Rivals will test Central and Columbus, plus a memorable Ely-Dillard Soul Bowl | Opinion
Rematches. Rivalries. Maybe some revenge?
The second round of the playoffs has arrived and several teams feel better about their chances the second time around in rivalry matchups such as Miami Central vs. Miami Northwestern or Miami Palmetto vs. Miami Columbus.
Those are just two of the many intriguing games in a loaded weekend that will kick up the intensity level for the first time in nearly a month in South Florida.
Here’s a look at the 15 regional semifinals involving South Florida teams.
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
Region 4-2M semifinal - 12. Miami Northwestern (6-4) vs. 1. Miami Central (10-0), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
The rivalry hasn’t really been one the past two times these two have squared off with Central comfortably handling its longtime rivals from 71st Street by a combined score of 91-13.
But there are a few players on the Northwestern side who didn’t play during the Rockets’ 42-7 rout back in October who will be back this week. Quarterback Taron Dickens is the main factor. Since his return, Northwestern’s offense has looked in sync again and its running game has elevated since Jamari Ford came back to complement the backfield with Marlin Cochran.
Central’s defense, however, is one of the best in the nation and difficult to score on no matter who is throwing passes on the other side. Reuben Bain (22 sacks) and Stanquan Clark (seven sacks) lead a defensive front which has recorded 48 sacks overall.
Another question is whether the Bulls’ defense can slow down that powerful Central attack led by Keyone Jenkins and a number of offensive weapons such as receiver Lamar Seymore and a collective running game that’s amassed over 1,300 yards this season.
I think Northwestern makes this a better game than the first time, and I hope I’m right. This rivalry is great for South Florida when both teams are evenly matched.
It echoes memories of past stars like Teddy Bridgewater, Jacory Harris, Dalvin Cook, Devonta Freeman and Joe Yearby just to name a few.
But the Rockets are on a quest to win a national title and are on an elite level this season that’s above nearly everyone else.
Dre’s pick: Central 35, Northwestern 21.
Region 4-4M semifinal - 15. Miami Palmetto (6-5) vs. 4. Columbus (10-1), 7, Friday, Tropical.
Another case of the team that lost in the regular season peaking at the right time.
Palmetto got healthier as the season progressed and its defense led by major recruits like Bobby Washington and Willis McGahee IV have stepped up their play in recent weeks. The Panthers feel like they let the first matchup slip away after leading 10-7 at halftime.
Columbus has shown all season that while it may not be replete with five-star talent like some of its fellow nationally-ranked South Florida teams, it is a complete team with all the ingredients needed to make a state championship push. If Sedrick Irvin and the Explorers’ running game can replicate the same success it had in the first meeting, expect a similar result.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 24, Palmetto 14.
Region 4-2M semifinal - 13. Miami Norland (8-2) vs. 8. Miami Booker T. Washington (9-2), 7, Thursday, Traz.
Norland could be catching Booker T. Washington at an opportune time. The Tornadoes lost their quarterback Claudell Sherman to a shoulder injury last week against Carol City and it’s uncertain if he plays on Thursday. While Booker T.’s strength is its running game led by Antwan Smith (325 yards last week) and Gerald Modest, it needs some semblance of a passing game to keep Norland’s defense honest.
The Tornadoes will need a huge performance from their defense in this game as they will be tested both through the air and on the ground by the Vikings’ balanced offense led by quarterback Ennio Yapoor. And if there’s something BTW coach Tim “Ice” Harris’ teams do well historically is play clutch defense.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 19, Norland 17.
Region 3-3M semifinal - 10. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (9-0) at 9. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7-3), 5, Saturday.
It’s the Broward Soul Bowl, Take 2.
Two weeks ago, these teams played nearly two and a half quarters and unbeaten Blanche Ely was leading 9-7 when a disturbance at the stadium prompted the evacuation of everyone in attendance for safety reasons and the game being ruled a no contest.
Hopefully, nothing of the sort happens again this time and we’re able to see one of the best matchups of the weekend. The Tigers continued their roll on Monday by dominating Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 28-0 while Dillard had no trouble putting away Fort Lauderdale 45-20. Ely was able to get an extra day to prepare, but four days is still a short window against an opponent of this caliber.
Here’s where we find out just how much better Ely is or not.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 14, Ely 12.
Region 4-4M semifinal - 17. Doral Academy (7-4) at 14. Davie Western (7-3), 7:30, Friday.
Doral has been able to run the ball at will on everyone this season led by Mark Wilder, who did it again last week with over 250 yards against Somerset Academy. But the Firebirds defense hasn’t really shut any team down completely. And Western’s offense finally ignited when it needed to for the last couple of weeks behind quarterback Collin Hurst. Expect more of the same this week.
Dre’s pick: Western 38, Doral 24.
Region 4-3M semifinal - 18. Miami Southridge (7-4) at 11. Miramar (9-1), 7:30, Friday.
Southridge coach Pierre Senatus’ revival of the Spartans takes them back to one of his former stomping grounds. The Spartans have done a great job restoring respectability at a proud program. But the Patriots and their stingy defense will be their greatest challenge to date and one that makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.
Dre’s pick: Miramar 21, Southridge 8.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
Region 4-1M semifinal - Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (6-3) at 2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (9-0), 7, Friday.
