Broward’s best teams will be ready to make statements at second annual Showcase | Opinion
For the second year in a row, the high school football season will begin in South Florida with Broward County’s best taking on some of the top teams from around the country.
This weekend, seven of the county’s best will take on powerhouses from California, Georgia, Virginia and the D.C./Maryland area in the second annual Broward National High School Football Showcase.
And once again, it will be riddled with story lines and national title contenders such as Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna headlining the event with an ESPN-televised doubleheader on Saturday at Aquinas.
Broward teams went 6-1 at last year’s event, but will be hard pressed to repeat such dominance as the competition level has increased with top five nationally-ranked teams such as St. John Bosco (California) and St. Frances (Maryland) in the mix.
But I always believe in South Florida’s talent rising to the top on big occasions, and this weekend should be no different.
On a more important note, we hope for the speedy recovery of Plantation American Heritage defensive tackle Timothy Burroughs-Love, who collapsed suddenly in last week’s preseason game against Miami Booker T. Washington.
As of Monday, Burroughs-Love remained hospitalized, but in stable condition at Jackson Memorial in Miami. No doubt the Patriots will have their teammate on their minds this weekend when they face St. John’s Prep from D.C.
Here’s a look at the first regular-season rankings and this week’s slate.
THE TOP 20
1. Miami Central; 2. Chaminade; 3. St. Thomas Aquinas; 4. Miami Columbus; 5. Miami Norland; 6. Homestead; 7. Booker T. Washington; 8. American Heritage; 9. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons; 10. Davie Western; 11. Plantation; 12. Coconut Creek; 13. Miami Palmetto; 14. Miramar; 15. Miami Northwestern; 16. Miami Southridge; 17. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely; 18. Coconut Creek Monarch; 19. Fort Lauderdale Dillard; 20. Hialeah American.
On the cusp: Miami Belen Jesuit, Hollywood South Broward, Miami Dr. Krop, Pembroke Pines West Broward, Miami Jackson.
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
2. Chaminade vs. St. Frances Academy, noon, Saturday, Aquinas.
Chaminade’s most recent experience on the national stage was a most forgettable one as it was humbled by Las Vegas Bishop Gorman 49-14 in a postseason bowl game.
The Lions enter the season ranked No. 7 by MaxPreps and ready to redeem themselves against the sixth-ranked Panthers, a Baltimore powerhouse coming off a season-opening loss to Georgia power Buford High.
Chaminade has arguably the most talented group of skill position players on offense in the country with quarterback Cedrick Bailey (NC State commit) throwing the ball to receivers Jojo Trader (Miami commit) and Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State commit) and with a stable of backs led by Davion Gause (North Carolina commit).
But the challenge for the Lions will be similar to the one they faced against Gorman — a sizable opposing offensive line. Last year, Gorman ran for nearly 400 yards against Chaminade, and the Lions’ defensive front led by Pitt commit Zachary Crothers needs to make sure this doesn’t happen again. St. Frances is led by four key playmakers on defense — senior cornerback Ify Obidegwu and a trio of juniors in defensive lineman Trent Wilson, cornerback Blake Woodby and linebacker Carlton Smith.
Chaminade begins a brutal stretch to open the season — even by its standards — with games against Cardinal Gibbons, Bergen Catholic (New Jersey), American Heritage and Miami Central. A win here can set the tone for a potential national title run. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 24, St. Frances Academy 20.
St. John Bosco at 3. St. Thomas Aquinas, 4, Saturday.
Aquinas is staring down arguably its toughest opponent of the season right out of the gate as it gears up to try and become the first team in the playoff era to win five consecutive state championships.
Although the Raiders, ranked ninth by MaxPreps, are regulars on the national stage, this will be one of their most challenging opponents in recent memory as third-ranked St. John Bosco is a talented, experienced team led by stout defensive playmakers such as cornerback Marcelles Williams (USC commit), linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Notre Dame commit) and safety Payton Woodyard (Alabama commit).
That group will test an Aquinas offense led by new quarterback Andrew Indorf, but backed up by one of the best running back tandems in the nation in Jordan Lyle and Stacy Gage.
This game likely comes down to whether Aquinas’ star-studded defense can force enough turnovers down the stretch. Dre’s pick: Aquinas 20, St. John Bosco 19.
St. John’s at 8. American Heritage, 7:30, Saturday.
Heritage will wrap up Saturday’s slate at the Broward Showcase with what will undoubtedly be an emotional game with Burroughs-Love in their thoughts. The Patriots have a young squad that is looking for new leaders to fill in the void left behind by Brandon Inniss and Mark Fletcher. This game will test those young stars as St. John’s, which almost knocked off Chaminade last season, returns a talented squad led by four-star corner Tariq Hayer.
Heritage will be an underdog, despite being ranked 20th nationally by MaxPreps, and its opponent ranked 26th. But can they play enough inspired football to pull off a huge opening win? Dre’s pick: Heritage 16, St. John’s 14.
4. Columbus at Clearwater Academy International, 6, Friday.
The Explorers enter the season with a top 25 national ranking and are looking to win back-to-back state titles for the first time. Another team that might face its toughest obstacle immediately.
Although Columbus brings back quarterback Alberto Mendoza, it has some holes to fill on offense, especially up front with only one regular starter back. This is going to be a rigorous challenge for that group against a stacked and experienced defense.
CAI lost last week down in Homestead, 23-21, against the Broncos in a preseason classic.
While I believe Columbus is the favorite to repeat in Class 4M, this is still a major hurdle that will show a lot about whether this team is capable of earning a place among the nation’s best. Dre’s pick: Columbus 24, Clearwater International 23.
