DEERFIELD BEACH

AT DILLARD

7, Sat., @ Lockhart.

Deerfield Beach entered the season with lofty goals and Class 6A championship aspirations.

The Bucks looked like just another contender last week against Blanche Ely, with turnovers on their first four possessions.

Dillard, meanwhile, looked good against Cypress Bay in Week 1 before late mistakes doomed the Panthers and ran away with last week's game against South Broward.

If Deerfield does not correct its mistakes, the former top-ranked team in Class 6A could taste its first defeat.

Dillard's strength, running the ball with top back Trabis Ward, could be negated by the Bucks' ability to stack the box and stop the run. For the Panthers to win, they must be successful throwing the ball, which puts pressure on quarterback Craig Weaver.

Expect this one to come down to the final minutes.

Bob's prediction: Deerfield Beach 31, Dillard 27.

MIRAMAR

AT PLANTATION

7, Fri., @ PAL.

This game lost some of its luster when Plantation was upset by Western 16-13 a week ago.

Despite the Colonels' loss, this one still promises to be one of the best individual battles in Broward this season.

Miramar quarterback Eugene Smith was held in check by Miami Pace last week, and the senior is expected to come out firing on Friday.

Plantation cornerback Brandon McGee, who orally committed to the University of Miami during the summer, will be challenged to stop Smith.

When Smith went into a similar matchup last year against Blanche Ely, he torched the Tigers for more than 50 points. If he takes this as a personal challenge, this could get out of control quickly.

A late Plantation score will make this appear to be closer than it truly was.

Bob's prediction: Miramar 28, Plantation 17.

STRANAHAN

AT BLANCHE ELY

7, Fri.

Blanche Ely might have one of the best defenses in Broward County, as evidenced by its narrow loss to Deerfield Beach. The Tigers' offense? Not so great.

Stranahan is riding high in its second season under Joseph Redmond and made a stunning appearance in The Miami Herald's Top 20.

The run comes to an end this week.

Ely's defense is too stringent to allow the Dragons to get much going. The Tigers might have found their offensive nirvana with the passing attack of Willie Tindal last week and will do just enough on offense to pull out the win.

Bob's prediction: Blanche Ely 16, Stranahan 14.

UNIVERSITY

AT PINE CREST

7, Fri.

A rare fourth game creeps into the discussion this week between two of Broward's smaller schools. This could be the best pure matchup of the week.

Both University and Pine Crest possess powerful offenses built around quarterback Erik Applegate and Nick Becker, respectively.

The Panthers, would possibly be ranked in the state if they were in a district, will likely win this with a late score.

Bob's prediction: Pine Crest 31, University 28.

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