10. SOUTH BROWARD (8-0) AT 1. AQUINAS (8-0)

7 p.m., Friday.

South Broward has had a dream football season so far.

The weekly performances of junior Kevin Grooms, who leads the team in both rushing and receiving, have kept Bulldogs fans on the edge of their seats.

South Broward's comeback victory against McArthur resulted in the program's first playoff berth since 1997.

The festivities will be interrupted this week, however.

A win this week would clinch the District 16-5A championship, and dwarf everything else it, or any other Broward team, has accomplished in recent years.

But Grooms, who has 1,074 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, won't be enough to top the nation's top-ranked team.

Aquinas showed off its depth last week, beating a good Deerfield Beach team 27-0 in spite of being short-handed. The Raiders were without star running back Gio Bernard, who was once again sidelined for most of the game with his hamstring injury not completely healed.

No problem.

Switch wide receiver Lamarcus Joyner to the backfield, run the Wildcat, and get a stellar performance from sophomore Cole Champion on an already stacked defense.

Expect another game where depth will make the difference in Aquinas' favor.

Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 31, South Broward 7.

5. BLANCHE ELY (8-0) VS. DILLARD (3-5)

7 p.m., Saturday, Lockhart.

A lot like South Broward, Ely has enjoyed one of its best seasons in school history. Considered an underdog at the start of the season, the Tigers are a victory away from wrapping up the District 14-5A championship.

A victory would eliminate a young Dillard squad that has shown improvement this season. Last week, the Panthers beat a playoff-bound Everglades squad 14-10 behind big plays from its defense and special teams.

Linebacker Desmond Bozeman forced a victory-preserving fumble, and Jazz Moss returned a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown.

But without a consistent offense, the Panthers won't be able to keep up with Ely.

The Tigers are averaging 30.3 points per game. Quarterback Michael German has taken apart every defense he's faced with the help of a talented group of receivers, led by Avery Johnson (32 passes for 514 yards and four touchdowns) and Clinton Jones (32 catches for 468 yards and five touchdowns), and junior running back Tavaris Walker (61 carries, 759 yards, six touchdowns).

And judging by the performances this team has put in the second half of the season, it looks like it can contend with any team remaining in its way.

Prediction: Blanche Ely 34, Dillard 12.

11. CARDINAL GIBBONS (6-2) AT 18. HERITAGE (6-2)

7:30 p.m., Friday.

Since the Florida High School Athletic Association's realignment, fans of both Broward small school powers figured this game would decide the District 8-2A championship.

And after both teams have proven they can contend with some of the top competition in Broward County, this one is almost too close to call.

Both teams feature two of the county's most dynamic offenses.

American Heritage eighth-grader Sony Michel has become one of the county's rushing stars with 1,126 yards and 12 touchdowns entering last weekend's games. Gibbons' quarterback Chris Rapka (94-162 passes, 1,333 yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions).

The kicking game is strong on both sides with American Heritage's Anthony Villagran and Cardinal Gibbons' Drew Zloch.

The difference will likely be defense, and Gibbons' has had to contend with some of the best offenses in the state.

Prediction: Cardinal Gibbons 31, American Heritage 28.

THURSDAY'S GAMES

MATCHUP TIME ANDRE'S PICK

Posnack at Palmer Trinity 4 Posnack 23-14

FRIDAY'S GAMES

MATCHUP TIME ANDRE'S PICK

Taravella at Northeast 7 Northeast 27-21

Pahokee vs. University (Nova) 7 Pahokee 34-17

Piper at Western 7 Western 27-6

Coral Glades vs. Coconut Creek (Coral Springs) 7 Creek 14-12

Coral Springs at Cooper City 7 Coral Springs 24-14

La Salle at Somerset 3:30 La Salle 37-12

Nova at McArthur 7 McArthur 14-7

MacArthur North at Hollywood Christian 4 MacNorth 38-9

West Broward at Flanagan 7 Flanagan 34-12

Olympic Heights vs. Fort Lauderdale (Lockhart) 7 Oly. Heights 24-19

N. Brow. Prep vs. C. Springs Charter (Coral Glades) 7 NBP 35-10

Delray American Heritage at Calvary Christian 3:30 Am. Heritage 42-24

Hollywood Hills at WPB Forest Hill 7 Holly. Hills 34-6

Crest at Pompano Beach 7 Pine Crest 44-6

Coral Springs Christian at Highlands Chr. 7 Highlands 9-7

Belle Glade Glades Day at Zion Lutheran 4 Glades Day 54-3

Westminster Academy at WPB King's Academy 4 King's Acad. 28-2

SATURDAY'S GAMES

MATCHUP TIME ANDRE'S PICK

Douglas vs. Deerfield Beach (Pompano Beach) 7 Deerfield Beach 33-14

Andre's record -- Last week: 22-6; Season: 191-47

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