Chaminade-NW, Booker T.-Central highlight bevy of South Florida Top 20 matchups
Five South Florida teams were ranked in the top 30 nationally and six among the top 32 according to MaxPreps heading into last week’s games.
The first of what could be a series of clashes between those teams highlights the coming week when Miami Northwestern hosts Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.
Add to that a rivalry clash between Miami Central and Miami Booker T. Washington as well as a rematch of one of the best playoff games from last season between Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and Miami Gulliver Prep, and Week 3 promises to be the best yet this season.
Here’s a look at where things stand and a breakdown of what should be another tremendous weekend of football.
THE TOP 20
1. Central; 2. Chaminade-Madonna; 3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas; 4. Plantation American Heritage; 5. Northwestern; 6. Miami Columbus; 7. Cardinal Gibbons; 8. Davie Western; 9. Homestead; 10. Booker T. Washington; 11. Fort Lauderdale Dillard; 12. Coconut Creek; 13. Miami Norland; 14. Miramar; 15. Miami Palmetto; 16. Gulliver; 17. Miami Monsignor Pace; 18. Plantation; 19. Miami Edison; 20. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. Dropped out: 19. Doral Academy (1-1). On the cusp: Miami La Salle (2-0).
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
2. Chaminade-Madonna (2-0) vs. 5. Northwestern (2-0), 7 p.m., Thursday, Traz.
The two teams with arguably the most brutal schedules in South Florida collide in the first of what could be a series of matchups over the next few weeks between squads ranked in the top 5 in this poll. Chaminade coach Dameon Jones said that despite how deep and talented his team is, they can’t spot a team 14 quick points and get away with it the way they did against Dillard last week. That would certainly be the case if Northwestern gets the chance to hand its defense a two-touchdown lead to protect. The Bulls blanked Jackson in the Soul Bowl last week and have already withstood two tough road tests in Orlando Jones and Venice. Jamari Ford’s return makes Northwestern’s offense even more explosive. But Chaminade can wear teams down with its depth on both sides as it did against Dillard last week. And then the Lions have playmakers on special teams such as Zaquan Patterson and solid kicking game that can make the difference in close games. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 30, Northwestern 28.
1. Central (1-0) vs. 10. Booker T. Washington (2-0), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
One of Dade’s best rivalries should be more competitive again this season with Booker T.’s improvement following the return of coach Ice Harris. The Tornadoes edged Edison behind three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) from quarterback Claudell Sherman and a late defensive stand. But while Booker T. is progressing, Central looks like it’s ready to contend for a national championship this season after what its defense was able to do against IMG Academy. Dre’s pick: Central 35, Booker T. 20.
16. Gulliver (0-1) at 7. Cardinal Gibbons (2-0), 7, Friday.
Gibbons beat Gulliver 36-33 in the regional finals last season and rode that momentum to its third state title and second in a row in Class 4A. Now the Chiefs and Gulliver both find themselves in the new and loaded Class 2M bracket but in different regions, making it impossible to have a postseason rematch until at least the state semifinals. That makes this game potentially the one chance for payback for Gulliver, which returns several talented players such as receiver Jalen Brown, cornerback Daniel Harris and edge rusher Lamont Green Jr. The Raiders were blanked by Rockledge in their opener and might have a tough time finding any traction on offense against a Chiefs’ defense which has given up only six points in two games. Dre’s pick: Gibbons 16, Gulliver 7.
8. Western (1-0) at 12. Coconut Creek (2-0), 7, Friday.
Western has had a week to think about its inconsistent performance in its season-opening win over Johns Creek. The Wildcats looked every bit like a state title contender for a half with their offense clicking on the ground and through the air to build a 33-0 lead. But in the second half, Western finished with more penalties than first downs. They will need a more complete effort if they are to take down a much-improved Coconut Creek squad. Counting their preseason win over Stranahan, the Cougars have outscored their opponents 110-0 through their first three games. Coming off a regional semifinal appearance last year, Creek figures to be a contender this season thanks to a stout defense and a running attack led by junior Jamarie Hostzclaw. Dre’s pick: Western 28, Coconut Creek 20.
11. Dillard (1-1) at 14. Miramar (1-0), 7, Friday.
There probably won’t be many games this season, if any, where Dillard running back Chris Johnson doesn’t look like the most explosive player on the field for either side. Johnson showed that ability again last week when he took a screen pass from quarterback Armani Norcius and raced 80 yards through Chaminade’s defense on the game’s opening play. A week after persevering through an ugly 7-0 preseason win over Miami Edison, Miramar rallied from a 21-7 deficit last week to beat Plantation, scoring three touchdowns in the second half. But if Dillard gets off to another quick start, and this time sustains drives, limiting the penalties that plagued it against Chaminade, don’t expect another rally. Dre’s pick: Dillard 28, Miramar 12.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
Cocoa (0-1) at 3. St. Thomas Aquinas (2-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Cocoa 17. This isn’t your older sibling’s Cocoa Tigers. The Raiders should handle business at home.
