Here is our Class 8A Regional Semifinal preview capsules, along with predictions from Joe Pinkos and FloridaHSFootball.com.
Lake Brantley (7-4) at Sanford Seminole (10-0)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Thomas E. Whigham Stadium, Sanford
Skinny: A rematch from the regular season for both of these teams and both can play pretty solid football in the playoffs. Both got by close wins of 10 points or less last week against Spruce Creek and Sandalwood respectively. However, if you want to look who is better talent wise, Seminole gets the edge in this one and likely the win to advance to them first regional final since 2010.
Pinkos Prediction: Seminole by 3
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Seminole 31, Lake Brantley 24
Timber Creek (7-2) at Winter Park (7-2)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Showalter Field, Winter Park
Skinny: Here again is another rematch from the regular season, which was won 7-0 by Winter Park in a game that saw bizarre effects from the weather over a month ago. Timber Creek last week pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the state and are hungry for more. Winter Park got revenge on a loss from earlier in the season against Wekiva. This game could truly go either way on Friday night.
Pinkos Prediction: Winter Park by 7
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Winter Park 28, Timber Creek 27
Dr. Phillips (9-2) at Sarasota Riverview (9-1)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Ram Bowl, Sarasota
Skinny: When looking at these two teams, there is a considerable difference. Dr. Phillips had a close battle with previous top-team Apopka and Mainland once again this season, which produced their only two losses. The only loss for Riverview though was to Palm Harbor University. However, if you are looking for a talent edge to win you the game, Dr. Phillips will be the ones to have in this game.
Pinkos Prediction: Dr. Phillips by 4
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Dr. Phillips 31, Riverview 24
Treasure Coast (7-3) at Vero Beach (10-0)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Citrus Bowl, Vero Beach
Skinny: A rematch from the regular season which was never close as the Indians won the 35-14 back on Oct. 14. However, just because Treasure Coast managed to upset Kissimmee Osceola 28-27 last week, doesn’t mean the same thing could happen this week. Vero Beach’s defense is much better and the team is more disciplined when it comes to playoff football. That all could spell trouble early for Treasure Coast who is looking to pull off another upset here in the playoffs.
Pinkos Prediction: Vero Beach by 21
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Vero Beach 42, Treasure Coast 14
Delray Beach Atlantic (8-3) at Palm Beach Gardens (5-5)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Palm Beach Gardens High Stadium, Palm Beach Gardens
Skinny: While we predicted Atlantic would get to the second round, we got surprised by Palm Beach Gardens pulling off the upset over previously undefeated Park Vista last week. This game could truly go either was as neither team met each other in the first round. Whoever wins this game though will be significant underdogs to whoever wins the Deerfield Beach-Flanagan playoff game on Friday night.
Pinkos Prediction: Palm Beach Gardens 1 over Atlantic
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Palm Beach Gardens 24, Atlantic 21
Deerfield Beach (8-2) at Flanagan (9-2)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Flanagan High School Stadium, Pembroke Pines
Skinny: Phew, that was close for both teams last week. While we expected Western to challenge Deerfield Beach some last week, we didn’t expect Flanagan to struggle greatly to a Piper team that had nine wins on the season but came against relatively weak competition. In all reality now, Deerfield Beach looks to be the better team and thus why I have to make my first prediction against my original prediction of Flanagan winning this game in the bracket projections to take Deerfield Beach with the win.
Pinkos Prediction: Deerfield Beach by 8
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Deerfield Beach 30, Flanagan 20
Coral Gables (9-1) vs. Columbus (7-3)
Kickoff: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. EST
Where: Tropical Park, Miami
Skinny: Here is another rematch from the regular season which saw the Explorers get by the Cavaliers, 14-7 for the District 8A-14 championship. With both teams easily winning their first round games, those results really should be ignored. They really don’t matter. When looking at this matchup, it is who is prepared and who plays the best game. We don’t think Coral Gables makes the same mistake twice here in this one.
Pinkos Prediction: Coral Gables by 3
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Coral Gables 24, Columbus 14
Miami Palmetto (8-2) vs. Miami Southridge (8-2)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Southridge Stadium, Miami
Skinny: Again another rematch on the docket here as Palmetto got by Belen Jesuit last week while Southridge pitched their six consecutive shutout of the season. With Palmetto being on the receiving end already once of a Southridge shutout this season, their goal is to not being on that receiving end again. However, it seems the Spartans are peaking at just the right time and that should be enough for them to get by the Panthers here to reach their first regional final since 2011.
Pinkos Prediction: Southridge by 24
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Southridge 30, Palmetto 7
