High school football predictions: Palm Beach County teams enter first round of playoffs
Thirteen teams are set to commence on the stretch to the FHSAA state championship on Friday night.
Palm Beach County teams are 0-0 once again after finishing out their regular seasons last week.
Let's take a look at five games that could see seasons end or live on.
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5. Vero Beach (6-2) at Forest Hill (6-2)
On paper, this looks like a good game.
Then you look at the difference in their schedules.
No. 165 Forest Hill will host this game due to winning the program's first district championship since 1985. Vero Beach is No. 66 in the state, only missing out on a District 6-8A title to Treasure Coast.
Prepare for an uphill battle, Falcons.
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Prediction: Vero Beach
4. Boca Raton (8-2) at Deerfield Beach (8-2)
We've seen this matchup before, but Boca has a better chance now with a solution for the quarterback it was missing in a 40-0 regular season loss.
Boca Raton's Jonny Caverly could be the answer to at least putting points on the board this time around against Deerfield Beach. Caverly's first appearance ended with three touchdowns against an 0-9 Westwood, but
In addition to a leader, the Bobcats will have a chip on their shoulder and a season at stake. I'm calling a victory fueled by circumstance.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: 35-28, Deerfield Beach
3. Glades Central (5-5) at American Heritage-Delray (5-4)
The Raiders have struggled to put up points all season while American Heritage junior CJ Johnson has piled up double-digit sacks.
The Raiders' offensive line needs to protect quarterback Garrison Kepley while its defense needs to contain Joshua Ramos to win the turnover game.
I know it sounds like a sure win for Heritage. However, top Glades Central recruits Jakavion Nonar, Keon Kindred, and Robert Harris aren't letting their senior season end here.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: 21-17, Glades Central
2. St. Andrew's (6-4) at Cardinal Newman (7-3)
It's no secret that Cardinal Newman's roster is marked by some of the country's youngest up-and-coming talent, featuring recruits like freshman quarterback Davi Belfort and running back Tovani Mizell.
St. Andrew's team is the lesser known story coming into Friday evening. The Scots started the season 0-3, lost a top player to injury and qualified for the playoffs by five ten-thousandths of an RPI point.
The Crusaders will be glad to have Andrew MacMillan back on special teams because offensive dual-threat Bill Young and impact quarterback Jack Di Donna are going to give Newman a closer run than expected.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: 31-28, Cardinal Newman
1. Palm Beach Gardens (6-4) at Treasure Coast (7-1)
Following the FHSAA's playoff format, creating one of Friday night's most lopsided matchups, the No. 7 Gators will battle the No. 2 Titans in hopes of advancing to play the winner of Wellington versus Boone.
While regular season records might suggest a definite Treasure Coast victory, Gardens survived one of the toughest schedules in the county and it could make the Gators the county team best equipped to face the No. 25 team in the state.
With two overtime wins this year, Gardens performs its best when it's all on the line.
Friday, 7 p.m.
Pregame prediction: 31-22, Treasure Coast
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: High school football picks: Which Palm Beach County teams win in first round?
