Predicting the top 15 national matchup between Chaminade and American Heritage and more
Three teams from South Florida are now ranked among the top 10 in the country.
While Miami Central (ranked No. 4 by MaxPreps) and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 5) remained in the top five, the team that has been mowing down challenger after challenger since the season started - Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna - checked in at No. 10 this week following a 42-14 rout of former top 30 team Miami Northwestern.
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (No. 31) is creeping up on the top 30 after a 3-0 start and Miami Columbus surged 23 spots up to No. 43 after dominating Tampa Jesuit in the second half of a 32-15 comeback win.
Just three weeks in, it’s clear Miami-Dade and Broward County teams could dominate pretty much any classification they play in. Regrettably there are only four available to win this season.
TITLETOWN SOUTH FLORIDA
Before I break down this week’s matchups, I’d like to invite you to check out our new high school sports show aptly named, “Titletown: South Florida” at miamiherald.com beginning Tuesday morning.
This weekly show, hosted by David Wilson, Jordan McPherson and myself, will feature highlights, interviews, predictions and much more from the South Florida high school sports community.
THE TOP 20
1. Central (2-0); 2. Chaminade-Madonna (3-0); 3. St. Thomas Aquinas (3-0); 4. American Heritage (3-0); 5. Columbus (3-0); 6. Cardinal Gibbons (3-0); 7. Northwestern (2-1); 8. Davie Western (2-0); 9. Homestead (3-0); 10. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (2-1); 11. Miami Booker T. Washington (2-1); 12. Miami Norland (2-0); 13. Coconut Creek (2-1); 14. Miami Palmetto (1-2); 15. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (2-1); 16. Miramar (1-1); 17. Plantation (2-1); 18. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (2-0); 19. Miami Edison (1-1); 20. Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (2-0). Dropped out: 16. Pinecrest Gulliver Prep (0-2). On the cusp: Fort Lauderdale (3-0), Miami La Salle (2-0), Doral Academy (2-1).
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
4. American Heritage (3-0) at 2. Chaminade-Madonna (3-0), 7, Friday.
Chaminade has a short week to get ready for their toughest obstacle yet when they host Plantation American Heritage in a matchup that has “Game of the Year” potential even among all the great early-season duels on this year’s schedule.
While the Lions have plenty of playmakers on offense, their defense doesn’t get enough credit. Last week, a goal line stand turned the tide against Northwestern and Chaminade’s front four has created havoc in every game so far.
On the Patriots’ side, possessing the ball as much as possible and trying to wear down the Lions with their own running game led by Mark Fletcher is probably the only way they’ll have the chance to score a win. This would set up big plays in the passing game.
Chaminade has also made it a knack of striking big on special teams lately, blocking two punts in the past two weeks. If they get another opportunity this week, it could be a turning point. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 30, American Heritage 24.
3. St. Thomas Aquinas (3-0) at 8. Western (2-0), 7, Friday.
After a close call on opening weekend, Aquinas outscored Fort Myers and Cocoa by a combined 84-14. The Raiders finally face a Broward opponent and take on a Western squad poised to make a run for a state title in Class 4M this season.
Jordan Lyle and Gemari Sands have combined for 406 yards and six touchdowns and lead a power running game that Aquinas will need to control the clock in order to keep Western’s prolific offense sidelined as much as possible.
The Wildcats’ offense was stifled for most of last week’s overtime thriller against Coconut Creek before connecting on one big play to win it 10-3.
Western will need much more consistent play if it’s to have a chance and score a big early-season upset. But the Raiders’ depth will make the difference. Dre’s pick: Aquinas 27, Western 17.
5. Columbus (3-0) vs. 14. Palmetto (1-2), 7:30, Friday, Tropical.
The way many portrayed the Class 4M title race playing out this season was the winner of this rivalry to take on Western for a spot at state. Columbus looks like it has all the pieces necessary to make said run. But what has happened at Palmetto?
The Panthers offense has struggled to find its footing through the first three weeks, losing a low-scoring tussle with Homestead and getting blanked on the road by Clearwater Academy International. Its win over Killian last week saw Palmetto regain some offensive rhythm. But the rival Cougars are nowhere near close to the kind of defense the Panthers will face this Friday.
This likely won’t be the only meeting between these two, but right now Columbus appears to be clearly the team that’s ahead. Dre’s pick: Columbus 24, Palmetto 8.
12. Norland (2-0) at 15. Monsignor Pace (2-1), 7:30, Friday.
An intriguing matchup between two teams hoping to shake up the status quo in Class 2M.
Norland may be a step or two away from doing so after its impressive start. The Vikings have traditionally had talented quarterbacks over the past decade or so under coach Daryle Heidelburg. Ennio Yapoor, a transfer from Champagnat Catholic, is the latest in that line. Yapoor has an array of skill talent around him and they are making some noise as they did when they dismantled Southridge 66-28 this past Saturday.
