Broward’s best will be showcased while Miami-Dade heavyweights hit the road on opening week
Four seasons and almost five years overall.
That’s how long it had been since I had last written this predictions column. And it really doesn’t feel like that long.
In fact, as I stepped onto a high school football sideline in Tallahassee last December just after I returned to the Miami Herald as its deputy sports editor to watch my now-defunct alma mater Hialeah Champagnat Catholic play for a state title, it all came rushing back.
Fast forward nearly nine months, and here I am again breaking down the high school scene in this column every week like old times.
This season promises to be another great one because, as usual, South Florida is replete with talented players and what promises to be excellent matchups on the road to state.
That path has certainly changed drastically after the FHSAA crunched South Florida schools into just four Metro classifications (eye roll), but we will get into that plenty as the season progresses.
So without further ado, let’s get to the first week’s action with the regular season set to kick off Thursday night.
PRESEASON TOP 20
1. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna; 2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas; 3. Miami Central; 4. Plantation American Heritage; 5. Miami Northwestern; 6. Miami Columbus; 7. Miami Palmetto; 8. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons; 9. Davie Western; 10. Fort Lauderdale Dillard; 11. Miami Gulliver; 12. Homestead; 13. Miami Booker T. Washington; 14. Miami Norland; 15. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace; 16. Coconut Creek; 17. Miramar; 18. Miami Edison; 19. Plantation; 20. Fort Lauderdale Stranahan; On the cusp: Doral Academy, Hollywood Avant Garde Academy, Pompano Blanche Ely, Miami Jackson.
TOP GAMES
1. Chaminade vs. St. John’s Prep (D.C.), 8, Saturday, St. Thomas Aquinas.
The main event of the opening weekend will feature seven of the best teams in Broward County playing in a three-day, seven-game Showcase with games to be televised both on the ESPN networks and FloSports.
Chaminade is among the group as it looks to make it a state record seven consecutive trips to the state finals this season, back-to-back state titles and five state titles in six seasons.
The Cadets, who are ranked No. 17 nationally by MaxPreps, have traditionally been one of the powerhouse schools in the Washington area and are no strangers to being nationally-ranked. Senior safety Joenel Aguero, a Georgia commit, highlights a stout defense which promises to test a Chaminade offense bristling with skill-position talent.
Chaminade, ranked 13th nationally, put that squad on display last week against both Cardinal Gibbons and Palmetto and the dynamic receiver tandem of Central transfer Jojo Trader and Jeremiah Smith didn’t disappoint. Couple that with one of the most stacked offensive lines in the nation and running game led by Davion Gause and Duane Thomas and Chaminade should have enough firepower to open its season with a victory that should move them higher in the national rankings.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 24, St. John’s Prep 16.
3. Central at Bradenton IMG Academy, 7, Friday.
This isn’t Central’s first time taking on the Ascenders on their home field. The Rockets, who are chasing their second “four-peat” in school history this season, aren’t strangers either to taking on the toughest competition in the country early. This experience should help Central in the long run as it tries to navigate through a brutal Class 2M field under new coach Jube Joseph.
But IMG could probably beat multiple college teams and that’s not an exaggeration.
Dre’s pick: IMG Academy 31, Central 21.
5. Northwestern at Venice, 7:30, Friday.
I ran into Northwestern alum Teddy Bridgewater in the Miami Dolphins locker room last Saturday after their preseason game against the Raiders. Bridgewater was wearing a Bulls T-shirt and already knew the score of Northwestern’s 42-24 victory over Orlando Jones before anyone even told him.
This year’s NW squad, which ran all over Jones with Jamari Ford leading the way, is looking for redemption after coming up short of the state championship game in 2021. Taking down defending Class 8A champion Venice would be a perfect way to officially start those efforts.
Dre’s pick: Northwestern 34, Venice 28.
7. Palmetto vs. 12. Homestead, 7, Thursday, Tropical.
After two of the best seasons in school history, Palmetto looks equipped to take the next step toward winning the school’s first state title.
The arrival of the Washington siblings — Robby and Bobby — added to an already balanced roster, which the Panthers feel could be the key to finally breaking through. Their first hurdle is Homestead, which made noticeable strides last season under coach Phillip Simpson. The Broncos advanced to the Class 7A regional finals - their deepest push since 2002.
Expect Homestead to continue its ascent this season and this game will be a good gauge for both sides before they move into the heart of their schedules.
Dre’s pick: Palmetto 20, Homestead 12.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
2. St. Thomas Aquinas vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.), noon, Saturday.
Dre’s pick: Aquinas 21, St. Joseph’s 10. If the Raiders are to secure four consecutive championships for the first time ever this season, you can count on their defense being at the heart of that effort.
4. American Heritage vs. Los Alamitos (CA), 4, Saturday, St. Thomas Aquinas.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 37, Los Alamitos 34. A whole lot of FBS-level talent will be on display in this late afternoon tilt. With ESPN cameras watching, the Patriots pull off a thriller to begin their quest to get back to the top.
6. Columbus vs. Benedictine (Ga.), 7:30, Friday, Tropical.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 27, Benedictine 14. Columbus is breaking in some players at new positions, but expect the perennial state contenders to get off on the right foot against a familiar foe.
