For the second consecutive week, Palm Beach Central needed to rally to remain undefeated and on top of the top 10. Wellington gave the Broncos all they could handle before falling 17-14 in the Wellington Cup.
Seminole Ridge was the other lone team in the top five to keep pace with a 31-21 victory over Dwyer. Boca Raton and Atlantic both lost bids to win district titles. The Bobcats fell to Deerfield Beach, as starting quarterback Jacob Cashion could only watch from the sidelines with a broken collarbone, and the Eagles had their wings clipped by Fort Lauderdale, which won the first district title in school history.
Cardinal Newman fell to Gulliver Prep to slip to fifth. Forest Hill made the biggest jump with its sixth straight win, while Palm Beach Gardens, Pahokee and Benjamin also moved up this week.
All games start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday unless noted. Teams’ positions in last week’s rankings are in parentheses.
1. (1) Palm Beach Central (8-0)
The Broncos rallied behind junior QB Ahmad Haston’s 209 yards passing and his 2 TDs, bringing his season total to 34. Palm Beach Central also needed a career-best 35-yard game-winning field goal from senior Juan Dominguez to edge Wellington for both the Wellington Cup and the District 7-8A championship.
Next: vs Santaluces
2. (4) Seminole Ridge (8-1)
The Hawks’ defense has played tough during their five-game winning streak and helped them ascend to No. 2 in this week’s rankings. Senior FS Caleb Gregoire (5 tackles, interception), freshman DB Ty Jackson (8 tackles and pick-6), junior DE Brian Trowbridge (8 tackles, sack, TFL) and senior DE Daniel Medina (6 tackles, sack, TFL) helped pave the way.
Next: at Wellington
3. (7) Palm Beach Gardens (6-3)
The Gators won for the fifth time in six weeks with a 28-21 victory over Jupiter. The only blemish during that span was a 26-21 loss to top-ranked Palm Beach Central.
Senior WR/TE Naivyan Cargill, junior WR Renford George and junior WR Malcolm Tucker all caught TD passes. Cargill also contributed on defense, with eight tackles, including one for a loss. Other standout defenders included senior OLB Vincent Dubose, senior MLB Brandon Powell and sophomore DB Caleb Chamberlin.
Next: vs Park Vista
4. (6) Pahokee (6-1)
The Blue Devils’ game against Lehigh was canceled due to tornados in the area on the Gulf Coast. The game was not crucial for the Blue Devils’ playoff chances. Pahokee is second in its region in RPI and is in line to host a first-round playoff game. The Blue Devils will play in the annual Muck Bowl this week, hosting Glades Central.
Next: vs Glades Central
5. (2) Cardinal Newman (7-3)
The Crusaders fell to Gulliver Prep 49-13 last week, as Gulliver Prep QB and Tulane commit Carson Haggard threw for more than 350 yards and six TDs to rally from an early 13-0 deficit with 49 unanswered points. Freshman QB Davi Belfort gave Newman an early 13-0 lead as he ran for a score and threw for another. The Crusaders are third in RPI in Region 4-3A as they prepare to heal and get ready for the playoffs.
Next: Bye
6. (9) Forest Hill (6-2)
The Falcons are among the hottest teams in the county with its sixth consecutive win — 42-0 over Spanish River. After opening the season with back-to-back losses against Palm Beach Central and Seminole Ridge, the Falcons have outscored the opposition 249-42. Forest Hill travels to North Miami Beach to tackle the Chargers (4-4).
Next: at North Miami Beach, 7:30 p.m.
7. (8) Benjamin (6-3)
The Buccaneers have moved up three spots in the past two weeks, rallying to top Calvary Christian Academy and Jensen Beach in successive weeks. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Aronson (190 yards passing, 4 TDs) and sophomore running back Chauncey Bowens (113 yards rushing, TD) led the way in the 35-27 win over Jensen Beach. Benjamin closes out the regular season at home against King’s Academy (6-3).
Next: vs King’s Academy, 7 p.m.
8. (5) Atlantic (5-4)
The Eagles were stunned at home last week, losing to Fort Lauderdale for the District 13-7A title, 30-19. Another loss could cost them a chance at the postseason for the first time since 2013. The Eagles, who reached the Class 7A state title game in 2017, did not compete in last year’s state series due to COVID restrictions but won the Class 7A Tri-County championship. Atlantic faces Doral Academy (7-1) on the road needing a win and some help.
Next: at Doral Academy
9. (3) Boca Raton (7-2)
The Bobcats saw their six-game winning streak and a chance for its first district title since 2009 come to a screeching halt last week with a 40-0 loss at the hands of visiting Deerfield Beach. Boca Raton was hampered by injuries, the hardest to overcome was the one to Cashion, who broke his collarbone in a 42-12 win over Coral Springs the previous week. Boca hosts the winless Panthers this week.
Next: vs Fort Pierce Westwood, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
10. (10) Park Vista (6-2)
Senior FS Julian Mountcastle and senior CB Kedrick Flint both had interceptions for the Cobras, who snapped their two-game losing streak with a 35-0 win over John I. Leonard (1-8). Junior nose guard Gavin Peacock had 11 tackles, including three for losses for the second straight week. Junior Jordan Clemons (122 all-purpose yards and two scores) led the offense.
Next: at Palm Beach Gardens
On the bubble: Glades Day (8-1), King’s Academy (6-3), Wellington (6-3), Jupiter Christian (7-1), Glades Central (5-4), American Heritage-Delray (5-4).
Gary Curreri is a correspondent for the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
