This week could prove pivotal as district titles are up for grabs, with teams across Broward and Palm Beach counties gearing up for a full slate of highly anticipated games. In addition, St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked No. 11 in the nation by MaxPreps, is overseas playing in London.
I was perfect last week (15-0) to run my season record to 91-19 (82.8%).
No. 11 St. Thomas Aquinas (5-1) at NFL Academy (London) (Wednesday, 1 p.m.): The visiting Raiders play NFL’s London-based Academy International All-Star School at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 16-time state champions, winners of a state record six consecutive state titles, take on a program that lost all four games it played against its American counterparts in 2024. The game will be streamed on YouTube. St. Thomas Aquinas 36, NFL Academy 20.
Blanche Ely (3-3) at No. 17 Chaminade-Madonna (5-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Tigers, limping from a 35-0 loss to Dillard in the annual Soul Bowl, take on three-time defending state champion Lions. Chaminade-Madonna had a weather-shortened 28-7 win over Monarch. Chaminade-Madonna 42, Blanche Ely 7.
No. 47 West Boca (5-1) at Royal Palm Beach (5-1) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Defending Class 6A state champion West Boca has a balanced offense, with three QBs combining for 18 TDs and no INTs, in addition to UM commit and senior RB Javian Mallory. The Wildcats had an impressive 47-8 win against visiting Boca Raton, when junior QB Max Griner accounted for 5 TDs. It was the first points allowed by Royal Palm Beach at home all season. West Boca 20, Royal Palm Beach 14.
Dillard (7-0) at Dr. Joaquin Garcia (5-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Both teams enter the District 14-4A contest at 2-0. The visiting Panthers, coming off a 35-0 Soul Bowl win over Blanche Ely and a 65-0 victory over Suncoast, topped the 60-point total for a third time and picked up their fifth shutout. Dillard has outscored its opponents 333-23. Dr. Joaquin Garcia, led by senior QB Caleb Butler, is currently riding a two-game win streak. Dillard 27, Dr. Joaquin Garcia 14.
Miami Beach (1-4) at West Broward (4-2) (Friday, 4 p.m.): West Broward can clinch the District 15-6A title with a win over the Hi-Tides, who have dropped four in a row. Bobcats senior running back Daquan Adderley (141 rushing yards, 3 TDs) and junior Amos Bradford (173, TD) led a ground attack of nearly 400 yards in their win over Cardinal Gibbons. West Broward 42, Miami Beach 6.
Miami Norland (3-4) at No. 40 American Heritage (3-3) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Patriots, defending Class 4A state champions, have climbed back to .500 following their convincing 31-0 win over Flanagan, their biggest margin of victory since a 40-7 win over Jensen Beach on Nov. 15, 2024. The Vikings snapped a three-game losing streak with a 28-6 win over Cocoa. It is a District 15-4A contest. American Heritage 28, Miami Norland 21.
Plantation (3-3) at Archbishop McCarthy (5-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Mavericks look to keep pace with American Heritage in the District 15-4A race and are averaging 30 points per game. Plantation saw its two-game win streak snapped in a 28-13 loss to American Heritage. Archbishop McCarthy 28, Plantation 14.
Cardinal Gibbons (4-2) at Deerfield Beach (1-5) (Friday, 6 p.m.): The visiting Chiefs have won four of their past five games, including a 51-14 win over Hallandale on Friday. Deerfield Beach has scored just 14 points in its past three games and lost 35-0 to McArthur on Friday. Cardinal Gibbons 28, Deerfield Beach 6.
Pahokee (5-1) at Forest Hill (2-4) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): Junior running back Samuel Arnold averages 146 yards per game and has scored six times for the Blue Devils. Forest Hill has dropped two straight games. Pahokee 41, Forest Hill 14.
Atlantic (6-0) at Coconut Creek (6-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The battle for District 14-5A supremacy features two high-scoring teams with Atlantic (39.8) and Coconut Creek (32.7). The host Cougars have been a little stingier, allowing just 58 total points. Atlantic 24, Coconut Creek 20.
Bishop Verot (3-3) at Glades Central (6-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Senior Armaud Stinfort has run for 530 yards and 14 scores for the Raiders, while the Fort Myers-based Vikings have alternated a win followed by a loss. Bishop Verot topped Oasis 43-0 last week. Glades Central 17, Bishop Verot 14.
Cardinal Newman (4-2) at Melbourne Central Catholic (1-4) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The visiting Crusaders will need to keep their focus with a game against visiting West Boca looming next week. Cardinal Newman 35, Melbourne Central Catholic 10.
Jupiter (6-0) at Wellington (2-4) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Host Wellington has lost three straight, while Jupiter and senior RB Jayden Roberts (532 rushing yards, 4 TDs) lead the District 12-A race. Jupiter 37, Wellington 24.
Palm Beach Gardens (1-5) at Dwyer (0-7) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Once storied programs, both teams are having down years. The visiting Gators have lost four straight, while Dwyer has been blanked in five straight games. Palm Beach Gardens 14, Dwyer 0.
Palm Beach Lakes (4-2) at Palm Beach Central (2-4) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The host Broncos got healthy last week with a 48-20 win over Palm Beach Gardens and have a chance to stay in the District 12-7A race with a win. Palm Beach Lakes has won two straight. Palm Beach Central 24, Palm Beach Lakes 20.
