THIRD ROUND PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

Another week of playoff games is in the books, and the local field has been reduced to 10 teams.

This week’s slate of regional final games has several contests that should come down to the wire, and a couple that could be memorable for those in attendance.

I was 8-6 in the second round of the playoffs last week, and I’m 108-33 this season.

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

Class 8A

Deerfield Beach (9-3) at Vero Beach (11-0): This is a match up of two teams that have historically stumbled in the postseason. Vero Beach has made the playoffs more than almost every other program in the state, but the Indians have only one state title. Deerfield Beach has also made the postseason 28 times, and never won a state title. But both teams are rolling right now, and they want to get over that hump. Vero has the home-field advantage, but I think Deerfield has the talent advantage. Deerfield Beach 24, Vero Beach 21

Western (9-2) at Miami Columbus (8-4), Thursday, 6 p.m., Tropical Park:

Western has shown it can stick with the big Dade County Class 8A teams, beating South Dade and Miami Palmetto in the first two rounds. Next up is the reigning Class 8A state runner-up, Miami Columbus. The Explorers have looked good in the postseason following an up-and-down regular season. Star running back Henry Parrish Jr. is the key to this game. If the Wildcats’ defense stops him, they should move on to the state semis. If the Pittsburgh commit runs wild, Western’s season will end in the regional finals for the second time in three years.

Western 21, Miami Columbus 17

CLASS 7A

Atlantic (8-3) at St. Thomas Aquinas

(11-0): The Raiders enter the game undefeated, having rolled over their first two playoff opponents. Atlantic has not, beating McArthur by six points in the regional semis. Atlantic will need to play its best possible game to keep this one close. The Eagles have a good defense, and they will need to play flawlessly. St. Thomas Aquinas

35, Atlantic 17

Class 6A

Miami Central (9-3) at Dillard (12-0):

The Panthers know Miami Central well. The Rockets ended Dillard’s season in the first round of the playoffs last year. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Miami Central is still extremely talented. Featuring standouts like Utah commit Katravis Marsh at quarterback, four-star prospect Amari Daniels at running back and Nebraska commit Henry Gray at cornerback, Miami Central is the favorite, despite being on the road and the higher seed. Miami Central 31, Dillard 21

Class 5A

Miami Northwestern (10-2) at American Heritage (10-1): Get in line for tickets to this game now because there will be a packed house in Plantation on Friday. The winner of this game will be the favorite to win Class 5A. Who that winner will be is anybody’s guess. Both teams are extremely talented. My brain tells me Miami Northwestern has a freshman quarterback, Taron Dickens, (who has played well this year) and the Patriots defense has forced 28 turnovers this year. My gut tells me the Bulls have the experience that comes from winning back-to-back state titles. Pure guesswork makes me think winning three straight titles is very difficult. I’ll take the Patriots in a coin flip.

Class 4A

Miami Booker T. Washington (10-2) at

Cardinal Gibbons (10-2): This is another game that looks good on paper and could be phenomenal in reality. Both of these teams are battle-tested and have playoff experience. The Chiefs got off to a slow start against University School last week, and they can’t do that again this week. Gibbons did do a good job of shutting down the Sharks’ potent passing game last week. The Chiefs will need to do it again against Booker T. quarterback Torey Morrison and wide receiver Jacorey Brooks. I expect this game to come down to the wire. Miami Booker T. Washington 21, Cardinal Gibbons 20

Class 3A

Chaminade-Madonna (9-2) at Calvary

Christian (10-1): The Eagles have been one of Broward County’s best stories this year. Calvary rolled through most of its scheduled and earned the region’s top seed, then beat Miami Edison in the regional semis. I think this is where the story ends, though. Chaminade has won back-to-back Class 3A titles, and the Lions are the favorites for a third. Led by running back Thad Franklin and a strong defense, Chaminade has too much firepower for Calvary to handle. Chaminade-Madonna 38, Calvary Christian 17

Class 1A

Chiefland (8-4) at Pahokee (5-5): Despite a rocky regular season, the Blue Devils picked up a solid win in the regional semis. Pahokee has won four straight, and coach D.J. Boldin seems to have them getting hot at the right time. Chiefland quarterback Ty Corbin makes the Indians go. He has passed for 1,287 yards and rushed for another 1,144. He’s thrown 17 touchdowns and run for 14. But Pahokee senior defensive linemen Frankie Burgess and Latarie Kinsler are a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and I think they’ll offer a mean introduction to Corbin. Pahokee 20, Chiefland 17