Miami Central’s shot at national title faces major obstacle, plus Week 2 picks | Opinion
For the most part, South Florida teams flexed their collective muscles once again.
Broward County, in particular, fared well for the second consecutive season in the Broward Showcase by winning five of the seven matchups.
Couple that with two impressive road victories by Miami-Dade powers Miami Norland and Miami Columbus and that makes it 7-2 overall against out-of-area teams and a strong start to the 2023 football season.
Set against the backdrop of all that football was the return of Plantation American Heritage defensive lineman Timothy Burroughs-Love to campus Saturday. A little over a week ago, Burroughs-Love was at the center of one of the scariest scenes I have witnessed at a high school football game when he suffered cardiac arrest after collapsing on the sideline during the Patriots’ preseason game at Traz Powell on Aug. 18.
It was a relief seeing Burroughs-Love with his family and extended family at Heritage. Although playing football is no longer an option for Burroughs-Love after what happened, I wish him the best in his pursuit of a law degree.
Meanwhile, on the gridiron, as usual, there’s no time to rest for South Florida’s best.
Miami Central will find that out this week when it heads to Las Vegas to face national powerhouse Bishop Gorman, which is ranked No. 2 in the country by MaxPreps.
Here’s a look at where teams landed in the Miami Herald’s latest rankings and a breakdown of week 2’s busy slate.
THE TOP 20
1. Miami Central (0-0); 2. Hollywood Chaminade (1-0); 3. Miami Columbus (1-0); 4. Miami Norland (1-0); 5. Miami Booker T. Washington (1-0); 6. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1); 7. Plantation American Heritage (1-0); 8. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (1-0); 9. Davie Western (1-0); 10. Plantation (1-0); 11. Coconut Creek (1-0); 12. Miami Palmetto (1-0); 13. Homestead (0-1); 14. Miami Southridge (1-0); 15. Coconut Creek Monarch (1-0); 16. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (0-0); 17. Miramar (0-1); 18. Miami Northwestern (0-1); 19. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (1-0); 20. Hialeah American (1-0); On the cusp: Hollywood South Broward (1-0), Miami Belen Jesuit (1-0), Miami Dr. Krop (1-0), Homestead South Dade (1-0).
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
1. Central (0-0) at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman (2-0), 10, Friday.
These titans have clashed more than once in the past decade and it typically results in an epic battle. The Rockets will put their 26-game winning streak that began after a loss to Gorman in Naples in 2021 to the test as the teams square off in a top-five matchup of nationally ranked teams.
Bishop Gorman’s offense doesn’t look like it has slowed down one bit since it leveled Chaminade 49-14 in last year’s Geico State Champions Bowl series and amassed more than 500 yards of offense.
Senior quarterback Micah Alejado, a Hawaii commit, is back and commanding a potent offense that’s led by senior tight end and UM commit Elija Lofton, junior four-star wide receiver Derek Meadows and an offensive line powered by four-star prospects Seuseu Alofaituli, Douglas Utu and Alai Kalaniuvalu.
The Gaels have averaged more than 60 points per game over their first two games.
Expect that number to make a steep drop this week if Central is to keep its streak intact as the Rockets will test that group with defensive playmakers such as five-star edge Armondo Blount, linebacker EJ Marcelin, safety Amari Wallace and cornerback Jamari Howard.
The question so far for Central is on offense. Which of their three new quarterbacks takes charge of this side of the ball and can it win the battle up front with their experienced offensive line.
Central’s shot at the national title rides on this game as a victory likely vaults them into the top three with teams like Mater Dei (California), St. John Bosco (California) and Bradenton IMG Academy in contention. Gorman isn’t likely to trip up the rest of the season if the Rockets, ranked No. 6 by MaxPreps, don’t do the tripping — kind of like they did last season around this time to IMG. Dre’s pick: Central 22, Bishop Gorman 21.
