Story
High school football picks: Village Academy faces test against Glades Day
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
by
Matt Porter
When a tiny charter school in Delray Beach started its football program in 2005, Glades Day and Jupiter Christianprovided a glimpse into the life of a small-school powerhouse.
On Thursday night, Delray's Village Academy, now a fiercely competitive team despite its numbers, gets a chance to go toe-to-toe with Glades Day, a seven-time state champion and regular fixture in the small-schools-as-juggernauts conversation.
Village may already have two losses, but both were excusable: Hollywood-Chaminade-Madonna is a quality South Florida small school, and Treasure Coast is simply bigger and deeper. But there's no doubting Village's chances in District 7-2A, where, yes, Glades Day is the favorite but Village is easily the second-best team in the group.
That's what makes Thursday so important for Village.
Sure, the Tigers have the immensely challenging task of stopping Glades Day running back Kelvin Taylor, a future Florida Gator with his sights set on the national high school career rushing record. But they also have their own star in quarterback Larry Brihm, an undersized signal caller with a slingshot arm.
We don't think Village has all the tools to beat Glades Day -- the Gators possess great size on their lines (and Taylor) -- but we do think this will be a breakthrough game for Village, one that shows the Tigers belong on the field with teams like the Gators.
Meanwhile, in Greenacres, John I. Leonard has a shot at its second upset of the season when recently rolling Seminole Ridge comes to town Friday. Royal Palm Beach can take another step toward a playoff spot with a win at West Boca Raton. And Gardens gets a bit of a reprieve when it hosts Boca Raton, which lost its stud quarterback Kevin Anderson for the rest of the season and struggled mightily without him last Friday.
Games of the Week
(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)
Seminole Ridge (2-2) at John I. Leonard (3-2)
A slow start for Ridge prompted some panic in Loxahatchee, but the Hawks have a big defense boosted by the return of safety Mike Almonte. Leonard's up-and-down season is tough to read, but the Lancers have speed and grit.
Jeff's pick: Seminole Ridge 24-21.
Matt's pick: Seminole Ridge 20-17.
No. 7 Palm Beach Central (3-2) at Jupiter (0-5)
Central took a big step forward in last week's rout of then-No. 5 Park Vista. Building on that performance -- especially on offense -- is critical against the struggling Warriors with plenty of football left in the season.
Jeff's pick: Palm Beach Central 35-7.
Matt's pick: Palm Beach Central 38-13.
No. 6 Royal Palm Beach (3-1) at West Boca Raton (1-4)
The ship finally settled in Royal Palm after the Wildcats' second loss in two seasons against John I. Leonard. West Boca's sluggish offense must somehow come up with answers against one of the area's top defenses.
Jeff's pick: Royal Palm Beach 21-7.
Matt's pick: Royal Palm Beach 26-10.
Boca Raton (2-3) at No. 4 Palm Beach Gardens (4-1)
Boca managed seven points last week without injured quarterback Kevin Anderson. Not good news against a Gardens defense that allows 8.2 per game. Worse: the Gators can feature the run or pass whenever they need to.
Jeff's pick: Palm Beach Gardens 28-10.
Matt's pick: Palm Beach Gardens 35-6.
Santaluces (3-2) at No. 2 Dwyer (5-0)
Santaluces woke everyone up with a solid win over an enigmatic Atlantic team, but the Chiefs aren't ready for this kind of prime time. Dwyer's defense is jacked up and rested after a bye week.
Jeff's pick: Dwyer 52-7.
Matt's pick: Dwyer 49-7.
Village Academy (2-2) at No. 9 Glades Day (5-1), 7:30 p.m.
Village hasn't made the playoffs in its brief history, but senior quarterback Larry Brihm (846 yards, 11 touchdowns on 57.7 percent passing) and the Tigers can take over the top spot in District 7-2A with a win. Like everyone else, they'll struggle to stop Kelvin Taylor.
Jeff's pick: Glades Day 49-35.
Matt's pick: Glades Day 42-28.
