When it comes to the FHSAA state football playoffs, one thing is for sure — St. Thomas Aquinas and Chaminade-Madonna will be vying for state championships.
MaxPrep’s No. 12 in the nation St. Thomas Aquinas, winner of a state record six straight Class 5A state titles and a state-leading 16 titles overall, has made it past the regional finals every year since 2013, when it fell to Dwyer, 35-28. The Raiders have won 33 consecutive playoff games during their streak.
No. 22 Chaminade-Madonna has made it to nine consecutive Class 1A state finals, after a 32-24 loss to Oxbridge Academy in the 2015 regional semifinals. The Lions have won three consecutive state titles and racked up 23 straight playoff wins. Fellow defending state champions (6A) West Boca and (4A) American Heritage also stayed alive.
I was 11-3 last week in running my overall record to 168-32 (84%) for the year.
6A
Mitchell (10-2) at West Boca Raton (10-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The visiting Mustangs surprised Region 3 top-seed Miami Palmetto last week, 9-7, while defending Class 6A champion West Boca rolled past East Lake, 48-7. Bulls senior RB and UM commit Javian Mallory, who sat out most of the West Boca run to the state championship last season, ran for 205 yards and three TDs in last week’s win. West Boca 24, Mitchell 10.
West Broward (10-2) at Miami Southridge (11-1) (Friday, 7:30 p.m.): West Broward is seeking to avenge its 51-21 loss to Southridge in last year’s regional final. The Bobcats started 0-2 but have put together a 10-game win streak. The Spartans have won three straight since their lone loss of the season (34-28) to No. 30 Miami Central. Miami Southridge 28. West Broward 24.
5A
McArthur (10-2) at No. 12 St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1) (Friday, 7 p.m.): St. Thomas Aquinas defeated the Spartans 31-7 in mid-September. Since that time, the Mustangs have won eight straight, five by shutout. The Raiders gashed a solid Coconut Creek defense last week, and senior QB Mason Mallory ran for two TDs and threw for two more in the 45-13 win. St. Thomas Aquinas 27, McArthur 13.
4A
American Heritage (6-5) at Archbishop McCarthy (10-2) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Defending Class 4A champion American Heritage lost 5-star QB and Texas commit Dia Bell early in the season, but hasn’t blinked as they have closed out the year with two straight victories following narrow losses to Archbishop McCarthy and St. Thomas Aquinas. The Mavericks have won five straight games, including a 13-10 victory over American Heritage that clinched the District 15-4A title and secured home-field advantage for the playoffs. Junior RB Damien Grant (1,094 rushing yards, 12 TDs) has paced the Mavericks. American Heritage 17, Archbishop McCarthy 14.
2A
Cardinal Gibbons (9-3) at Miami Immaculata La Salle (12-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Cardinal Gibbons will attempt to give its coach, Matt DuBuc, his 100th career victory, but will have its hands full with the Royal Lions, who have outscored opponents 438-73. Senior QB Jayden Torres has run for 419 yards and eight TDs, while throwing for 2,863 yards and 34 TDs. The Chiefs ran for 364 yards in a come-from-behind win over Killian. Immaculata La Salle, despite being undefeated, has a strength of schedule of -1.30. Cardinal Gibbons, on the other hand, had an SOS of 7.18. Cardinal Gibbons 27, Immaculata La Salle 23.
1A
True North (10-2) at No. 22 Chaminade-Madonna (9-2) (Friday, 6:30): After starting the season 0-2, the Titans have won 10 consecutive games. Junior quarterback and recent FIU commit Zac Katz, who was with the Lions for a brief time last year before transferring back to the Miami school, has thrown for 2,167 yards and 25 TDs. Katz, who threw for 354 yards and accounted for six scores in a 62-28 rout over St. Andrew’s last week, is also a running threat (280 yards, 6 TDs). Junior RB Cecil Smith has 1,366 yards for 13 scores, plus 469 yards receiving for two TDs. The host Lions have lost to No. 1 St. Frances Academy in week one and No. 12 St. Thomas Aquinas in the final game of the regular season. Texas commit Derreck Cooper has run for 1,134 yards and 16 TDs for the Lions, while freshman QB Malik Leonard (2,364 passing yards, 27 TDs) and senior WR and FSU commit Jasen Lopez (54 receptions, 965 yards, 10 TDs) have been keys to the Lions’ success as well. Chaminade-Madonna 41, True North 38.
Cardinal Newman (9-3) at St. Petersburg Catholic (12-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): Junior QB Chase Burrill (3,447 passing yards, 51 TDs) and senior Brenden Wright (1,032 yards receiving, 15 TDs) have paced the host Barons, who have outscored opponents 616-100 and have scored 43 or more points in every game. Cardinal Newman senior QB and West Virginia commit Jyron Hughley (1,596 passing yards, 13 TDs and 1,092 rushing yards, 13 scores) and senior RB and James Madison commit Phoenix Donghia (1,203 rushing yards, 21 scores) lead the Crusaders. Cardinal Newman, 35, St. Petersburg Catholic 33.
Rural
Pahokee (9-3) at Blountstown (11-0) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The top-ranked Tigers are facing No. 4-ranked Pahokee in the Rural Division semifinals. Blountstown features senior RB Amari Thomas (1,704 rushing yards, 168 receiving yards and 21 TDs). Pahokee counters with Samuel Arnold (1,310 total yards, 8 TDs). Blountstown 21, Pahokee 20.
Florida Invitational Tournament
Third round
7A-4A South Division
Fort Pierce Westwood (7-5) at Dr. Joaquin Garcia (9-3) (Friday, 7 p.m.): The visiting Panthers have won two straight by a combined 10 points. Dr. Joaquin Garcia, led by senior QB Caleb Butler (1,973 yards passing, 21 TDs; 277 rushing yards, 6 TDs), is making its second postseason appearance in the three-year history of the school after opening three years ago and finishing with a 1-9 record. Dr. Joaquin Garcia 28, Westwood 14.
