Aquinas, Plantation among district clinchers, others solidify playoff seeding | Opinion
With two weeks left in the regular season, it’s time for several of South Florida’s best teams to lock up those district championships.
And for others, there’s still a chance to secure playoff spots if they can finish their seasons with key victories.
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Homestead, Miami Columbus, Coconut Creek Monarch are among the teams expected to win this week and formally secure a district crown.
But in some cases like Plantation and Sunrise Piper, it could be more competitive. The same goes for Dillard, which will try to not make it easy for Aquinas.
Here’s a look at those matchups and the new South Florida Top 20 rankings.
THE TOP 20
1. Hollywood Chaminade (8-0); 2. Miami Norland (8-0); 3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (8-1); 4. Plantation American Heritage (6-1); 5. Miami Central (5-3); 6. Homestead (7-1); 7. Coconut Creek (7-2); 8. Miami Columbus (7-2); 9. Miami Palmetto (7-1); 10. Miami Booker T. Washington (7-2); 11. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (6-2); 12. Coconut Creek Monarch (6-2); 13. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (7-1); 14. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (5-3); 15. Davie Western (5-3); 16. Plantation (6-2); 17. Miramar (4-4); 18. Hollywood South Broward (7-1); 19. Miami True North (6-2); 20. Miami Gulliver Prep (6-2); Dropped out: 16. Miami Southridge (6-3); On the cusp: Homestead South Dade (5-3), Davie NSU University School (8-0), Miami Ransom Everglades (8-0), Miami Archbishop Carroll (7-1), Miami Edison (4-4), Hialeah (7-1), Miami Monsignor Pace (5-3), Sunrise Piper (5-4), Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy (7-0).
THIS WEEK’S TOP GAMES
14. Dillard (5-3) at 3. St. Thomas Aquinas (8-1), 7, Friday.
The Raiders have won eight in a row since their season-opening loss to California powerhouse St. John Bosco. But their “Drive for Five” kicked into high gear seemingly right after that controversial win over Cocoa in week 3 as Aquinas has won every game since by at least 16 points.
The Raiders have dominated opponents on offense behind a ground game led by Jordan Lyle and a passing game led by receivers Chance Robinson and James Madison II. Quarterbacks Andrew Indorf and freshman Derrick Baker continue to conduct the Raiders’ offense and progress with every week.
So can Dillard make this a game? The Panthers have proven to be a strong squad despite a slightly younger roster and new coach this season. Dillard won a pair of games last week over Fort Lauderdale and Boyd Anderson in a span of four days to put itself in position to play for the district title in this game. The Panthers have notched strong wins over Plantation and Miramar. But this is a much taller order. Dre’s pick: Aquinas 31, Dillard 13.
Piper (5-4) vs. 16. Plantation (6-2), 7, Friday, PAL.
Plantation continues to be one of the most improved teams in Broward County thanks to a high-powered offense. But the Colonels have yet to wrap up the District 12-3M championship. They’ll need to get through the Bengals to make that happen. Both teams can score points thanks to some skilled players on offense. Senior Jean Telfort has been huge for Piper while quarterback J.T. Tabora leads an explosive group for Plantation. This one appears to be dangerously close to being a must win for both sides with both teams currently seeded in the lower half of the top eight in Region 4-3M. Expect the Colonels’ experience to make a difference. Dre’s pick: Plantation 28, Piper 16.
Ransom Everglades (8-0) at Archbishop Carroll (7-1), 3:30, Friday.
A couple of weeks ago we had an unbeaten battle of independent teams with NSU University School and Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy. University turned that game into a rout quickly. Expect this matchup between another of South Florida’s top independent schools in Ransom and a Carroll team on the rise and looking to make noise in Class 1M to be much more competitive.
The Raiders have built upon a 6-3 season in 2022 by running the table through the first two months of this campaign. Ransom would love to avenge a 20-14 loss to Carroll, which ended its 2022 without a Florida Independent Football Conference title.
Carroll shook off an early loss to Palmer Trinity in week 2 and has won seven in a row including a victory over Class 4M contender Goleman. The Bulldogs have ridden their ground game, led by the quartet of Alejandro Isaza, Ryan Castro, Sylus Villanueva and Ryan Gonzalez, to within striking distance of a district championship. Assuming they maintain their power ranking ahead of Palmer and Westminster Christian, which each finished district play with a 3-1 record as Carroll did, the Bulldogs would secure the district title. A victory over an unbeaten Ransom squad would assure this outcome. Dre’s pick: Carroll 27, Ransom 24.
13. Blanche Ely (7-1) at West Boca Raton (6-2), 6:30, Thursday.
The Tigers survived a close call against Piper last week and have now won 17 of their past 18 regular season contests. Ely’s lone loss against Coconut Creek likely prevents it from winning a district title barring something crazy happening this week to the Cougars. But the Tigers can solidify a playoff spot with a win against a competitive and young West Boca squad, led by plenty of strong underclassmen. The Bulls need this one badly to have a shot at the postseason and likely will play inspired football. But Ely’s depth should carry it through this one. Dre’s pick: Blanche Ely 24, West Boca 12.
REST OF TOP 20
1. Chaminade (8-0) at Boca Raton St. John Paul (1-7), 6:30, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 57, St. John Paul 2. The Lions finish off the formality of winning their district before they prepare for another state title run in Class 1M.