JEFF'S PICKS
Forest Hill (1-5) at Miami-Solid Rock Christian (3-3), Thursday: In theory, the larger school (Forest Hill) should dominate, but this one will be tight because of the Falcon's porous rushing D. Forest Hill 21-14.
Berean Christian (4-1) at Boca Raton Christian (5-0): Two of the best defensive squads among small schools meet in Boca. Favor the team with the better quarterback. Boca Raton Christian 28-14.
Spanish River (0-6) at Lake Worth (0-5): River averages two points per game; Lake Worth's offense hasn't been the problem. Lake Worth 28-0.
Fort Lauderdale-Pine Crest (6-0) at Benjamin (5-1): A pivotal Southeast Football Conference matchup in Palm Beach Gardens pits Pine Crest's stingy defense against the Bucs' potent running game. Pine Crest 20-17.
Titusville-Astronaut (3-2) at Jensen Beach (2-3): A struggling offense makes this one a tall order for Jensen Beach, especially against an Astronaut squad that posted a shutout last week. Astronaut 21-7.
Jupiter Christian (2-3) at Highlands Christian (3-3): Highlands has three consecutive wins after a tough start, but Jupiter Christian's got two in a row as well. Should be a fun game. Highlands Christian 33-28.
St. Andrew's (1-5) at John Carroll (4-2): John Carroll needs to win this one to keep pace with the top three teams in its division. The Rams should be able to move the ball. John Carroll 35-7.
Glades Central (1-4) at Fort Lauderdale-Dillard (4-2): The Raiders got their first win of the season after enjoying a bye week to focus on several glaring holes. This is a tough one, though. Dillard 28-23.
Miami-Monsignor Pace (2-3) at Treasure Coast (4-1): The classic big school vs. small school showdown always favors the big school purely because of size. T-Coast hasn't impressed, but should win. Treasure Coast 20-14.
Clewiston (2-4) at Fort Myers-Dunbar (5-1), 7:30 p.m.: Clewiston's mojo came home the past two games, with back-to-back Ws that put the Tigers in the playoff hunt, but Dunbar is the district's best. Dunbar 35-20.
MATT'S PICKS
Pahokee (1-4) at Fort Lauderdale-Calvary Christian (3-3), 4 p.m.: Despite a loss, the Blue Devils made it tough for Seminole Ridge last week. Calvary is a tough challenge on the road. Calvary Christian 17-14.
Summit Christian (3-1) at Coral Springs Christian (2-3): Both teams have taken similar lumps (stomped by Cardinal Newman, for example) but Summit is a tad friskier. Summit Christian 14-10.
Suncoast (2-4) at Inlet Grove (3-3): Inlet has the best player on the field: two-way junior playmaker Shawun Lurry (406 yards, 4 touchdowns on nine receptions; two interceptions on defense). Inlet Grove 22-11.
Pope John Paul II (5-1) at Coral Springs Charter (3-3): Running back DeQuan McGriff (679 yards, six touchdowns on 100 carries) is second among small-school players in rushing yards, but Pope can throw the ball, too. CSC doesn't have that kind of balance. Pope John Paul II 30-10.
Pembroke Pines-North Broward Prep (3-3) at No. 6 Cardinal Newman (6-0): Another blazing start for the Crusaders, who lead the area in total yards (2,024) and points scored (273). One of NBP's losses was to Inlet Grove, which Newman beat by 48 points. Cardinal Newman 56-14.
Miami-Dade Christian (7-0) at King's Academy (3-2): King's should flirt with an upset here, but Dade Christian's defense has averaged less than 10 points allowed in its past five. Dade Christian 24-21.
Centennial (1-4) at South Fork (5-0): Disappointing season for Centennial, which has the size and power to hang with most teams on the T-Coast. By per-game averages, South Fork has the area's fifth-ranked offense (38.8 points scored) and third-ranked defense (5.8 points allowed). South Fork 28-7.
