By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
St. Thomas Aquinas, No. 4 according to this week’s MaxPreps National Rankings, looks to defend its 5A championship and make a run for a second consecutive state title.
Booker T. Washington (4A), Pahokee (2B), American Heritage-Delray (1A) and Jupiter Christian (1B) won their first round games convincingly and look to continue their reign against a stout group of competitors within their respective classifications.
Glades Central (11-0) and University School (11-0) are also viable contenders for a championship.
Class 5A
Dillard 47, McArthur 0
Running backs Trabis Ward and Otis Wright led Dillard to a 47-0 win over McArthur in the District 15-5A quarterfinals. Wright, a sophomore, rushed for 119 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns. Ward, a senior, led the Panthers with 144 yards rushing on 15 carries and a score.
Next contest: at St. Thomas Aquinas (11-0)
St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Coconut Creek 7
Junior running back Giovanni Bernard and receiver Duron Carter led St. Thomas to a 35-7 win over Coconut Creek in the District 16-5A quarterfinals. Bernard led the Raiders with 82 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, while Carter, a senior and Ohio State verbal, finished with two catches for 92 yards and two scores.
Next contest: vs. Dillard (9-2)
Class 4A
Hallandale 28, Baron Collier 10
Quarterback Victor Marc rushed for a score and passed for another to lead Hallandale past Barron Collier 28-10 in the District 16-4A regional quarterfinals.
Next contest: at Booker T. Washington (9-2)
Booker T. Washington 55, Gulf Coast 32
Booker T. Washington amassed 429 yards on offense en route to a convincing 55-32 win over Gulf Coast in the District 16-4A quarterfinals. Senior quarterback Torrence Moise led the way for the Tornadoes by completing 13-of-15 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
Next contest: vs. Hallandale (8-3)
Class 3A
Glades Central 25, Belen Jesuit 6
With starting quarterback L.J. Thomas out with a broken collarbone, Glades Central relied on its defense, which created five turnovers, en route to a 25-6 win over Belen Jesuit. Defensive back Cartavious Baldwin aided the win by grabbing two interceptions.
Next contest: at Monsignor Pace (9-2)
Monsignor Pace 35, Cardinal Gibbons 21
Running backs Sterling Griffin and Ronnie Dickens each rushed for two scores leading Pace to a convincing 35-21 win over Cardinal Gibbons in the District 16-3A quarterfinals.
Next contest: vs. Glades Central (11-0)
Class 2A
Gulliver Prep 40, North Broward Prep 35
Senior quarterback Michael Strauss threw three touchdown passes and running back Darian Mallary rushed for 168 yards and three scores helping Gulliver Prep to a 40-35 win over North Broward in the District 8-2A semifinals.
Next contest: at Archbishop Carroll (9-2)
Archbishop Carroll 31, American Heritage 28
Archbishop Carroll kicked a field goal with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to beat American Heritage 31-28 in the District 8-2A semifinals. Senior receiver Cory Ammons led the way for Archbishop with two touchdown receptions.
Next contest: vs. Gulliver Prep (9-1)
Class 2B
Pahokee 22, Parkway 8
Running back Vincent Smith led the Blue Devils to a 22-8 win over Parkway in the District 8-2B semifinal. Smith, a senior, rushed for 157 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
Next contest: at University School (11-0)
University School 16, King’s Academy 9
Senior quarterback Erik Applegate led the Suns to a 16-9 win over King’s Academy by rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the District 8-2B semifinals.
Next contest: vs. Pahokee (9-2)
Class 1A
American Heritage (Delray Beach) 67, Palmer Trinity 27
Running backs Darius Millines and James Potts led a Heritage offense that amassed 442 yards on the ground en route to a 67-27 romp over Palmer Trinity in the District 8-1A semifinal. Millines rushed for 172 yards on seven carries and three touchdowns, while Potts gained 168 yards on 15 carries.
Next contest: vs. Dade Christian (8-3)
Dade Christian 34, Calvary Christian 28
Next contest: vs. American Heritage (Delray) (8-3)
Class 1B
Jupiter Christian 52, Hollywood Christian 0
Senior running back Austin Lewis helped Jupiter Christian to a 52-0 win over Hollywood Christian by rushing for 73 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns in the District 7-1B semifinals.
Next contest: at Upperroom Christian (6-5)
Upperroom Christian 30, Sheridan Hills 19
Upperroom Christian withstood a 250 yard rushing performance by Sheridan Hills’ Frainy Alfrena and defeated the Sharks 30-19 in the District 7-1B regional semifinal. Quarterback Maryland Gillis led the way for Upperroom by completing 7-of-20 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for a score.
Next contest: vs. Jupiter Christian (11-0)
