Season entering final stretch for postseason

There are only two weeks left in the regular season. Some teams have clinched playoff spots, but many more are still fighting.

Deerfield Beach and Piper square off, as do Western and Miramar. The winner of the former wins District 11-8A. The result of the latter will decide a district winner or push District 12-8A to a tiebreaker.

Adam Lichtenstein predicts the outcome of those two games and eight more of this week’s most interesting contests. He is 34-6 so far this season. All games are Friday at 7 p.m. in Broward County and 6 p.m. for Palm Beach County, unless noted.

Western (7-1) at Miramar (5-3): The Patriots have won five straight, and the Wildcats have won six in a row. If Western wins, it wins its district. If Miramar wins, the district title and other playoff spots will be determined by their points. Patriots are currently out of the playoff picture, but a victory over Western would go a long way. Western 21,

Miramar 20. Palm Beach Lakes (5-3) at Forest Hill (7-1): The Rams are one of the hottest teams in Palm Beach County, winning their last four games and outscoring opponents 146-20. Forest Hill is coming off a bounceback win against Olympic Heights following a blowout loss to Dwyer. In this fight for second place behind Dwyer, the difference will likely come down to how the Rams’ run defense matches up with the Falcons’ running attack. Palm Beach Lakes 21, Forest Hill 20. Deerfield Beach (8-1) at Piper (6-2): The winner of this game takes District 11-8A. Deerfield, the No. 3 team in the county, has been the favorite to win the district all year. But the Bengals have won three straight. If Deerfield is looking ahead to the playoffs already, it could get caught in a potential upset.

Deerfield Beach 38, Piper 27. Cardinal Newman (7-1) at Glades Central (5-3): Glades Central has to be feeling good after beating American Heritage 34-16. Quarterback Davius Richard threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns. The Crusaders’ offense has looked great, as well. Cardinal Newman has put up more than 40 points in each of its last four games. Glades Central 28, Cardinal Newman 27.

American Heritage (7-1) at Hallandale (4-4): Thanks to Miami Carol City having to forfeit its game against American Heritage, the Patriots are now 7-1. Hallandale has had a rough stretch of two games, dropping contests to Miramar and Cardinal Gibbons. Unless the Chargers pull off an upset, Hallandale will likely finish 5-5, which is an improvement. American Heritage 42, Hallandale 20.

Benjamin (9-0) at King’s Academy (8-1), 7 p.m.: The Buccaneers won this rivalry game last year, and it looks like they’ve only gotten better. But the Lions are in the midst of their third dominant season in a row, having won 26 of their last 29 games. Keep an eye on these two teams’ quarterbacks: Benjamin first-year starter Santino Marucci and King’s Academy senior Justin Wake.Benjamin 35, King’s Academy

28.

Plantation (7-1) at South Plantation (0-8), Saturday: Traditionally a big rivalry game, this is unlikely to be a close contest this time around. Plantation is having a great season;

South Plantation is not. Plantation 38, South Plantation 7.

Santaluces (4-4) at Park Vista (5-3): The Chiefs had to forfeit their win against West Boca Raton because of an ineligible player, leaving them at 4-4. The Chiefs don’t have to travel far for this game against Park Vista, though. And the Cobras will have to stay energized after playing Spanish River on Monday.

Park Vista 28, Santaluces 21.

Blanche Ely (1-7) at St. Thomas Aquinas (7-1): St. Thomas still looks like one of the best teams in the state, winning its last last three games by a combined score of 141-12. St. Thomas Aquinas 48, Blanche Ely 7.

Boca Raton (5-4) at Atlantic (8-0): Atlantic has been a juggernaut. Boca Raton is the last district opponent waiting for them. Under first-year coach Brandon Walker, the Bobcats have had an up-anddown season. The Eagles have clinched the district already, so Boca could catch them sleeping. Atlantic 35,

Boca Raton 17.