Entering week 4, there are two prevalent South Florida teams off to slow starts in 2024 at 0-3. The Benjamin School Buccaneers and the Gulliver Prep Raiders have both faced tough schedules, but both have definitely fallen short of their pre season expectations so far.
Let’s start with Benjamin. The Bucs have faced a very tough schedule to start the season, going head to head against top 45 Florida teams (according to Maxpreps) in all of their regular season games. This is definitely a contributing factor to their record. QB Charlie Smith has stepped up for Benjamin. Although he threw two interceptions, overall he had a good and poised game vs Newman. He threw for a touchdown and ran for one. Smith does need to find a reliable number one receiver, but he has options. TE Adam Balogun-Ali, WR Brandon Garland, and WR Baron Ryba all made plays vs Newman. RB Phoenix Donghia is the key for this Benjamin offense. He is their workhorse running back since RB Chauncey Bowens headed off to Athens to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. Donghia had two touchdowns vs Cardinal Newman. 4 star LB Adam Balogun-Ali is the key for this Benjamin defense. He is a fast linebacker and is a great blitzer. Offenses have to scheme around Adam. Benjamin does have three true freshmen starting on the defense, but they have all proven to be reliable. Markel Etienne got an interception vs Tampa Jesuit, Gabe Bowens has been a reliable linebacker, and Ty Kirkpatrick has been a very disruptive pass rusher for the Bucs. Overall, this is a promising team that has faced a very tough schedule to start the season.
Benjamin Record
L West Boca 13-14
L Tampa Jesuit 3-31
L Cardinal Newman 20-34
Let’s switch to Gulliver. The raiders have definitely weakened in recent years from their massive 2021 season, but this was not expected. Although I cannot find much information about Gulliver players from Maxpreps, I do know one thing. I know that their skill positions will be fine. Gulliver has developed some massive players such as West Virginia RB CJ Donaldson and Florida State WR Jalen Brown. I expect them to want to attack downfield like they have done in the past with QBs such as Abilene Christian QB Carson Haggard and Virginia Tech QB Davi Belfort. With that being said, there is not much to say on the trenches for this Gulliver team. Overall, this is a skilled team that has the talent to turn it around.
Gulliver Record
L Doral Academy 20-34
L Monsignor Pace 0-22
L King’s Academy 15-35
Analysis: After examining both of these teams, I believe Benjamin should win this game handily. I trust Phoenix Donghia to run down this Gulliver defense. I also trust Benjamin’s trenches. Led by OL/DL Landon Rapkiewicz on both sides of the ball, I believe they will be bigger and better. I also know that Benjamin has played a much tougher schedule and is battle tested. I got the Bucs taking this one 31-14. The game is at Gulliver Prep at 4 PM on 9/13.
