For the first time in more than a decade, nationally ranked Chaminade-Madonna has started the season with back-to-back losses. It finished that 2013 season at 2-7.
After falling in their season openers, nationally ranked Broward powers St. Thomas Aquinas and American Heritage won in the second week, each scoring 51 points in their victories – St. Thomas 51-0 over Boyd Anderson and American Heritage 51-12 over Western. Chaminade-Madonna, which began the season ranked No. 9 nationally by MaxPreps, has struggled defensively.
I went 12-2 last week, with one of the losses being Blanche Ely’s 35-34 upset of Chaminade-Madonna. My record for the year is 22-5.
Here is this week’s slate:
No. 14 American Heritage (1-1) at No. 42 Chaminade-Madonna (0-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The three-time defending state champion Lions, who have fallen to No. 42 nationally, dropped a 35-34 overtime decision to now-No. 31 Blanche Ely last week and 34-27 in their opener against then-No. 4 St. John Bosco (Calif.). Junior running back Derek Cooper had 32 carries for 183 yards and four scores for the Lions last week. American Heritage has apparently regained its footing after a season-opening loss to then-No. 6 Milton. The Patriots rolled past Western 51-12 behind Dia Bell’s 332 yards passing and five TD passes last week. Ranked No. 14 nationally, Heritage is 9-7 against the Lions in the past decade but has lost the past two seasons. American Heritage 24, Chaminade-Madonna 20.
No. 81 Miami Columbus (1-0) at No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (1-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The nation’s eighth-ranked Raiders, winners of a Florida-record five consecutive state championships, rebounded from a season-opening 29-21 loss to Bishop Gorman (Nev.) with a 51-0 drubbing of Boyd Anderson. National No. 81 Miami Columbus, winner of back-to-back Class 4M state championships, downed Miami Southridge in its opener. The Explorers are 28-3 in their last 31 games. St. Thomas Aquinas 24, Miami Columbus 20.
North Miami Beach (0-1) at Atlantic (2-0) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): Atlantic enters the game ranked 16th in the Class 5A state poll. The high-flying Eagles have scored 42 and 53 points respectively and another 42 points in its preseason kickoff game. Atlantic QB Lincoln Graf threw four TD passes, including two to senior wideout Teddy Huffman. Graf also added a TD run in its lopsided 53-13 win over Jonesboro (Ga.). Atlantic 45, North Miami Beach 12.
Seminole Ridge (0-2) at Pahokee (1-1) (Thursday, 6:30 p.m.): Seminole Ridge is searching for its first win of the season after falling in its two previous games by a combined seven points. The Hawks are literally limping into the contest as its star athlete and Sun Sentinel Super 11+ selection Ty Jackson suffered a right leg injury in their loss to Spanish River. The Blue Devils are coming off an impressive 27-7 win over Inlet Grove. Pahokee 17, Seminole Ridge 10.
No. 31 Blanche Ely (2-0) at Stranahan (0-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Blanche Ely is coming off an overtime shocker as it topped the nation’s 11th-ranked team, Chaminade-Madonna 35-34. Tigers’ junior quarterback Omari McNeil passed for 381 yards and a TD and added three more scores on the ground. The Tigers, now ranked No. 31 in the country, will have to hope this isn’t a trap game as it faces Palm Beach rival Atlantic on Friday the 13th. Stranahan was blanked by Dillard 44-0 last week. Blanche Ely 35, Stranahan 7.
Coconut Creek (0-1) at Baylor (Tenn.) (2-0) (Friday, 7:30 p.m.): The Cougars travel to Chattanooga to face the top-ranked team in Tennessee and the 51st-ranked team in the country. The Red Raiders, the 2023 state runner-up, have outscored their two opponents 63-21. Coconut Creek hasn’t played since its opening 45-0 loss to Miami Northwestern. Baylor 30, Coconut Creek 14.
Dillard (1-1) at Northeast (1-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): After a 27-21 setback to Plantation in its season-opener, the Panthers blitzed Stranahan 44-0 to even their record. Dillard is 11-1 against Northeast dating back to 2004, with the lone loss coming in 2009 by an 8-2 score. The Hurricanes snapped a 10-game skid dating back to last year with a 28-13 win over Taravella. Dillard 38, Northeast 7.
Dr. Joaquin Garcia (2-0) at Hollywood Hills (1-1) (Friday, 4 p.m.): The host Spartans dropped a 21-20 decision to North Miami Mourning last week. Junior quarterback Caleb Butler has helped the second-year Bulldogs get off to a 2-0 start, already bettering their 1-9 record last year. Dr. Joaquin Garcia 20, Hollywood Hills 13.
Stoneman Douglas (0-1) at Deerfield Beach (0-1) (Friday 7 p.m.): Both teams enter the game having lost their openers and having their games this past week postponed because of inclement weather. Deerfield Beach 17, Stoneman Douglas 14.
West Broward (1-1) at Plantation (2-0) (Friday 7 p.m.): The Bobcats were mauled by Camden County (Ga.) 52-29 on the road last week. The Wildcats recovered an onside kick to open the game scored on that drive and built a 29-7 halftime lead en route to the victory. Plantation gritted out a 2-0 win over visiting Miramar. Plantation 21, West Broward 17.
Cardinal Newman (2-0) at Benjamin (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The Crusaders doubled up Tampa Carrollwood Day 42-21, while Benjamin stumbled against Tampa Jesuit 31-3. Cardinal Newman is 7-3 in the series dating back to 2019 and has won the past four. Cardinal Newman 24, Benjamin 20.
King’s Academy (2-0) at Gulliver Prep (0-1) (Friday, 4 p.m.): Javian Jones scored three of the Lions’ four touchdowns and helped King’s rally for a 28-21 over Fort Pierce Westwood. The Raiders dropped a 34-20 game to Doral Academy. King’s Academy 37, Gulliver Prep 16.
Palm Beach Central (1-1) at Spanish River (2-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The Sharks find themselves undefeated thanks to the heroics of senior wideout Blake Wallace. The talented three-star wide receiver had 210 yards and three scores in the Sharks season-opening win and added two second-half scores in a 27-23 win over Seminole Ridge. Palm Beach Central is 1-1 after a 28-7 loss to West Boca last week. Spanish River 20, Palm Beach Central 14.
Palm Beach Gardens (0-2) at Jupiter (2-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The Gators, who fell 20-13 to Santaluces, are still without coach Tyrone Higgins due a FHSAA suspension until Sept. 29 because of a preseason scrimmage held against Treasure Coast. Jupiter has outscored its two opponents 65-6 and has been led by junior quarterback Andrew Embick’s 233 yards and three TDs. Warriors senior linebacker Reagan Fowle has sparked the defense with 19 tackles, including four for loss, and junior DB Correy Fountain had two pick-6s in the latest win. Jupiter 27, Palm Beach Gardens 6.
Wellington (1-1) at Park Vista (0-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Wellington’s junior running back Joseph Thomas ran for 117 yards and two scores, while junior QB Jonathan Paul and senior WR Trey Allen combined for two scores in a 31-0 win over Lake Worth. Park Vista has struggled on defense, allowing an average of 42 points a game on defense. Wellington 37, Park Vista 13.
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