Several top teams like No. 12 St. Thomas Aquinas, Atlantic, Pahokee, Cardinal Newman and Royal Palm Beach are all off this week, but there is still plenty of action.
I went 12-3 last week to run my record to 64-16 (80%) for the season.
Defending Class 4A state champion American Heritage (1-3) suffered its third straight loss to a nationally ranked opponent and learned that five-star quarterback and Texas commit Dia Bell (540 passing yards, 98 rushing yards, 4 TDs) will miss the rest of the season.
“Anytime you lose a player of his caliber, it’s a huge loss,” said Patriots coach Mike Smith, whose team is ranked No. 40 in the nation by MaxPreps. “Especially, at the quarterback position. It’s an even bigger loss, because he was our leader both on and off the field. Unfortunately, this comes with the game. He’ll bounce back and has a bright future at the next level.”
Bell underwent an “unexpected, minor procedure” on a lower leg injury that occurred during his junior season.
The Patriots face crosstown rival Plantation (3-2), which has won two straight, and both teams open District 15-4A play on Friday at 7 p.m. American Heritage 20, Plantation 17.
Palm Beach Central (1-3) at Jupiter (4-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The visiting Broncos have limped out of the gate and face the Warriors in the District 12-7A opener for both. Palm Beach Central is led by senior quarterback Chance Routson. Jupiter counters with senior RB Jayden Roberts. Jupiter 24, Palm Beach Central 21.
Dwyer (0-5) at No. 48 West Boca (3-1) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): The Panthers have been shut out three straight games and average just 4 points per game. West Boca blasted Treasure Coast 50-6 as senior RB and UM commit Javian Mallory ran for 179 yards and a TD. The Bulls, hoping to go 2-0 in the District 12-6A race, average 39 points per game. West Boca 56, Dwyer 0.
Archbishop McCarthy (4-1) at Miami Norland (2-3) (Thursday, 7 p.m.): The host Vikings, coming off back-to-back 20-point losses, face the Mavericks in the District 15-4A opener for both. Norland leads the series 3-0 and has outscored the Mavericks 107-39. Archbishop McCarthy 27. Miami Norland 21.
Suncoast (1-4) at Dillard (5-0) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): The host Panthers edged Miramar 21-17 in their closest game of the season last week but have still outscored their opponents 233-23. Suncoast is 0-2 in District 14-4A play. Dillard 45, Suncoast 0.
Coconut Creek (4-1) at Boyd Anderson (0-4) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The winless Cobras entertain the Coconut Creek Cougars, whose high-powered offense was stymied in its first loss of the year to Cardinal Gibbons on Saturday. Coconut Creek 45, Boyd Anderson 7.
Everglades (2-3) at West Broward (2-2) (Friday, 4 p.m.): The visiting Gators have lost all three of their games in convincing fashion, outscored 143-0. West Broward has won two straight, including a 20-8 win over Flanagan behind junior RB Amos Bradford. West Broward 28, Everglades 6.
Flanagan (3-1) at Miami Beach (1-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Falcons are coming off their first loss of the season against West Broward. Flanagan 31, Miami Beach 17.
Western (1-3) at No. 18 Chaminade-Madonna (3-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Once again, the visiting Wildcats feasted on Taravella, winning 72-0 to snap a three-game skid. In the four previous games between the two teams, Chaminade-Madonna has won by a combined score of 201-0. The host Lions are potent offensively with seniors Jasen Lopez, Derrek Cooper, and junior Arwin Jackson, and they topped Miami Edison, 56-6, on Monday afternoon. Chaminade-Madonna 31, Western 7.
Boca Raton (3-1) at Stoneman Douglas (2-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Boca Raton senior QB Mason Chapman (675 passing yards, six TDs) leads the Bobcats in the District 14-7A opener for both schools. The Eagles have won two in a row. Boca Raton 24, Stoneman Douglas 12.
Dr. Joaquin Garcia (3-2) at Boynton Beach (3-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Both teams are tied for the District 14-4A lead at 1-0. Senior Tigers quarterback Chris Siska has led his team to consecutive wins, and Bulldogs signal caller Caleb Butler paces Dr. Joaquin Garcia, losers in two of their last three. Dr. Joaquin Garcia 21, Boynton Beach 20.
Glades Central (5-0) at Clewiston (1-3) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Glades Central is led by senior RB Armaud Stinfort (523 rushing yards, 14 TDs). The host Tigers have lost two consecutive games. Glades Central 46, Clewiston 10.
Santaluces (2-3) at John I. Leonard (0-5) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The visiting Chiefs open District 13-7A play against the Lancers, who have dropped 12 straight dating back to last season. Santaluces 30, John I. Leonard 6.
Wellington (2-2) at Palm Beach Lakes (2-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Both squads come into the District 12-7A opener coming off losses. Wellington is coming off a 42-0 defeat against Spanish River. Sophomore inside linebacker Dameicko Gordon leads the Rams, averaging 13 tackles per game. Wellington 17, Palm Beach Lakes 13.
Deerfield Beach (1-3) at Blanche Ely (2-2) (Saturday, 7 p.m.): The host Tigers rolled past crosstown District 14-5A rival Deerfield Beach, 70-0, last season, but lost several key players due to transfers. The Bucks, who lead the series 16-6 but have dropped the past three by shutout, had the week off. Blanche Ely 21, Deerfield Beach 20.
