Western, Park Vista in for tests

Palm Beach Central, Atlantic will try to derail pair of upset winners

Midway through Marvel’s blockbuster comicbook adaptation “Doctor Strange,” the title character is struggling through a training montage as he’s being overwhelmed by mystical, cosmic forces he had no idea previously existed.

As Stephen Strange struggles to come to grips with this new reality, one of his instructors advises him, “Forget everything you think you know.”

That mantra can be applied to the Class 8A playoff race after a shocking first round in which the top two teams in the entire classification were sent home early.

Park Vista, which needed multiple games to break its way in the final week of the season just to make the playoffs at the eight seed, stunned No. 1 Miramar 28-20. The upsets continued as sixth-seeded Western upended reigning state semifinalist Deerfield Beach 20-17 to pick up the school’s first playoff victory.

After their upset victories, the Cobras and Wildcats will try and keep the momentum rolling in the regional semifinals. Park Vista will see a familiar foe as it faces district rival Atlantic, which topped Plantation 29-14 last week. The Eagles edged the Cobras 10-3 in the team’s first meeting this season.

Park Vista’s QB/WR duo of John Smith and Atorian Perry connected for two scores in last week’s playoff game and have consistently torched opposing defenses throughout the regular season. Atlantic’s balanced offensive attack was runheavy in monsoon-like conditions Friday as Shelley Singletary rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns.

In the other 8A matchup, Western will hit the road to face Palm Beach Central, which is coming off a dominant 32-0 win over Seminole Ridge. Senior quarterback Nick Atkins was electric, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another score in the win. The Wildcats have a dynamic QB of their own in Harrison Story, who’s put up monster numbers all season. Western running back Keshaun Clarke (1,146 rushing years and 11 touchdowns) will be counted on once again for the team. finale, bounced back strong with a 56-0 win over South Miami. The Raiders are looking to become the first Broward team to win four consecutive state titles.