Miami Northwestern can continue its renaissance with a statement win against Norland | Opinion
Two Broward County powerhouses - Hollywood Chaminade and Plantation American Heritage - delivered a classic last week with the Lions prevailing 48-45.
Could it be Miami-Dade County’s turn this week?
Miami Northwestern ended up on the short end of a similar wild game on the road two weeks ago when they fell 48-42 against Class 7A favorite Venice.
The Bulls, however, have stormed out of the gate in former Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s first year as coach, but face one of their most formidable opponents this week, though.
Miami Norland is one of the few remaining unbeaten powerhouses through what’s been an unpredictable first three weeks of the season.
This clash highlights the slate in week 4, which includes numerous teams opening district play and some solid neighborhood rivalry games.
But first the new Miami Herald Top 20 rankings, which were flipped around dramatically again after more eye-opening results last week.
THE TOP 20
1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (2-1); 2. Miami Central (2-1); 3. Miami Northwestern (2-1); 4. Miami Norland (2-0); 5. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3-0); 6. Chaminade-Madonna (1-2); 7. American Heritage (1-2); 8. Coconut Creek Monarch (1-0); 9. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (1-1); 10. Davie Western (0-2); 11. Miami Southridge (2-1); 12. Miami Columbus (1-2); 13. Miami Palmetto (1-1); 14. Miami Booker T. Washington (1-2); 15. Plantation (3-0); 16. Homestead South Dade (1-2); 17. Homestead (1-2); 18. Dillard (2-1); 19. Miami Carol City (1-2); 20. Pembroke Pines West Broward (1-2); Dropped out: 19. Coconut Creek (0-2); On the cusp: Miami Edison (2-1), Sunrise Piper (3-0), Hialeah (2-1), Miami La Salle (3-0), Archbishop McCarthy (3-0), Miami Monsignor Pace (2-1).
GAMES OF THE WEEK
3. Northwestern (2-1) vs. 4. Norland (2-0), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
The Bulls haven’t stopped scoring since the season began even in their lone defeat. Their balanced, explosive offense is averaging 42.8 points per game. Dual threat quarterback Leon Strawder continues to beat teams with his arm and legs and has effectively run Northwestern’s offense. The Bulls’ defense has overwhelmed opponents in its three wins, but had trouble slowing down a talented Venice offense that ran the ball for over 400 yards.
Norland presents their biggest challenge since that game thanks to its own dual-threat quarterback in Ennio Yapoor. The Vikings were beaten physically up front in a preseason loss to Seffner Armwood, but have rebounded in convincing wins against Carol City and Miramar. Northwestern presents a similar challenge in physicality, though, that will be tough to overcome. Dre’s pick: Northwestern 30, Norland 24.
Delray Atlantic (4-0) at 5. Blanche Ely (3-0), 7, Friday.
Ely made huge waves two weeks ago with its overtime stunner against Chaminade. The Tigers sent a message to the whole state, and potential playoff foe St. Thomas Aquinas in particular, that it is a state title contender in Class 5A. Long before we get to that point, this is the week to continue to prove it.
Atlantic is a talented team that the Tigers cannot overlook and a game they’ll need to win in order to win their district. Speedy former American Heritage and North Broward Prep running back Deandre Desinor is a game-breaker and someone Ely has to contain. If it does, and limits versatile quarterback Lincoln Graf’s effectiveness, the Tigers should remain on track to accomplish their mission. Dre’s pick: Ely 34, Atlantic 31.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (2-1) at 10. Western (0-2), 7, Friday.
Western is in a similar position that Chaminade was in last week, needing a win to turn around a poor start. That’s asking a lot of the Wildcats, though, when you’re facing Aquinas. The Raiders just came off a demolishing of two-time state champion Columbus and even with an opening-week loss have been the most consistent of all of South Florida’s powerhouse teams. Dre’s pick: St. Thomas 38, Western 14.
12. Columbus (1-2) vs. 13. Palmetto (1-1), 7:30, Friday, Tropical.
Columbus has dominated this series the past three years. But the Explorers are reeling right now and offensively challenged. Columbus has scored only two offensive touchdowns in three games and has needed its defense to step up. This appears to be Palmetto’s best chance to snap its recent woes against Columbus, but the Panthers had a disappointing setback last week against Southridge. Dre’s pick: Columbus 10, Palmetto 7.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
2. Central (2-1) at Pompano Beach (1-2), 7, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Central 52, Pompano Beach 2. If you’re wondering why, it’s a district game.
Edison (2-1) at 6. Chaminade (1-2), 7, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 38, Edison 13. Although tough tests lie ahead, last week’s win was huge for the Lions to get back on course.
