Top 20 picks: GMAC championship week creates interesting matchups ahead of playoffs
I must admit when I first heard it was coming back, I cringed.
The Greater Miami Athletic Conference was planning to do its football version of a championship bowl week for the second consecutive season.
Last year, the week of games between the conference’s participants created a series of regular-season rematches, which many deemed unnecessary.
In one case, Miami Columbus and Miami Palmetto ended up playing three times, counting the playoffs.
But I have to give credit to the GMAC, the executive secretary Latoya Williams and the staff for reformatting this year’s schedule.
By eliminating possible rematches and going with strictly north vs. south matchups, it created multiple intriguing games between some of South Florida’s best teams highlighted by a clash Friday night between nationally ranked Miami Central and Columbus.
Let’s take a look at those top games in Miami-Dade and a good one in Broward between two likely district champions as Davie Western hosts Miramar on Friday.
First, here’s how things shook out going into the week in our latest South Florida rankings.
THE TOP 20
1. Central (7-0); 2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (6-0); 3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7-0); 4. Columbus (8-0); 5. Plantation American Heritage (7-1); 6. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-1); 7. Miami Northwestern (4-3); 8. Miami Booker T. Washington (6-2); 9. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (3-3); 10. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (6-0); 11. Miramar (5-1); 12. Davie Western (4-2); 13. Miami Norland (4-2); 14. Homestead (6-2); 15. Coconut Creek (4-3); 16. Miami Carol City (4-3); 17. Doral Academy (5-3); 18. Miami Southridge (4-3); 19. Miami Palmetto (4-4); 20. Pinecrest Gulliver Prep (3-3); Dropped out: No. 14 Plantation (4-2); On the cusp: Miami Jackson (4-3), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (7-1), Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (5-1), Coconut Creek Monarch (6-1), Miami Westminster Christian (7-0).
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
4. Columbus (8-0) vs. 1. Central (7-0), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
Columbus has done nothing but take care of business throughout the first two months of the season, racking up quality wins against Palmetto, Northwestern, Tampa Jesuit and Homestead. The Explorers’ balanced attack led by Sedrick Irvin on the ground and Alberto Mendoza through the air was on display again last week during a 35-7 win over Doral Academy.
The Explorers’ defense led by Ahmere Foster is allowing only 12.4 points per game.
But Central has the look of a potential national champion with a punishing ground game led by Ean Pope and Corey Washington and the gutsy performances of quarterback Keyone Jenkins. The Rockets’ defense is loaded with Power 5 conference talent led by Rueben “Hurricane” Bain and Stanquan Clark.
This is one of the most talented and most disciplined teams in its history and that’s a credit to first-year head coach Jube Joseph.
Dre’s pick: Central 27, Columbus 14.
7. Northwestern (4-3) vs. 14. Homestead (6-2), 7:30, Thursday, Traz.
After seeing the effect Bulls quarterback Taron Dickens’ return to the field had on them last week, it’s clear to see this team can still contend for a state championship this season if it can play mistake-free football and run the ball with Marlin Cochran and King Davis.
The Bulls defense stepped up big when it needed to against Booker T. Washington in a critical 26-7 win that sent Northwestern from fringe playoff contender to District 14-2M champions and likely the No. 2 seed in the region.
Homestead suffered a damaging loss against rival Southridge and has struggled on the offense since its quarterback Joshua Townsend got hurt against South Miami a few weeks ago. Until Townsend can return, the Broncos might struggle to find any traction on that side of the ball especially against a stout defensive front led by Toddrick Brewton.
Dre’s pick: Northwestern 28, Homestead 12.
13. Norland (4-2) vs. 19. Palmetto (4-4), 7, Thursday, Tropical.
Palmetto has rebounded from a 1-4 start led by Robby and Bobby Washington and is out to prove it is still a legit contender for the Class 4M title.
Norland is in need of a rebound itself following tough losses to Booker T. and Central. The difference in this one could be quarterback play. If the Vikings can establish their running game with Javin Simpkins and Lemmie Faulk Jr., it should open up potential big-chunk plays from quarterback Ennio Yapoor, who ranks as one of the best passers in the state.
Dre’s pick: Norland 21, Palmetto 20.
11. Miramar (5-1) at 12. Western (4-2), 7, Friday.
After being crushed by Dillard in week 2, the Patriots have been crushing teams in four consecutive wins against Flanagan, Coral Glades, Pembroke Pines Charter and American. Miramar’s defense has allowed only seven points during that stretch. Now they take on a Western offense loaded with weapons, but one that has struggled for weeks on how to consistently score. The Wildcats, though, are far better than any of those four teams the Patriots shut down the past month and should find enough offense to clear this battle of soon-to-be district champions.
Dre’s pick: Western 21, Miramar 13.
8. Booker T. Washington (6-2) vs. 18. Southridge (4-3), 3:30, Friday, Traz.
Southridge coach Pierre Senatus’ team is ahead of schedule after winning the District 16-3M championship following an impressive win over Homestead last week. Senatus has the Spartans believing they can achieve the heights they did when they were state champions in 2016. But this week Senatus takes on one of his mentors in Booker T. coach Tim “Ice” Harris.
