Top 20 picks: Columbus vying to be ranked among nation’s best, plus key district games
The Chaminade-American Heritage game lived up to the hype.
But don’t forget about St. Thomas Aquinas when it comes to the nation’s best teams.
Aquinas crushed Western showing once again why it is still very much a contender for both state and national championships if it can run the table in Class 3M. And what has happened to that vaunted Wildcats offense in recent weeks?
Three teams are now ranked in the top 6 in the nation according to MaxPreps - Miami Central (No. 4), Aquinas (No. 5) and Chaminade (No. 6). American Heritage isn’t far behind at No. 14.
This week, however, we shift our attention to Miami-Dade County where two former state champions - Columbus (ranked No. 39 by MaxPreps) and Northwestern (No. 49) - look to move into that upper-tier of nationally-ranked teams after a clash at Traz Powell Stadium.
But first, let’s look at where things stand after the first month of the season.
THE NEW TOP 20
1. Miami Central (3-0); 2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (4-0); 3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0); 4. Miami Columbus (4-0); 5. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (4-0); 6. Plantation American Heritage (4-1); 7. Miami Northwestern (3-1); 8. Homestead (4-0); 9. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (2-1); 10. Miami Booker T. Washington (3-1); 11. Miami Norland (3-0); 12. Davie Western (2-1); 13. Miramar (2-1); 14. Plantation (3-1); 15. Coconut Creek (2-2); 16. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (2-2); 17. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (2-0); 18. Miami Palmetto (1-3); 19. Miami Edison (1-2); 20. Miami Southridge (3-1).
Dropped out: 20. Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (2-1).
On the cusp: Doral Academy (2-2), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (3-1), Miami Jackson (2-2), Miami Dr. Krop (2-2), Fort Lauderdale (3-0).
TITLETOWN SOUTH FLORIDA
If you have yet to check out our new high school sports show, Titletown South Florida, watch it on YouTube or at miamiherald.com/high-school. Miami Herald Sportswriters David Wilson and Jordan McPherson bring you this week’s episode with highlights from week 4 and a look ahead to key matchups in week 5. Here are some of them.
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
4. Columbus (4-0) vs. 7. Northwestern (3-1), 7, Thursday, Traz.
There were many years where Northwestern’s rich history of state championships and talent were enough to gain an advantage even before kickoff in this series.
Columbus doesn’t seem fazed by that anymore as the Explorers finally won their own state championship and have advanced to at least the state semifinals three of the past four seasons.
These two powerhouse programs will meet for the first time since 2018 and have split the past four meetings. Northwestern leads the series 5-3 since the teams began playing in the regular season in 2009 with six of those matchups decided by nine points or fewer.
The schools have become respected rivals in football and as well as track and field where many of the top athletes from each side also compete against each other.
Columbus can’t afford a slow start like it had against Tampa Jesuit and Palmetto. And Northwestern can’t afford to keep committing excess penalties and turnovers as it has too many times this season.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 21, Northwestern 20.
1. Central (3-0) vs. 9. Dillard (3-1), 7, Saturday, Traz.
Dillard has been steadily improving, but the Panthers are still missing that signature victory over one of the nationally-ranked powerhouses. Earlier this season, Dillard led Chaminade early before the Lions’ depth and big-play ability ultimately turned the game into a lopsided 49-28 loss for the Panthers.
Dillard will again try to knock off one of the nation’s best when it takes on the Rockets, ranked No. 4 in the country by MaxPreps. Central withstood a similar challenge by an up and coming program two weeks ago when it outlasted Booker T. Washington for its second win. Expect the Rockets to do the same this weekend.
Dre’s pick: Central 34, Dillard 20.
17. Blanche Ely (2-0) at 15. Coconut Creek (2-2), 7, Friday.
After opening some eyes by battling powerhouse Cardinal Gibbons in a preseason scrimmage, Ely will look to seize control of District 10-3M if it can beat a much-improved yet recently struggling Creek squad.
The Cougars have proven they can play defense, but last week let a potential bounce back win against Plantation slip away in the second half. After nearly beating Western two weeks ago, Creek must show up for this critical district contest to keep a potential breakthrough season on course.
Dre’s pick: Coconut Creek 9, Blanche Ely 8.
Doral Academy (2-2) at 20. Southridge (3-1), 7:30, Friday.
Doral Academy has a prolific offense which is averaging 34 points per game led by senior running back Mark Wilder (763 yards and eight touchdowns). But its defense has been vulnerable, allowing just as many points.
Southridge bounced back from a humbling 66-28 loss to Norland with a crucial district win at Belen last week. The Spartans face a team that resembles old-school Belen with its prolific running attack coached by former Wolverines assistant coach Eddie Delgado. Having faced one of the best offenses in the county already, Southridge’s defense may be ready for this challenge.
