BOCA RATON – The Boca Raton Bobcats currently hold a 2-1 record, while their rival Atlantic Eagles sit at a strong 1-2 record.
Both teams are at pivotal moments in their schedules.
Boca Raton has strung together back-to-back impressive wins. It blew out Key West 37-0 on the road in Week 2 and then went on the road again in Week 3 to take down favorite Boynton High in a 27-21 overtime game that took two days to finish (Sept. 9-10).
The Bobcats only loss came against Monarch 38-8 in Week 1. However, the Eagles beat the Knights 28-12 in Week 2.
The Monarch Knights connection for both teams will make this clash quite intriguing in a sense, as both these teams have changed since the first two weeks of the season.
Bobcats senior Colby Hidalgo has made a name for himself in recents weeks with the way he can slice and dice through a defense after catching the ball.
Hidalgo was voted as our Breakthrough Player of Week 3 by his peers after his one receiving touchdown with seven receptions for 101 Yards. He added 5 rushes for 35 Yards and threw the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime to fellow senior Sebastien Saint-Louis.
Hidalgo finished with 146 all-purpose yards against Boynton Beach.
Running back David Williams will be a player to watch for the Bobcats in this matchup against the Eagles. He has the ability to flip the field whether it be on offense or defense.
As for the Eagles, they are looking to soar once again after an unexpected 30-28 home loss to North Miami Beach in Week 3.
This season hasn’t started off how the Eagles envisioned as they are loaded with talent at almost every position on the field.
The Eagles will look to bounce back in a major way against Boca for two reasons:
•They need this win for their own sanity
•It is a rivalry game that they have owned since 2014
The sophomore connection between Lincoln Graf and Kamare Williams seem to be coming together as the two seem to be meshing well. Graf has eight passing touchdowns on the season and half of them have gone to Williams.
Senior talents Jovante Pierre Louis and Martay McClendon will be impact players to watch in this game.
Junior Jayden Parrish is a man amongst boys when coming downhill as a linebacker or running back. Meanwhile, fellow junior Tyrique Hollis is sneaky good as Mr. Do-it-All for the Eagles.
Can the Eagles finish a game?
After some uncharacteristic late losses, the Eagles will be fighting to get back to their status as a top five team in Palm Beach County.
Eagles second-year head coach Jamael Stewart will look to go on a streak of wins. He has a winning mentality and his squad carries that same persona.
With that said, the road team will be looking to get the job done tonight (Friday, Sept. 16).
Can the Bobcats keep their hot streak rolling?
Boca Raton has something to prove after putting together back-to-back road wins with freshman quarterback Chance Routson at the helm. He is doing all he can to show that the Bobcats are for real.
Bobcats seniors Collin Bender and Saint-Louis will be other names you should expect to hear early and often in tonight’s matchup.
Boca Raton is now a Top 10 team in Palm Beach County and will be looking to stay there at home.
This Week 4 game has a kickoff time set for 6:30 p.m. in Boca Raton.