forest Hill has a new head coach in Jim Basford, who was promoted after former coach Jude Blessington stepped down. His first game will be a tough one. Palm Beach Central 27, Forest Hill 14.
Dillard at Boyd Anderson
The Panthers open the season with a trip to Boyd Anderson. Dillard had a hard time on offense against the stellar Chaminade-Madonna defense in the Kickoff Classic, but I don’t think the Panthers will have that issue again this week.