Six vying for title shot

Of the 29 teams from Broward and Palm Beach counties that made the playoffs, only six are still in the running for a state title.

Across five classes, these teams will play Friday for a chance to make it to Camping World Stadium next week.

Adam Lichtenstein predicts the outcome of each state semifinal with teams from Broward or Palm Beach. He was 52-8 in the regular season and is 31-5 in the playoffs.

All games are at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Class 8A

No. 1 Miami Columbus (13-0) at No. 1

Deerfield Beach (12-1): The two Class 8A teams left in South Florida are set to square up for a great game. For the Bucks to earn a trip to their second-ever state championship game, they don’t need to do anything fancy or complicated. They need to establish the running game and play great defense. Junior running back and Oklahoma commit Jaylan Knighton has lived up to his end of the bargain so far, rushing for more than 130 yards. The defense, led by standout players Brandon Dorlus, Ge’mon Eaford, Marcus Lafrance, Jamarius Landers, Brandon Moses and more, has held the Bucks’ three playoff opponents to only 20 combined points. But the Explorers have been dominant on offense in the playoffs, averaging 45 points through three postseason contests. The Bucks will not be able to let up if they want to win this week.

Columbus 21, Deerfield Beach 17.

Class 7A

No. 1 Venice (12-1) at No. 1 St. Thomas

Aquinas (12-1): The Raiders can get vengeance that’s a year in the making. The Indians beat St. Thomas in Venice to end the Raiders’ title hopes last year. Now St. Thomas gets Venice at home. Venice’s only loss this season is to Vero Beach, which had a great year but lost in the second round of the postseason. The Raiders’ only loss is to Miami Central, which is one of the best teams in Florida despite losing to Miami Northwestern last week. St. Thomas has a bevy of ways to beat opponents, boasting a strong passing game, a good running attack and one of the best defenses in the state. I think St. Thomas gets its revenge on Friday.

St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Venice 24.

Class 5A

No. 2 Tampa Jesuit (12-1) at No. 2 Cardinal Gibbons (11-2): Missing quarterback Nik Scazlo, the Chiefs turned to sophomore Brody Palhegyi to get them a win against American Heritage. Palhegyi threw two touchdowns as Gibbons not only beat the Patriots, but routed them 35-7. Chiefs coach Matt DuBuc didn’t ask Palhegyi to do too much, and he only threw the ball nine times. Gibbons relied heavily on running back Vincent Davis, a Pittsburgh commit, and its strong defense, which dominated Heritage. The Chiefs will employ the same strategy this week. If stars like Khris Bogle, Trevis Robinson and Yahweh Jeudy consistently break up plays in the backfield, I think Gibbons earns a spot in the title game for the first time since 1990. Without a strong defensive performance, beating Jesuit gets a lot tougher. Cardinal

Gibbons 17, Jesuit 14.

Class 4A

No. 1 University (11-1) at No. 1 Cocoa

(9-3): I like U-School against the fourtime champion and reigning state runnerup. The Sharks are hitting their stride at the right time. Quarterback Nick Vattiato is coming off his best game of the season, throwing for 389 yards and four touchdowns, Georgia commit Kenny McIntosh had 155 rushing yards and a score and the defense was stingy. Cocoa is playing well in the postseason, too, but they have three losses on the year at the hands of Viera (8-4), Treasure Coast(8-5) and Rockledge (10-2). University School 28, Cocoa 24.

Class 3A

No. 1 King’s Academy (11-1) at No. 1 Tallahassee Florida State (8-3): Luck is clearly on the Lions’ side as they look to make their first-ever state championship game. King’s needed a last-second Hail Mary to win last week, and quarterback Justin Wake delivered. The Lions have also made a habit out of winning close games; they beat rival Benjamin on a game-ending two-point conversion to end the regular season before winning their first two playoff games by a combined 10 points. Despite the long road trip and Wake dealing with a foot injury, I’m hesitant to pick against the Lions. King’s Academy 24, Florida State 20. No. 1 Chaminade-Madonna (10-2) at

No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic (12-0): The Lions blew out the Marauders 49-3 in the state semifinals last year. I don’t think this week’s game will be quite as lopsided, as Chaminade struggled to put points on the board in a 14-3 victory against American Heritage-Delray last week. But I do think the Lions come out with a win because their defense is loaded with playmakers. They should hold the Marauders in check. As long as the defense plays up to its potential, I believe Chamiande will be back in Orlando to defend its title. Chaminade-Madonna 28, Clearwater Central Catholic 17.