It’s Round 2

Local contingent: 19 teams remain in hunt for state titles

After one round of postseason play, the herd of local teams still in the title hunt was thinned from 34 teams last week to 19 now.

Some teams had a bye week to start the playoff, but all the local teams are playing this week. Few, if any, have easy games on the docket.

I went 18-3 with my picks in the first round. I am 94-28 for the season.

All games are at 7:30 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted.

Class 8A

Vero Beach (7-2) at Palm Beach Central (9-0), 6:30 p.m.

The undefeated Broncos face their toughest test so far this year when Vero Beach comes to Wellington. Palm Beach Central’s offense has rolled throughout the year, with the combination of quarterback Ahmad Haston and running backs Markel King and Alderson Estinvil leading the way. Vero will be a tough test, but if the Broncos are up for it, they can withstand it and move on to the regional finals. Palm Beach Central 28, Vero Beach 24

Miami Columbus (7-3) at Western (9-2)

The Wildcats had no issue beating Stoneman Douglas in the first round, and they get a rematch with Columbus. The Explorers knocked Western out of the postseason in 2019 en route to a state title. Now, the Wildcats get the chance to return the favor. The Wildcats defense has been strong all season, and the passing offense has been near-unstoppable. Western is the favorite this time around. Western 28, Columbus 21

Deerfield Beach (9-2) at Miami Palmetto (8-2), Tropical Park, Thursday, 7 pm.

The Bucks head south Thursday night to face Palmetto. The Panthers dispatched Coral Glades in the regional quarterfinals, 56-21. But Deerfield Beach has more Division I talent and will be more of a challenge for Palmetto. Both teams have been tested against quality opponents during the season, so this could be one of the best games this week. Deerfield Beach 21, Palmetto 20

Class 7A

Miramar (7-3) at St. Thomas Aquinas (10-1)

Miramar has been one of the teams to give St. Thomas Aquinas issues over the past 15 years. Dating back to 2007, the Patriots have beaten the Raiders four times (and lost nine times). No Broward County team has beaten St. Thomas that many times in that time period. But three of those losses were from 2011-13. Since then, the Patriots have gone 1-5 against the Raiders, with the one win coming in 2017. So will Miramar pull off the upset on Friday? It’s not impossible, but it’s not likely either. St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Miramar 14

Dillard (10-1) at Homestead (9-1), Harris Field

The Panthers picked up a dominant win over crosstown rival Fort Lauderdale to start their playoff run, but they have a tougher road trip this week down in Homestead. Both of these teams have dominated opponents throughout the year. Dillard’s sole loss was against St. Thomas, and Homestead only fell to Palmetto. One or two big plays could be the difference in this game, and Dillard has a big-play machine in wide receiver Devaughn Mortimer. Dillard 28, Homestead 21

Class 6A

Plantation (8-2) at Coconut Creek (9-2)

This game is a rematch of what ended up being the District 15-6A title game. When these two teams faced off on Sept. 17, Coconut Creek picked up a 27-7 win. Don’t expect this game to be that lopsided. Since losing that contest, the Colonels have won seven of eight games, with the lone loss being a one-point defeat against Dillard. Last week, Plantation picked up an upset win over No. 1 seed Fort Myers Dunbar. Coconut Creek has had a great season, as well, and has won five straight. However, I think we will see a reversal of the early-season matchup, with Plantation winning a close game. Plantation 28, Coconut Creek 27

Class 5A

Stranahan (7-4) at Miami Killian (11-0), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Stranahan came back from the Gulf Coast with its first playoff win since 2009. But the Mighty Dragons have a difficult task this week. Miami Killian has not lost a game this year and has wins over Palmetto, Miramar and Booker T. Washington, among others. On the road, Stranahan is the underdog. Killian 35, Stranahan 24

Miami Central (8-2) at American Heritage (6-3)

This is a game all of South Florida has been waiting for all season. These two perennial powerhouses square off in Plantation Friday night, and the winner will be the favorite to win the Class 5A title. The Rockets started the year with two losses to out-of-state powers St. John Bosco and Bishop Gorman, but since those two losses, they’ve outscored opponents 370-52. Only Miami Northwestern came close to tripping them up. American Heritage’s defense is unlikely to allow Miami Central to score 40 points, like they’ve been averaging all year, but the Patriots will have to find a way to score on a stingy Rockets defense. Heritage will need someone like Mark Fletcher or Brandon Inniss to step up and have a huge game. Miami Central 17, American Heritage 14

Class 4A

Pine Crest (4-6) at Cardinal Gibbons (7-2), 7 p.m.

