A look at the top games in Miami-Dade high school football for the 2023 season
Here’s a week-by-week look at the top games to watch in Miami-Dade County for the upcoming high school football season.
Note: All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
WEEK 1 - AUG. 25
Homestead vs. Palmetto at Harris, Friday.
This was the game a year ago that springboarded Homestead on a path toward making its first ever appearance in a state championship game. The Broncos defense shut down Palmetto’s playmakers in a defensive struggle. With Homestead aiming for more, beating a solid Panthers squad here could have the same effect.
Others to watch - Aug. 25: Columbus at Clearwater Academy International, 6; Norland at Lakeland; Northwestern at Vero Beach; Southridge vs. Jackson (Curtis); South Broward at Doral, 7.
WEEK 2 - SEPT. 1
Central at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, 10, Friday.
Despite being on opposite sides of the country, these two are quite familiar with each other with Bishop Gorman being the last team to beat Central in 2021 in Naples and the Rockets having scored a victory in Vegas in 2017. With both teams ranked in the top 5 entering the season, the winner likely moves into the driver’s seat early in the national title chase.
Others to watch - Aug. 31: Jackson vs. Northwestern (Traz); Edison vs. Booker T. (Traz), 3:30; Archbishop Carroll vs. Goleman (Milander), 7; Sept. 1: South Dade vs. Homestead (Harris); Palmetto at St. Pete Lakewood; Krop at Southridge; Cardinal Newman at Belen Jesuit.
WEEK 3 - SEPT. 8
Central vs. Booker T. Washington at Traz, Friday.
The Rockets won’t be able to rest regardless of whether they triumph in Vegas or not as they take on one of their biggest rivals. The Tornadoes took a big step back to contention last season, but a win here could vault them into the national rankings.
Others to watch - Sept. 7: Jackson vs. Krop (Ives Estates), 3:30; Sept. 8: Columbus at Tampa Jesuit, 7; Norland at Southridge; St. Pete Lakewood vs. Homestead (Harris); Killian vs. Palmetto (Tropical); Sept. 9: Venice vs. Northwestern (Traz), 6; Hialeah vs. Hialeah-Miami Lakes (Milander), 7
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WEEK 4 - SEPT. 16
Palmetto vs. Columbus at Tropical Park, 4, Saturday.
Columbus will have endured two major challenges from out-of-town teams at this point on its road to a potential repeat in Class 4M. But Palmetto presents the Explorers’ first notable challenger locally and this series has been competitive in recent years albeit one-sided in Columbus’ favor.
Others to watch - Sept. 14: Belen at Southridge, 7; Edison vs. Northwestern (Traz), 7; Coral Reef at Braddock, 3:30; Monsignor Pace vs. Norland (Traz), 3:30; Sept 15: Cardinal Newman at Doral, 7; Sept. 16: Carol City vs. Central (Traz), 4.
WEEK 5 - SEPT. 22 - GAME OF THE YEAR
Chaminade vs. Central at Traz, Friday.
We finally get the matchup we’ve wanted to see for a couple of years now as two of the top powerhouses in the country - both from South Florida - meet in a titanic early-season clash. The teams have combined for 16 state championships in their collective histories.
Others to watch - Sept. 20: American vs. Norland (Traz), 7; Sept. 21: Northwestern vs. Columbus (Tropical), 7; Southridge at Doral, 7; Sept. 22: North Miami Beach at Monsignor Pace; Krop at South Broward, 7.
WEEK 6 - SEPT. 28
Booker T. vs. Jackson, at Curtis Park, 7, Thursday
After most of the first month of the season highlighted by clashes between national title contenders, teams will narrow the focus this week and play important district contests. Booker T. and Jackson is always a good neighborhood rivalry made even more so with some alums coaching at the opposite school in this one.
Others to watch - Sept. 29: Northwestern at Cardinal Newman, 7; Palmetto vs. Coral Gables (Tropical), 3:30; Killian at Gulliver, 4.
WEEK 7 - OCT. 5-7
Booker T. vs. Norland at Traz, 7, Thursday.
These two kickoff a “triple main event” week, if you will, in Dade County. Both the Tornadoes and Vikings are aiming for Central’s crown in Class 2M and meet in a rematch of last year’s regional semifinal playoff, won by Norland.
Central vs. Northwestern at Traz, Friday.
Northwestern’s much younger roster should be very battle-tested by this point in the season, which could make this a competitive contest between these longtime rivals. The Rockets have dominated this series in recent years, but escaped a late-season thriller, 34-30 in last year’s second round playoff.
Homestead vs. Columbus at Tropical, 7, Saturday.
Both teams have designs on winning a state title in their respective classes as Columbus, the reigning 4M champs take on Homestead, the 3M state runner-up.
Others to watch - Oct. 5: Braddock vs. Coral Park (Tropical), 7; Krop vs. Monsignor Pace (Ives), 7; Oct. 6: Miami High vs. Coral Gables (Tropical); Edison vs. Palmetto (Southridge); Cardinal Gibbons at Belen Jesuit, 7.
WEEK 8 - OCT. 13
Central vs. Norland at Traz, Friday
Several district championships could be decided on this week, but none might be bigger than this one. Norland loaded up in the offseason in the hopes of dethroning the four-time reigning state champion Rockets. Assuming they don’t stumble before this week, here’s their chance to take their first step toward that goal.
Others to watch - Oct. 11: Killian vs. South Miami (Tropical), 7; Oct. 12: Northwestern vs. Booker T. (Traz), 7; Oct. 13: Southridge vs. Homestead (Harris); Doral at Columbus, 7; South Dade vs. Palmetto (Southridge); American at Miramar, 7; Oct. 14: Carol City vs. North Miami Beach (Traz), 7.
WEEK 9 - OCT. 19-21
Greater Miami Athletic Conference championship
This event involving all GMAC member schools with football programs enters its third year and provides a chance to see rare north vs. south matchups between some of Dade’s best. Central defeated Columbus in a 42-35 classic in last year’s title game before each went on to win state championships.
Others to watch - Oct. 20: Gulliver at Belen, 7; St. Brendan at La Salle, 7; Oct. 21: Archbishop Carroll at Westminster Christian, 1
WEEK 10 - OCT. 27
Homestead at Belen, 7, Friday.
A potential clash for the District 16-3M title? It will be interesting to see where Homestead stands at this point after games against Southridge, Columbus and whoever they face GMAC week before taking on the improved Wolverines, who will have an upset on their minds.
Others to watch - Oct. 26: Edison vs. Jackson (Curtis), 7; Oct. 27: Gulliver vs. South Miami (Tropical), 3:30; Ransom Everglades at Archbishop Carroll, 3:30.
WEEK 11 - NOV. 1
American vs. NMB at Milander, 7, Wednesday.
Some teams will be warming up for the playoffs. Some will be playing spoiler. And some might still need some percentage points to sneak into the postseason. That could be the case for these rivals heading into this standalone matchup to start the final week of the regular season.
Others to watch - Nov. 1: American vs. North Miami Beach (Milander), 7; Nov. 2: Doral at Edison, 3:30; Coral Gables vs. Southwest (Tropical), 7; Nov. 3: South Dade at Southridge, 7:30
La Salle vs. Belen (Tropical), 7; Goleman at Monsignor Pace, 7:30
POSTSEASON
Regional quarterfinals: Nov. 10; Regional semifinals: Nov. 17; Regional finals: Nov. 24; State semifinals: Dec. 1; State championships: TBD (site TBD)
