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It was an incredible
and historic night for the Davie Western High Wildcats, a night of firsts. It was the first playoff win in school history. It was the first time they had beaten Deerfield Beach High (20-17) and it was also the schools best record on the football field going (8-2) on the season coming into the game.
“I’m extremely emotional, I love these kids. When our season ended last year, I looked at the seniors and told them you guys built this place. I looked at the juniors and said we’ll be back,” said head coach Adam Ratkevich after the game.
And back they are, with a vengeance.
A completely resilient effort on Friday night in the pouring rain and on a poor laying surface, Western willed their way to victory on the road at Deerfield, the No. 1 ranked 8A team in the state of Florida (its highest classification).
Elsewhere in Broward County, choas ensued.
Miramar fell at home to the No. 8 seed in the region Park Vista in a game that went down to the wire. In Palm Beach County, Del Ray Beach Atlantic High stymied Plantation and sent the Colonels packing. That means the 1, 3 and 5 seed are all gone in the North South Florida bracket (Region 3) of 8A and only Western remains of the Broward teams. They’ll face Palm Beach Central in the Regional Finals next week.
The power now shifts south in the state’s largest classification. Defending 8A champ Southridge made quick work of Belen.
And Miami High breezed past Palmetto, while South Dade and Columbus took care of business. These teams all look to be in good position to battle for a spot in the state championship. But don’t overlook Western, their win over Deerfield on the road just may have given them the confidence they need to make a deep playoff run.
2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets: FHSAA Class 8A
