Week 3 was rough on a pair of ranked teams, while others rolled into the start of district play.
Oxbridge Academy maintained its No. 3 ranking following a 41-0 shutout of Royal Palm Beach last week. The ThunderWolves travel to Winter Park to play West Orange Friday. (Photo by Allen Eyestone)
Glades Central stayed put at No. 9 despite dropping its second straight game, 37-32 to American Heritage, at home. The win was the first of the season for the Stallions, who maintained their No. 7 ranking with the victory.
Also falling Friday was previous No. 8 Palm Beach Gardens, which dropped out of the top 10 following a 42-19 setback to state-ranked Vero Beach on the road.
Week 3 winners included No. 1 Dwyer, No. 3 Oxbridge Academy, No. 4 Pahokee, No. 5 Palm Beach Lakes – which moved up a spot after its 23-16 win over previously unbeaten South Fork – and No. 8 Wellington, which rose two spots with its 44-21 win over John I. Leonard. No. 2 Atlantic and No. 6 Boca Raton were off this week.
Unbeaten Park Vista makes its first appearance in the top 10, moving into the No. 10 spot following its 32-8 victory against Forest Hill.
Here is the Post’s Top 10 entering Week 4
1. Dwyer (2-0)
2. Atlantic (2-0)
3. Oxbridge Academy (3-0)
4. Pahokee (3-0)
5. Palm Beach Lakes (3-0)
6. Boca Raton (2-0)
7. American Heritage (1-2)
8. Wellington (2-1)
9. Glades Central (1-2)
10. Park Vista (3-0)
Also considered: Palm Beach Gardens (1-2)
Top games this week: (All games at 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise listed)
No. 5 Palm Beach Lakes (3-0) at No. 1 Dwyer (2-0): A year ago, this game was considered an easy one for the state-ranked Panthers, who would go on to roll 41-6 over the then-winless Rams. Things have changed since then. Palm Beach Lakes won its final three games of 2015 to finish 3-7, and has won three straight to start 2016. This game opens District 13-7A play for both teams, and it’s a big one. Dwyer – the district favorite – has rolled over its first two opponents, beating Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Central by a combined 74-0. Palm Beach Lakes – a district challenger – has had a tougher time in its three contests, winning by an average of 4.7 points. But the Rams are confident, particularly in their offense, which features quarterback Armani Edden and a pair of heavily recruited receivers in D.J. Edwards and Gurvan Hall. They will face a stingy Panthers’ secondary that is among the best in the county. Dwyer also could be tough to stop on offense if running back Jakairi Moses continues to break free for big yardage.
No. 2 Atlantic (2-0) at No. 9 Glades Central (1-2): The Raiders’ tough opening stretch continues, as they face a ranked team for the third straight week. Glades Central dropped its previous two games, falling to Palm Beach Lakes on the road and American Heritage at home. Both games were close, however, and Friday’s contest against the unbeaten Eagles could be as well. Quarterback James Blackman had a big game against the Stallions, throwing for 285 yards and two touchdowns and also scoring a rushing TD. He will need to be sharp against well-rested Atlantic, which is averaging 40.5 points per game. A win against the Raiders would be a big momentum boost for the Eagles going into district play. Atlantic, which beat the Raiders 26-7 last season, faces unbeaten Park Vista next week.
Palm Beach Gardens (1-2) at Seminole Ridge (1-1): The Gators are moving backwards as they open district play against the improved Hawks, who had a bye last week. Palm Beach Gardens has dropped two in a row following a Week 1 win against John I. Leonard. The Hawks dropped their opener to ranked Pahokee in a close contest, but followed with a strong Week 2 performance against Sulphur Springs, Tex., winning 49-10. A new coaching staff is paying dividends so far for the Hawks, who hope to improve on their third-place finish in District 9-8A last season. Palm Beach Gardens won the district title in 2015, and has the talent to repeat this season. But the Gators have been hurt by penalties and inconsistent play to start the season. Still, Palm Beach Gardens can be a dangerous team if it plays to its ability.
Miami-Northwestern (2-1) at No. 7 American Heritage (1-2): The Stallions won their first game last week following two blowout losses to open the season, rallying for a 37-32 victory against No. 9 Glades Central. They face a tough challenge against the state-ranked Bulls, who were edged 34-32 last week by nationally ranked Plantation-American Heritage. Stallions quarterback Cameron Smith scored four rushing touchdowns against Glades Central, and hopes to continue that momentum against Northwestern, which beat Dwyer in their Kickoff Classic game last month. American Heritage has been banged up, but is slowly getting healthy. The Stallions also will have the home crowd behind them for the first time this season.
