PALM BEACH COUNTY – The high school football season could end at any point for some private schools in Palm Beach County, as the FHSAA state playoffs continue.
With the stakes higher than ever, four Palm Beach County schools will look to advance to the next round of their respective brackets. Although four teams remain, only three will be able to advance.
St. John Paul II will play on the road at Cardinal Newman on Friday (Nov. 13), marking the only matchup between two Palm Beach County schools in the playoffs so far. The two sides have already met, with Cardinal Newman picking up the win, so expect St. John Paul II to come looking for revenge.
CLASS 3A-REGION 4 QUARTERFINAL
Benjamin (2-3) at Edison (Miami) (2-1) – 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Traz Powell Stadium
Pinkos Line: Miami Edison over Benjamin by 8
Benjamin was led by the combination of Khani Johns and freshman quarterback Tyler Aronson against Westminster Christian. It will look for those two to help carry the offensive load against Miami Edison.
The travel won’t help Benjamin, but this is a winnable one. The Bucs just need to play their game.
Score prediction: 24-21 win for Miami Edison
CLASS 3A-REGION 4 QUARTERFINAL
No. 2 Cardinal Newman (4-3) vs. No. 4 St. John Paul II (5-2) – 7:30 p.m. kickoff
Pinkos Line: Cardinal Newman over St. John Paul II by 6
The only game featuring two Palm Beach County teams, St. John Paul II will look to pull off the minor upset over Cardinal Newman. The two sides have already met once this season, with Cardinal Newman pulling off a 25-12 victory.
Cardinal Newman should win this game, but weirder things have happened and St. John Paul II looked solid just a week prior.
Score prediction: 35-20 win for Cardinal Newman
CLASS 4A-REGION 4 QUARTERFINAL
No. 1 American Heritage (Delray Beach) (2-3) at Avon Park (3-4) – 7:30 p.m. kickoff
Pinkos Line: American Heritage (Delray) over Avon Park by 38
American Heritage-Delray’s tough regular season schedule has all come down to this.
After not playing last week, American Heritage-Delray will make the trek up to Central Florida to play Avon Park. Look for the Stallions defense to show up and take this game by the horns, them to a convincing victory.
Score prediction: 38-10 win for American Heritage
NIGHTCAP IN BOCA RATON
St. Andrew’s (2-1) vs. Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) (2-0) – 7 p.m. kickoff
Pinkos Line: Pine Crest over St. Andrew’s by 14
St. Andrew’s is now fully into the season, taking two of its first three games to begin the season.
The strong Scots performance shouldn’t be much of a shock, as the team returned most of their key contributors from a season prior.
Pine Crest is a strong team, scoring 50 combined points over its first two wins.
Score prediction: 29-21 win for St. Andrew’s
BATTLE IN COCONUT CREEK
Somerset Academy Canyons (0–1) at North Broward Prep (1-1) – Kickoff at 7 p.m.
Pinkos Line: North Broward Prep over Somerset Academy Canyons by 13
Somerset Academy Canyons is already at a disadvantage by having to play all its games on the road. But now a game against a talented North Broward Prep team awaits them.
Somerset Academy played a strong St. Andrew’s team in its opening game, which it lost 33-16.
North Broward Prep, which starts the season off with a win and a loss to its name, is coming off a 26-6 victory over Pompano Beach.
Score prediction: 28-17 win for North Broward Prep
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
