In last week’s games between nationally ranked teams, Chaminade-Madonna and American Heritage lived up to their billing, as did Bergen Catholic (NJ) and West Boca Raton in their contest.
Chaminade-Madonna, which entered the game ranked No. 34 nationally by MaxPreps, rallied from two 10-point deficits to stun No. 7 host American Heritage 28-24, while No. 16 Bergen Catholic held off a late challenges by No. 43 West Boca to win the adidas Football Classic, 21-14 on Friday night. All four teams are defending state champions.
I went 12-2 last week to run my record to 35-11 (76.1 %) for the year.
Cardinal Newman (2-1) at Pahokee (3-0) on Friday at 6:30 p.m. This should be the top game in Palm Beach County. The series between the two teams has gone back and forth over the past few years. Pahokee won the first five meetings, and the series is tied at 8-8. Pahokee running back Samuel Arnold is averaging 180 yards rushing per game. Cardinal Newman has won the past two years, and Crusaders’ senior running back Phoenix Donghia (125 rushing yards, 2 TDs) came back to haunt his former team (Benjamin) in a blowout win last week. Cardinal Newman 28, Pahokee 27.
Blanche Ely (2-0) at Atlantic (3-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The host Eagles rolled past their third straight opponent and will open up District 14-5A play against rival Blanche Ely. The teams have played five times dating back to 2014, and Atlantic has won all five matchups by a combined score of 187-68. Atlantic has outscored its opposition, 119-46, while averaging more than 440 yards of offense per game. Atlantic 40, Blanche Ely 28.
No. 23 American Heritage (1-1) at No. 12 Edna Karr (Caesars Superdome, La.) (1-0) (Friday, 8:30 p.m.): The seven-time and defending Louisiana state champion Cougars have scored 35 or more points in six of their past seven games, dating back to last year during a 150-game winning streak. This game will mark the third consecutive nationally ranked opponent the Patriots will face. Five-star QB Dia Bell has thrown for four scores and more than 500 yards in American Heritage’s first two games. Edna Karr 24, American Heritage 17.
No. 19 Chaminade-Madonna (2-1) at Miami Edison (1-2) at Curtis Park (Friday, 7 p.m.): After getting throttled by St. Frances Academy, 42-13, in the season opener, the Chaminade-Madonna Lions are starting to get into their groove with back-to-back wins. The host Red Raiders open up District 14-1A play having gone 0-5 against the Lions and have been outscored 187-27 dating back to 2004. Chaminade-Madonna 42, Miami Edison 0.
Western (0-2) at No. 10 St. Thomas Aquinas (2-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The 10th-ranked Raiders have been on a roll since their season-opening 26-23 loss to the nation’s top-ranked team, Mater Dei. Running back Jayden Desir scored three touchdowns in the Raiders’ 42-7 romp at Miami Columbus, which followed a 72-6 drubbing of Boyd Anderson the week prior. Aquinas quarterback Mason Mallory was 11 for 13 for 177 yards and two TDs. Western is 0-10 lifetime against the Raiders and has been outscored 409-100. St. Thomas 42, Western 7.
No. 46 West Boca (1-1) at Seminole Ridge (0-2) (Friday 6:30 p.m.): Defending Class 6A state champion West Boca saw its state-best 16-game winning streak come to an end last week against four-time defending New Jersey state champ Bergen Catholic. The Hawks have won just one of their past 12 games dating back to last season. West Boca 21, Seminole Ridge 6.
West Broward (1-2) at Cardinal Gibbons (1-1) (Thursday, 7 p.m.): Both teams picked up their first victories of the season last week. After playing two out-of-state teams, the visiting Bobcats toppled Plantation, 31-6, while Cardinal Gibbons rolled past previously unbeaten Calvary Christian Academy. Cardinal Gibbons 27, West Broward 24.
Gulliver Prep (1-1) at Benjamin (1-2) (Thursday, 6 p.m.): After winning their opener over Jupiter Christian, the Buccaneers have been outscored 84-3, including 47-0 for the District 12-1A title last week. The Raiders edged King’s Academy 14-10 last week after an overtime loss to open the season. Gulliver Prep 17, Benjamin 14.