Port St. Lucie (1-4) at Sebastian River (3-2): Sebastian River builds on last week's win over then-unbeaten Olympic Heights. Port St. Lucie has one of the T-Coast's best athletes, senior quarterback D.J. Juste, but has been sluggish overall. Sebastian River 31-21.
Fort Pierce Westwood (0-5) at Martin County (3-3): Westwood hopes Martin left some on the field in last week's overtime win against Port St. Lucie. Martin has been plenty inconsistent, but has more than enough in this one. Martin County 35-7.
No. 1 American Heritage (5-0) at Miami-Gulliver Prep (2-3), 7:30 p.m.: A bye can only help Heritage, which expects senior fullback/H-back/tight end Tyler Provo (ankle) to play his first game of the year. American Heritage 44-10.
RECORDS
Matt 13-2 last week, 75-19 overall; Jeff 12-3 last week, 76-17 overall.
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User Comments:
LarryBrihmGo2theU commented on October 10, 2012 at 10:36 p.m.: report abuse
Larry Brihm is the best qb in palm bch county and in 2a. Already has offers at db but that's about to change. U heard it here 1st village over glades day.
LOL commented on October 11, 2012 at 7:08 a.m.: report abuse
The best player on the field with Suncoast and Inlet is Ke'tyrus Marks. Suncoast will smash Inlet!!!
U not so fast commented on October 11, 2012 at 7:11 a.m.: report abuse
d-1 colleges do not take q.b's that are under sized. End of story. Dont set your self up to high for disappointment. He will play in college or I should say he will be on a football team in college but at a big school like the U, sorry I dont think so. By stating hes the best in P.B.C. is really not saying much this year, there is very low talent coming out of this years seniors from the q.b. position. Before all the crazy parents of q.b's come back with "my son this my son that" I am talking about a pure pocket & move the pocket, tall good weight, strong arm, can throw all the routes,handle all the reads, e.t.c... They just dont exist this year.
CarbonCopy commented on October 11, 2012 at 9:26 a.m.: report abuse
You arw correct-But next years class has a great one in Vaugn out of Ft. Pierce Central. Kid is a good one with very strong arm, all the measurements @ 6'4" 215 as a Junior attends all honors classes and has never gotten less than an A on any subject in his life. Kid soorts a 4.5 GPA right now and I'm told by end of this year he will have almost all the credits needed to graduate high school including an AA degree. The kid is a winner and a flat out baller - He will be a big time recruit 4 or 5 star) next year... Mark it down!!
DelrayLegend4 commented on October 11, 2012 at 9:28 a.m.: report abuse
I agree the talent level isnt great this year but you mean to tell me this kid isnt one of the best pure passers to play in the area?You are right D1s are hesitant with undersized qb but this kid is a leader, hardworker and pure qb that will land a big offer #Gotigers
Riviera Beach commented on October 11, 2012 at 9:54 a.m.: report abuse
They said the same thing about Denard Robinson from Deerfield a few years back. IMO Brihm is more of a pure passer than Robinson. But I do see Larry playing D or another position in college.
Wally C. commented on October 11, 2012 at 10:43 a.m.: report abuse
West Boca is a mess. Losing, and losing players. They were good when they were recruiting. They ain't gettting those kids. THE head guy can't coach, and his coaching staff is not much better. Maybe they should stop cursing at the kids, and coach them.
Ms Lady commented on October 11, 2012 at 11:17 a.m.: report abuse
@LarryBrihm Anquan was not drafted for QB.
Record breaking commented on October 11, 2012 at 11:22 a.m.: report abuse
Taylor will run for 500 + yards tonight and break the Florida record in a high scoring battle in the swamp.
Not sure what your point is commented on October 11, 2012 at 11:59 a.m.: report abuse
@ MS Lady he played qb @ Pahokee for 4 yrs at qb n Elam was not drafted at qb either but played qb @ Cardinal Newman for 3 years. I am saying he is the best qb from this area to ever play period.
tell me why commented on October 11, 2012 at 12:43 p.m.: report abuse
Don`t get me wrong the kids a good high school quater back,i`ve seen him play and all those other kids you mention. The kid has a good group of receiver that`s makes a big difference, you all should be given the wide out some prop`s also.But the bottom line is the kid isn`t the best QB to come out of the County,but yes he`s a good high school QB no question about that. I don`t think it`s fare to compare kids let`s just enjoy these kids as they compete each and every thursday/friday night.
