Week 2 predictions in Broward, Palm Beach counties
Football is back in South Florida, and it continues on withWeek 2.
Some Broward and Palm Beach teams opened their season last week. Unfortunately, some of the games this week have been postponed. American HeritageDelray vs. Calvary Christian was postponed followingthe death of Stallions coach Brian Sheridan, and Cardinal Newman vs. Benjamin was canceled for undisclosed reasons.
While there are fewer games on the schedule this week, there are more on the horizon. Broward and Palm Beach counties are moving forward with plans to start fall conditioning on Monday, with plans to begin their football seasons in late October.
I went 4-1 with my picks in the first week. All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
American Heritage at Chaminade-Madonna (1-0)
This game should be extremely entertaining for the limited number of fans who
will be allowed to attend. Chaminade opened its season with a 27-14 win over Hialeah Champagnat. The Lions relied heavily on star running back Thad Franklin, who scored all four of their touchdowns. Chaminade will have to diversify its offense this week. If the passing game struggles again, Heritage can load the box with standout players like Marvin Jones Jr., David Vadala and James Williams. The Patriots are talented enough to stop even Franklin’s bruising running attack.
However, Heritage could have its own struggles. Sophomore Blake Murphy will likely get the start for the Patriots, and the Lions have a talented defensive line to greet him. Facing the likes of AllanHaye, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Jamaal Johnson is a tough task for any quarterback, let alone a sophomore taking over the starting role.
I expect this to be a close game. I think Chaminade might have the slight edge if only because the Lions already have one game under their belt. With no preseason game to fine-tune things, the Patriots will take the field Friday for the first time. Chaminade’s coaching staff saw its team play last week and had the opportunity to clean up any mistakes or sloppiness they saw, and that’s not an opportunity Heritage had. ChaminadeMadonna 21, AmericanHeritage 20.
Homestead Everglades Prep at Calvary Christian (1-0)
Calvary
Christian was able to quickly schedule a new game after its contest with American HeritageDelraywas postponed. They face Everglades Prep, which has not played yet this year. Calvary looked good in its first game, beating Cardinal Newman 19-0. Quarterback Gabe Contento had a solid opener, and wide receiver Brandon Chatman racked up over 100 all-purpose yards. Senior defender Quinn Katz had a team-best seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. I expect the Eagles to keep rolling this week. Calvary Christian 38, Everglades Prep 10.
King’s Academy GladesDay
(1-0)
at
TheLions pickedupa victory in their first game, edging out Englewood Lemon Bay. Sophomore quarterback Will Prichard looked good, throwing for 280yards and three scores. Junior athlete Dominick Ratty did it all for King’s, rushing for 90 yards, catching three passes for 86 yards and a touchdown and returning a kick 90 yards. Glades Day, meanwhile, starts its football season on Friday. Like in the
Chaminade-Heritage game, the advantage goes to the team that already began playing. King’s Academy 35, Glades Day14.
Westminster Academy (0-1) at Boca Raton Christian, 4 p.m.
Westminster Academy had a disappointing season opener, dropping its contest against Dade Christian 26-6. Coming off last year’s 9-2 season, the Lions should be able to put together better showings going forward. Boca Raton Christian gives them a decent chance to turn things around. Westminster Academy 21, Boca Raton Christian 14.
Berean Christian (0-1) at Saint John Paul II Academy, 6:30 p.m.
These two small private schools face off Friday night. Berean Christian fell in its season opener against Jupiter Christian last week. Saint John Paul II opens its season this week, looking to improve on a 4-5 season that ended with a pair of disappointing losses. Saint John Paul II Academy 14, Berean Christian 10.