Dre’s pick: Southridge 35, Doral 31.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
2. Chaminade-Madonna (4-0) at Pinecrest Gulliver Prep (0-2), 3:30, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 38, Gulliver 13. Chaminade is battle-tested and should cruise and keep the Raiders seeking their first win.
3. St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0) at Treasure Coast (1-3), 7, Friday, South County Regional.
Dre’s pick: Aquinas 42, Treasure Coast 3. The Raiders continue to rack up lopsided wins against teams from around the state.
5. Cardinal Gibbons (4-0) at Key West (1-3), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Gibbons 38, Key West 7. The Chiefs offense appears to have found its spark and just in time as Heritage showdown approaches.
6. American Heritage (4-1): Bye.
8. Homestead (4-0): Bye.
10. Booker T. Washington (3-1) vs. Carol City (0-2), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 33, Carol City 12. Credit the rebuilding Chiefs for taking on the best of the best. The Tornadoes are proving they belong among that category again.
11. Norland (3-0) vs. American (1-2), 7:30, Friday, Milander.
Dre’s pick: Norland 34, American 7. The Vikings are one of the most improved teams in the state. The coming weeks will show just how much.
12. Western (2-1) at Taravella (0-3), 4, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Western 45, Taravella 7. Where is the Wildcats’ offense? They’ll find it at least for this week.
13. Miramar (2-1) at Coral Glades (0-3), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Miramar 35, Coral Glades 7. The Patriots will pick up a little momentum with a comfortable win.
14. Plantation (3-1): Bye.
16. Monsignor Pace (2-2) vs. North Miami Beach (1-2), 3:30, Thursday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Pace 17, NMB 12. This one could get dicey if the Spartans aren’t much sharper than they were against Norland.
18. Palmetto (1-3) at Vero Beach (4-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Vero Beach 21, Palmetto 13. The Panthers’ three defeats have come against quality opponents. But when will they actually beat one of them?
19. Edison (1-2) at Tallahassee Rickards (1-3), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Edison 20, Rickards 12. The Red Raiders are another team that’s hung tough with a quality schedule, but has to start picking up some W’s.
OTHER GAMES
THURSDAY
Miami-Dade: South Miami vs. Miami High (Tropical), 7; S. Miami 28-12; Westland Hialeah vs. Miami Springs (Milander), 7; Westland 17-13; Coral Reef vs. Southwest (Southridge), 7; Reef 24-6; TRU Prep vs. Hialeah (Milander), 3:30; Hialeah 17-14; HML at Coral Park, 3:30; Coral Park 17-14; Broward: Piper at McArthur, 7; Piper 30-24; Monarch at Douglas, 7; Monarch 29-21; West Broward at Pines Charter, 7; West Broward 24-10; St. Andrews at University School, 7; St. Andrews 35-14; West Palm Beach SLAM at Deerfield Somerset Key, 6; SLAM 7-6; Coral Springs Charter at Traditions Charter, 7; CSC 13-6.
FRIDAY
Miami-Dade: Jackson vs. South Dade (Curtis), 7:30; Jackson 19-6; Killian at Naples, 7:30; Naples 34-6; Somerset Silver Palms at Belen, 7:30; Belen 27-10; Braddock at Coral Gables, 4; Braddock 21-14; Sunset at Reagan, 3:30; Reagan 10-7; Mater Academy at St. Brendan, 7; Mater 14-13; Miami Country Day vs. Mourning (N. Miami), 3:30; ATM 9-8; Dade Christian vs. True North (Tropical), 7; True North 30-14; La Salle at South Fort Myers, 7; La Salle 17-16; Archbishop Carroll at Palm Glades Prep, 3:30; Carroll 45-3; BridgePrep at Westminster Christian, 4; Westminster 48-2; Everglades Prep at Somerset Charter, 7; Somerset 27-7; Ransom Everglades at Marathon, 7; Ransom 28-7; Broward: South Plantation at Cooper City, 7; S. Plant. 27-7; Flanagan at Hollywood Hills, 4; Flanagan 16-6; Cypress Bay at Nova, 7; Cypress 31-24; Fort Lauderdale at Boyd Anderson, 7; BA 14-12; Coral Springs at Northeast, 7; Springs 17-10; Kings Academy at North Broward Prep, 6; NBP 28-24; Windermere Prep at Pine Crest, 7; Windermere 27-24; Avant Garde at Boca St. John Paul II, 7; Avant Garde 27-14; American Heritage-Delray at Archbishop McCarthy, 7; Heritage 20-6; Vero Beach St. Edwards at Westminster Academy, 7; WA 27-21; Miami-Dade vs. Broward: South Broward vs. Krop (Ives), 7:30; Krop 21-14; North Miami at Calvary Christian, 7:30; Calvary 28-18.
Andre’s record - Last week: 40-10; Top 20: 11-2; Season - Overall: 153-43; Top 20: 49-9.
This story was originally published September 20, 2022 at 7:30 AM.
