10 First Round Playoff Games

For the first 11 weeks of the season, we have given you 110 games to watch each and every Friday during the season.   As we begin the first round of the state playoffs, there are a number of contests that may appear to be one-sided, but at the same time, there are games that could go either way.   Here are 10 first round Florida state playoff games to keep an eye on:   1S Region 3 - No. 2 Lakeland Christian (7-3) at No. 3 Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (8-2). For a first-round game, this could end up being a contest that will be very entertaining. The Cougars have a tremendous offense, scoring 422 points in 10 games. The Vikings are more of a defensive team that prefers low scoring games.   THE PICK: Cardinal Mooney 35, Lakeland Christian 16   3S Region 1 - No. 5 Pensacola Escambia (7-3) at No. 4 Pensacola Pine Forest (6-4). One of many rematches that we have in the first round, and while the Gators went down 14-7 back on October 20, they feel like their defense will be able to keep the Eagles under control. Pine Forest scored over 30 points per out.   THE PICK: Pine Forest 21, Escambia 20   3S Region 3 - No. 5 Fort Myers (8-2) at No. 4 Fort Myers Dunbar (8-2). You love those “neighborhood” clashes to start of the playoffs, and with these two schools, they know each other very well having met in an exciting contest earlier this season. While Dunbar came out as a winner in the 40-39 game, you can guarantee that this one will come right down to the wire. The Green Wave have won six straight while the Tigers closed with six wins in their final seven games.   THE PICK: Dunbar 28, Fort Myers 27   4S Region 3 - No. 4 Vero Beach (8-2) at No. 5 Palm Bay Heritage (9-1). Here is one of those games that could be one of those first round gems as the Indians head on the road with the knowledge that their tougher schedule could be the difference. But do not sell the Panthers short. They have won six straight and outscored the opposition 359-65. THE PICK: Vero Beach 27, Heritage 24   4S Region 3 - No. 8 Kissimmee Osceola (4-6) at No. 1 Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (7-2). This is a first-round game that really will be watched perhaps more than any other contest in the opening round. The Kowboys are easily the best four-win team that you will see, playing as challenging a schedule that you will find. On the other side of the field, the Titans could be that team in the class who may have a chance to get Tallahassee in December.   THE PICK: Treasure Coast 30, Osceola 24   1M Region 3 - No. 3 North Palm Beach Benjamin (8-2) at No. 2 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (8-1). This is a classic first-round matchup that is a rematch of their district meeting on October 20 when the Crusaders won a thrilling 17-14 contest. Outscoring their opponents 311-72, Cardinal Newman has shown that they are ready to make a statement – while the Bucs have been impressive, scoring 35 points a game. By the way, the winner will most likely get the No. 2 team in the nation, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.   THE PICK: Cardinal Newman 21, Benjamin 17   2M Region 2 - No. 5 Tampa Catholic (4-5) at No. 4 Tampa Robinson (8-2). Talk about a quality matchup in the opening round. Two schools who are well coached and have run a gauntlet to arrive in the first round of the state playoffs. Two coaches, Jeris McIntyre and Mike Williams, who elevated their programs. The Knights come into the contest averaging 32 points per game and are on a six-game winning streak. The Crusaders who have played seven teams with winning records and are indeed battles tested.   THE PICK: Robinson 31, Tampa Catholic 21   N3M Region 3 -No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (5-5) at No. 4 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-2). The rematch of last week's “Soul Bowl” – this is truly one of those games that the two programs and communities know each other very well. While the Tigers didn't win the district this season, they have experience in the playoffs from last year's record-breaking season. The Panthers came close last week and understand what a win here can do for the program and this intense rivalry.   THE PICK: Blanche Ely 30, Dillard 24   3M Region 3 - No. 7 West Boca Raton (8-2) at No. 2 Delray Beach Atlantic (9-1), 6:30. When all is said and done, these two programs could be the most overlooked in Florida. The Bulls reeled off one of their best records in well over a decade, losing a tough contest to Coconut Creek for the district title. The Eagles are really a story, and while St. Thomas Aquinas will be a major obstacle, they have only dropped one game – an overtime thriller to 1M power Cardinal Newman.   THE PICK: Atlantic 23, West Boca Raton 21   4M Region 1 - No. 5 Jacksonville Mandarin (7-3) at No. 4 Winter Park (9-0). At the start of the season, the Mustangs were picked as one of the teams to keep an eye on – as they were loaded with quality prospects on both sides of the ball. They are still a force and will square off against an under-the-radar Wildcat team that went unbeaten and are still doubted. They are at home and can silence the critics with a huge opening round victory.   THE PICK: Winter Park 28, Mandarin 24   THURSDAY FLORIDA STATE PLAYOFF SCOREBOARD   2S REGION 4   Fort Myers Bishop Verot 47, Mulberry 6   4S REGION 1   Gainesville Buchholz 59, Lynn Haven Mosley 0   2M REGION 4   Miami Norland 55, Miami St. Brendan 0   Miami Booker T. Washington 34, North Miami Beach 8   3M REGION 4   Miami Belen Jesuit 20, Hollywood South Broward 13   Miramar 23, Hialeah American 0   4M REGION 3   Coconut Creek Monarch 40, Parkland Stoneman Douglas 7   4M REGION 4   Miami Columbus 49, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 6   Miami Palmetto 21, Doral Academy 7   Davie Western 51, Weston Cypress Bay 0   PROSPECT SHEET: Statewide Coverage Daily. <a>https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a>   You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.

For the first 11 weeks of the season, we have given you 110 games to watch each and every Friday during the season.