PALM BEACH COUNTY – It is the final countdown for this regular season.
The majority of Palm Beach County private schools will be playing their last game of the regular season and will set their sights towards the FHSAA play-in games. The one exception to this is St. Andrew’s, which started its season last week.
With a new No. 1 in Cardinal Newman, the rankings saw a shakeup that could quickly be changed.
American Heritage (Delray Beach), our former No. 1, will look to regain the top spot against Newman in a road game with a lot at stake.
Two games involving Palm Beach County schools were canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. No. 2 King’s Academy and Benjamin, scheduled for today (Oct. 30, 7 p.m. kickoff), was canceled yesterday, while No. 5 Boca Raton Christian did not play its scheduled game for yesterday (Oct. 29, 7 p.m. kickoff at Pompano Beach).
Another game was canceled, but this one is due to unknown reasons: No. 4 St. John Paul II at North Broward Prep (Oct. 30; 7 p.m. kickoff)
Translation: The regular season ends for Benjamin, King’s Academy, and St. John Paul II. These three teams will play in the FHSAA Class 3A play-in postseason next week (Friday, Nov. 6).
Also: Boca Raton Christian’s season has officially ended, as our No. 5-ranked private school team finished its fall campaign with a 4-2 record.
GAME OF WEEK 8: No. 1 Cardinal Newman (4-2) vs. No. 3 American Heritage (Delray Beach) (1-3) – 7 p.m. kickoff
American Heritage-Delray and Cardinal Newman are two of the best teams in the county, and this game should prove it.
Don’t expect either team to pull ahead much, as these two teams are as evenly matched as they can be.
Interim head coach Nick Martinez and the Stallions have had a tough schedule, but quarterback Dylan Rizk has proven himself in the county and improvement has been shown. After losing its No. 1 spot, a win here would potentially push the Stallions back into that spot.
Cardinal Newman is currently a 10-point underdog by Joe Pinkos, but the home team has proven its talent. Quality wins over Belen Jesuit and King’s Academy have pushed it to a 4-2 record.
Score prediction: 23-20 win for American Heritage (Delray Beach)
BATTLE OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE: Glades Day (2-4) at Okeechobee (4-3) – 7 p.m. kickoff
Glades Day has had its ups and downs this season, with two wins and four losses.
In their final game of the regular season, the Gators will look to end it with a win over the Okeechobee Brahmans before heading into the FHSAA Class 2A postseason play-in contest next week (Friday, Nov. 6).
Okeechobee has had a solid season to date, picking up wins against Sebastian River, Moore Haven, Port St. Lucie, and South Fork.
This matchup will not be an easy one for Glades Day, especially with the added travel.
Score prediction: 35-10 win for Okeechobee
TRIP TO ORLANDO: Berean Christian (0-6) at Mount Dora Christian (4-3) – 7 p.m. kickoff
The small roster of Berean Christian has struggled this season, but the road team will look for one final game to capture a victory.
The matchup, however, won’t be an easy one for the Bulldogs.
Mount Dora enters this game with the benefit of no extra travel and is coming off a 61-20 win over Crescent City.
Score prediction: 42-17 win for Mount Dora
FIRST ROADIE: St. Andrew’s (0–1) at Westminster Academy (2-5) – 7 p.m. kickoff
St. Andrew’s opened up its season last week with a 28-20 loss to St. John Paul II. But to give them the benefit of the doubt, it was the Scots first game of the season.
With a game under their belt, the result should a better one for St. Andrew’s, which travels south to play Westminster Academy.
Westminster Academy is currently 2-1 against Palm Beach County schools, picking up wins over Berean Christian and Boca Raton Christian.
Score prediction: 32-21 win for St. Andrew’s
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
