HIGH SCHOOL PREDICTIONS FOR WEEKEND FOOTBALL
This week’s schedule features some of the state’s top out-of-area teams facing off against Palm Beach County competition. Can Pahokee or Palm Beach Lakes pick up an upset win?
All games are Friday at 6 p.m. unless noted.
■ Boca Raton (3-1) at Santaluces (2-2), Thursday, 6 p.m.: After scoring 51 points last week, it seems that Michael Pratt and the Boca Raton offense are clicking. Expect that to continue, even against a Santaluces defense that has allowed just seven points in their last two games. Boca Raton 24-7
■ Seminole Ridge (3-0) at Boynton Beach (0-3), Thursday, 6 p.m.: Coming off an impressive win over Palm Beach Gardens, the Hawks should continue to roll against a winless Boyn- ton Beach squad. Seminole Ridge 30-7
■ Village Academy (0-4) at Somerset Canyons (1-3), Fri- day, 4 p.m.: Village Academy has yet to score this season, and while I expect them to get on the board this week, I don’t think it’ll be enough to earn a win. Somerset Canyons 21-7
■ Westminster Academy (3-1) at Boca Raton Christian (2-2), Friday, 4 p.m.: Boca Christian lost big to Somerset Academy-Pembroke Pines, who Westminster Academy beat to open their season. So give the Lions the edge here. Westminster Academy 27-14
■ Atlantic (3-0) at Park Vista (2-2): After watching Atlantic beat Palm Beach Central, Dwyer and Pahokee to open the year, it’s hard to envision the Eagles drop- ping any of their remaining games, even against a good Park Vista team. Atlantic 31-8 ■ Cardinal Newman (3-1) at Royal Palm Beach (0-4): This is a good opportunity for Cardinal Newman to bounce back from a loss to Pahokee as they face a winless Royal Palm Beach team in the early stages of a rebuilding process. Cardinal Newman 42-20 ■ Glades Central (1-2) at Clewiston (1-3): I expect Glades Central to make a strong playoff push after a two-loss start to the season. I believe that will begin this week. Glades Central 28-14 ■ Jupiter (1-2) at Suncoast (2-2): Even at this stage of the season, Jupiter is an unknown. The Warriors’ win came against a team playing its first ever game, but their two narrow losses were against strong teams. I’m guessing they play Suncoast tight. Jupiter 24-21
■ Lake Worth (0-3) at Spanish River (0-4): One of these teams will pick up its first win of the year in what should be a close contest. Spanish River 20-12
■ Palm Beach Gardens (3-1) at Dwyer (2-1): Palm Beach Gardens has enough offensive firepower to keep this close, but Dwyer has been impres- sive this year — except for its loss to Atlantic. I think they’ll pull away for another qual- ity win. Dwyer 40-28
■ Jacksonville-Trinity Christian (4-0) at Palm Beach Lakes (1-2): Trinity Christian is one of the best teams in the state and is likely too strong for the Rams to pull off an upset. Jacksonville-Trinity Christian 40-13 ■ Vero Beach (4-0) at Pahokee (2-1): Vero Beach is a top 10 team in the state, and while Pahokee can certainly hang with the bigger schools, I expect this result to mirror the Blue Devils’ loss to Atlantic. Vero Beach 34-22 ■ Wellington (2-2) at John I. Leonard (0-3): The Wolver- ines need to rebound after a big loss to Palm Beach Central and will have the chance to do so against the winless Lancers. Wellington 30-6 ■ West Boca Raton (0-4) at Forest Hill (4-0): The Falcons have rolled so far this season and should continue to do so against the Bulls. Forest Hill 28-0
■ American Heritage (3-0) at Archbishop McCarthy (1-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Stallions continue to impress and should be able to handle Archbishop McCarthy, whose lone win came against Boynton last week. American Heritage 35-0
■ Berean Christian (1-3) at Glades Day (2-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Gators’ two losses came against Benjamin and King’s Academy, suggesting that they’re a better team than their record indicates. Glades Day 35-7
■ St. Edward’s (0-3) at Jupiter Christian (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Eagles have outscored their opponents 136-27 this season, and that high-scoring trend should continue this week. Jupiter Christian 41-7
■ Key West (3-1) at Benjamin (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: Key West blew a big lead last week in its first loss. This should be a close one, but I expect the Bucs to come away with the win. Benjamin 21-17
■ North Broward Prep (1-3) at King’s Academy (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m.: King’s Acad- emy just continues to win football games and has established itself as one of the bet- ter teams in its class. King’s Academy 28-0
■ Palm Beach Central (3-1) at Palm Bay (2-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Broncos have found their stride since their opening loss to Atlantic. They should pick up another win this week against Palm Bay. Palm Beach Central 55-14 ■ Inlet Grove (2-2) at Gateway Charter (0-4), Friday, 7 p.m.: After starting the season hot, the Hurricanes have dropped two straight. A winless Gateway Charter team should get them back in the win column. Inlet Grove 28-10