8. Cardinal Gibbons vs. DeMatha (D.C.), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: DeMatha 16, Cardinal Gibbons 13. After an ugly showing in its preseason jamboree, the Chiefs face one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation led by Ohio State commit Jason Moore and may find it difficult to start their title defense with a ‘W’.
9. Western vs. Johns Creek (Ga.), 8, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Western 34, Johns Creek 14. This could be this year’s breakthrough team in South Florida. The Wildcats return most of their defense and returning quarterback Collin Hurst has a lot of weapons at his disposal.
10. Dillard vs. Rock Creek Christian (Md.), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 28, Rock Creek Christian 24. Panthers are hoping to make a loud statement this season in Class 3M. This is a good way to start.
11. Gulliver at Rockledge, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Gulliver 14, Rockledge 13. This is a solid early test on the road for the Raiders as they vie to remain among the state’s top title contenders.
13. Booker T. Washington vs. Killian, 7, Thursday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 28, Killian 6. It’s BTW coach Ice Harris’ return, Part IV. And it starts with the Tornadoes in the win column as they begin their ascent back to title contention.
14. Norland: Bye week.
15. Monsignor Pace at Jacksonville Raines, 6:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Raines 16, Pace 14. The Spartans will be much improved this season, but a victory here would give a better idea of just how much.
16. Coconut Creek at Bradenton Southeast, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Creek 22, Southeast 20. Creek made a strong statement with a 26-0 blanking of Stranahan in the preseason last week. Could the Cougars be one of South Florida’s sleepers?
19. Plantation at 17. Miramar, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Plantation 9, Miramar 7. Longtime Broward County foes square off in an interesting opener for both sides that should give an idea where the teams are entering the season.
18. Edison at Cedar Grove (Ga.), 7, Saturday.
Dre’s pick: Cedar Grove 21, Edison 14. The Red Raiders looked out of sorts for much of last week’s preseason loss to Miramar. This road test should give everyone a better idea whether those issues are worth worrying about.
20. Stranahan vs. Life Christian Academy (VA), 5, Thursday, Western
Dre’s pick: Stranahan 24, Life Christian 13. A chance for the Dragons to put an ugly - albeit preseason - loss behind them.
OTHER GAMES
THURSDAY
Miami-Dade: Braddock vs. Mourning (N. Miami), 3:30: Braddock 35-7; American vs. Coral Gables (Milander), 7: American 17-14; Coral Reef vs. South Miami (Southridge), 7: South Miami 27-14; Reagan at HML, 3:30; Reagan 28-20; BridgePrep at Palmer Trinity, 4; Palmer 16-6.
Broward: Coral Springs Charter at University School, 7; USchool 41-17; Boyd Anderson at Blanche Ely, 7; Ely 26-12; Taravella at Everglades, 7; Everglades 22-6; Piper at Cooper City, 7; CC 17-14; Flanagan at Nova, 7; Flan 20-13; Coral Glades at South Plantation, 7; SP 20-6; Somerset Key at Avant Garde Academy (Carter), 7; Avant Garde 44-14.
FRIDAY
Miami-Dade: Carol City vs. South Dade (Traz), 7:30: CC 12-6; Mater Academy vs. Goleman (Milander), 7:30: Goleman 21-12; Jackson at Southridge, 7:30: Jackson 30-21; Krop vs. Miami High (Curtis), 7:30; Krop 38-6; Hialeah Gardens at Ferguson, 3:30: Ferguson 9-8; Miami Springs vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7: Springs 21-20; North Miami at Naples Golden Gate, 7: Golden Gate 27-12; NMB at Niceville, 7: Niceville 34-18; Varela at Tavernier Coral Shores, 7: Coral Shores 31-14; Sunset at St. Brendan, 7: St. Brendan 24-7; Dade Christian at Pike Road (AL), 7: Pike 35-7; Florida Christian at Archbishop Carroll, 3:30: FC 20-17; Somerset South Homestead vs. La Salle (Harris), 7: La Salle 42-6; Somerset Prep at Somerset Silver Palms, 4: Silver Palms 16-6; Palm Glades Prep vs. True North (Tropical), 4: True North 28-14; Everglades Prep at Westminster Christian, 4: WC 40-7.
Broward: Deerfield Beach vs. Fort Lauderdale (DRV Pink Stadium), 7: FTL 16-14; West Broward at Cypress Bay, 7: Cypress 20-10; Boca Raton vs. Monarch (Coconut Creek), 7: Monarch 35-21; McArthur at Douglas, 7: McArthur 18-14; Northeast at Pines Charter, 7: PPC 20-7; Somerset Academy at North Broward Prep, 6: NBP 34-27; Pine Crest at Archbishop McCarthy, 7: Pine Crest 28-21; Pompano Beach at Marathon, 7: Pompano 27-24.
Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Doral Academy at South Broward, 7: Doral 42-7; Calvary Christian at Belen, 7:30: Belen 24-14; Westland Hialeah at Hallandale, 7: Westland 38-8.
SATURDAY
Miami-Dade: Coral Park vs. Southwest (Tropical), 7; Coral Park 20-14.
