6. CYPRESS BAY (3-1) AT 10. MIRAMAR (2-2)

7 p.m. Friday

For the past four years, one of these teams has been the last Broward team standing in the state’s highest classification.

With a few upstart teams hoping to challenge that status, each wants to maintain the grip. This is the game to prove they are still among the state’s elite.

Miramar won last year’s two meetings, including a second-round playoff win, outscoring the Lightning 43-7. The Patriots defense is younger this season, but nonetheless talented.

Cypress Bay has proven its running game is still potent as it showed again last week against Flanagan. Miramar suffered a setback against Northeast where its offense could muster very little. The Patriots bounced back with 49 points last week against West Broward.

But can they do it against a tougher Cypress Bay group?

Unless a team like South Plantation surprises down the road, this is likely round 1 of 2 again this season. And the Patriots are very tough at home.

Andre’s pick: Miramar 28, Cypress Bay 27.

8. S. PLANTATION (4-0) vs. 20. TARAVELLA (3-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Coral Springs

South Plantation backup quarterback Erin Dimgelio, the first female football player in Florida to play in a varsity game, continued her impressive story last week completing a pass in the win against Piper.

Dimeglio and her teammates also continued their solid start to the 2012 season with a 41-12 win against Piper.

Next is a showdown that will go a long way toward deciding the District 11-8A title for the second year in a row.

The Paladins enter this year’s meeting as the favorite and looking for revenge after Taravella held off a late comeback in last year’s meeting for a 33-26 victory.

South Plantation tailback Alex Collins brought his county-leading total to 790 yards after another solid outing last week. The Trojans, who were embarrassed two weeks ago in a 29-0 loss to Ely, bounced back with a 42-35, overtime win against Deerfield Beach to open district play.

Taravella’s own offense is averaging 28 points per game, but unless they get a much better effort from their defense, the Trojans are in trouble.

Andre’s pick: South Plantation 31, Taravella 17.

MONARCH (3-0) AT 17. BLANCHE ELY (3-1)

7 p.m., Friday

Following a solid blanking of Taravella two weeks ago, Blanche Ely showed no signs of slowing down against Coconut Creek last week.

A superb defensive effort permitted only 40 total yards and quarterback Nelson Ervin got a chance to shine throwing four touchdown passes on 11 of 14 attempts and totaling 227 yards in the 55-6 win.

Aside from their second-half performance against Miramar, the Tigers are off to a great start in their bid to return to the postseason.

This is a week Ely should be able to come away with another victory if it plays to its potential.

But it cannot afford to take it easy against a Monarch team that is no longer a doormat.

New Monarch coach Calvin Davis’ goal was to make the Knights a less offensively-challenged team this season. So far, they’ve had success averaging 30.3 points per game.

Senior Darius Hoggins has been a rushing and receiving threat, amassing over 400 total yards and eight touchdowns in wins against Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, McArthur and Coral Glades.

Ely, however, is much better than all three of those teams combined.

Ely has a bye week next week and then games against Deerfield Beach, Boyd Anderson and Northeast. The last thing Ely coach Charles Hafley wants this week is a letdown.

Andre’s pick: Blanche Ely 27, Monarch 10.