PALM BEACH COUNTY – Although Palm Beach County began with 12 teams in the FHSAA playoffs, that number, after only one week, is cut in half.

Just six teams will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in Tallahassee or Daytona Beach (depending on the class) in the state championship game.

While these six teams all have a good chance at winning their regional semifinal games, those teams will be tasked with playing against some of the most talented opponents in the state, including a potential matchup against a nationally ranked opponent.

CLASS 1A: Pahokee

It’s been a weird season for head coach DJ Boldin and the Pahokee Blue Devils. But following a 1-5 start to the season, the Blue Devils have rattled off three wins in a row, including a win in the Muck Bowl against Glades Central.

The Blue Devils (4-5; No. 2 seed in 1A – Region 4) are well coached and have a lot of talent, so a deep run is not out of the realm of possibilities.

For the 1A – Region 4 semifinals, the Blue Devils will host Hawthorne, who finished the regular season with an 8-3 record and have the No. 3 seed in 1A – Region 4.

The winner of tonight’s Pahokee-Hawthorne playoff game will play the winner between No. 1 seed Newberry (9–1) and No. 5 seed Chiefland (7-4) in the 1A – Region 4 final next week.

Class 1A – Region 4 Semifinals Prediction: Pahokee over Hawthorne, 34-25

Class 1A Playoffs Prediction: Loss in State Semifinals

CLASS 3A: Benjamin

After an upset win over No. 3 seed Cardinal Newman in the Class 3A – Region 3 Quarterfinals, the No. 6 seed Benjamin Buccaneers will travel to Fort Myers to play No. 2 seed Bishop Verot (8-2).

Benjamin finished the regular season at 7-3, but had to win its final game against Archbishop McCarthy to gain a playoff spot. Despite this, Benjamin is capable of beating most teams with the talent they have.

Should Benjamin defeat Bishop Verot, it will play the winner of No. 1 seed Berkeley Prep (8-1) and No. 5 seed Clearwater Central Catholic (8-3) on the road next week.

Class 3A – Region 3 Semifinals Prediction: Bishop Verot over Benjamin, 31-27

CLASS 4A: American Heritage (Delray Beach)

After battling some injuries throughout the season, the bye week in the first round had proved critical for the American Heritage Stallions, as they are finally healthy.

Coming into the playoffs with a three-game losing streak, the Stallions (5-5; No. 10/No. 2 seed) will hope to battle a potential loss in momentum, as they face Tampa Catholic (No. 3 seed; 6-5) in the Class 4A – Region 3 semifinals. Should the Stallions come out with a victory, they will face the winner of No. 1 seed Lakewood (10-0) and No. 5 seed Clewiston (6-5).

Expect the Stallions’ strong defense to come up big, as they have all year.

Class 4A – Region 4 Semifinals Prediction: American Heritage over Tampa Catholic, 24-18

Class 4A Playoff Prediction: Loss to Lakewood in Class 4A – Region 3 Finals

CLASS 7A: Palm Beach Lakes

An undefeated regular season has pushed the Palm Beach Lakes Rams into a position where they can host every game they play in the regional playoffs, so the advantage is there for them.

Despite trailing by as many as 17 points in the Class 7A – Region 3 quarterfinals, the Rams (No. 1/No. 1 seed; 10-0) were able to defeat East Lake to set up a matchup against Venice (No. 5 seed; 7-4) in the semifinals. Should the Rams pull out a victory, they will host the winner of No. 2 seed Mitchell (10-1) and No. 3 seed Manatee (7-4).

Class 7A – Region 3 Semifinals Prediction: Palm Beach Lakes defeats Venice, 28-24

Class 7A Playoff Prediction: Loss to Mitchell in the Class 7A – Region 3 Finals

CLASS 7A: Atlantic (Delray Beach)

The Atlantic Eagles has played a tough schedule, so their 7-3 record could be even better had they pulled off victories in some of the close games.

That, along with their win over Blanche Ely, could prove beneficial for the Eagles as they travel to Hollywood to battle the McArthur Mustangs in the Class 7A – Region 4 semifinals. A win over No. 2 seed McArthur (8-2) could set up a game against No. 1 seed St. Thomas Aquinas (10-0), who look to be one of the favorites to win the Class 7A state championship.

Class 7A – Region 4 Semifinals Prediction: Atlantic defeats McArthur, 31-27

Class 7A Playoff Prediction: Loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 7A – Region 4 Finals

CLASS 8A: Palm Beach Central

The Palm Beach Central Broncos did their job in the Class 8A – Region 3 Quarterfinals, as the Broncos defeated Centennial 49-42. The win set up their Class 8A – Region 3 semifinals match against Deerfield Beach, who handled Palm Beach Gardens 53-9.

Should Palm Beach Central (No. 3/No. 2 seed; 9-2) come away with the win over Deerfield Beach (No. 3 seed; 8-3), it will be tasked with the winner of No. 1 seed Vero Beach (10-0) and No. 5 seed Treasure Coast (9-1).

Class 8A – Region 3 Semifinals Prediction: Palm Beach Central falls to Deerfield Beach 34-20

PHOTO CREDITS: Eddie Brock (Dirty Lenz MG) and Ronaldo Garcia