5. Norland at Lakeland, 7:30, Friday.
Norland loaded up this offseason in the hopes of taking down Miami Central and surviving the brutal road to state in Class 2M. The Vikings can prove their readiness if they can secure a victory over a fellow state title contender in a hostile environment like Lakeland. The Vikings’ leaders such as quarterback Ennio Yapoor must help bring it all together to pull off tough victories like this one. Here’s where we start to see if the pieces all fit together. Dre’s pick: Norland 35, Lakeland 34.
13. Palmetto vs. 6. Homestead, 7:30, Friday, Harris.
The Broncos already picked up an eye-opening victory — albeit in preseason — against Clearwater Academy International.
Homestead kept the house together in the offseason and added to it with several wide receiver transfers to give more weapons on offense to quarterback Joshua Townsend.
Expect a packed house at Harris to see this rivalry game as Palmetto is eager to make its own statement and get some payback after last season’s loss. But these Broncos look even more loaded than last season on both sides of the ball. Andre’s pick: Homestead 27, Palmetto 10.
REST OF TOP 20
1. Miami Central: Bye.
7. Booker T. vs. Killian, 7, Saturday, Tropical.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 34, Killian 14. The Tornadoes are eager to show this isn’t just a two-horse race in Class 2M.
Cardinal Gibbons (NC) at 9. Cardinal Gibbons, 7:30, Friday
Dre’s pick: Cardinal Gibbons (FL) 35, Cardinal Gibbons (NC) 28. Gibbons will win. Our Gibbons. The one in Fort Lauderdale. The one that will make a deep run this year in Class 2M.
Milton (Ga.) at 10. Western, 7:30, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Western 34, Milton 32. This could be the most entertaining game of the Showcase if both teams’ offenses get going.
Hallandale vs. 11. Plantation, 7, Friday, PAL.
Dre’s pick: Plantation 47, Hallandale 7. The Colonels should already be up for a “most improved team in South Florida” award.
12. Coconut Creek at Boyd Anderson, 7, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Coconut Creek 49, Boyd Anderson 2. What I wrote about Plantation above applies here too.
Highland Springs (Va.) at 14. Miramar, 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Highland Springs 21, Miramar 20. Tough test for the Patriots right out of the chute, but it will toughen them up for a playoff run later.
15. Northwestern at Vero Beach, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Vero Beach 34, Northwestern 27. The Bulls have a lot of young talent and a new coach, but there will be growing pains this season.
16. Southridge vs. Jackson, 7:30, Friday, Curtis.
Dre’s pick: Southridge 27, Jackson 6. The Spartans ride the momentum of last week’s preseason win to a strong regular season start.
17. Blanche Ely: Bye
Cedar Grove (Ga.) vs. 18. Monarch, 7:30, Thursday, Coconut Creek.
Dre’s pick: Cedar Grove 31, Monarch 17. The Knights were thoroughly outplayed by neighborhood rival Coconut Creek last week in preseason and here comes an even tougher test.
Stranahan at 18. Dillard, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 17, Stranahan 12. Intriguing game between two teams looking to prove they are still contenders.
20. American at Coral Gables, 3:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American 33, Coral Gables 8. “Most improved” team - Dade edition.
OTHER GAMES
THURSDAY - Miami-Dade: Carol City vs. South Dade (Harris), 7; SD 14-7; Krop vs. Miami High (Ives Estates), 7; Krop 27-12; Goleman at Mater Academy (Milander), 7; Gol 42-6; Coral Reef vs. South Miami (Tropical), 7:30; SM 24-7; Hialeah vs. Edison (Traz), 7; Edison 18-6; Ferguson at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30; HG 27-22; Broward: South Plantation at Coral Glades, 7; SP 34-31; Cypress Bay vs. West Broward (Flanagan), 7; WB 20-14; Stoneman Douglas at McArthur, 7; MSD 17-14; Pines Charter at Northeast, 7; PPC 28-7; Miami Dade vs. Broward: Westland Hialeah at Avant Garde Academy, 7; Avant 28-14.
FRIDAY - Miami-Dade: North Miami Beach at Niceville, 7:30; Niceville 42-24; Coral Park vs. Southwest (Tropical), 7:30; Coral Park 24-6; Sunset at St. Brendan, 7:30; St. Bren 36-14; Miami Springs vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7; Beach 20-7; Archbishop Carroll at Somerset Silver Palms, 7:30; Carroll 24-21; North Miami at Gulliver, 3:30; Gul 14-13; Mourning at Braddock, 3:30; Braddock 34-7; Monsignor Pace at Cardinal Newman, 7; Newman 42-17; Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Reagan (Milander), 7:30; Reagan 35-7; Westminster Christian at Delray American Heritage, 7; AH 34-21; La Salle at Palm Glades Prep, 7; LaSalle 36-6; True North vs. Coral Shores (Tropical), 3:30; True North 35-7; Somerset South Homestead at Florida Christian, 7:30; FC 12-6; Everglades Prep at Varela, 3:30; Varela 17-6; Broward: Fort Lauderdale at Deerfield Beach, 7; FTL 17-14; Everglades at Taravella, 4; Ever 16-6; Cooper City at Piper, 7; Pip 17-14; Nova at Flanagan, 7; Flan 24-7; Archbishop McCarthy at Pine Crest, 7; PC 38-23; University School vs. Coral Springs Charter (Glades), 7; US 24-20; North Broward Prep at Somerset Academy, 3:30; Som 29-14; Marathon at Pompano Beach, 7; Pomp 13-6; Somerset Prep at Palm Beach Christian Prep, 7; Palm 27-20; Somerset Key at West Palm SLAM, 7; SLAM 19-14; Miami-Dade vs. Broward: South Broward at Doral, 7; SB 21-14; Belen Jesuit at Calvary Christian, 7; Belen 22-21.
This story was originally published August 21, 2023 at 1:25 PM.
