Homestead-Miramar steals the show while South Florida national powers flex muscle | Opinion
The first round of the playoffs belonged to running backs.
But the second round belonged to defenses.
Starting with Miami Norland, which led by linebacker Jermaine Beard, shut down one of those stars from the prior week in Miami Booker T. Washington’s Antwan Smith and keyed the Vikings’ first trip to the regional finals since 2011 when they last won a state title.
There was Miami Columbus’ defense, which shut out Miami Palmetto behind breakout performances by a couple of their youngsters Jeffrey Bandy and Hector Chavez.
And then in Broward, how about those Blanche Ely Tigers up in Pompano Beach? The unbeaten Tigers, who made three big defensive stops in the fourth quarter including two interceptions by Harlem Howard and Cameron Davis to upend Fort Lauderdale Dillard for the first time in six years.
Who will stand out next? Quarterbacks? Wide receivers? Kickers?
It should be another intense week as the regional finals are upon us.
Here’s my take on how it will go in the seven games involving Miami-Dade and Broward schools.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
NOTE: All regional finals are on Friday at 7:30 unless noted. (Seeds in each region listed instead of rankings).
▪ Region 3-2M - 2. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (11-1) at 1. Plantation American Heritage (11-1): Of course, we have to start with another huge rematch between the two nationally-ranked teams who have become heated rivals in recent years. The venue shifts to Plantation for the second encounter after Heritage shut down Gibbons in the first meeting 21-2 behind some stellar play from its defense led by two-way star Brandon Inniss.
Heritage hasn’t slowed down since, holding opponents to seven points per game and crushing them on the ground behind the power running of Mark Fletcher.
Quarterback Blake Murphy has put together one of the best seasons of any quarterback in Broward this year, and his chemistry with receivers such as Inniss, Jerry Dinkins III and others has made the Patriots offense one of the most dangerous around.
Once again, they will be a part of the key matchup as they line up against Gibbons’ strength, which is a defense led by Christopher Williams (four sacks), Romell Dorcin, Greg Otten and Casey Etienne.
Gibbons struggled last week early on falling behind 14-3 against Calvary Christian before rallying to beat the Eagles 43-27 while Heritage cruised during a 49-0 blowout win over Boynton Beach.
In the first game between these two, Gibbons failed to turn multiple red zone trips into points. That once again puts the onus on Heritage defensive standouts like David Vadala, Daemon Fagan and Jamarcus Smith to make those key stops when challenged.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 20, Cardinal Gibbons 7.
▪ Region 4-3M - 2. Miramar (10-1) vs. 1. Homestead (10-2), Harris Field: This might be the most evenly matched game of this round if both teams play to their strengths.
Miramar’s defense, which has five shutouts this season and held three more opponents to seven points or fewer, actually gave up some points last week in a 29-24 win over Miami Southridge that went down to the wire.
The Patriots denied Homestead a rematch with its neighborhood rivals and instead will make the drive down to the Broncos’ home park this weekend to face an offense potentially even more potent than the one they just overcame.
Homestead quarterback Joshua Townsend is a difference maker and he’s shown it since returning from injury, leading the Broncos to four consecutive wins. If the Broncos can balance their offense with the running of Isaac Brown, they will have a chance to beat Miramar. But the battle begins up front where the team’s standouts like Damien “Curly” Ordonez and Shamar Meikle (9.5 sacks) have dominated. Tre Rigby (5 interceptions) leads Miramar’s secondary, which will be tested by a talented Broncos’ group of receivers.
I like both defenses so I’m going that route in terms of a score prediction, but this could just as easily be a shootout if both offenses show up as Miramar’s did last week behind the running of Nate Henry. Either way, it will be close.
Dre’s pick: Homestead 19, Miramar 17.
▪ Region 3-1M - 2. West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (11-0) at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (10-0): Chaminade finally plays a legit challenger for the first time in weeks. This is no fault of the Lions, who played the hand they were dealt in a terribly-weak district. This is why coach Dameon Jones scheduled so heavily early on in order to be ready for these when it counts.
Cardinal Newman is ranked in the top 10 in the state for legit reasons. Coach Jack Daniels has built another powerhouse much like he did for years at Dwyer High in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Crusaders have a balanced offense led by quarterback Luke Warnock (2,182 yards, 33 TDs, 6 INTs) and its running game has amassed over 1,600 yards. On defense, they are led by Kent State commit Maverick Gracio (22 sacks) and a stingy pass defense which has recorded 18 interceptions. Expect them to be tested though by arguably the deepest passing game in the country led by Chaminade quarterback Cedrick Bailey and receivers Jeremiah Smith, Jojo Trader and Edwin Joseph.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 42, Cardinal Newman 30.
▪ Region 3-3M - 3. Blanche Ely (10-0) at 1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (11-0): Blanche Ely is in this round for the first time since 2009 and has put together a remarkable turnaround season. Much of it is due to the talent infusion from playmakers like Howard on defense coupled with Curtis and Marcel Williams on offense.
This is a test the Tigers likely aren’t ready for, however. The Raiders bring depth at every position, an explosive offense led by Champ Harris at quarterback and a punishing defense with stars all over. Aquinas is also hitting its stride at the perfect time as its recent lopsided results are showing.
Dre’s pick: Aquinas 42, Blanche Ely 19.
▪ Region 4-2M - 3. Norland (9-2) vs. 1. Miami Central (11-0), Traz Powell: A lot of what I just wrote about Ely applies to Norland. The Vikings have restored a proud program back to winning status with burgeoning stars like Ennio Yapoor at quarterback. But we saw what the Rockets did the first time these two played.
Last week’s wake-up call against Northwestern should also give Central a renewed focus this week as it eyes not only a state title but a potential national title.
Dre’s pick: Central 41, Norland 14.
▪ Region 4-4M - 3. Doral Academy (8-4) vs. 1. Columbus (11-1), 7, Friday, Tropical: Props to Doral Academy for its notable improvement this season. But here comes the big, bad, insurmountable obstacle that will end their season.
Doral running back Mark Wilder is tremendous, though.
Going over 2,100 yards in a season is no easy feat regardless of where or against who you play. And still it makes you marvel at what Frank Gore did with 2,953 yards in 2000.
Wilder would appear to have only one more chance to add to his total this week and will likely find it difficult to get a lot against a stingy Columbus defense that is playing its best football of the season.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 38, Doral 10.
▪ Region 4-1M - 4. Miami Palmer Trinity (6-5) vs. 3. Miami True North Classical Academy (8-3), 3, Friday, Tropical.
The third time was the charm for the Falcons against Archbishop Carroll as they upset the Bulldogs with a dramatic 27-24 win after losing two prior meetings this season. Aden Davenport engineered the comeback victory with two touchdown passes including his game-winner with less than a minute left to Jahmir Everett.
Palmer Trinity won a playoff game for only the third time in school history and second since 2018. The Falcons next get a True North team that continues to rack up big numbers on offense. Zac Katz threw five touchdown passes in the Titans’ win over Westminster Christian and Jayson Lopez led their defense with nine tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
This one could come down to the wire and a couple of plays make the difference.
Dre’s pick: True North 28, Palmer Trinity 24.
Andre’s record (Through Saturday’s games) - Last week: 10-5; Top 20: 8-3; Season - Overall: 446-117; Top 20: 153-26.
