Undefeated Westminster, University School face off Thursday | Week 8 high school football predictions

Two undefeated small schools take the field this week in a marquee matchup as Westminster Academy heads to University School on Thursday night.

In Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Central is the only team still undefeated, and the Broncos face Forest Hill, also on Thursday.

I missed three games last week: Dwyer-Forest Hill, Atlantic-Pahokee and Boca Raton ending Spanish River’s bid for a perfect season. I wound up 12-3 to go 62-13 for the season.

Westminster Academy (6-0) at University School (6-0) (Thursday 7 p.m.): Visiting Westminster Academy topped the Sharks 31-6 in last year’s game. University School senior quarterback Jett Yurgealitis has thrown for 1,443 yards and 20 TDs and has four receivers with 202 yards or more. Junior running back Jacques Dixson has run for 604 yards and six scores. The Lions have been paced by senior QB Anthony Barbar (1,722 passing yards, 18 TDs) and junior receiver Dwayne Wimbley Jr. (556 receiving yards, 6 TDs). University School 28, Westminster Academy 27.

Forest Hill (3-3) at Palm Beach Central (6-0) (Thursday 6:30 p.m.): The host Broncos enter the game fresh off a 27-24 win over previously undefeated Benjamin. Palm Beach Central spotted Benjamin a 17-0 lead — which included a 29-yard field goal by senior girls soccer standout and UPenn commit Lily White, but rallied with 27 fourth-quarter points to remain the lone unbeaten team in Palm Beach County. Forest Hill fell to Dwyer 35-7 last week. Palm Beach Central 31, Forest Hill 14.

Atlantic (5-1) at Seminole Ridge (5-1) (Friday 6:30 p.m.): Atlantic edged Pahokee last week in a heavyweight matchup. The Eagles head to Loxahatchee to face the Hawks in the District 9-3M contest. Seminole Ridge leads the series against 3-1 Atlantic since 2009, with Atlantic winning its lone game during that span 28-0 last year. Atlantic 17, Seminole Ridge 14.

Pahokee (4-3) at Benjamin (5-1) (Friday 6:30 p.m.): After dropping its opener to Santaluces 38-14, the Blue Devils have dropped its other two games by a total of five points. Benjamin suffered its first loss of the season after blowing a 17-0 fourth-quarter lead to Palm Beach Central 27-24. Benjamin 20, Pahokee 17.

West Boca Raton (5-1) at Coconut Creek (5-2) (Friday 6:30 p.m.): The high-flying Bulls enter the contest averaging 40.2 points, but will face a tough test from Coconut Creek, whose defense has been stingy, allowing 13.3 points per game. West Boca Raton 28, Coconut Creek 24.

King’s Academy (5-1) at Suncoast (1-5) (Thursday 6:30 p.m.): King’s Academy has won five consecutive games since a season-opening 55-54 loss to St. Andrew’s. Suncoast has been outscored this season 181-29. King’s Academy 40, Suncoast 7.

Palm Beach Gardens (3-3) at Royal Palm Beach (1-6) (Thursday 6:30 p.m.): The Gators have won three of their past four games, while the Wildcats have dropped four straight since their only win of the season, 21-7 over Suncoast. Palm Beach Gardens 21, Royal Palm Beach 7.

Palm Beach Lakes (4-3) at Jupiter (5-1) (Thursday 6:30 p.m.): Jupiter has averaged 35.6 points in its wins this season, thanks to senior quarterback Luke Douglas (950 yards passing, 12 TDs; 142 yards rushing, 5 TDs). The visiting Rams have lost three of four. Jupiter 31, Palm Beach Lakes 20.

Cardinal Newman (5-1) at St. John Paul II Academy (1-5) (Friday 6:30 p.m.): Cardinal Newman rolled past Clewiston 63-12 last week after suffering it first loss of the season to Miami Northwestern the previous week. St. John Paul II Academy is reeling after its third straight lopsided loss, and it has been outscored 176-36 in that span. Cardinal Newman 38, St. John Paul II Academy 12.

Calvary Christian Academy (5-2) at North Broward Prep (2-4) (Thursday 7 p.m.): Calvary Christian has been riding high with a scoring average of 32.3 points per game. The host Eagles have struggled defensively, giving up 30.9 points per game. Calvary Christian Academy 40, North Broward Prep 17.

Hallandale (0-5) at Cardinal Gibbons (4-2) (Thursday 7 p.m.): Cardinal Gibbons’ two losses have been lopsided affairs against the nation’s now No. 3-ranked Chaminade-Madonna (according to MaxPreps), 41-4 and No. 20 ranked American Heritage 48-7. The Chargers have not scored a point this season and have given up 183 points. Cardinal Gibbons 40, Hallandale 0.

Deerfield Beach (2-4) at Blanche Ely (5-1) (Friday 7 p.m.): It has been feast or famine for the Bucks this season. In three of its four losses, Deerfield Beach has been shutout. In its two wins, one has been by shutout. Blanche Ely has won two in a row since a 26-7 loss to Coconut Creek. Deerfield leads the all-time series 24-19. Blanche Ely downed Deerfield Beach last year to snap a 12-game winning streak by the Bucks. Blanche Ely 19, Deerfield Beach 17.

Plantation (5-1) at Dillard (2-3) (Friday 7 p.m.): The host Panthers were throttled by Chaminade-Madonna, now the third-ranked team in the nation, last week 55-20. After a 36-6 loss to Coconut Creek, the Colonels downed South Plantation 72-0 and Nova 34-6 in their past two games. Plantation 28, Dillard 20.

Stranahan (3-3) at American Heritage (4-1) (Friday 7:30 p.m.): This game is for the District 12-2M title, as both teams enter the game 1-0 in the district. American Heritage, ranked No. 20 in the country, has been getting solid production from junior running backs Byron Lewis (426 yards, 4 scores) and Deandre Desinor (219 rushing, 3 scores). American Heritage 27, Stranahan 17.

St. Thomas Aquinas (6-1) at Fort Lauderdale (1-4) (Friday 7 p.m.): St. Thomas Aquinas, after dropping its opening contest to St. John Bosco (Belfower California), has won six straight games and is ranked 12th in the country. The Flying L’s have dropped four consecutive games after a 20-0 win over Deerfield Beach to open the season. St. Thomas Aquinas 44, Fort Lauderdale 6.