WELLINGTON – Palm Beach Central was intensively focused, primed, and ready to avenge last year’s playoff loss to Western.

The No. 3 seed Broncos (11-1) thoroughly dominated the No. 7 seed Wildcats (9-3 final record) on offense, defense, and special teams in a 38-0 win at home this past Friday night (Nov. 16). It was clear from the first snap on how this year’s Class 8A Region 3 semifinal clash would turn out.

With the victory, Palm Beach Central advanced to the 8A regional final for the first time in its history. It’s also the first time this program has won 11 games.

Palm Beach Central’s school-record 11-game winning streak is remarkable in that every victory turned out to be a convincing one. It’s the longest winning streak right now in Palm Beach County.

“These young men play for each other,” Palm Beach Central head coach Toni Ierulli said last week. “They play their hearts out. I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished as a team.”

How did Palm Beach Central earn the right to play No. 1 seed Deerfield Beach (11-1) in tonight’s 8A Region 3 final?

For starters, senior quarterback Mike Moreland has been locked in, especially during his team’s inspiring playoff run. He threw for a touchdown pass and ran for another in last week’s shutout revenge win over Western.

Moreland’s best play came early in the third quarter, when he hit senior All-American Akeem Dent for a 44-yard touchdown pass.

“I knew we had to get our mind right,” Moreland said.

Dent has his eyes set on a possible state title for Palm Beach Central, which would be its first in school history. He has experienced state title glory just two years ago, when Pahokee completed its 14-0 season with its seventh state championship.

“It feels good that nobody is getting complacent,” the Florida State verbal commit said. “Everybody is on the same page now.”

Palm Beach Central will need to play a near perfect game on the road tonight against Deerfield Beach, just like it did against Western. Any kind of mistake will be magnified against a team as good as Deerfield Beach.

Let’s be clear here: Palm Beach Central can score on the run, in the passing game, and on defense when necessary. It even has a solid special teams unit, which is led by senior kicker Tanner Nairn, who has connected on four total field goals in the playoffs (three in his team’s first round playoff win over Wellington; one against Western).

And the defense?

Let’s just say it right now. This unit is truly fired up, focused, inspired and lights-out.

Early in the first quarter against Western, senior defensive back and Akron verbal commit Jesus Santiago caught a diving interception that set the tone for the entire game. It was clear that the Wildcats had no shot at replicating last year’s upset playoff win against the Broncos.

Key defensive stalwarts such as Dent, Sanchez and a host of others can disrupt the opposition in other ways. The Broncos defense recorded a multitude of quarterback hurries and sacks against the Wildcats last week.

But this game coming up could be a tight one, which may play in Deerfield Beach’s favor. The Bucks have won their two playoffs games by a score of 32-14 (first round victory over No. 8 seed Miramar) and 23-0 (second round victory over No. 4 seed Plantation).

Overall, Palm Beach Central has outscored its opposition by a score of 82-14 in its two playoff games. In other words, you can call this team a blowout machine.

Deerfield Beach is led by running back Jaylen Knighton, who was a true thoroughbred in last week’s playoff win over Plantation. He had 26 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown, while adding another score on a 31-yard reception.

Knighton is widely considered as one of Broward County’s best overall players, as he has rushed for 1,915 yards on 210 carries. For Palm Beach Central to reach its first-ever state semifinal game, it will need to make sure the Oklahoma commit fails to reach 2,000 yards for the season.

So there it is. Simply put, if there is another Jaylen Kingston Show tonight, Palm Beach Central’s dream season will almost certainly be over.

Here’s how our New Era Prep team thinks this game will go down tonight.

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.

The kickoff for tonight’s 8A Region 3 final game is 7:30 p.m. in Deerfield Beach. Check back to see if our team got this game’s predictions right or wrong.

If you’re going to watch the game, enjoy the entire experience and be safe!