No. 5 Chaminade-Madonna continues string of nationally ranked opponents with No. 4 Miami Central | High school football week 5 predictions
Another week, another nationally ranked opponent for Chaminade-Madonna. You can’t argue that Chaminade ducks anyone when it comes to the gridiron, and this week is no exception as the Lions tackle their fourth consecutive nationally ranked team, Miami Central.
Elsewhere, Atlantic faces Cardinal Newman in a battle of unbeaten teams, and Benjamin, which thumped Gulliver Prep 49-0 last week, tries to keep rolling against Jensen Beach. How long can Blanche Ely keep up its average of 44 points per game?
Speaking of last week, I only missed the West Broward/Dwyer game to finish the week at 9-1 to run my record to 33-7 for the year.
And my picks this week:
Chaminade-Madonna (4-0) vs. Miami Central (3-1) (Thursday, 7 p.m. at Traz Powell Stadium, Miami): The Lions (4-0) ranked No. 5 in the country by MaxPreps, has rolled through St. Frances Academy (Maryland), Cardinal Gibbons, Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) and American Heritage by a combined score of 165-55. Now comes No. 4-ranked, four-consecutive-time defending state champion Miami Central (3-1), which saw a two-year, 26-game win streak snapped by Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) two weeks ago. Chaminade-Madonna, which won two consecutive state titles, has made it to seven consecutive state finals. The Lions have also won 19 consecutive regular season games dating back to early 2021. This should be a classic. Chaminade-Madonna 34, Miami Central 33.
Treasure Coast (4-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas (3-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Titans are the state’s top-ranked Class 4S team. Treasure Coast, ranked No. 76 nationally, comes in averaging 34.5 points per game, while the Raiders, ranked No. 12 in the country and No. 1 in Florida in Class 3M, score at a pace of 35.3 points per game. The Raiders are looking for a fifth consecutive state title. St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Treasure Coast 28.
Atlantic (4-0) at Cardinal Newman (3-0) (Friday 7 p.m.): Cardinal Newman is coming off a 35-2 win over the two-time reigning Division 2 Massachusetts state champion Catholic Memorial, which was riding a 29-game winning streak dating back to 2019. Atlantic jumped out to a 30-0 halftime lead and downed Boca Raton 44-14 last week. This is the first meeting between the two teams. Cardinal Newman 24, Atlantic 21.
Monarch (3-1) at Stoneman Douglas (0-3) (Friday 7 p.m.): Monarch must deal with a shoulder injury to star quarterback A.J. Hairston, suffered in a win over Piper last week that is expected to sideline him for a few weeks. Host Douglas limps into the game after being outscored 103-18 so far. Monarch 28, Stoneman Douglas 14.
Miramar (2-1) at Dillard (1-2) (Saturday 7 p.m.): After dropping a 20-14 decision to Highland Springs (Virginia) in its opener, the Patriots have posted back-to-back shutouts over Coral Glades (61-0) and Flanagan (50-0). Dillard has lost two straight after a season-opening win over Stranahan. Miramar 35, Dillard 14.
Coconut Creek (3-1) at Blanche Ely (3-0) (Friday 7 p.m.): The host Tigers, averaging 44 points per game, will put their unbeaten streak on the line. They have also won 12 consecutive regular-season games dating back to 2021. Coconut Creek has won consecutive games over Western and Plantation thanks in part to its defense. The Cougars also opened the season with a 6-0 win over Boyd Anderson. Blanche Ely 24, Coconut Creek 13.
Benjamin (3-0) at Jensen Beach (4-0) (Thursday 7 p.m.): The host Falcons have yet to allow a point, outscoring the opposition 119-0. They have lost both meetings to the Buccaneers in the series history by a combined score of 84-57. Benjamin has been led by senior running back and Georgia commit Chauncy Bowens, who had a 68-yard scoring run and a 72-yard touchdown reception in a 49-0 win over Gulliver Prep last week. Benjamin 17, Jensen Beach 9.
Boynton Beach (1-2) at West Boca Raton (3-1) (Thursday 6:30 p.m.): After a season-opening 51-14 win over Forest Hill, the Tigers have dropped two straight by a total of 18 points. West Boca rebounded from an OT loss to St. Andrew’s with a 42-3 win over Port St. Lucie behind the Mallory (Javian and Mason) cousins, as Mason tossed for 210 yards and 4 TDs, while Javion finished with 160 all-purpose yards and three scores. West Boca has allowed just 20 points all season. West Boca 33, Boynton Beach 20.
Gulliver Prep (3-1) at King’s Academy (3-1) (Friday 7 p.m.): Gulliver Prep is smarting following a 49-0 drubbing at the hands of Benjamin. King’s Academy has put together three impressive double-digit wins following a 55-54 loss to St. Andrew’s in the season opener. Lions senior running back Marion Victor has rushed for 403 yards and five scores. King’s Academy 35, Gulliver Prep 20.
Palm Beach Gardens (2-2) at Pahokee (2-2) (Thursday 6:30 p.m.): Palm Beach Gardens has won two in row after losses to Atlantic and Vero Beach to open the season. Pahokee gave Palm Beach Central all it could handle before falling 33-27 in overtime. Pahokee 26, Palm Beach Gardens 24.