The Sharks have talent and have had a solid campaign. But the first version of this matchup ended with a Chaminade 63-0 rout. No reason to think this Lions’ express is going to slow down this week as they gear up for arguably their greatest obstacle of the postseason next week if they play Cardinal Newman.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 52, Avant Garde Academy 7.
Region 3-3M semifinal - Delray Beach Atlantic (8-3) at 3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (10-0), 7, Friday.
Aquinas showed off its depth and how dangerous it can be when it has an upper-level talent at quarterback in a 59-14 blowout win last week over Coconut Creek. Hezekiah Harris’ numbers would probably be higher than 1,197 passing yards and 18 touchdowns if he were at a school that wasn’t as balanced and deep as Aquinas. But Harris has elevated that unit and now is the time he will deliver his best performances.
Dre’s pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 44, Atlantic 13.
Region 3-2M semifinal - Boynton Beach (9-2) at 5. Plantation American Heritage (9-1), 1, Saturday.
Heritage managed to keep its lineup intact despite a chippy finish to its comfortable win over Riviera Beach Inlet Grove on Monday. The Patriots will try to move through unscathed and likely earn a rematch against rival Gibbons next week at home.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 42, Boynton Beach 6.
Region 3-2M semifinal - Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (9-2) at 6. Cardinal Gibbons (10-1), 7:30, Friday.
Calvary Christian was sparked again last week by the running of Reggie Heywood, who had 297 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Boca Raton St. Andrew’s. But that will be difficult to duplicate against one of the country’s best defenses. Gibbons already shut out Calvary Christian 33-0 back in September and the Chiefs have improved since.
Dre’s pick: Cardinal Gibbons 35, Calvary Christian 6.
Region 4-3M semifinal - Miami Dr. Krop (7-4) vs. 7. Homestead (9-2), 7:30, Friday, Harris.
Krop enters the game on a five-game winning streak which will help it build for its program’s future. But Homestead’s vast talent led by Joshua Townsend at quarterback, the running of Isaac Brown and its stingy defense will likely be too much for the Cinderella Lightning.
Dre’s pick: Homestead 28, Krop 6.
OTHER GAMES
Region 3-4M semifinal - Parkland Douglas (8-3) at Palm Beach Central (10-1), 6:30, Friday.
Douglas’ running game has come alive in recent weeks behind Clayton Cannon Jr. (1,231 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Justin Spano (867 yards, 12 touchdowns). It helped the Eagles win seven in a row including Monday night’s road comeback win over Lantana Santaluces 48-44.
Palm Beach Central, however, has rolled through the bulk of a tough schedule that includes wins over St. Pete Lakewood and Miami Carol City, and will be Douglas’ toughest test to date.
Dre’s pick: Palm Beach Central 41, Douglas 38.
Region 3-4M semifinal - Palm Beach Gardens (8-3) vs. Coconut Creek Monarch (9-2), 7, Saturday, Northeast High.
The Knights picked up their first-ever playoff victory on Monday night in convincing fashion with a 56-21 rout of Boca Raton. Monarch followed the same formula that carried it to this point as quarterback A.J. Hairston threw four more touchdown passes, bringing his season total to 31, and ran for another. Willie Reed, the Knights’ leading rusher, ran for two touchdowns and 101 yards as Monarch won for the eighth time in its past nine games. Palm Beach Gardens has been battle-tested and features a balanced offense itself, led by senior quarterback Brand Campbell.
Dre’s pick: Monarch 38, Palm Beach Gardens 37.
Region 4-1M semifinal - Miami Palmer Trinity (5-5) at Miami Archbishop Carroll (9-1), 3, Friday.
Carroll’s resurgent season faces an interesting challenge. The Bulldogs must now beat a team for the third time in the same season after beating Palmer Trinity 41-0 on Sept. 9 and again 26-15 on Oct. 28. The Falcons are in the playoffs for the third time ever and first since 2018. By forcing turnovers, they made the second matchup between these two closer than the first. But if Carroll protects the ball this time, it can grind its way to a victory and its first regional finals appearance since 2008.
Dre’s pick: Archbishop Carroll 27, Palmer Trinity 14.
Region 4-1M semifinal - Miami Westminster Christian (7-2) vs. Miami True North (7-3), 7, Thursday, Tropical.
Westminster Christian beat True North 40-28 on Sept. 10. The Warriors ran for 312 yards led by Cornelius Colzie’s 153 yards and a touchdown and Malachi Keels’ 100 yards and two touchdowns. They took advantage of three True North turnovers in the win. Westminster enters the playoffs having lost two in a row after a 7-0 start. The Titans have been trending upward, winning six of their past seven after a 1-2 start which included dealing Archbishop Carroll its lone defeat. Eighth-grader Zac Katz 2,087 yards, 25 touchdowns and four interceptions) leads True North’s wide open passing offense along with freshman receiver J-Roc Lopez (43 catches for 801 yards and 8 touchdowns). The result flips in this one.
Dre’s pick: True North 34, Westminster Christian 27.
Andre’s record (Through Saturday’s games) - Last week: 20-2; Top 20: 16-0; Season - Overall: 436-112; Top 20: 145-23.
This story was originally published November 16, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
