Some teams are looking to break losing skids while others are looking to keep piling on the victories. Two defending state champions battle each other at Chaminade-Madonna on Friday.
I had a better result this time going 9-1, missing only the Dillard-Naples game. So, I am 16-4 for the season.
American Heritage (2-0) at Glades Central (0-2) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The host Raiders have found the going tough early in the year and it won’t get any easier as they face the nation’s No. 12 ranked team in American Heritage from Plantation. Patriots’ sophomore quarterback Dia Bell (398 yards passing, 4 TDs), and junior running backs DeAndre Desinor (101 yards rushing, TD), and Byron Louis (177 yards, 2 TDs) have helped along with sophomore wideout Malachi Toney (170 yards receiving, 3 TDs). American Heritage 31, Glades Central 12.
Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) (2-0) at Chaminade-Madonna (2-0) (Friday 7 p.m.): The defending New Jersey Non-Public A state champions head to South Florida to play the two-time defending state champion Lions. Chaminade-Madonna, ranked No. 10 in the country, is coming off two huge wins over St. Frances Academy (Maryland) and Cardinal Gibbons. The Lions’ senior quarterback Cedrick Bailey has thrown for 319 yards and five scores while senior running back Davion Gause has piled up 345 yards rushing and three scores. Chaminade-Madonna 34, Bergen Catholic 16.
Clearwater Academy International (0-3) at Benjamin (1-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Host Benjamin is led by senior Georgia commit Chauncey Bowens, who rushed for 163 yards and two scores in its season-opening 49-6 win against John Carroll Catholic (Fort Pierce). Clearwater Academy International, winners of the past two Sunshine State Independent Association state titles, has fallen on hard times this season losing all three of its games but getting outscored only 66-56. Benjamin 40, Clearwater Academy International 10.
John I. Leonard (0-2) at Spanish River (2-0) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): The Lancers are hoping for their first victory of the season and have been outscored 109-16 this year. John I. Leonard has won four straight meetings between the schools, including last year’s contest, 21-13. They are 11-3 in the series. Spanish River is off to a feel-good start at 2-0 after seven straight losing seasons, including a period from 2017-2020 where they dropped 25 in a row before topping Lake Worth 28-26 in the season cut short due to the Covid pandemic. The last time the Sharks opened with a winning record was in 2015-16 when they started 4-0 and wound up 6-5. Spanish River 28, John I. Leonard 6.
Palm Beach Gardens (1-0) at Dwyer (0-2) (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.): The Gators are trying to rebound from a season-opening 21-14 defeat in the closing moments to Atlantic. The host Panthers could only muster 17 total yards in their loss to Jensen Beach and have scored just 11 points in two games this year. Palm Beach Gardens 22, Dwyer 17.
Coconut Creek (1-1) at Western (1-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Western hasn’t lost to the Cougars in two previous matchups, winning 23-0 in 2021 and 10-3 in overtime in 2022. They will also have to avoid looking ahead to their game against St. Thomas Aquinas next week. After edging Boyd Anderson 6-0, Coconut Creek slipped 30-22 to Gainesville (Georgia) last week on the road. The teams are hopeful of reaching the playoffs again in 2023. Coconut Creek fell to St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round in 2022, while Western made it to the second round before a loss to Doral Academy. Western 14, Coconut Creek 13.
Cocoa (1-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas (1-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): On paper, this presents itself as a pretty even matchup. St. Thomas Aquinas blanked Fort Myers 49-0 last week to even its record at 1-1. St. Thomas Aquinas is ranked No. 6 in the nation and has won four straight state championships. The Tigers, winners of the FHSAA Class 2S state title last year, had one of its three losses come at the hands of the Raiders 42-14 last season. St. Thomas Aquinas 21, Cocoa 20.
South Broward (2-0) at Piper (2-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): South Broward junior quarterback Randy Phillips threw for 327 yards and a score, while senior running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey ran for 205 yards and a touchdown in a 34-21 win over the Bengals last year. Piper followed up its 46-0 win over Cooper City with a forfeit win over Coral Springs. South Broward 20, Piper 17.
Boynton Beach (1-1) at Boca Raton (0-1) (Friday, 6:30 p.m.): Former Bobcats athletic director Alex Savakinas is looking to pick up the school’s win of the season after dropping a 37-21 decision to Palm Beach Central in their opener. Tigers senior running back Bobby T. Smith presents a potent threat on the ground for Boynton Beach, who is coming off a three-point loss to Santaluces last week. Boynton Beach 28, Boca Raton 24.
Stoneman Douglas (0-1) at Plantation (2-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The host Colonels have put up more than 50 points in its opening two victories over Hallandale (51-0) and Stranahan (56-28). Stoneman Douglas is coming off a 26-15 loss to host McArthur in its opener. Plantation 42, Stoneman Douglas 14.
