Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Trip to state semifinals at stake
Could P.B. Central be ready to upset Deerfield Beach?
It’s Thanksgiving week, and 12 local teams are thankful to still be playing for a chance to make it to Orlando.
At least five of those teams will have to pack up their lockers after this week, as five of the seven games involve two Broward or Palm Beach county teams.
Adam Lichtenstein predicts the outcome of each third-round game with teams from Broward or Palm Beach. He was 52-8 in the regular season and is 26-3 in the playoffs.
All games are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday unless noted.
Class 8A
No. 3 Palm Beach Central (11-1) at No. 1 Deerfield
Beach (11-1): The Broncos got their revenge against Western with a 38-0 drubbing last week, while the Bucks got out to an early lead and never needed to worry much about Plantation. The key to this game will be how Palm Beach Central’s defensive line stacks up against Deerfield Beach’s offensive line and running back Jaylan Knighton. The Bucks had occasional trouble blocking Plantation’s talented defense, and Knighton had a hard time finding open space on many carries (he still ended up with more than 130 yards). The Broncos’ line includes Renato Brown (23 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks), Janil Brown (68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, five sacks) and Brandon Hudgins (85 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, nine sacks). They have me thinking upset. Palm Beach Central 21, Deerfield Beach 20.
Class 7A
No. 2 Dwyer (11-1) at No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas
(11-1): The last two times these teams played, it ended with a blowout and punches thrown, The Raiders have efficiently dispatched their last seven opponents after losing to Miami Central and have won their first two playoff games by a combined 128-20. Dwyer has played well in the postseason, too, outscoring opponents 98-27, but it’s unlikely the Panthers will be able to take down St. Thomas this year. St. Thomas Aquinas 38, Dwyer 21.
Class 5A No. 5 American Heritage (10-1) at No. 2 Cardinal
Gibbons (10-2): The Chiefs snapped their losing streak against the Patriots when they played in the regular season, but Cardinal Gibbons will be missing an integral player. Quarterback Nik Scalzo is done for the year after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee against Orlando Jones last week. Scalzo’s backup, Brody Palyeghi, will likely get the start. This makes the Chiefs, who may have been the favorite in this game, the heavy underdog. Cardinal Gibbons still has plenty of talent, especially on defense, but it will need that defense and running back Vincent Davis to step up in order to win this game. American Heritage 32, Cardinal Gibbons 20.
Class 4A
No. 3 Glades Central (9-3) at No. 1 University (10-1): Glades Central shocked most of the South Florida high school football world with an upset road victory over Miami Booker T. Washington. Well, they’ll have to do it again this week if they want to keep going on their quest to bring a trophy back to Glades Central for the first time since 2006. University School got off to a slow start against Miami Gulliver Prep but recovered and rolled to a 40-13 win. But a slow start might spell doom for the Sharks this week, as the Raiders have not allowed more than 16 points in a game since losing to Cocoa on Sept. 28. University School 38, Glades Central 24.
Class 3A No. 2 Orlando The First Academy (9-1) at No. 1 King’s Academy (10-1): The Lions, who have averaged 38 points per game so far this season, showed last week that they can win with defense, too. King’s held Melbourne Holy Trinity Episocopal to one touchdown last week. If the Lions can find their high-powered offense again and combine it with that strong defense, they’ll earn a spot in the state semifinals. King’s Academy 24, The First Academy 21. No. 3 American HeritageDelray (9-3) at No. 1 Chaminade-Madonna (9-2): The Stallions’ resurgent season continued with a playoff win over Benjamin last week, but it’s likely to come to an end this week. Chaminade dominated Palmer Trinity 62-0 in its first playoff game, not really needing to break much of a sweat. Heritage should put up a better fight, but I’m not sure any team in Class 3A can stick with the Lions. Chaminade-Madonna 42, American Heritage-Delray 14.
Class 1A No. 2 Pahokee (6-5) at No. 1 Hawthorne (11-0): Pahokee’s 34-13 victory against Wildwood last week was just what it needed. Before their firstround bye, the Blue Devils had lost three straight games. But Wildwood was 6-5 entering last week’s game. Hawthorne is undefeated and has outscored opponents 593-67 this year. The Blue Devils have a four-hour road trip to look forward to before even getting off the bus to face a potent team. I think it could be too much for them. Hawthorne 48, Pahokee 35.
alichtenstein@ sun-sentinel.com