Belle Glade Glades Central (1-1) at 4. American Heritage (2-0), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 42, Glades Central 8. Another chance for the Patriots to roll before a major showdown with Chaminade next week.
Tampa Jesuit (2-0) at 6. Columbus (2-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 21, Jesuit 20. The Explorers could make a statement they are ready to contend for the Class 4M state title with a victory here.
9. Homestead (2-0) at St. Pete Lakewood (1-1), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Homestead 21, Lakewood 7. Riding their stout defense, the Broncos pick up a solid road victory to continue their ascent.
13. Norland (1-0) vs. Southridge (2-0), 7, Saturday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Norland 27, Southridge 12. Vikings follow up a solid performance in their district opener with a victory over another program on the rise.
15. Palmetto (0-2) vs. Killian (0-2), 7:30, Friday, Tropical.
Dre’s pick: Palmetto 34, Killian 7. After two tough setbacks, the Panthers finally get a win and the Big Cat trophy.
17. Monsignor Pace (1-1) at Naples Lely (0-2), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Pace 27, Lely 16. It should be a better road outcome for the Spartans than a couple of weeks ago.
18. Plantation (1-1) at Stoneman Douglas (1-0), 7, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Plantation 24, Douglas 10. The Colonels showed off their balanced attack on offense last week and should carry that momentum over.
19. Edison (0-1) vs. North Miami (0-1), 7:30, Friday, Ives Estates.
Dre’s pick: Edison 26, North Miami 6. A needed bounce-back victory for the Red Raiders after a frustrating loss to rival Booker T. Washington.
20. Blanche Ely (2-0) at Fort Pierce Westwood (2-0), 6, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Blanche Ely 22, Westwood 14. The Tigers are a contender for the District 10-3M title and could be one of the sleeper teams in Broward.
OTHER GAMES
THURSDAY
Miami-Dade: Goleman vs. American (Milander), 7; Gol 17-16; South Miami vs. Coral Gables (Tropical), 7; SM 27-14; Miami Springs vs. Miami High (Curtis), 7; Miami High 16-15; Somerset Silver Palms at Florida Christian, 7; SP 24-12; Broward: Hallandale vs. Monarch (Coconut Creek), 7; Mon 30-12; Marathon at University School, 6; US 16-13; Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Pompano Beach at Miami Country Day, 7; Pomp 30-6.
FRIDAY
Miami-Dade: HML vs. Hialeah (Milander), 7:30; Hialeah 20-16; Ferguson at Miami Beach, 3:30; Ferguson 20-13; Jackson vs. Krop (Curtis), 7:30; Jackson 18-6; Southwest at Braddock, 3:30; Braddock 28-7; Coral Reef at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30; Reef 24-7; Everglades Prep at Sunset, 3:30; Sunset 10-7; Coral Park at Varela, 3:30; CP 35-7; Mater Academy at Doral, 7; Doral 34-14; Belen at Fairfield Prep (CT), 6; Fairfield 24-14; NMB at Delray Atlantic, 7; Atlantic 30-18; Westminster Christian vs. True North (Tropical), 3:30; Westminster 34-17; Dade Christian at Camden County (Ga.), 7; Camden County 38-12; Archbishop Carroll at Palmer Trinity, 4; Carroll 27-20; Palm Glades Prep at Coral Shores, 7; Coral Shores 27-3; Broward: Stranahan vs. Deerfield Beach (Lockhart), 7; Deerfield 19-14; Hollywood Hills at Coral Springs, 7; Hills 22-10; Cooper City at Everglades, 7; Everglades 28-14; Flanagan at Cypress Bay, 7; CB 27-10; Piper at South Broward, 7; Piper 30-27; Northeast at South Plantation, 7; S. Plant. 24-13; Nova at Lake Placid, 7; LP 28-24; Fort Lauderdale at Tallahassee Leon, 7; FTL 30-16; Pine Crest at Calvary Christian, 7; Calvary 28-20; West Broward at McCallie (TN), 7; McCallie 30-28; Pines Charter at North Broward Prep, 6; NBP 36-31; Avant Garde at American Heritage-Delray, 7; Avant Garde 30-20; Coral Springs Charter at Archbishop McCarthy, 7; CSC 28-12; Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Westminster Academy at St. Brendan, 7; StB 21-20; Somerset Academy at Ransom Everglades, 7; Som 26-14.
Andre’s record - Last week: 36-12; Top 20 games: 13-1. Season - Overall: 73-25; Top 20 games: 23-7.
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 8:00 AM.
