Story
High school football picks: Central-Gardens rematch tops playoff openers
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
by
Matt Porter
In playoff football, the past does not necessarily foretell the future. That's what Seminole Ridge and Palm Beach Central are hoping, anyway.
Both teams open the 2012 postseason by hosting teams that beat them in September. Park Vista beat Seminole Ridge 21-7, one of its finest efforts in a 5-0 start. Palm Beach Gardens edged Palm Beach Central 10-6, stifling the Broncos' running game with a dominant defense.
But the scene has shifted. Ridge looks a lot different than the team that started 0-2, its three-pronged running game boosting a confident, capable defense off the field. Like the Hawks, Central found its game and took home a district title. Neither Park Vista nor Gardens have looked quite right over the final stretch, so we have the home teams as first-round favorites.
The 8A battle royale is hardly the highlight of what should be an outstanding first round. In 7A, Atlantic's dream season will continue if it takes care of Lauderdale Lakes-Boyd Anderson. Dwyer's path to the second round goes through high-flying Oakland Park-Northeast.
Glades Central's feeling its familiar playoff mojo in 5A, while Glades Day has an easy warmup this week for a tough 2A playoffs. Cardinal Newman hopes to upset Fort Lauderdale-University, which has designs on a high-wattage second-round matchup with American Heritage, which will be as competitive as a 3A state title game.
To cap it all off, the Southeastern Football Conference holds its inaugural championship bowl Saturday at FAU Stadium, where Benjamin will face Fort Lauderdale-Pine Crest.
A great weekend of playoff football, and don't expect all these picks to be right.
(All games 7:30 p.m. Friday unless noted)
Class 8A regional quarterfinals
Palm Beach Gardens (7-2) at Palm Beach Central (7-2)
Central's running game has been playoff-ready since September, and Gardens' defensive line has been banged-up of late.
Jeff's pick: Palm Beach Central 30-20.
Matt's pick: Palm Beach Central 31-27.
Park Vista (6-2) at Seminole Ridge (8-1)
Both teams like to run the ball and, by association, carry on long drives. In a game of limited possessions, turnovers could be decisive.
Jeff's pick: Seminole Ridge 20-16.
Matt's pick: Seminole Ridge 24-13.
Treasure Coast (5-3) at Tarpon Springs-East Lake (9-1)
Neither defense has been a world-beater, but we'll take East Lake's quality passing game against Treasure Coast, which can be thrown on.
Jeff's pick: East Lake 22-10.
Matt's pick: East Lake 24-22.
Class 7A regional quarterfinals
Dwyer (8-2) at Oakland Park-Northeast (9-1)
As usual, Dwyer's offensive line and quarterback play will decide its fate. Its defense can handle anyone, even star Northeast receiver Stacy Coley.
Jeff's pick: Dwyer 31-28.
Matt's pick: Dwyer 23-14.
Englewood-Lemon Bay (7-3) at Fort Pierce Central (9-0)
Central's defense doesn't get the credit it deserves, though that's mostly because the offense is so good. This is a walkover win against a team that allows nearly as many points (23 per game average) as it scores (29).
Jeff's pick: Fort Pierce Central 42-0.
Matt's pick: Fort Pierce Central 44-10.
Martin County (4-6) at Punta Gorda-Charlotte (6-4)
A three-game losing streak heading into the playoffs doesn't inspire much confidence in Martin County, which beat Charlotte 14-10 in last year's first round.
Jeff's pick: Charlotte 28-10.
Matt's pick: Charlotte 27-3.
Lauderdale Lakes-Boyd Anderson (7-2) at Atlantic (8-2)
Just as the postseason arrives the state media rankings and statewide computer forecasts recognize Atlantic as a state-title contender in 7A.
Jeff's pick: Atlantic 28-24.
Matt's pick: Atlantic 33-20.
