Class 3A, week 8!

[SPCjessica2004]

Wheww! Week #8 is here and the playoff picture is slowly coming into view.  Here's my top teams in 3A going into week 8:

#1) Clearwater Central Catholic (defeated FAMU DRS 49-6):  Consistent Central Catholic, despite playing good opponents in the first 2 of 3 weeks and a soft next 4 weeks the results have all been the same, CCC by 20+. The 21 point win over Berkeley Prep is looking more impressive each week. CCC's schedule picks up quickly now. CCC hosts Calvary Christian and D-1 QB prospect Harold Cook this week, but then travels to Tampa Jesuit (who just beat Kissimmee Osceola) and Cardinal Mooney (Probable top 50 team in Florida by week 10). 

#2) Chaminade-Madonna (Bye Week): The Lions are still the favorite to win 3A, but the finish to the regular season and playoff run could be a bit bumpier than last season. The Lions had a good week off to allow John Dunmore's high ankle sprain to heal and Willie Davis's thigh to heal.  My understanding is that CM is healthy and ready to rumble to finish the season.  A trip to Miami Booker T. looms large for the Lions, but they're catching Booker T. at the right time. The Tornadoes are exhausted from a grueling schedule. Chaminade should be fine until the inevitable brawl in week 11 against Class 4A power, University School.

#3) American Heritage Delray (Lost to University School 50-14):  I can't, in good faith- drop AHD for losing to the #1 team in 4A despite having played a good schedule and going undefeated up until that game. I gave Chaminade the same benefit when they lost to Deerfield. Yes, I'm aware CM only lost by 3 and AHD lost by a lot more, but they still have high quality wins over Pace, Belen Jesuit and Pensacola Catholic. Questions will rise about the offense, but the Stallions were no doubt worn down from the previously weeks game at Pensacola Catholic.  AHD is still a very strong football team and won't have long to lick their wounds as a good Bishop Verot team comes into town this week. A win here will get the Stallions back on track.

#4) King's Academy (defeated Pine Credt 48-6): QB Justin Wake and crew are having a spectacular season at 6-0. Wake has thrown for just over 1000 yards and rushed for just under 500 yards. RB Presley Almond has already rushed for over 800 yards.  The Lions haven't played the most difficult schedule this far- at this time, they've only defeated one team with a winning record and haven't played a ranked team, still- until somebody else gets a significant win, it's hard to drop them. Rivalry game vs Benjamin should be a classic in a few weeks.

#5) Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (defeated Bradenton Southeast 30-20):  It was a very close call between Cardinal Mooney, Baldwin, Benjamin, Orlando TFA and Florida High this week for the #5 spot; however, I'm giving it to the Cougars by a sliver over Florida High/Benjamin after a solid performance/win over Southeast. Paul Mechlete has done such a fantastic job with this group that I believe it's time they got nod. Mooney has a very interesting game in 2 weeks against a tough 5-2 Avon Park team.

#6) Florida High
#7) Benjamin
#8) Baldwin
#9)Orlando TFA
#10) Berkeley Prep

GAMES OF THE WEEK:

Chaminade Madonna at Booker T. Washington:

The defending state champions scored a very impressive win last year over the Tornadoes en route to the Class 3A State Championship. The Tornadoes have played one of the toughest schedules in the state and are likely to make a strong run in the 4A playoffs. Chaminade might be 4-2, but those 2 losses came to American Heritage Plantation and Deerfield Beach, 2 of the states best.  Booker T. might be 4-3, but those 3 losses have come to Miami Central, Miami Northeastern and Miami Columbus.    Chaminade, FWIW, defeated Columbus 10-7 in 1 half of play back in the kickoff classic, although comparing one half of a kickoff class vs a 4 quarter week 5 game is difficult.

PREDICTION: Booker T. has some quality wins: Coral Gables, Edison, Southridge and Dillard- but upsetting the Lions would be the biggest win of the season. Chaminade has hit the accelerator much like they did in 2017 after losing to AH-P and blew by everybody remaining on their schedule and didn't encounter resistance until the state finals.  I expect this to be a very competitive game for 3 quarters, but Chaminade just has a bit more in the tank thanks to having a bye week to get healthy.

Chaminade 27, Miami Booker T. 14

Tampa Berkeley Prep vs Mitchell (Pasco County)

Don't look now, but Berkeley superstar QB Joshua Youngblood looks to be unstoppable. His dominating performance against Miami Edison last week helped the Bucs win 21-20.  Mitchell is a strong football program located in Pasco County and has been one of the Tampa Bay teams of note in recent years. This version of the Mustangs is off to a 5-1 start.  Mitchell won 12-9 last year in Pasco.

PREDICTION: Youngblood, Harrell and a rapidly improving/hungry Buccaneers team gets revenge at home.

Berkeley Prep 24, Mitchell 10

Clearwater Central Catholic vs Calvary Christian (Clearwater)

The word around Pinellas county this year has been that Calvary Christian is on the verge of becoming a powerhouse now that Reggie Crume is the HC. They've consistently been able to sway prospects from CCC's direction and grab big time prospects from Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Still, the Warriors are sitting at 3-3 and face something akin of a must win game with Ocala Trinity Catholic and St. Pete Catholic within striking distance to steal the Warriors playoff spot.

PREDICTION:  CCC was banged up earlier this year and has been in no rush to bring back any of their players- even if it means dropping a game. Calvary is akin to the boastful teenager on twitter telling the world how great he is.  CCC is a wiley veteran who knows the race is a marathon and that what happens in the playoffs is more important than the regular season. Calvary has D-1 prospects littered on the field, but it just won't be enough- even if the Marauders are banged up.

CCC 45,  Calvary 20

OTHER GAMES OF NOTE:
Wakulla over Florida High by 3
Tampa Catholic over Cypress Creek by 42
Cardinal Mooney over First Baptist by 28
AFA over St. Pete Catholic by 14
Frostproof over Lakeland Christian by 7
Baldwin over Englewood by 28
Ft. White over Union County by 21
Benjamin over CCA by 35
King's Academy over Gulliver Prep by 28