Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Slate filled with big matchups
Week 9 is shaping up to be one of the best weeks of high school football this year. Multiple big-time matchups with playoff implications are on the slate this week.
Dillard and St. Thomas Aquinas face off to decide the District 14-7A crown, and Cardinal Gibbons makes up a Week 1 game against undefeated Venice. In Palm Beach County, undefeated Palm Beach Central puts their record to the test against Palm Beach Gardens, and Park Vista looks to recover from a loss to Forest Hill with a road trip to Seminole Ridge.
I had a good week in Week 8, going 9-1 with my picks. I am 54-18 so far this season.
All games are at 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted.
Dillard (7-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas (7-1)
Dillard has beaten up on its last few opponents, and the Panthers have not really been challenged since facing Miramar on Sept. 10. That’s all going to change on Friday when they face St. Thomas Aquinas. Since dropping their only game of the season to Tampa Jesuit, the Raiders have won six straight, including games over reigning state champions American Heritage and Cardinal Gibbons. This game will be the biggest measuring stick to determine whether Dillard is merely really good or if the Panthers are truly in the top tier of South Florida football. Additionally, watching Dillard Super 11 defensive lineman Nyjalik Kelly face off against St. Thomas Super 11 offensive lineman Julian Armella should be one of the year’s best matchups. St. Thomas Aquinas 27, Dillard 17.
Palm Beach Central (6-0) at Palm Beach Gardens (5-2), 6:30 p.m.
This district showdown pits two of Palm Beach County’s top teams against each other. Palm Beach Gardens has won four straight games after losing two in a row to Glades Central and Dwyer. The Gators do have some solid wins on their resume, including victories over Pahokee and Atlantic. The Broncos, meanwhile, have been decimating their opposition. Palm Beach Central is averaging about 45 points per game, and I’m not sure any team in the county can stop the Broncos. Palm Beach Central 38, Palm Beach Gardens 24.
Cardinal Gibbons (5-2) at Venice (7-0), Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
This matchup was originally scheduled for Week 1, but it had to be postponed due to COVID19. Instead of being a great season-opener, this game now comes at a crucial time for the Chiefs. Gibbons has lost two of its last three games (against American Heritage and St. Thomas). Although another loss wouldn’t ruin the Chiefs’ season, a win would help Cardinal Gibbons get back to moving in the right direction before two likely wins to end the season. Venice is one of the state’s best teams, ranked second in the state and 31st in the nation by MaxPreps. Venice has stars such as junior defensive lineman Damon Wilson and junior safety Elliot Washington, but it’s just a really well-rounded football team. This will be a difficult road trip for Cardinal Gibbons. Venice 21, Cardinal Gibbons 17.
Park Vista (5-2) at Seminole Ridge (6-1), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
Ground and pound has been the name of the game for the Hawks. They’re averaging 311 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns per game. The Cobras will need to stop that rushing attack if they want to recover from a district loss to Forest Hill. Now behind the eight ball in district standings, a win over a good Seminole Ridge team would help the Cobras’ RPI. Seminole Ridge 21, Park Vista 17.
Stranahan(5-2) at Chaminade-Madonna (5-1)
Chaminade defensive linemen Jamaal Johnson and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. have made themselves at home in opponents’ backfields this season. The fearsome duo has combined for 69 tackles and 17 sacks so far this year. Stranahan has weapons on offense, such as standout junior wide receiver Hykeem Williams and linebacker Omar Graham Jr. (who has been moonlighting as a running back). But Chaminade’s defense will most likely be too much for the Mighty Dragons to muscle through. Chaminade-Madonna 35, Stranahan 14.
American Heritage (3-3) at Boynton Beach (5-2), 6 p.m.
Despite some disappointing losses against some of the state’s top teams, American Heritage remains in a good position to make the playoffs. The Patriots won their first district game last week against Jensen Beach 43-7, and they look to pick up another in Boynton Beach on Friday. For comparison, Boynton Beach beat Jensen Beach 17-15. The Tigers dropped a district contest against Stranahan last week, so another loss will knock them out of the race for a district title. The Patriots are not a team you want to face with your playoff chances on the line, but the likely loss coming will force Boynton Beach to try to make the playoffs with an at-large spot. American Heritage 38, Boynton Beach 10.
Pahokee (5-1) at Clewiston (4-1), 7:30 p.m.
Pahokee crosses the Palm Beach County line into Hendry County to take on the Tigers this week. Clewiston lost its first game of the year against Cardinal Newman last week thanks in part to a strong performance by Crusaders freshman quarterback Davi Belfort. Pahokee also has a good, freshman quarterback in Austin Simmons. Simmons went 11 for 14 for 243 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win. Time to see if he can do it on the road in a big game. Pahokee 24, Clewiston 21.
Coral Glades (4-1) at Cypress Bay (5-2)
These two teams have are having solid seasons, but their playoff hopes could come down to this Friday’s game. The most likely scenario for District 14-8A is a Western championship with Coral Glades and Cypress Bay batting for an at-large position. Entering this game, Coral Glades is eighth in the region. Cypress Bay is ninth. The two teams are separated by just .010 points. The winner of this game will have a leg up in the hunt for a playoff spot. Cypress Bay 21, Coral Glades 20.
Flanagan (3-3) vs Western (5-2)
Western went on the war path last week, putting up 91 points against an over matched Tara vella squad. The Wildcats’ passing game is their biggest strength, and they showed it in that victory. This week’ s game won’ t be quite so lopsided, but it should be a game Western wins at home. But the Wildcats can’t get complacent. This is still a district game, and Flanagan is a better squad than Taravella. Western 45, Flanagan 17.
Calvary Christian (4-3) at Benjamin (4-3)
Calvary Christian has picked up back-to-back wins after its three-game losing streak earlier in the year, but Benjamin will be the Eagles’ toughest test since they played Cardinal Gibbons on Sept. 24. Benjamin, meanwhile, is trying to avoid a three-game losing streak of its own. The Buccaneers came just five points from beating Hialeah Champagnat last week. I expect this to be a close game that could come down to one or two plays. Benjamin 28, Calvary Christian 27.