Booker T. is looking for a quick bounce back after a deflating loss to Northwestern. If the Tornadoes can get back to the formula that drove their fast start — stingy defense and running the football — they should clear this hurdle and move closer to solidifying a playoff berth.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 26, Southridge 10.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
Avant Garde Academy (5-1) at 2. Chaminade-Madonna (6-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 42, Avant Garde 12. At least the Sharks won’t lose 90-0.
Monarch (6-1) at 3. St. Thomas Aquinas (7-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Aquinas 42, Monarch 7. The Raiders are showing how wide the gap is between them and most of the rest of the country with their overall balance on offense and defense.
5. American Heritage (7-1) at Naples (6-1), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 30, Naples 14. The trip to the west coast is frequently a difficult one, but the Patriots are too loaded not to come back with a win.
6. Cardinal Gibbons (7-1) at Bradenton Manatee (5-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Gibbons 17, Manatee 7. The Chiefs, led by their defense once again, grind out a tough road win.
Fort Lauderdale (4-3) at 9. Dillard (3-3), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 42, Fort Lauderdale 7. The Panthers keep solidifying their postseason berth before an interesting Soul Bowl matchup two weeks after this game.
10. Blanche Ely (6-0) at Piper (5-2), 7, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Ely 28, Piper 19. And speaking of that Soul Bowl, the Tigers have a chance to roll into that game unbeaten.
McArthur (4-3) at 15. Coconut Creek (4-3), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Coconut Creek 24, McArthur 7. Creek’s offense ignited last week and will propel it to another win.
16. Carol City (4-3) vs. South Miami (4-2), 3:30, Thursday, Southridge.
Dre’s pick: Carol City 20, South Miami 8. The Chiefs are guaranteed to finish third in District 13-2M. This victory would boost their power ranking a bit.
20. Gulliver Prep (3-3) at Belen Jesuit (4-3), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Gulliver 28, Belen 10. The Raiders win their fourth in a row as they continue to leave the 0-3 start further in their past.
OTHER GAMES
Thursday - Miami-Dade: Edison vs. South Dade (Traz), 3:30; Edison 26-16; Coral Gables vs. Jackson (Curtis), 7; Jackson 24-9; Braddock vs. Krop (Ives Estates), 3:30; Krop 20-17; North Miami vs. Miami High (Ives Estates), 7:30; Miami High 17-16; American vs. Ferguson (Monsignor Pace), 7; American 14-13; Reagan at Miami Springs, 3:30; Springs 12-6; Hialeah vs. Coral Park (Milander), 3:30; Hialeah 19-7; Westland vs. Coral Reef (Milander), 7:30; Westland 20-14; Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Miami Country Day at University School, 7; U-School 28-7; Broward: Deerfield Beach vs. Plantation (PAL), 7; Plantation 27-22; West Broward vs. Flanagan (Pines), 7; West Broward 26-14; Douglas at South Broward, 7; S. Broward 34-27; Northeast at West Boca Raton, 7; West Boca 30-6; Coral Springs Charter at North Broward Prep, 7; NBP 27-24; Somerset Canyons vs. Somerset Academy (Ansin), 7; Somerset Academy 33-12; Pompano Beach at Berean Christian, 7; Pompano 28-7.
Friday - Miami-Dade: Southwest vs. Mourning (N. Miami), 3:30; SW 17-14; Goleman vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7; Beach 20-17; Sunset at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30; Gardens 19-14; Varela at Hialeah-Miami Lakes, 3:30; HML 8-6; Monsignor Pace at La Salle, 7; Pace 30-23; Somerset South Homestead at St. Brendan, 7; St. Brendan 27-12; True North at Kings Academy, 7; Kings 37-20; Florida Christian at Ransom Everglades, 7; Ransom 45-3; Archbishop Carroll vs. Westminster Christian (Tropical), 7; Westminster 34-30; Palm Glades Prep at Marathon, 7; Marathon 37-7; Everglades Prep at Palmer Trinity, 4; Palmer 35-7; Broward: Everglades at South Plantation, 7; S. Plantation 33-13; Nova at Pines Charter, 7; PPC 20-13; Taravella at Hallandale, 7; Hallandale 12-6; Hollywood Hills at Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, 7; Inlet Grove 33-12; Cooper City at Cypress Bay, 7; Cypress Bay 34-7; Stranahan at Coral Glades, 7; Stranahan 19-16; Coral Springs at Boyd Anderson, 7; Coral Springs 14-6; Benjamin at Calvary Christian, 7; Benjamin 30-27; Westminster Academy at Pine Crest, 7; WA 34-31; Glades Day at Archbishop McCarthy, 7; Glades Day 27-14.
Saturday - Miami-Dade: North Miami Beach vs. Killian (Traz), 7; NMB 22-14.
Monday - Broward: Plantation vs. South Plantation (PAL), 7; Plantation 34-10.
Andre’s record (Through Saturday’s games) - Last week: 41-9; Top 20: 13-3; Season - Overall: 299-85; Top 20: 91-17.
This story was originally published October 18, 2022 at 7:10 AM.
