District races drew closer after a competitive Week 8, particularly in District 13-7A.
Dwyer and Zephanijah Fletcher (No. 6) picked up a key district win over Forest Hill Friday night. The Falcons play another big district game against Olympic Heights this week. (Bruce Bennett/Palm Beach Post)
Following Dwyer’s win over Forest Hill and Palm Beach Lakes’ victory over Olympic Heights, there is a four-way tie for first in District 13-7A. The Falcons face the Lions in a key district battle this week.
Atlantic continues to lead District 10-8A, while Palm Beach Central grabbed the lead in District 9-8A after beating Seminole Ridge Friday. In other districts, Fort Pierce-Westwood took the lead in District 15-5A after shutting out Suncoast, while Boynton Beach remains in the middle of the District 15-6A race with most of its district games left to play.
As for our Top 10, idle Oxbridge remained No. 1, followed by Pahokee and Atlantic. Palm Beach Central moved up a spot to No. 4 after its win over Seminole Ridge, while the Hawks dropped back to No. 5.
Park Vista, Glades Central, Dwyer, Palm Beach Gardens and American Heritage round out the top 10, while a pair of unbeaten teams (King’s Academy, St. Andrew’s) are lurking.
Here is the Post Top 10:
1. Oxbridge Academy (4-1)
2. Pahokee (5-1)
3. Atlantic (5-1)
4. Palm Beach Central (4-2)
5. Seminole Ridge (6-1)
6. Park Vista (5-2)
7. Glades Central (4-2)
8. Dwyer (5-2)
9. Palm Beach Gardens (3-3)
10. American Heritage (4-3)
Also considered: Forest Hill (5-1), King’s Academy (6-0), St. Andrew’s (6-0), Benjamin (5-1)
Top games this week: (All games will be played at 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise listed)
No. 5 Seminole Ridge (6-1) at No. 2 Pahokee (5-1): The Hawks’ unbeaten streak ended Friday night with an 8-3 loss to No. 4-ranked Palm Beach Central, and they face another tough opponent this week in the No. 2 Blue Devils. Pahokee, coming off a 35-0 shutout of West Park Prep, already this season has beaten a Class 6A school (Boynton Beach), a Class 7A school (Palm Beach Lakes) and a Class 8A school (Palm Beach Gardens). The Hawks and Blue Devils have played regularly in recent years, with Pahokee winning in 2015 and 2016, and Seminole Ridge triumphing from 2011-2014.
Forest Hill (5-1) at Olympic Heights (3-3), 7 p.m. Thursday: The Falcons and Lions both lost district games Friday night, creating a four-team logjam in District 13-7A. This game is a must-win for either team to stay alive in the title race. The Falcons have the tougher of the two remaining district schedules, as they still have to play Palm Beach Lakes. The Rams, along with Dwyer, are the two other teams tied at 2-1 in the district. Olympic Heights – an earlier winner over the Panthers – closes district play at winless Royal Palm Beach.
No. 7 Glades Central (4-2) at No. 10 American Heritage (4-3): The Raiders come east for the second straight week to face the Stallions, who have become a familiar opponent. American Heritage has gotten the best of Glades Central in recent years, edging the Raiders 37-32 last year, and earning a 35-19 win in 2015. The Raiders had James Blackman – now Florida State’s starter – at quarterback for both of those games, but will take the field Friday with Davious Richards under center. Richards is coming off a huge game against Boynton Beach, finishing 13-for-15 with 258 yards and three touchdowns in the Raiders’ 26-0 victory. American Heritage also had a big night Friday, defeating Fort Myers-Bishop Verot 42-0 behind quarterback Ryan Rizk and running back Dallis Small.
