Deerfield Beach (Fla.) at Miramar (Fla.)
What to watch: For one of these South Florida powers, this second-round Class 8A playoff game will be the end of the road in an undefeated season. Both teams are 11-0 and own a resume-building win against St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – a team that rose to No. 3 in the Xcellent 25 national rankings earlier this season. Deerfield Beach (11-0) beat Aquinas in the regular-season finale, then suffered a bit of letdown last week but still pulled out a 14-7 overtime win against Flanagan (Pembroke Pines). No. 15 Miramar (11-0) advanced to Friday's game with a 31-21 win over Monarch (Coconut Creek). It's only the second time the Patriots have allowed an opponent to score 20 or more points all season.
Just the facts: These teams have had three prior postseason meetings since 2005. The most noteworthy was a regional final (won by Miramar, 34-30) in 2008. New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith was under center for Miramar and Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Denard Robinson was Deerfield Beach's signal caller. … According to the Florida High School Athletic Association Championship Record Book, Deerfield Beach ranks 20th all-time in most playoff games played, but it has never won a state title. The Bucks have a 30-23 postseason record, dating back to their first appearance in 1976.
Mitch Stephens: Deerfield Beach 35, Miramar 28
Kevin Askeland: Miramar 28, Deerfield Beach 21
Jamie DeMoney: Miramar 19, Deerfield Beach 14
Stephen Spiewak: Miramar 21, Deerfield Beach 14
Leland Gordon: Miramar 28, Deerfield Beach 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Deerfield Beach 21, Miramar 17
