Undefeated Dillard travels to Blanche Ely for the 56th annual Soul Bowl on Saturday night. The storied rivalry is always a highly anticipated game in Broward County.
Several teams nationally ranked by MaxPreps are also in action this week as St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 11), Chaminade-Madonna (No. 17), American Heritage (No. 39) and West Boca (No. 49) all are playing. Unbeatens Atlantic, Jupiter, both 5-0, will try to keep their unbeaten streaks going.
I went 12-3 last week to run my record to 76-19 (80%) for the season.
Dillard (6-0) at Blanche Ely (3-2) (Saturday, 3 p.m.): The host Tigers have won four consecutive Soul Bowl contests and lead the series 29-26-1, which began in 1952. The Panthers have outscored their opponents 298-23 this season, having pitched four shutouts in six games. Dillard 41, Blanche Ely 13.
No. 39 American Heritage (2-3) at Flanagan (4-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Senior quarterback Leon Strawder, who led Miami Northwestern to the Class 3A state championship in 2024 (2,677 yards, 41 TDs), will be playing his third game since transferring to American Heritage as he tries to fill the shoes of fivr-star senior QB and Texas commit Dia Bell, who announced he would be sidelined the rest of the season after undergoing surgery. Flanagan spreads the ball around with four receivers with more than 100 yards, led by UCLA commit Santana Carlos. American Heritage 27, Flanagan 23.
No. 11 St. Thomas Aquinas (4-1) at Hollywood Hills (2-3) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The six-time defending Class 5A state champion Raiders hope to use this District 15-5A contest as a tune-up before heading to London to play against the NFL’s London-based Academy school at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 8. St. Thomas Aquinas 44, Hollywood Hills 6.
Western (1-4) at No. 49 West Boca (4-1) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Western defeated defending Class 6A state champion West Boca, 28-27 on a blocked extra-point attempt in overtime last season, but later forfeited the win after the Wildcats were found to have played an ineligible player. Western lost to the three-time defending Class 2A state champion Chaminade-Madonna last week 56-0. West Boca has won three straight, allowing just six points in the process. West Boca 40, Western 0.
Coconut Creek (5-1) at South Broward (2-3) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Coconut Creek rebounded from its first loss of the season to rout Boyd Anderson, 61-0. After starting off the season 2-0, the Bulldogs have dropped three straight. Coconut Creek 30, South Broward 14.
Hallandale (3-1) at Cardinal Gibbons (3-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Chiefs are coming off a 49-38 loss against West Broward on Monday night. Hallandale is also coming off a Monday loss to Coral Glades, 15-14. Cardinal Gibbons 20, Hallandale 14.
Monarch (3-2) at No. 17 Chaminade-Madonna (4-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Both teams feature high-powered offenses, so it could come down to defense. The host Lions will head into their homecoming game having allowed six points in their past two games, while scoring 56 points in each. Monarch pitched a shutout in its last two games. Chaminade-Madonna 33, Monarch 24.
Cardinal Newman (3-2) at Miami Goleman (4-1) (Thursday, 7 p.m.): The Crusaders are coming off a much-needed bye week following a 31-0 loss to Tampa Jesuit two weeks ago. The host Gators have been victorious in three straight, allowing just 16 points in those contests. Cardinal Newman 20, Miami Goleman 17.
Suncoast (1-5) at Jupiter (5-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Jupiter QB Andrew Embick threw for three TDs in its win against Palm Beach Central. Suncoast is smarting from a 65-0 loss to Dillard, its fourth shutout this season. Jupiter 30, Suncoast 0.
Atlantic (5-0) at Treasure Coast (0-5) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The visiting Eagles have been unstoppable, averaging nearly 42 points per game. Treasure Coast is the virtual opposite, losing seven straight dating back to last year, having scored just 20 points this season. Atlantic sophomore QB Pedro Martinez has accounted for 15 TDs. Atlantic 48, Treasure Coast 0.
Boca Raton (4-1) at Royal Palm Beach (4-1) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Both teams are coming off losses; however, the Wildcats have piled up 43 points per game. Royal Palm Beach is unbeaten at home (2-0), while the Bobcats are undefeated on the road (3-0). Royal Palm Beach 24, Boca Raton 20.
Lake Worth (1-4) at Pahokee (4-1) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Pahokee piled up 478 yards on offense, thanks to senior RB Samuel Arnold (227 all-purpose yards) in a 41-21 win over Palm Beach Gardens. The Trojans have lost two straight and six of their past seven dating back to last season. Pahokee 31, Lake Worth 10.
Somerset Prep (1-5) at King’s Academy (2-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): King’s Academy topped Westwood 21-20 on Monday and is led by junior linebacker Levi Champion (18 tackles per game). Somerset Prep is on a four-game losing skid after a 55-7 loss to St. Andrew’s. King’s Academy 33, Somerset Prep 12.
Palm Beach Central (1-4) at Palm Beach Gardens (1-4) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The Broncos have lost three of their games by a total of 10 points, including a 27-20 loss to Jupiter. The host Gators have lost three straight. Palm Beach Central 24, Palm Beach Central 20.
Palm Beach Lakes (3-2) at Dwyer (0-6) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Both teams have allowed more points than they have scored; however, the host Panthers have been blanked in four straight games. The Rams topped Wellington last week behind junior WR Ryan Ferdinand (7 receptions, 111 yards, TD). Palm Beach Lakes 21, Dwyer 0.
