Atlantic tops Park Vista; Chaminade wins in rout

DELRAY BEACH — Atlantic coach T.J. Jackson is hoping the third time is a charm as the host Eagles relied on a strong defense to hold off a stubborn Park Vista 14-7 in a Region 3-8A semifinal on Friday night.

“We have just been doing what we have been doing all year and that is playing together as a family,” said Jackson, whose team will host Western at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24 in the Region 3-8A final. “We have been here before the last two years. We have to focus now and get on to the fourth round.”

Atlantic took a 7-0 lead thanks to a 50-yard punt return by senior Varrick Lurry-Davis that gave the Eagles the ball on the Park Vista 1-yard line. One play later, senior quarterback Antoine Williams scored on a run off tackle with 1:58 left in the first quarter.

Atlantic (10-1) extended the lead to 14-0 on a 15-yard run by senior running back Shelly Singletary, which capped a 3-play, 73-yard drive. Singletary carried twice in the drive for 38 yards, Williams hit junior wideout Kamareon Williams for a 26-yard gain and the Eagles were also the beneficiary of a pass interference call that put the ball on the Cobras’ 15.

Park Vista (9-3) failed to capitalize on an interception by senior Atorian Perry that gave the Cobras the ball on the Atlantic 21 following a 23-yard return. The Atlantic defense held and senior kicker Jackson Stevenson misfired on a 32-yard field goal attempt. — Gary Curreri

OXBRIDGE ACADEMY 37, MELBOURNE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 7: Junior quarterback Gio Richardson passed for 166 yards and two touchdowns and the ThunderWolves’ defense had another dominant performance as they cruised past the Hustlers (7-4) in a Class 3A regional final in West Palm Beach.

Oxbridge Academy (9-1) advanced to the state semifinals and will play Taylor County or Florida State University Nov. 24.

Junior running back James Meeks and senior Luis Gonzalez had two touchdowns each as the ThunderWolves rushed for 228 yards.

After allowing just 54 total yards of offense last week, the ThunderWolves’ defense allowed 132 yards.

The ThunderWolves held a 5-point lead late in the first half before pulling away.

On third-and-3, Richardson rolled to his right and found Meeks in the right corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown with 5.4 seconds left in the second quarter. Gonzalez ran into the end zone to convert a two-point conversion to give the ThunderWolves a 20-7 lead at halftime. — Alex Kushel

CHAMINADEMADONNA 56, BENJAMIN 0: Shaun Shivers had 152 yards rushing and three touchdowns on seven carries as the Lions blew past the Buccaneers in Fort Lauderdale to advance to the Class 3A state semifinals.

Chaminade (9-2) will face Clearwater Central Catholic at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24.

Chaminade-Madonna dominated on both sides of the ball vs. the Buccaneers, scoring on every possession in the first half and needing only 12 plays to take a 21-0 lead.

Shivers had two long scores, breaking a 59-yard run on the second play of the game, and then scoring again early in the second quarter on a 57-yard run. He also scored on an 18-yard run.

“My offensive line played a big part of me doing what I do,” Shivers said. “They dominated up front.”

Despite being down three scores in the first quarter, Benjamin (8-3) wasn’t about to give up and marched down the field on its next possession behind the scrambling of quarterback Jordan Travis.

The Buccaneers took it all the way down to the Lions’ 5-yard line before Ahmaud Jordan intercepted the pass at the goal line. Travis, who finished with 54 yards rushing on seven carries, left the game after taking a big hit.

Marvin Alexander caught two touchdowns from Daelen Menard as they hooked up on an 8-yard strike and a 21-yard pass before all the starters were pulled late in the second quarter. — J. Darin Darst