Class 6A regional quarterfinals
South Fork (9-1) at Melbourne-Palm Bay (6-4)
Don't be put off by Palm Bay's four losses. They've been against good opponents. That strength of schedule could set Palm Bay apart, but South Fork is plenty capable.
Jeff's pick: Palm Bay 28-21.
Matt's pick: Palm Bay 20-17
Class 5A regional quarterfinals
Rockledge (7-3) at Glades Central (6-4)
The Raiders have their offense moving a bit better, but the defense's growth and maturity has been key. Forget the 0-4 start; they'll be a tough out in the playoffs.
Jeff's pick: Glades Central 24-14.
Matt's pick: Glades Central 20-13.
Jensen Beach (5-5) at Merritt Island (9-1)
Look at the numbers: Jensen Beach struggles to score (15.6 points per game), while Merritt Island allows just 6.4 points per game.
Jeff's pick: Merritt Island 35-0.
Matt's pick: Merritt Island 34-10.
Class 4A regional semifinals
Miami-Gulliver Prep (5-5) at Inlet Grove (5-4)
Inlet Grove gets another shot at the playoffs, this time with a home game and a district title to its name. Shawun Lurry can be the difference-maker, but this is a tough one.
Jeff's pick: Gulliver Prep 20-13.
Matt's pick: Gulliver Prep 24-19.
Clewiston (4-6) at Cocoa (8-2)
Cocoa beat American Heritage in the preseason and got smoked by University in September. Clewiston hasn't faced anyone that tough.
Jeff's pick: Cocoa 49-14.
Matt's pick: Cocoa 35-7.
Class 3A regional semifinals
Cardinal Newman (9-1) at Fort Lauderdale-University (8-0)
Last year's first-round matchup wasn't pretty when they met. This one will be just as tough for Newman, since University is better this year. The Crusaders need big games from their biggest players: Travis Rudolph, Devonte Brown and Matt Burke.
Jeff's pick: University 42-21.
Matt's pick: University 41-31.
Hollywood-Chaminade Madonna (8-2) at American Heritage (10-0)
As good as Chaminde's record is, it's hard to find a more complete football team in Class 3A than American Heritage. The Stallions are a near-lock to return to the state final.
Jeff's pick: American Heritage 49-0.
Matt's pick: American Heritage 42-7.
Class 2A regional semifinals
Village Academy (4-5) at Miami-Dade Christian (10-0)
Village takes its high-flying passing attack down south to take on a team built around a very solid running game. It'll be quick strike vs. sustained drives.
Jeff's pick: Dade Christian 38-28.
Matt's pick: Dade Christian 35-20.
Hialeah-Champagnat Catholic (2-8) at Glades Day (7-2)
A mismatch even if Glades Day had an average running back (let's say his name is Melvin Baylor). Since they have record-breaking star Kelvin Taylor, the Gators should be able to score at will.
Jeff's pick: Glades Day 42-7.
Matt's pick: Glades Day 52-6.
SFC Championship, 7 p.m. Saturday at FAU
Benjamin (9-1) vs. Fort Lauderdale-Pine Crest (9-1)
A month ago, Benjamin jumped out to a 28-6 lead and coasted to a 15-point win. This one will be a lot closer, but the Bucs have the edge.
Jeff's pick: Benjamin 33-24.
Matt's pick: Benjamin 31-27.
Records:
Jeff 13-3 last week, 135-33 overall
Matt 10-6 last week, 133-37 overall
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User Comments:
@ Matt & Jeff commented on November 14, 2012 at 8:22 p.m.: report abuse
What game will you guys be attending?
Jeff Greer commented on November 14, 2012 at 9:16 p.m.: report abuse
It's an 8A kind of week -- I'll be at PB Central; Matt'll be at Seminole Ridge.
correction commented on November 14, 2012 at 11:31 p.m.: report abuse
hey jeff you guys switched the records for seminole ridge and pv, pv is 8-1, ridge is 6-2, not the other way around...