2. Chaminade (1-0) at 8. Cardinal Gibbons (1-0), 7, Friday.
The Lions scored the first major victory on their quest for a national championship with a 28-point second-half outburst that led to a 35-14 win over Baltimore St. Frances Academy. While many of us (myself included) often gush over Chaminade’s offensive weapons, it was the Lions’ defense that showed how deep it is this season, returning two interceptions for touchdowns and shutting out St. Frances’ talented offense in that second half.
Part II of the Lions’ early-season schedule gauntlet takes them to Gibbons to face a squad that also prevailed against its namesake school from North Carolina. The Chiefs overcame some sloppy play early to score the comeback win led by UNC commit quarterback Michael Merdinger.
If Gibbons wants to pull off the upset here, its stout offensive line would have to help it control the game from the start and keep those Lions’ offensive weapons off the field. But that’s a tall order against that Chaminade defense led by playmakers such as Chris Ewald, recent UM commit Zaquan Patterson and Donta Simpson. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 34, Cardinal Gibbons 17.
13. Homestead (0-1) at South Dade (1-0), 7, Friday, Harris.
Is South Dade ready to make the “Battle for Lucy Street” game more competitive than people expect? The Bucs turned out for their opener and overwhelmed Miami Carol City en route to a 42-0 victory.
Junior Jakari Blackman ran for two touchdowns, senior Chaz Milton ran for 110 yards and another score and sophomore Tedarius Hughes picked off two passes to lead the Bucs in Chris Reid’s first game as South Dade’s coach.
Despite one of their sloppiest performances in recent memory, Homestead should use last week’s 13-12 loss to Palmetto as a wake-up call and a reminder that its talent alone won’t win games. The Broncos can’t commit 220 yards worth of penalties or even close to that amount if they’re to return to state this season. Does their neighborhood rival help them course correct this week or is this a sign of trouble? Dre’s pick: Homestead 26, South Dade 14.
18. Northwestern (0-1) vs. Miami Jackson (0-1), 7:30, Thursday, Traz.
Northwestern coach Michaelee Harris expected some growing pains from a team that has plenty of talent up and down the roster but also a lot of inexperience. The Bulls have already been humbled by Chaminade and lost a tough one last week at Vero Beach.
The annual Soul Bowl clash against the rival Generals will continue the growth process and provide Northwestern a chance to experience victory together for the first time this season. Dre’s pick: Northwestern 28, Jackson 6.
REST OF TOP 20
Miami Killian (0-1) at 3. Columbus (1-0), 6, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 38, Killian 7. Don’t expect any slip-ups here for the Explorers in a game sandwiched between tough road trips.
5. Booker T. Washington (1-0) vs. Miami Edison (1-0), 3:30, Thursday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 27, Edison 7. Emotions always run high in this rivalry game, but expect the Tornadoes not to look past the Red Raiders.
4. Norland (1-0) vs. Miami Carol City (0-1), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Norland 49, Carol City 2. The Vikings should cruise and get some younger players some reps.
Fort Myers (1-0) at 6. St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 27, Fort Myers 8. No need to consult any historians to remember when was the last time the Raiders lost back-to-back games.
Jacksonville Trinity Christian (1-0) at 7. American Heritage (1-0), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 30, Trinity Christian 14. The Patriots’ youth is a fact. But so is this: This team is still really good.
9. Davie Western (1-0): Bye.
10. Plantation (1-0) vs. Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (0-1), 7, Lockhart, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Plantation 37, Stranahan 14. We may not see it now, but don’t be surprised if this Colonels team has one of the county’s best records by the end of the regular season.
11. Coconut Creek (1-0) at Gainesville (Ga.) (2-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Coconut Creek 27, Gainesville 24. This could be another statement win for Creek against the Red Elephants, who began the year in the national top 30.
12. Palmetto (1-0) at St. Pete Lakewood (0-1), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Palmetto 20, Lakewood 6. That Panthers’ defense is much-improved and will carry them far this season.