Pace’s defense has been the catalyst for its solid start, which includes a road win over Naples Lely and a preseason win over Blanche Ely. But Norland will present the Spartans their greatest challenge yet. Dre’s pick: Norland 26, Monsignor Pace 14.
13. Coconut Creek (2-1) vs. 17. Plantation (2-1), 7, Friday, PAL.
After shutting out its first three opponents including the preseason classic, Creek proved its defense is legit by holding Western to just 10 points and only a field goal in regulation. Dre’s pick: Coconut Creek 16, Plantation 8.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
1. Central (2-0) vs. Carol City (0-1), 7, Thursday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Central 42, Carol City 12. The Chiefs are getting better, but they are not near Central’s level.
St. Petersburg Northeast (2-1) at 6. Cardinal Gibbons (3-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Gibbons 28, Northeast 3. The Chiefs march on with two weeks left before their showdown with rival American Heritage.
7. Northwestern (2-1) vs. 19. Edison (1-1), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Northwestern 30, Edison 8. The Bulls bounce back in a big way after they were embarrassed against Chaminade.
9. Homestead (3-0) vs. Southwest (0-2), 7, Thursday, Harris.
Dre’s pick: Homestead 42, Southwest 2. The Broncos should be able to get some of their younger players some experience in this game.
11. Booker T. (2-1) vs. La Salle (2-0), 3:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 29, La Salle 12. The Tornadoes opened some eyes last week even in defeat. Expect them to be ready for their district opener.
Flanagan (1-2) at 16. Miramar (1-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Miramar 35, Flanagan 6. It’s been a bit uneven so far for the Patriots, but they should cruise in this game.
18. Blanche Ely (2-0) at Coral Springs (1-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Blanche Ely 34, Coral Springs 7. The Tigers are one of the surprise teams in South Florida this season and with each week continue to show why.
20. Avant Garde (2-0) vs. Krop (1-2), 7:30, Friday, Ives.
Dre’s pick: Avant Garde 34, Krop 16. The Sharks make their top 20 debut and should gain a foothold as they roll in the coming weeks.
OTHER GAMES
THURSDAY
Miami-Dade: Jackson vs. HML (Traz), 3:30; Jackson 22-6; Coral Reef vs. Braddock (Southridge), 7; Reef 27-20; Florida Christian vs. True North (Tropical), 7; True North 20-6; Benjamin at Gulliver, 3:30; Gulliver 20-17. Broward: North Broward Prep at Northeast, 6; NBP 37-12; Somerset Prep at Palm Beach Christian Prep, 7; Palm Beach 35-7; West Palm Beach SLAM at Westminster Academy, 7; WA 28-9.
FRIDAY
Miami-Dade: Somerset Silver Palms vs. South Miami (Tropical), 3:30; South Miami 30-12; South Dade vs. Killian (Harris), 7:30; S. Dade 24-8; Southridge at Belen, 7:30; Southridge 22-14; North Miami at Mater Academy, 3:30; N. Miami 24-13; Goleman vs. Westland Hialeah (Milander), 7:30; Westland 28-16; Hialeah vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7:30; Hialeah 24-12; Doral at Cardinal Newman, 7; Doral 38-34; Varela at Ferguson, 3:30; Ferguson 28-3; Mourning at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30; Gardens 21-2; Reagan at Miami Springs, 3:30; Springs 24-10; Coral Shores at Sunset, 3:30; Coral Shores 37-13; BridgePrep at Archbishop Carroll, 3:30; Carroll 35-2; Westminster Christian at Somerset South Homestead, 7; Westminster 27-17; Palm Glades Prep at Everglades Prep, 4; Everglades Prep 7-6; Ransom Everglades at Palmer Trinity, 4; Ransom 16-13; Broward: Stranahan at Boyd Anderson, 7; Stranahan 28-12; Everglades at Deerfield Beach, 7; Deerfield 24-8; Nova at Hollywood Hills, 4; Hills 16-7; Piper vs. Monarch (Coconut Creek), 7; Monarch 24-19; South Broward at Hallandale, 7; South Broward 27-7; Cooper City at McArthur, 7; McArthur 34-14; Pines Charter at Taravella, 4; PPC 28-6; Douglas at Jensen Beach, 7; Jensen Beach 34-24; Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer vs. West Broward (Pines), 7; Dwyer 24-17; Pompano Beach at St. John Paul II, 7; Pompano 24-6; Coral Glades at Valdosta (Ga.), 7; Valdosta 42-17; Somerset Academy at Camden County (Ga.), 7; Camden 21-17; Clewiston at Calvary Christian, 7; Calvary 28-13; American Heritage-Delray at Pine Crest, 7; Pine Crest 33-24; Archbishop McCarthy at Okeechobee, 7; Okeechobee 27-6. Miami-Dade vs. Broward: University School at Miami Country Day, 7; US 24-8.
Andre’s record - Last week: 40-8; Top 20: 14-0; Season - Overall: 113-33; Top 20: 37-7.
This story was originally published September 13, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