Shame on you commented on November 15, 2012 at 12:29 a.m.: report abuse
University "smoked" Cocoa because Cocoa benched 12 starting player's. U smoked Cocoa's 2nd team. An omission of importance.
Riviera Beach commented on November 15, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.: report abuse
Playoff football is where legends are born and players make names for themselves.
8a= This is a true toss up. Anyone of these teams could come out on top. Shame all the 8a teams have to knock each other out. Playoffs seem to be the time the stars emerge. Park Vista has two stars in it's qb and safety. Vista has lost one regular season game in two years. PBC has the running game but lacks balance and their D can be scored on. SR will always play it's hard nose big ten football. They won't blow anybody out and they won't be blown out. However, I don't like their chance if another team gets a lead on them. PBG is an interesting team. Seems to be very well balenced on offense and a strong D. If I have to pick, I would go for Vista to come out. They are long overdue.
@Riviera commented on November 15, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.: report abuse
Let's see... PV's D-13.6 ppg
PBC's D- 9.5 ppg
PBG's D-13.9 ppg
PV has 150 yards more passing than PBC for the season (about 20 yards per game)
Sounds like you're thinking in the past too much. This is a new season.
Maximus commented on November 15, 2012 at 3:47 p.m.: report abuse
"As good as Chaminde's record is, it's hard to find a more complete football team in Class 3A than American Heritage. The Stallions are a near-lock to return to the state final."
You obviously haven't seen University School play. The same University School that is ranked #8 in the nation on rivals. Yes, the same University School that destroyed Cocoa 49-3 at Cocoa. How did AH do against them? Oh yeah...it was preseason....on NATIONAL TV they got blasted!
AH has yet to face a team with the talent US has this year. Don't expect the QB to throw 6 INT's this year!
AH a lock for the state title.
Thank you for the bulletin board material!
@ Maximus commented on November 15, 2012 at 6:57 p.m.: report abuse
YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah whatever. Enjoy your lose and get ready for next year big fella!!!!
sosha commented on November 16, 2012 at 8:45 a.m.: report abuse
I have been covering high school football for over 30 years! And yes Delray is an accomplished program earning state championships. But after watching both programs I have come to this conclusion.. First of all University hammered a Cocoa team at FULL strength.."watch the film"!! Second, putting all else aside the US Football team is in a class of its own. If you have watched the Suns you will see an offensive system not even rivaled by many collegiate programs. The Suns offensive attack is lethal..it has the ability to move the ball through the air utilizing the (4) division 1 receivers and ohh lets not forget the rushing attack led by their sophmore All-American RB!! In comparison the other team mentioned "delray"! Delray has an offensive scheme yes..it's called give #4 the ball, throw the ball to #4 and every now and then #1 will run! Delray did a great job of scoring (1) offensive TD against Dwyer?? Isnt that a Dwyer team which gave up 29pts to Atlantic??? We havent even mentioned the US DEFENSE...oh yea it has (9) Div 1 athletes on it!! It held a cocoa team at full strength to 3 pts.. it demolished the #3 team in Ohio giving up 1 offensive TD..and I could go on! In closing the University school football program is in a class of its own, they play each opponent with the intent of destroying them regardless of who they are!! The SUNS will win the State Championship, and a share of the National Championship!
@@riviera commented on November 16, 2012 at 10:45 a.m.: report abuse
Park Vista's D is only giving 12 points a game. To me thats much more impressive than Central and Ridge's. Central played no one this year (yes i know they hit pv hard), PV had to go to Glades Central. You take the off night against central out of the equation and they're well under 8 points a game. Dont count out PV defense.
$$$$$$$$$ commented on November 16, 2012 at 11:14 a.m.: report abuse
Dear Coach Socha Bite me!! You never believed and COCOA had 12 players benched 11 starters for that game... at the end of the day .. "just gotta play the game. talks out the window at this time so stop stirring the pot we know you are bored
Sritha commented on January 12, 2013 at 3:41 p.m.: report abuse
That's an apt answer to an ientresintg question
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