Miami Norland must prove it can take the crown from Miami Central when it matters most | Opinion
On the road to state, this round is often the toughest hurdle to leap.
It’s the round where the most stacked region in the state will be settled as Miami Norland and Miami Central clash in their highly-anticipated rematch.
Coconut Creek takes its best shot at four-time reigning champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Davie Western tries to take down Miami Columbus. Up at Coconut Creek High, Monarch hopes to break through against Palm Beach Central. Miramar tries to avenge a loss in this round last year to Homestead. Same for Cardinal Gibbons against Plantation American Heritage.
It’s put up or shut up time. It’s the regional finals.
And here’s what we can expect.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
NOTE: All regional finals scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
4-2M: Central (8-3) vs. Norland (12-0), Traz Powell.
Norland has heard the doubters every day since it pulled off an improbable from a 20-0 halftime deficit to beat Central in overtime on a game-winning field goal. Can the Vikings do it again when it matters most?
Kicking is one of the reasons the Rockets say kept them from beating Norland that day as their kicker Kristian Hobbs was injured. But is Central still the same Central, which has won these decisive battles so many times in recent years?
Norland was doubted to open the season and thought of as a collection of talent rather than a team. The Vikings have gelled into one of the best in the nation since that time and those two regular season wins over Central and Booker T. appeared to galvanize them even more.
The Rockets have advantages in the running game and overall coaching experience in these types of games. But inconsistent quarterback play has been an issue. This is where Ennio Yapoor stabilizes Norland and has shown even under intense pressure, he can step up in the biggest moments. But Yapoor will need help to win this one as Norland’s offensive line will have to hold up against Central’s tremendous defensive front and be able to run the ball itself. Dre’s pick: Central 34, Norland 33.
4-4M: Western (9-3) vs. Columbus (10-2), 4, Tropical.
Gutsy, timely are only a couple of adjectives to describe Western quarterback Davi Belfort’s performance last week in a 19-9 win over Palmetto. Belfort chased down a Palmetto defender all the way across the field at Tropical Park, preventing a touchdown which allowed the Wildcats to make a big stop and prevail.
But will Belfort play this week after spraining his ankle late in that game?
If that answer is no, it seriously could hamper Western’s chances of pulling this upset. Regardless, this is going to be one of the toughest tests this year for the Wildcats defense as Columbus is clicking on all cylinders again following the return of quarterback Alberto Mendoza. And the Explorers’ stout front seven got to the quarterback seven times last week led by Willis McGahee IV. Expect them to put intense pressure on Belfort or whoever lines up at QB for the Wildcats and keep Columbus in the hunt for a repeat. Dre’s pick: Columbus 21, Western 8.
3-3M: Coconut Creek (10-2) at St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1).
This is the matchup people have wanted to see since Coconut Creek went down to the wire against Chaminade back in late September. The Cougars have gone through a quality schedule and defeated several of Broward’s best teams to earn this opportunity.
But if Aquinas looked vulnerable early in the season following a week 1 loss to St. John Bosco and probably what should have been a loss to Cocoa, that time has passed.
The Raiders have ripped through their past eight opponents, scoring 43.25 points per game and allowing only 4.6 points per game with six of those coming against playoff teams.
If Creek’s defense can hold up against a stout STA offensive line and avoid turnovers early, keeping it a close game by halftime, the Cougars will have a shot at the upset. But the Raiders have been putting teams away in the first quarter lately and could establish superiority quickly.
Dre’s pick: Aquinas 35, Coconut Creek 24.
3-4M: Palm Beach Central (10-2) vs. Monarch (10-2), Coconut Creek.
One of a few matchups in this round that we’ve been anticipating since the season began. Neither team is short of explosive offensive weapons or playmakers on defense. Palm Beach Central, like Monarch, brings an explosive offense led by a pair of junior 4-star receivers in Kamare Williams (49 catches, 695 yards, 6 touchdowns) and University of Miami commit Waden Charles (30 catches, 478 yards, 7 touchdowns). The Broncos are looking for a return trip to the state semifinals and will play in their third consecutive regional final. This is the Knights’ furthest ever advancement in the playoffs.
The defense is led by another 4-star prospect in junior safety Tony Williams, who has four interceptions. He’ll challenge a Monarch offense led by quarterback A.J. Hairston and top receivers Jabari Brady and Samurai Reed. Even after losing receiver Clayton Cannon to injury, the Knights’ offense put up 50 last week against Lantana Santaluces. The difference in this one could come down to a big defensive play. Enter Gabriel Birnbaum and Trevon Chisholm, who have combined for 39 sacks this season. Dre’s pick: Monarch 42, Palm Beach Central 34.
4-3M: Miramar (8-4) vs. Homestead (10-1), 5, Harris.
The Miramar squad that showed up in recent weeks that can play a complete game in all three phases will have a shot to avenge last year’s loss to Homestead in this round. The host Broncos are hard to stop if they don’t hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers. Last week, Isaac Brown had two kickoff returns for touchdowns nullified by penalties or it would not have been as close against Southridge. Such plays opened up last year’s game between these two quickly in Homestead’s favor. If the Broncos make big plays, the Broncos win. If Miramar slows it down, it could get interesting. Dre’s pick: Homestead 20, Miramar 14.
3-2M: Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-3) at Plantation American Heritage (9-1)
Heritage proved it had a clear speed and talent edge in the first meeting between these two district rivals and Broward County powerhouses, which ended with a 48-7 rout by the Patriots. Gibbons has since not been able to prove it can handle elite competition this season, losing lopsided games against comparable opponents like Chaminade and Clearwater Central Catholic. Dre’s pick: American Heritage 42, Cardinal Gibbons 13.
3-1M: West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (9-1) at Hollywood Chaminade (12-0).
Once again, this is the one team that will be able to compete with Chaminade before it clinches a record-breaking eighth consecutive trips to the state finals. Newman proved once again to be the best Palm Beach County has to offer, surviving the three-week gauntlet of playing Benjamin twice and Palm Beach Central. It will be interesting to see how the high-powered Lions respond after being virtually unchallenged over the past month….They’ll be fine. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 35, Cardinal Newman 17.
4-1M: Archbishop Carroll (10-1) vs. True North (9-2), Tropical.
Carroll avoided the Palmer Trinity upset bug this time around thanks to a dominant 35-6 win. Now it gets the matchup it hoped for last season with a True North team that continues to get better each year and each week. The Bulldogs need to avoid turnovers and keep their ground and pound offense on the field as long as possible. Because once the Titans offense gets going, explosive playmakers like J-Roc Lopez, Jonathan Bueno and Zach Katz can turn games into routs quickly. Dre’s pick: True North 34, Archbishop Carroll 20.
Dre’s record - Last week (Top 20): 12-1; Overall: 13-2. Season (Top 20): 167-23 (.879); Overall: 470-87 (.844).