John I. Leonard (0-3) at Dr. Joaquin Garcia (2-1) (Thursday, 6 p.m.): After opening the season with two convincing shutouts, Atlantic romped to a 44-7 win over the Bulldogs. John I. Leonard has been outscored 163-14 this year. The 14 points came in a 40-point loss to Olympic Heights. Dr. Joaquin Garcia 35, John I. Leonard 7.
Spanish River (1-1) at Jupiter (3-0) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): Host Jupiter has posted three convincing wins to start the season and has won nine of their past 10 games dating back to last season. The Sharks fell to Palm Beach Central 39-6 last week. Jupiter 24, Spanish River 10.
Royal Palm Beach (3-0) at Dwyer (0-3) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): The Wildcats enter the District 12-6A contest having outscored their opponents 144-0. Royal Palm Beach started 3-0 last season before the Panthers, then 0-3, ended that streak. Royal Palm Beach 20, Dwyer 17.
Deerfield Beach (0-2) at Coconut Creek (3-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Cougars have quietly gotten out of the gate unbeaten following wins over Miramar, Piper and Western, and are currently the No. 12-ranked team in the state in 5A. Deerfield Beach opens up District 14-5A action with hopes of pulling off an upset. Coconut Creek 37, Deerfield Beach 17.
Everglades (1-2) at Taravella (1-2) at Coral Glades (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): After squeaking past Fort Lauderdale, 20-19 in the season opener, Everglades has lost back-to-back games, 49-0 and 56-0. Taravella snapped a 19-game losing skid dating back to last year with a 23-6 victory over Pompano Beach. Taravella 20, Everglades 14.
Fort Lauderdale (1-2) at Flanagan (2-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Falcons have gotten off to an impressive start, outscoring their opposition, 92-24, including a 56-0 victory over Everglades last week. Fort Lauderdale picked up its first win of the season with a 35-0 win over an undermanned Boyd Anderson squad. Flanagan 37, Fort Lauderdale 10.
McArthur (1-1) at Cypress Bay (1-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): After dropping its season opener to nationally ranked Chaminade-Madonna, the Mustangs galloped past Miramar on the road. The Lightning had the week off after losing to Flanagan, 40-24, on the road. McArthur 27, Cypress Bay 13.
Monarch (1-2) at Seminole (2-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Monarch, coming off a 38-21 loss to New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep, is playing its third straight road game as it travels to Central Florida to take on Seminole. Seminole, winners of two straight, has a potent running game. Seminole 30, Monarch 27.
South Broward (2-0) at Doral Academy (0-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Bulldogs continue to show balance on offense with 374 yards on the ground and 363 in the air. Doral Academy has split its two games against South Broward, winning 48-21 in 2022 and falling 48-0 in 2023. South Broward 26, Doral Academy 17.
Glades Central (3-0) at Moore Haven (1-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The visiting Raiders picked up a second straight lopsided victory on Friday, led by senior running back Ar’Maud Stinfort, who scored three touchdowns, while the Terriers have dropped their past two games. Glades Central 35, Moore Haven 12.
Palm Beach Central (1-2) at Santaluces (1-1) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Both teams are coming off their first wins of the season. Santaluces won in a defensive struggle, 9-7, over Boynton Beach. The Broncos were more impressive in a 39-6 victory over Spanish River as dual-threat QB Chance Rouston accounted for three TDs. Palm Beach Central 37, Santaluces 14.
Dillard (3-0) at Boyd Anderson (0-3) (Saturday, 7 p.m.): Dillard is off to a great start, winning its first three games by a 149-6 margin, allowing the lone score to Stranahan. The Panthers routed Northeast, 66-0 last week. Boyd Anderson leads in the series 10-9 dating back to 2004, but has lost the past seven in a row. After forfeiting its opener to Blanche Ely, the Cobras have suffered a 72-6 defeat to St. Thomas and a 35-0 decision to Fort Lauderdale last week. Dillard 50, Boyd Anderson 0.