Its not fair to compare lmao commented on October 11, 2012 at 1:01 p.m.: report abuse
Like I said please name a better qb in 2a Florida or from the area better than Larry Brihm. It's not fair to compare kids sounds like some upset parent that has a kid who rides the pine. We might as not well keep score or records for that matter if we're not gonna compare. Bottom line is nobody can name a better qb from here. Brihm's qb coach played for East Carolina who was the qb at Olympic Heights and he says Larry is a better qb than him. I'm a fan first and have seen South Florida's finest from Bridgewater to Gino Smith and Larry Brihm is gonna shock alot of you. Atlantic begged this kid but since Village is not primetime he isn't getting the props he deserves. If this kid was playing for your son's team he would be considered the next Tebow lol
lol commented on October 11, 2012 at 2:39 p.m.: report abuse
Truth is you didn't name one qb just teams. We will see tonight how sorry he is.
Toocool commented on October 11, 2012 at 2:45 p.m.: report abuse
This dude just said Pahokee has a better qb lol. Stop hating on the kid and lets see how he does tonight.
Picks commented on October 11, 2012 at 3:40 p.m.: report abuse
PBC 42 Jupiter 0
RPB 31 WB 0
JIL 35 SR 21
PBG 28 BR 7
Dwyer Blow out
VA 28 GD 31
GC 21 Dillard 14
AH Blow out
Real Picks
@ truth commented on October 11, 2012 at 4:50 p.m.: report abuse
Come on now glades day throws about 5 time and rushes 45 times a game. Josh carr will be as good or better than Brihm when's he's a senior. Write it down.
Gds 49
Va 42.
Shoot out in the muck.
Brissett is commented on October 11, 2012 at 4:52 p.m.: report abuse
Taking his ball and going to USF or West Va next year. good HS qB but that's about it. brihm is not in Brissetts league and will go to small d2 Sokol if smart and wants to be a QB ....rember Star Jackson?. What a bust ..majority of area HS qbs aren't ready for that leap to d1 college
sports fan commented on October 11, 2012 at 5:34 p.m.: report abuse
@picks what info have you gatherd to believe g.c is going to go on the road into a hostile enviroment and win against a team that already wants revenge i dont know if your a raider fan routing for your team or if your just picking But dillard is far from suncoast there big fast athletic and very aggressive I'm not a fan of neaither and i know that. Plus from what i here g.c offense are in shambles Not to add dillard is 4-2 3-0 at home and have outscored there last 3 opponents 137-17 20-0 40-17 70-0 in that order you may not be familiar with the panthers from ft lauderdale but everyone from the muck are they know dillard very well and the fits they have given them not to add dillard is at home with that hostile rowdy crowd with something to prove i will have to say the edge goes to Dillard.
@Brim commented on October 12, 2012 at 9:13 a.m.: report abuse
As I predicted Glades Day had better passing numbers than Brihm. That's bad
nice commented on October 12, 2012 at 10:29 a.m.: report abuse
greer doesnt have that bad a singing voice haha
Go Dawgs!!!! Sick Em!!!! commented on October 12, 2012 at 3:44 p.m.: report abuse
South Fork defense has rabies!!!! Beware or be bitten!!!
Lady Raider commented on October 13, 2012 at 1:58 p.m.: report abuse
At sports fan, the edge goes to who???? Don't ever count the raiders out!! When it comes to winning we are like Armageddon, you know its coming.....but you never know when!!!!
hahahaha commented on October 13, 2012 at 2:13 p.m.: report abuse
and the winner isssssssssssssssssss?
GLADES CENTRAL COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL AKA G.C RAIDERS( MAROON & GOLD).
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