Miami Dr. Krop (1-0) at 14. Southridge (1-0), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Southridge 28, Krop 13. Two teams on the rise, but the Spartans look even deeper than last season.
Delray Atlantic (1-0) vs. 15. Monarch (1-0), 7, Coconut Creek, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Monarch 38, Atlantic 24. What a turnaround for the Knights, erasing multiple deficits to beat a good Cedar Grove team. Monarch delivers a good follow up this week.
16. Blanche Ely (0-0) at Cypress Bay (1-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Blanche Ely 20, Cypress Bay 6. The Tigers remind everyone they’re still one of Broward’s best.
17. Miramar (0-1): Bye
19. Dillard (1-0) at Naples (1-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Naples 21, Dillard 13. The Panthers scored a solid win to start the year, but this is typically a tough roadie for South Florida teams.
20. American (1-0) vs. South Miami (1-0), 7:30, Tropical, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American 21, South Miami 7. The Patriots go south of Flagler for second consecutive week and finish in the win column.
OTHER GAMES
Thursday — MIAMI-DADE: Archbishop Carroll vs. Goleman (Milander), 7; Gol 27-14; Coral Reef vs. Varela (Southridge), 7; Reef 28-6; Coral Park at Coral Gables, 3:30; Gables 35-7; Miami High vs. Miami Beach (Curtis), 7; Miami High 27-7; Ferguson vs. Sunset (Tropical), 7; Ferg 38-3; Westland Hialeah at Mater Academy (Milander), 3:30; Westland 10-6; St. Brendan at Somerset South Homestead, 7; StB 42-7; Palm Glades Prep at Doral, 7; Doral 38-7; BROWARD: Coral Springs Charter at Pines Charter, 6; CSC 15-14; University School at Pine Crest, 7; US 34-14.
Friday — MIAMI-DADE: Hialeah vs. Miami Springs (Milander), 7:30; Hialeah 14-6; Reagan at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30; RR 20-14; North Miami Beach at Bushnell South Sumter, 7:30; Sumter 32-24; North Miami at Lakeland Lake Gibson, 7:30; LG 35-12; Cardinal Newman at Belen Jesuit, 7; Newman 41-14; La Salle at Monsignor Pace, 7:30; Pace 17-14; Everglades Prep at Gulliver, 4; Gull 28-3; BridgePrep vs. True North (Southridge), 7; True North 45-7; Somerset Silver Palms at Marathon, 7; SSP 34-6; Marco Island Academy vs. Mourning (N. Miami), 3:30; ATM 23-7; Naples Aubrey Rogers at Florida Christian, 7; FC 28-14; Coral Shores at Palmer Trinity, 4; PT 17-7; BROWARD: Deerfield Beach at Coral Glades, 7; Glades 28-20; Flanagan at McArthur, 7; McA 17-14; Nova at Cooper City, 7; Nova 21-6; West Broward at Daytona Mainland, 7; Mainland 34-24; Taravella at South Plantation, 7; SP 34-7; South Broward at Everglades, 7; SB 42-6; Fort Lauderdale at Hallandale, 7; FTL 30-13; Archbishop McCarthy at North Broward Prep, 6; NBP 27-20; Pompano Beach at Northeast, 7; Pomp 24-6; Piper at Coral Springs, 7; Pip 38-6; Hollywood Hills at Palm Beach Garcia, 6:30; HH 7-6; Calvary Christian at John Carroll, 7; Calv 30-14; Delray American Heritage at Westminster Academy, 7; AH 31-27; Somerset Prep at West Palm SLAM, 7; Som 20-6; Somerset Key at Boca Spanish River, 7; SR 33-7; DADE VS. BROWARD: Avant Garde at Westminster Christian, 4; WC 33-30; Somerset Academy at Ransom Everglades, 7; Som 20-13.
Dre’s record — Last week (Top 20 games): 13-3; Overall: 40-12.
This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 2:48 PM.
