District games fill top contests

Week 6 of the high school football season doesn’t have the high-profile matchups that Week 5 did, but there are still plenty of intriguing games on the slate in both Broward and Palm Beach counties.

There are key district games on the schedule this week, including Coconut Creek at Cardinal Gibbons, Seminole Ridge at Wellington and Dwyer at Olympic Heights.

Adam Lichtenstein predicts the outcome of those three games and seven more involving teams from Broward and Palm Beach. This is his first week picking games.

All games are Friday at 7 p.m. in Broward County and 6 p.m. for Palm Beach County, unless noted.

Coconut Creek (3-1) at

Cardinal Gibbons (3-2): After dropping two straight games against tough opponents to open the season, the Chiefs are on a roll. Cardinal Gibbons, No. 4 in the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Broward top 10, has won three in a row, with the defense in particular leading the way. In their three victories, the Chiefs have surrendered only 26 points. District 16-5A rival Coconut Creek is coming off a bye week, but the last time they were on the field, fellow district member American Heritage-Plantation handed the Cougars their first loss in

a 40-0 shutout. Cardinal Gibbons 35, Coconut Creek 21

Seminole Ridge (4-0) at Wellington (3-2): The Hawks, No. 6 in Palm Beach County this week, are coming off an offensive explosion against Boynton Beach last week, led by quarterback Kaimyn Castilla (203 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns). Wellington, No. 8 in the Sun Sentinel’s top 10, also had a strong game, too, beating John I. Leonard 49-21. This game could go a long way to deciding District 9-8A. If the Hawks win, it would set up a show down with Palm Beach Central next month that could effectively crown the district title. Seminole Ridge 28, Wellington 24

Piper (3-1) at Chaminade-Madonna (3-2): The reigning Class 3A champions fell short against last year’s Class 5A champion American Heritage in Week 5. The Lions’ two losses have come against the Patriots and Deerfield Beach, two of the top three teams in Broward County. The Bengals have won their last two games in impressive fashion, beating Boyd Anderson and Stoneman Douglas by a combined score of 70-13. Piper is also coming off a bye week, and they could give Chaminade, No. 5 in this week’s rankings, a fight. Chaminade-Madonna 38, Piper 21

Dwyer (4-1) at Olympic

Heights (3-1): The No. 2 Panthers have looked great since their Week 2 loss to No. 1 Atlantic. They may have looked their best against crosstown rival Palm Beach Gardens. Heights will need to improve on offense to stay competitive with Dwyer. The Lions managed only 13 points in a 10-point victory over winless West Boca Raton last week. Dwyer 45, Olympic Heights 17

Cypress Bay (3-1) at Miramar (1-3): Don’t just look at the records in this game. No. 8 Miramar finally got its first win last week after losing to three strong opponents, including a pair of reigning state champions. Cedquan Smith (133 yards passing, 2 TDs) and Cliffton Miller (8 carries for 105 yards, TD) led the way for the Patriots last week. Now they get Cypress Bay, which had played well until receiving a 50-3 loss to Plantation last week. Miramar 27, Cypress Bay 20

Boca Raton (3-2) at Palm Beach Central (4-1): The No. 3 Broncos have won four in row, . Palm Beach Central’s defense, led by five-star senior Akeem Dent, hasn’t given up more than two touchdowns in a game this year. The Bobcats lost to Santaluces in an upset last week, and an upset victory over the Broncos would get them on track. Palm Beach Central 28, Boca Raton 10

Flanagan (1-3) at Plantation (4-0): Plantation, ranked seventh this week, is off to a hot start this year. The Colonels have their defense to thank. So far, Plantation has surrendered only 9.25 points per game. Fellow District 12-8A member Flanagan has not been so lucky, struggling mightily in three losses while squeaking past winless South Plantation.

Plantation 48, Flanagan 10

Jupiter (2-2) at Palm Beach Gardens (3-2): Jupiter has two wins already. The Warriors haven’t won two games in a season since 2013. A win over district rival Palm Beach Gardens would be a major coming out party for Jupiter. But the Gators will come out strong. Palm Beach Gardens 28, Jupiter 17

Stranahan (1-3) at Dillard (3-2), 7 p.m., Saturday: Dillard has looked good in its past two games, beating Boyd Anderson and Hollywood Hills by a combined 86-21. Stranahan, on the other hand, has been outscored 70-8 in its last two games. Dillard 28, Stranahan

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Atlantic (4-0) at Spanish River (0-5): The topranked team in Palm Beach County has rolled through the toughest part of its schedule. Next up is 0-5 Spanish River, which has looked overmatched in five losses so far this season. Atlantic 38, Spanish River 7