A clash of defending state champions, St. Thomas Aquinas (Class 5A) and American Heritage (Class 4A), headlines this week’s action.
St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked No. 14 in the country by MaxPreps, aims to extend the Raiders’ record of consecutive state championships to seven and win a 17th state title.
I went 11-4 last week to run my season record to 116-24 (83%).
No. 14 St. Thomas Aquinas (7-1) at American Heritage (4-4) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Raiders are rounding into form as they approach the postseason on a seven-game win streak. After its 13-10 upset loss to Archbishop McCarthy, the Patriots plummeted in the MaxPreps national rankings from No. 39 to 155th. American Heritage won last year’s game against the Raiders, 42-38, snapping a three-game skid in the series dating back to 2014. St. Thomas Aquinas 35, American Heritage 28.
South Broward (3-5) at Flanagan (6-2) (Thursday, 6:30): South Broward snapped a five-game skid with a 21-20 victory over Nova. The host Falcons are led by senior QB Chance Humphrey, who has accounted for 1,575 all-purpose yards and 20 scores. Flanagan has won two straight. Flanagan 35, South Broward 14.
Archbishop McCarthy (6-2) at Calvary Christian Academy (7-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The visiting Mavericks are coming off a 13-10 win over then No. 39 American Heritage behind sophomore running back Damian Grant (901 rushing yards, 10 TDs). Calvary Christian has won five straight, including a 16-14 win over previously undefeated St. Andrew’s as senior Noah Johnson leads the Eagles defense with 73 tackles. Archbishop McCarthy 24, Calvary Christian Academy 20.
Boynton Beach (5-3) at Dillard (8-0) (Friday, 6:30): Dillard is 3-0 in District 14-4A will try and fend off the challenge of Boynton Beach (2-1). The Tigers, led by senior QB Chris Siska (1,459 yards, 16 TDs; 208 yards rushing, 5 TDs), have won two in a row. Dillard 24, Boynton Beach 20.
No. 17 Chaminade-Madonna (6-1) at Cardinal Gibbons (6-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The visiting Lions have rolled to six straight victories, while Chiefs have won three consecutive games. Senior quarterback Jayden Torres has thrown for 1,967 yards and run for 335 yards. Chaminade averages 38.4 points per game. Chaminade-Madonna 30, Cardinal Gibbons 28.
Coconut Creek (6-2) at Blanche Ely (3-5) (Thursday, 7 p.m.): Both teams enter the contest 1-1 in the District 14-5A. The Cougars’ two losses have been by a total of five points. The Tigers have been shutout in three straight games. Coconut Creek 21, Blanche Ely 0.
Monarch (4-4) at Piper (5-3) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Bengals, led by junior Jahnard Young (885 rushing yards, 15 total TDs), have won four straight games. Monarch counters with senior DE/LB Dasean Miller (36 tackles, 13 TFL, 5 sacks, 12 QB hurries). Both teams are 2-0 in the District 13-6A standings. Monarch 30, Piper 24.
Palm Beach Gardens (3-5) at West Boca (6-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The host Bulls also skidded out of the top 50 in national rankings to No. 248. The defending Class 6A state champions (3-0) still lead the District 12-6A standings and haven’t allowed a point (126-0) to their district opponents. Palm Beach Gardens (2-1) has won two consecutive games after losing four straight. West Boca 28, Palm Beach Gardens 10.
Cardinal Newman (6-2) at Bishop Verot (4-4) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Cardinal Newman spoiled the return of West Boca stud running back and UM commit Javion Mallory, who had sat out the previous two games with a leg injury. Mallory scored twice last week, the later one coming on the final play of the game. Crusaders senior linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali, who had a previous pick-6, blocked the extra point to force OT. Cardinal Newman 22, Bishop Verot 17.
Jupiter (8-0) at Palm Beach Lakes (5-3) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): Jupiter, off to its best start in school history, will try to win the District 12-7A title. Palm Beach Lakes is led by junior WR Ryan Ferdinand (96.5 yards per game). Jupiter 30, Palm Beach Lakes 14.
Pahokee (6-2) at Legacy (3-5) (Thursday, 6 p.m.): Pahokee heads to Port St. Lucie coming off a 54-13 drubbing by Vero Beach. Senior RB Samuel Arnold (1,227 all-purpose yards, 8 TDs) leads the Blue Devils. Legacy topped Inlet Grove 12-8 last week. Pahokee 30, Legacy 13.
Benjamin (3-5) at Fort Pierce John Carroll Catholic (6-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The visiting Buccaneers dropped a 14-13 decision to King’s Academy, which ended a two-game win streak. The Rams have won 6 of 7, with the lone loss being a 21-20 defeat to Jensen Beach. John Carroll Catholic 28, Benjamin 24.
Melbourne Eau Gallie (6-2) at Atlantic (8-0) Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The host Eagles are averaging 40.9 points per game, while the Commodores feature a running game averaging 248.9 yards per contest. Atlantic 30, Eau Gallie 17.
Glades Central (7-1) at King’s Academy (5-3) Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Glades Central dropped a 14-13 decision to Sebring last time, while the Lions edged Benjamin, 13-12. Senior running back Armaud Stinfort has 15 TDs this season for the visiting Raiders. Glades Central 30, King’s Academy 17.
Palm Beach Central (4-4) at Wellington (3-5) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Palm Beach Central has won three in a row, while Wellington snapped a four game losing streak with a 40-15 win over Olympic Heights. Palm Beach Central leads the annual Mayor’s Cup series 15-4, winning the past eight in a row. Palm Beach Central 30, Wellington 21.
