A few marquee matchups are on tap this week, with Monarch visiting St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked No. 14 in the country by Max Preps and back from its first trip overseas, which produced a victory in London.
As for other nationally ranked teams, No. 38 American Heritage faces host Archbishop McCarthy in a key district game, while No. 48 West Boca visits Cardinal Newman. No. 17 Chaminade-Madonna (6-1) and Dillard (7-0) are off this week.
I went 14-1 last week to run my season record to 105-20 (84%).
No. 14 St. Thomas Aquinas (6-1) at Monarch (4-3) (at Coconut Creek High School) (Friday, 7 p.m.): St. Thomas Aquinas has had nine days to overcome any jet lag from their 41-38 victory over the NFL Academy in London last week. QB Mason Mallory threw three TDs in the Raiders’ come-from-behind win, their sixth straight victory. Monarch manhandled Coral Springs last week 46-0. St. Thomas Aquinas 31, Monarch 21.
Cardinal Gibbons (5-2) at Boca Raton (4-3) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): After opening the season with four straight wins, the host Bobcats have dropped three consecutive games. Senior QB Jayden Torres threw for 334 yards and 5 TDs and rushed for another in the Chiefs’ 45-7 win over Deerfield. Cardinal Gibbons 42, Boca Raton 14.
No. 48 West Boca (6-1) at Cardinal Newman (5-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The defending Class 6A state champion Bulls are the top-ranked Class 6A team in the state and are led on the ground by senior RB and UM commit Javian Mallory (3,652 career rushing yards, 56 total TDs), who has sat out the past two games with an ankle injury. Cardinal Newman is led by senior RB Phoenix Donghia (105.8 rushing yards, 12 TDs). West Boca 35, Cardinal Newman 27.
Martin County (6-1) at Jupiter (7-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Jupiter is off to its best start in school history. The Warriors are led by senior RB Jayden Roberts (632 all-purpose yards, 7 TDs). Senior DE Caden Glover leads Martin County with eight sacks. Jupiter 31, Martin County 28.
Vero Beach (7-0) at Pahokee (6-1) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The visiting Indians are the top-ranked Class 7A team in the state and have won 14 of their past 15, including six straight this year. Pahokee has won two straight in the four-game series between the teams since 2007. Vero Beach 28, Pahokee 27.
Florida Christian (6-1-1) at Westminster Academy (6-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Westminster Academy, currently 1-0 in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, has won five in a row since a loss to North Broward Prep. The visiting Miami-based Patriots bring a potent running attack, averaging nearly 175 yards rushing per game. Westminster Academy 24, Florida Christian 17.
No. 38 American Heritage (3-3) at Archbishop McCarthy (5-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The defending Class 4A state champions have found their groove, winning three in a row, and can clinch the District 15-4A championship with a win. The host Mavericks are coming off a 28-27 loss to district rival Plantation. American Heritage 31, Archbishop McCarthy 23.
Boyd Anderson (0-6) at Stranahan (0-7) (Chase Stadium) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Both teams are searching for their first victories of the year. Stranahan has lost nine straight, dating back to last season. The Cobras have scored just 15 points this year. Stranahan 28, Boyd Anderson 6.
Calvary Christian Academy (6-1) at St. Andrew’s (7-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): St. Andrew’s is looking to knock off the Eagles for the first time in eight tries, dating back to 2009, and has averaged 40.9 points per game. The Eagles have won four in a row. St. Andrew’s 35, Calvary Christian Academy 30.
Coral Springs (0-7) at Stoneman Douglas (2-5) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Eagles lead the series 25-10 dating back to 1990, having won the past 10 consecutive Pig Bowl games. The principal of the losing team’s school must kiss a pig after the game. Both teams are coming off shutout losses. Stoneman Douglas 14, Coral Springs 10.
Fort Lauderdale (1-6) at McArthur (5-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Mustangs routed Boyd Anderson on Saturday night. Their lone losses have come against nationally ranked Chaminade-Madonna and St. Thomas Aquinas. Fort Lauderdale has stumbled to four consecutive losses. McArthur 27, Fort Lauderdale 14.
Deerfield Beach (1-6) at Atlantic (7-0) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): The visiting Bucks head into the District 14-5A contest on a four-game losing streak. Atlantic’s undefeated season has weapons everywhere, led by sophomore QB Pedro Martinez, who had a career-high 346 yards and accounted for 4 TDs in a win over host Coconut Creek. Atlantic 48, Deerfield Beach 6.
King’s Academy (4-3) at Benjamin (3-4) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The visiting Lions are led by junior linebacker Levi Champion (17 tackles per game), while Benjamin counters with senior RB Terrion Ivy-Akins (98.2 yards rushing). King’s Academy 17, Benjamin 13.
Palm Beach Gardens (2-5) at Royal Palm Beach (5-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Palm Beach Gardens topped winless Dwyer on Monday afternoon, while the host Wildcats are coming off a 31-0 loss to West Boca. Royal Palm Beach 35, Palm Beach Gardens 21.
Sebring (2-5) at Glades Central (7-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Raiders’ Taj Barnes threw for one TD, and Armaud Stinfort ran for another in a 14-12 win over Bishop Verot to clinch its first district championship since 2015. Sebring has dropped two straight. Glades Central 27, Sebring 6.
