Week 11 high school football predictions
District titles are wrapped up in Broward and Palm Beach counties, but several playoff spots remain up for grabs. Sun Sentinel reporters Wells Dusenbury and David Furones pick 10 critical matchups as virtually every Week 11 game will carry some degree of playoff implications, impacting potential playoff teams’ strength of schedule — a key in the first year under the points system. Furones is 63-20 on the year while Duse is two games back in the standings at 61-22. (All games are Friday at 7 p.m. unless noted.)
MIRAMAR (7-1) AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (8-1) Duse: St. Thomas 31, Miramar 17 St. Thomas Aquinas’ defense has been dominant all season long, but the offense has been a question mark. Miramar, fresh off a district title, presents a tough test with its explosive passing, but the Raiders also boast one of the top CB tandems in Asante Samuel Jr. and Al Blades Jr. I think St. Thomas’ offense puts enough together and the defense adds a score to help give them the win. Furones: St. Thomas Aquinas 20, Miramar 13 For the Raiders, they really want to pick up some momentum offensively before heading into regionals. They’ve been using sophomore dual threat Derek Wingo at quarterback of late, and he will get challenged against the Patriots’ tough “Dark Side” defense. Miramar receivers Dominick Watt and Terrence Horne going up against that talented Aquinas secondary is a key matchup, but can the Patriots limit Nik Bonitto’s pass rush? St. Thomas pulls out a close one that should be well-played on both sides.
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (7-0) AT CHAMINADE-MADONNA (6-2), 4 P.M. Duse: University School 31, Chaminade 30 After being burned twice in picking against U-School, I said I wouldn’t go against the Sharks again. Chaminade looks like it has turned it up to another level in the second half and should be poised to compete for the 3A title once again. I think both offenses show off their explosiveness on Friday, but the Sharks take away the road win to end the season. Furones: Chaminade 27, University 21 University School has answered every test to this point — from Glades Central to Miami Pace in the region and American Heritage-Delray to Hialeah Champagnat as top opponents from other small-school regions. I see the Lions as a tougher challenge than all of the above, but both teams, who go into their respective regional semifinals as top seeds, get a chance to tune themselves up against top competition one last time before the games that matter more.
PAHOKEE (5-2) AT GLADES CENTRAL (6-2) Duse: Glades Central 28, Pahokee 26 It’s Muck Bowl time as the two fierce rivals square off. The Raiders are seeking revenge after having their eight-game winning streak snapped last year. Glades Central quarterback Davious Richards has been lighting it up in the second half of the season and I think the Raiders make enough big plays in the air to bring the Muck Bowl Trophy back to Belle Glade. Furones: Glades Central 24, Pahokee 23 This one means a little bit more to the Raiders, coming in as the No. 4 team in Region 4-4A where the top four get in. Pahokee appears to be in better position to reach the Class 1A postseason even if the Blue Devils drop this one. Glades Central has impressed in its four-game win streak since the 31-0 loss to Oxbridge. The Raiders reclaim the trophy.
BLANCHE ELY (2-7) AT DILLARD (5-4) Duse: Dillard 24, Blanche Ely 20 It’s been a disappointing season for Ely, but they always come to play in the Soul Bowl. Dillard is coming off a 30-point loss to Cardinal Gibbons, but the Panthers won four straight beforehand to capture the district title. I think Dillard bounces back and avenges last season’s OT loss to the Tigers. Furones: Dillard 17, Blanche Ely 13 Even when the Tigers really appear to be down, they get up for the Soul Bowl and a chance to stick it to rival Dillard. Ely has won six of the last eight and leads the overall series 25-20-2. Dillard takes a tough shot, but gets the victory before likely hosting powerhouse Miami Central in Region 4-6A quarterfinals.
PLANTATION (8-1) AT DOUGLAS (5-3) Duse: While Douglas has been playing well down the stretch and needs a win to stay in playoff hunt, I think Plantation caps off its stellar regular season in Steve Davis’ return to the sideline. Plantation 31-23.
Furones: Douglas is sitting on the last Region 3-8A wild-card spot. A loss to a strong Plantation team isn’t a huge hit in points. We’ll see if the final point average keeps the Eagles in. Plantation 34-20.
STRANAHAN (5-4) AT FORT LAUDERDALE (1-7) Duse: Stranahan’s won three of its past four and should keep the momentum going as it picks up rivalry game in. Stranahan 28-17. Furones: This installment of the classic rivalry goes to the Mighty Dragons. Rough year for the Flying L’s, but they have young talent that can come out strong next year. Stranahan 17-6.
WESTERN (7-2) AT COOPER CITY (4-5) Duse: Western bounces back from disappointing 2-point loss to Miramar to finish off great regular season and gear up for playoffs. Western 31-20. Furones: The Wildcats win big, starting fast and getting their backups in to preserve starters for the postseason. Western 33-10.
PARK VISTA (6-2) AT PALM BEACH GARDENS (3-5) Duse: Park Vista desperately needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive and the Gators haven’t been able to notch a big win yet this year. Vista 17-14.
Furones: The Cobras get the victory they need to stay alive. Unfortunately, Gardens’ record isn’t indicative of how strong the Gators are and the value of the win won’t be accurately reflected in playoff points. Vista 16-13.
KING’S ACADEMY (7-0) AT BENJAMIN (6-2) Duse: King’s Academy wins in a shootout as the Lions keep their 20-game win streak alive. King’s 38-35. Furones: If there’s one thing I know about King’s, it’s that the Lions find ways to win ball games. King’s 35-34.
SOUTH FORK (2-7) AT JUPITER (0-8) Duse: Jupiter’s 34-game losing streak finally comes to a close as Warriors coach and former South Fork AD Tim Tharp knocks off his former school. Jupiter 21-17.
Furones: What a way to go out for the Warriors! The drought finally comes to an end the final week of the regular season in dramatic fashion. Jupiter 20-17.