Aquinas, Central and 20 other South Florida teams with championship aspirations in 2021
After the COVID-19 pandemic left most of South Florida out of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state series, the 2021 high school football season should be a return to normalcy, which means Miami-Dade and Broward counties should once again fill the state championships.
As usual, Miami-Dade and Broward have state-title contenders in nearly every classification and have a real chance to sweep Florida’s seven largest classes, just as they did in 2019. These are the teams to keep an eye on this year, both locally and across the state:
Class 8A
2020: Sanford Seminole 38, Kissimmee Osceola 10.
Miami-Dade teams to watch: South Florida was effectively left out of Class 8A last year when Palmetto was the only 8A team not to opt out of the state series because of the COVID pandemic. The Panthers made it to the state semifinals for the first time in program history and should be a top contender again, as should Columbus, which won its first state title in 2019.
Broward teams to watch: Deerfield Beach is once again South Florida’s most talented team in 8A and could finally get over the hump for its first title. Western is also a sleeping giant with quarterback Colin Hurst entering his third year as the starter.
The rest of the state: Seminole and Osceola will once again be contenders, as will perennial powerhouse Orlando Dr. Phillips and Apopka, which reached the 8A championship in 2019. Winter Garden West Orange and St. Johns Bartram Trail, however, might be the two most talented teams in 8A.
Prediction: Bartram Trail over West Orange.
Class 7A
2020: St. Thomas Aquinas 31, Orlando Edgewater 21.
Miami-Dade teams to watch: Homestead put together its best season in nearly 20 years last season and should be even better in 2021. Doral Academy might be the second best Miami-Dade County team in Class 7A after it won one of the Miami Hurricanes’ 7-on-7 tournaments in June.
Broward teams to watch: The Raiders are the big favorite to win a third straight state title, but Dillard won a tri-county championship in 2020 and might finally challenge its crosstown rival again.
The rest of the state: Lakeland is typically St. Thomas Aquinas’ stiffest competition in 7A and it should be the case once again, although Lakeland Lake Gibson might finally be able to knock off its crosstown rival. Tampa Gaither also moves up to 7A after starting 11-0 last season before losing to eventual Class 6A runner-up Lake Minneola in the playoffs.
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas over Lakeland.
Class 6A
2020: Miami Central 46, Lake Minneola 0.
Miami-Dade teams to watch: Northwestern and Central swapped classifications, which sets up the Bulls as South Florida’s team to beat in 6A. Norland will try to ride star running back Javin Simpkins.
Broward teams to watch: Plantation is the top-ranked 6A team in Broward County, according to MaxPreps, but Coconut Creek could also be a dark horse, led by All-American cornerback Trevell Mullen.
The rest of the state: Jacksonville Riverside, led by five-star cornerback Jaheim Singletary, is poised for a breakout year, while Tampa Jesuit was one of Plantation American Heritage’s toughest challengers in 2020. Tampa Hillsborough and Ocala Vanguard also have the talent to emerge as contenders.
Prediction: Riverside over Jesuit.
Class 5A
2020: American Heritage 24, Tallahassee Rickards 6.
Miami-Dade teams to watch: Central is clearly the top team in Miami-Dade County after it cruised to a second straight state title in 2020. Killian is probably the Rockets’ biggest challenger, although the Cougars are still young.
Broward teams to watch: American Heritage hung with Bradenton IMG Academy in the preseason and should be one of the best teams in the country. The Patriots are on a collision course with Central and the winner should win the Class 5A title. Stranahan is Broward’s best chance at a spoiler.
The rest of the state: With multiple players committed to Southeastern Conference schools, Tallahassee Godby is 5A’s top contender from outside South Florida.
Prediction: American Heritage over Godby.
Class 4A
2020: Cardinal Gibbons 35, Jacksonville Bolles 21.
Miami-Dade teams to watch: Gulliver Prep and Monsignor Pace are both entering potential multi-year windows. Gulliver has four four-star recruits in the Class of 2023 to complement star quarterback Carson Haggard, while the Spartans boast a pair of top-100 recruits in the Class of 2024 to go along with five-star defensive lineman Shemar Stewart.
Broward teams to watch: Cardinal Gibbons is going for a third Class 4A title in four years, albeit after some serious turnover on offense. Calvary Christian Academy and Pine Crest are also improving.
The rest of the state: Bolles has been the runner-up in the last two 4A championships and brings back star defensive lineman Hayden Schwartz and star wide receiver Kade Frew. Cocoa has won at least 10 games in 12 of the past 14 seasons.
Prediction: Gulliver Prep over Bolles.
Class 3A
2020: Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy 25, Chaminade-Madonna 22.
Miami-Dade teams to watch: Coming off its best season in nearly 20 years, Edison finally gives the Lions a South Florida challenger in Class 3A, led by star wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph and All-American defensive end Francois Nolton. Florida Christian also has enough top-end talent to scare.
Broward teams to watch: Chaminade-Madonna is the only Broward team in 3A and will be the favorite to reach a sixth straight state championship.
The rest of the state: The Tampa Bay area presents a trio of legitimate state-title contenders with Tampa Carrollwood Day, Clearwater Calvary Christian and Tampa Berkeley Prep.
Prediction: Chaminade-Madonna over Tallahassee Florida State University.
Class 2A
2020: Champagnat Catholic 41, Jacksonville University Christian 27.
Miami-Dade teams to watch: Champagnat will try to reach its sixth straight state championship game and win a fourth title in five seasons. Dade Christian is Champagnat’s fiercest local competitor with multiple Division I prospects.
Broward teams to watch: Upstart Avant Garde Academy could be a playoff team in 2021 with new coach Daniel Luque at the helm. Westminster Academy could be a playoff team, too, as coach Ehren Wallhoff, who has won three state titles as the boys’ basketball coach, takes over.
The rest of the state: Trinity Christian Academy drops down to 2A and gives Champagnat another power to compete against for supremacy in the classification. Winter Garden Foundation Academy is a rising contender after winning nine games last year.
Prediction: Trinity Christian Academy over Champagnat Catholic.
Class 1A
2020: Baker 27, Hawthorne 14
Miami-Dade teams to watch: No Miami-Dade County teams compete in Class 1A.
Broward teams to watch: No Broward County teams compete in 1A.
The rest of the state: Wewahitchka has the classification’s most dynamic player in Alex Williams, a three-star linebacker who also ran for more than 1,700 yards as a quarterback in 2020. Graceville and Blountstown also feature athletes who are already committed to Power 5 programs.
Prediction: Wewahitchka over Wildwood.
