PALM BEACH COUNTY – With just six teams left in this year’s FHSAA playoffs, we are at a point where the cream will rise to the top.
The regional finals round makes it known which teams are that cream and which ones simply aren’t. Tomorrow night’s slate of games will prove that once and for all.
Our area has teams still playing for state titles in these classifications: 8A, 7A, 4A, 3A, and 1A. In short, we can have up to five programs with state titles in about two weeks.
Let’s be brutally honest here. The operative word is “can”, as our staff does not see that many Palm Beach County teams even making it to the state title game, which will be on the weekend of Dec. 6-8 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Going back to this week only, here are our predictions for the regional finals, which will kick off tomorrow night (Friday, Nov. 23) at 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 8A REGION 3 FINAL: No. 3 seed Palm Beach Central (11-1) at No. 1 seed Deerfield Beach (11-1)
Kenneth Stephens: Palm Beach Central should be able to steal one on the road. This team is confident, and head coach Tino Ierulli and staff will have them ready for a showdown.
Palm Beach Central over Deerfield Beach, 31-24.
Kevin Fielder: If the Broncos wanted a test, the 11-1 Deerfield Beach team is a great opportunity. Deerfield is currently riding a five-game win streak and its only loss this season is to St. Thomas Aquinas. While I expect Palm Beach Central to keep it close, I think Deerfield will pull away when it matters.
Deerfield Beach over Palm Beach Central, 35-27.
Matt Brown: Palm Beach Central over Deerfield Beach, 31-21.
Xavon Christopher: Palm Beach Central over Deerfield Beach, 28-13.
CLASS 7A REGION 4 FINAL: No. 2 seed Dwyer (11-1) at No. 1 seed St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1)
Kenneth Stephens: Dwyer’s state title dreams may end on Friday as St. Thomas Aquinas has the slight edge in postseason experience and home field advantage.
St. Thomas Aquinas over Dwyer, 35-22.
Kevin Fielder: As talented as Dwyer is, St. Thomas Aquinas is that much better. With the stacks of Division 1 talent on their roster, the Raiders are a nationally known program with amazing coaching. I think Gio Richardson and the Panthers offense will keep the game close for the most part, with the Raiders pulling ahead late.
St. Thomas Aquinas over Dwyer, 45-30.
Matt Brown: Dwyer over St. Thomas Aquinas, 44-31
Xavon Christopher: Dwyer over St. Thomas Aquinas, 33-21
CLASS 4A REGION 4 FINAL: No. 3 seed Glades Central (9-3) at No. 1 seed University School (10-1)
Kenneth Stephens: Glades Central is on a roll and University could be the team to stop it. But I think the Raiders get revenge on Friday from their early season matchup against the Sharks.
Glades Central 28, University School 24
Kevin Fielder: Glades Central, coming off a huge upset over Booker T. Washington, has a chance to avenge its earlier loss to University. The Raiders were drubbed 35-6 in the first game of the season to University, which was arguably their worst loss of the season. Should the Raiders win, they’ll have to score early and often, which I expect them to.
Glades Central 35, University 32
Matt Brown: University 38, Glades Central 14
Xavon Christopher: Glades Central 24, University 13
CLASS 3A REGION 2 FINAL: No. 1 seed King’s Academy (10-1) vs. No. 2 seed The First Academy (9-1)
Kenneth Stephens: King’s has a tough home crowd and confidence that’s through the roof. That should be enough to win against a run-heavy First Academy squad.
King’s Academy 27, First Academy 21
Kevin Fielder: King’s Academy has a chance to cement the belief that it is a top team in the state. In order to do so, the Lions will face The First Academy, one of the top teams in Class 3A and Orlando. I expect the game to be close, but I think Justin Wake and the offense scores enough to defeat the Royals of The First Academy.
King’s Academy 32, First Academy 28
Matt Brown: King’s Academy 38, First Academy 35
Xavon Christopher: King’s Academy 28, First Academy 17
CLASS 3A REGION 4 FINAL: No. 3 seed Delray Beach American Heritage (9-3) at No. 1 seed Chaminade-Madonna (9-2)
Kenneth Stephens: American Heritage-Delray is a good team and loaded with talent, but this Chaminade team will be nothing like the Stallions have seen before. I expect a good game, but Chaminade will come out on top.
Chaminade-Madonna 28, Delray Beach American Heritage 17
Kevin Fielder: Coming off a major win on the road against Benjamin, the Stallions of Delray Beach American Heritage will look to take down Chaminade Madonna, who defeated Palmer Trinity, 67-0. Should the Stallions win, a majority of the production will come from Dallis Small, who finished with 260 yards against Benjamin. But look for Chaminade-Madonna to win in a low scoring affair.
Chaminade-Madonna 18, Delray Beach American Heritage 15
Matt Brown: Chaminade-Madonna 35, Delray Beach American Heritage 24
Xavon Christopher: Chaminade-Madonna 31, Delray Beach American Heritage 21
CLASS 1A REGION 4 FINAL: No. 2 seed Pahokee (6-5) at No. 1 seed Hawthorne (11-0)
Kenneth Stephens: Hawthorne is coming in undefeated, but its strength of schedule isn’t as strong as Pahokee’s. The road team has literally scheduled anyone from any classification, and it will be the deciding factor in how Hawthorne will struggle in this one. I expect Pahokee to keep rolling, right onto to the 1A state semifinals next week.
Pahokee 30, Hawthorne 17
Kevin Fielder: Don’t let Pahokee’s poor record fool you. The Blue Devils are better than their 6-5 record indicates. They played multiple top teams in classifications above and that talent gap will help them in a matchup against Hawthorne, who is currently undefeated. While it will be close, I think the Blue Devils strength of schedule will benefit them in the end.
Pahokee 30, Hawthorne 23
Matt Brown: Pahokee 34, Hawthorne 27
Xavon Christopher: Pahokee 35, Hawthorne 14
NOTE: See if our team got it right or wrong with our playoff predictions after the final buzzers sound tomorrow night. We’ll post all of the scores to confirm. Enjoy the games and be safe out there, everyone!