While the Chiefs had a bye week in the first round of the playoffs, the Panthers scored an upset win over Miami LaSalle. Unfortunately for Pine Crest, its playoff run will likely end this week. These two teams met on Oct. 8, and Cardinal Gibbons won, 55-7. There is no reason to think this week’s game will be significantly different. Cardinal Gibbons 45, Pine Crest 10

Glades Central (6-5) at St. Petersburg Lakewood (8-2)

The Raiders scored a first-round victory on the road against American Heritage-Delray, and now they face the top seed in the region, Lakewood. The Spartans do enter this game on a two-game losing streak, but those losses were against Chaminade-Madonna and Lakeland. The Raiders looked good in their firstround win last week, but they’ll have to play just as well — if not better — to win on the road this week. Lakewood 27, Glades Central 20

Class 3A

Orlando The First Academy (8-2) at Benjamin (7-3), 7 p.m.

The Buccaneers begin their playoff slate after a firstround bye against The First Academy on Friday. Benjamin should be fully prepared for a playoff run, as nearly every team on its schedule has made the postseason, giving the Buccaneers ample competition. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Aronson has had a breakout season, completing 56 percent of his passes for 1,761 yards and 24 touchdowns against three interceptions. Sophomore running back Chauncey Bowens has excelled, as well, rushing for 986 yards and nine scores. Benjamin 35, First Academy 21

Miami Edison (7-4) at Chaminade-Madonna (7-1), 7 p.m.

Like Benjamin and Cardinal Gibbons, the Lions also had a first-round bye, giving them a chance to rest before attempting to bring the Class 3A title back to Hollywood. Chaminade has played an extremely difficult schedule, with every opponent making the playoffs. The Lions have beaten everyone they have faced except American Heritage, and that was a two-point loss. I expect Chaminade’s hot streak to continue. Chaminade-Madonna 28, Miami Edison 13

Cardinal Newman (8-3) at Miami Florida Christian (8-1)

The Crusaders picked up a big win over St. Andrew’s last week for their first playoff win since 2013. This week, Newman travels to Miami to face Florida Christian, which has had a good year but hasn’t played a particularly hard schedule. Cardinal Newman is more battle-tested than Florida Christian, and that should serve the Crusaders well. Cardinal Newman 24, Florida Christian 14

Class 2A

Fort Pierce John Carroll Catholic (6-2) at Avant Garde Academy (8-0)

Avant Garde plays its first playoff game this week, and it comes after the Sharks earned a first-round bye. Avant Garde has rolled through its eight opponents, beating them by a combined score of 333-83. Avant Garde Academy 21, John Carroll Catholic 17

Glades Day (9-1) at Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (7-2)

The Gators, who were once a perennial powerhouse, have had their best season since 2014, when they won 11 games and reached the state semifinals. In the years since Glades Day was a small-school power, other schools have taken over. Champagnat is one of them. Since Glades Day won its last title in 2010, the Lions have won four state titles (including the last two Class 2A championships) and finished as state runner-up twice. Can Glades Day upset Champagnat and get one step closer to restoring its glory days? It will be tough. Champagnat 35, Glades Day 14

Class 1A

Bradford (6-5) at Pahokee (7-1)

The Blue Devils clinched a first-round bye after they beat Glades Central in the Muck Bowl. Now the Blue Devils start their quest for the program’s first official state title since 2008 (their 2016 championship was vacated after the fact). Led by freshman quarterback Austin Simmons, who recently picked up an offer from Florida State, Pahokee should pick up a win over the Tornadoes to start their playoff run.

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/SUN SENTINEL Coconut Creek running back Brian Skipper tries to squeeze through the Western defense during their game Oct. 8. Skipper and the Cougars have a rematch with Plantation in the second round of the playoffs.