7. American Heritage (1-2) at Naples (3-0), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 37, Naples 20. There’s no let up in the Patriots’ schedule and they now need a rebound win.
8. Monarch (1-0) at Sanford Seminole (2-0), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Monarch 20, Seminole 17. Busy week for Knights who are completing their game vs. Deerfield Tuesday afternoon and then taking on a tough challenger on the road.
20. West Broward (1-2) vs. 9. Cardinal Gibbons (1-1), 7, Friday, Cypress Bay.
Dre’s pick: Cardinal Gibbons 21, West Broward 14. The Bobcats let a quality win slip away vs. Plantation. They have another opportunity for one this week.
Hialeah (2-1) at 11. Southridge (2-1), 7:30, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Southridge 28, Hialeah 12. Spartans control this rematch from last year’s regional quarterfinal.
La Salle (3-0) vs. 14. Booker T. (1-2), 7, Thursday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Booker T. 34, La Salle 10. The Royal Lions are better, but Booker T. presents a major challenge.
16. South Dade (1-2) vs. Miami Killian (2-1), 7:30, Friday, Harris.
Dre’s pick: South Dade 26, Killian 6. The Bucs should be able to rebound after a tough loss on the road to Kissimmee Osceola.
17. Homestead (1-2) vs. Southwest Miami (2-1), 7, Thursday, Tropical.
Dre’s pick: Homestead 38, Southwest 6. The Broncos picked up a huge win at Vero and now pick up a district win.
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson (1-2) at 18. Dillard (2-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 35, Boyd Anderson 7. The Panthers are still one of the tougher teams in Broward County.
Westland Hialeah (0-2) vs. 19. Carol City (1-2), 3:30, Thursday, Hialeah Gardens.
Dre’s pick: Carol City 51, Westland 6. Chiefs comfortably exceed their win total for 2023.
MORE GAMES
Thursday - Miami vs. Broward: Pines Charter vs. North Miami (Milander), 7; NM 26-19; Miami-Dade: American vs. Jackson (Curtis), 7; Jac 14-8; Miami Beach vs. Krop (Ives), 7; Beach 21-6; Miami Springs vs. South Miami (Tropical), 3:30; Springs 24-6; HML at Coral Park, 3:30; CP 34-3; Key West at Belen, 7; Bel 17-14; Everglades Prep vs. Palm Glades Prep (Harris), 7; PGP 21-20; Broward: Nova at South Plantation, 7; Nova 23-13; Boca St. Andrews at NSU University School, 6; US 28-24; Somerset Prep at Kings Academy, 6:30; KA 31-24.
Friday - Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Mater Academy at Miramar, 7; Mir 28-6; Archbishop McCarthy vs. True North (Tropical), 3:30; AM 31-28; Westminster Christian at Pine Crest, 7; WC 27-24; Miami-Dade: Coral Gables vs. Miami High (Curtis), 7:30; MHS 20-19; Florida Christian at Somerset South Homestead (Harris), 3:30; FC 27-6; Doral at Monsignor Pace, 7:30; Pace 27-20; Braddock vs. Coral Reef (Southridge), 7:30; Reef 27-10; NMB at Punta Gorda Charlotte, 7; Charlotte 38-19; Benjamin at Gulliver, 4; Benjamin 35-24; Ransom Everglades at Palmer Trinity, 4; RE 34-7; Mourning at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30; HG 28-27; SmartEn Sports Academy at Archbishop Carroll, 4; AC 35-3; Sunset at Varela, 3:30; Var 27-24; Fort Myers Evangelical Christian at Somerset Silver Palms, 7; SSP 21-14; ABF Academy at Coral Shores, 7; CS 35-12; Berean Christian at Miami Country Day, 7; Berean 10-9; Broward: Coconut Creek at Deerfield Beach, 7; Creek 42-17; South Broward at Tallahassee Florida High, 7; FSU 28-8; Flanagan vs. Fort Lauderdale (Lockhart), 7; Flan 24-14; Cypress Bay at McArthur, 7; McA 16-13; Taravella at Everglades, 7; Ever 34-13; Hallandale at Northeast, 7; Hall 27-7; Cooper City at Hollywood Hills, 7; Coop 24-12; Stranahan at Coral Glades, 7; Stran 26-7; Piper at Coral Springs, 7; Pip 35-3; Somerset Academy at Westminster Academy, 7; WA 37-17; North Broward Prep at Delray American Heritage, 7; AH 36-24; Calvary Christian at Clewiston, 7; Calvary 44-7; Somerset Key at Avant Garde (Ives), 7; AG 24-22.
ANDRE’S RECORD
Last week - Top 20 games: 8-2; Overall: 44-8; Season - Top 20 games: 27-11 (.711); Overall: 124-28 (.816).
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 2:16 PM.