2. Norland (8-0) vs. North Miami Beach (3-5), 3:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Norland 40, NMB 8. The Vikings are eyeing a perfect regular season and a run at their first state title since 2011.
4. American Heritage (6-1) at Hallandale (1-6), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 42, Hallandale 3. The Pats cruise as they look to stay healthy for another run at a state title.
5. Central (5-3) at Monsignor Pace (5-3), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Central 37, Pace 7. The Rockets are getting ready for the playoffs and potential rematches against top rivals in their pursuit of history.
6. Homestead (7-1) at Belen (3-5), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Homestead 34, Belen 13. The Broncos lock up a district championship and continue to pick up steam for another state title push.
Deerfield Beach (2-6) at 7. Coconut Creek (7-2), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Coconut Creek 37, Deerfield Beach 6. The Cougars finish up a breakout 8-2 regular season, hoping to make a huge statement in the playoffs.
Hialeah Goleman (4-3) at 8. Columbus (7-2), 6, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 27, Goleman 3. The Explorers will still be without their starting quarterback, but still secure a district title.
9. Palmetto (7-1): Bye
Westland Hialeah (1-7) vs. 10. Booker T. (7-2), 7, Thursday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 44, Westland Hialeah 2. The Tornadoes should be able to give its whole roster some reps in this one.
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (4-4) at 11. Cardinal Gibbons (6-2), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Cardinal Gibbons 30, Stranahan 13. The Chiefs continue to build momentum for the postseason.
12. Monarch (6-2) vs. Coral Springs (4-4), 7, Thursday, Coconut Creek.
Dre’s pick: Monarch 37, Coral Springs 10. The Knights lock up a district title and hope it’s not too late to climb into the top seed in Region 3-4M.
Coral Springs Coral Glades (1-7) at 15. Western (5-3), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Western 38, Coral Glades 3. The Wildcats’ defense impressed last week and should remain stingy this week.
Miramar Everglades (6-2) at 17. Miramar (4-4), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Miramar 24, Everglades 7. The Patriots should be able to take care of their neighborhood rivals and wrap up a district title.
18. South Broward (7-1) at Hollywood Hills (4-4), 11 a.m., Saturday.
Dre’s pick: South Broward 33, Hollywood Hills 8. The Bulldogs pick up another win before their battle with Miramar to end the regular season.
19. True North (6-2) at Fort Pierce John Carroll (3-6), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: True North 35, John Carroll 20. The Titans have endured two tough losses in a row to strong competition and need this one to get back on track.
20. Gulliver Prep (6-2) vs. South Miami (1-7), 3:30, Friday, Tropical.
Dre’s pick: Gulliver 30, South Miami 6. With a district title in hand, the Raiders look to solidify a top 4 seed in Region 4-2M.
OTHER GAMES
Thursday - Miami-Dade: Edison vs. Jackson (Curtis), 7; Edison 34-7; Miami Beach vs. Mater Academy (Milander), 3:30; Mater 32-6; Braddock vs. Sunset (Tropical), 3:30; Brad 27-7; Coral Reef vs. Ferguson (Tropical), 7:30; Ferg 17-14; Hialeah Gardens at Hialeah-Miami Lakes, 3:30; HG 33-3; Everglades Prep at Palm Glades Prep, 3:30; EP 21-7; Broward: Cooper City at West Broward (Flanagan), 7; WB 30-14; SSAC quarterfinal: Jupiter Christian at NSU University School, 6; US 35-14; SSAC quarterfinal: Bradenton Christian at Westminster Academy, 7; WA 31-14; Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Pines Charter vs. American (Milander), 7; Amer 26-13.
Friday - Miami-Dade: South Dade at Coral Gables, 3:30; SD 30-14; Southwest at Southridge, 7:30; SR 44-7; Hialeah vs. Carol City (Traz), 7:30; Hia 28-7; Doral vs. Miami High (Curtis), 7:30; Doral 24-14; Northwestern at La Salle, 7; NW 38-7; Reagan at Varela, 3:30; Var 14-13; Coral Park vs. Mourning (N. Miami), 3:30; ATM 24-7; Somerset Silver Palms vs. Killian (Tropical), 7:30; Kil 21-17; Naples Barron Collier at St. Brendan, 7; BC 24-20; BridgePrep at Florida Christian, 7; FC 27-6; Palmer Trinity at Marathon, 7; PT 33-20; Somerset South Homestead at Coral Shores, 7; CS 17-12; Broward: Stoneman Douglas at Olympic Heights, 6:30; Doug 17-14; Nova at South Plantation, 7; SP 22-14; Boyd Anderson vs. Fort Lauderdale (Lockhart), 7; FTL 27-8; Somerset Academy at Flanagan, 7; Flan 28-7; North Broward Prep vs. Pine Crest (FAU), 7; NBP 23-14; Lake Worth Garcia at Archbishop McCarthy, 7:30; AM 35-17; Northeast at Calvary Christian, 7; Calv 42-7; Somerset Prep at Avant Garde, 7; AG 33-21; Dade vs. Broward: Krop at McArthur, 7; Krop 24-12.
Saturday - Broward: Pompano Beach at Somerset Key, 7; Som 12-6.
Dre’s record - Last week (Top 20): 16-1; Overall: 40-6. Season (Top 20): 114-18 (.864); Overall: 358-74 (.829).
This story was originally published October 24, 2023 at 10:13 AM.
