Booker T. Washington peaking at perfect time as it hopes to make run to state | Opinion
The high school football playoffs are almost here.
And it’s the time of year when Miami Booker T. Washington is usually playing its best football.
Once again thanks to one of South Florida’s all-time best coaches, Tim “Ice” Harris, and his staff, the Tornadoes seem to be peaking at the perfect time.
Despite entering the season with high expectations, it hasn’t been an easy road for Booker T. with a younger group which struggled early in lopsided losses to Miami Central, Lakeland and Vero Beach.
But recently, the Tornadoes scored a huge win against Miami Southridge and head into the week right before the postseason looking to secure more against Miami Palmetto.
This is the week the Florida High School Athletic Association added to the regular season after Hurricanes Helene and Milton postponed several games statewide.
It’s a small slate, but still a few games which could have a bearing on the postseason.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
11. Palmetto (6-3) vs. 8. Booker T. (6-2), 6:30, Thursday, Traz.
This will be the completion of a game that was suspended in September due to inclement weather with Palmetto leading 10-9 at halftime.
A lot has happened since then for both sides.
The Panthers came up short in games against Miami Columbus and Southridge, but are still clinging to the No. 2 seed in Region 4-7A. Palmetto missed a chance to bolster its power ranking with a 19-14 loss last week to Fort Myers Bishop Verot and could end up facing Davie Western in Round 1 if the Wildcats indeed move up to the No. 7 seed.
Booker T., meanwhile, is surging at a perfect time. Thanks to several standouts, including quarterback Nylan Maine, the Tornadoes have won two in a row and can solidify the top seed in a competitive Region 4-2A with a win here. If it wins the region, Booker T. has a tough road to navigate to a possible seventh state championship with powers like Cocoa, Jacksonville Bolles, Bishop Verot and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney potentially waiting in the final four. But the Tornadoes might be laying the foundation for something sustainable here. Dre’s pick: Booker T. 22, Palmetto 20.
Lake Worth Dr. Garcia (7-2) at 18. Dillard (6-2), 7, Thursday.
A busy week for Fort Lauderdale Dillard as it makes up two games it had postponed due to weather and needs to win to lock up a district title and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. If it beats Riviera Beach Suncoast on Monday, the Panthers would host the Bulldogs for the district championship.
Dillard’s defense has been solid through most of the season, but has to be ready for Garcia’s tough passing game led by quarterback Caleb Butler.
Much like Booker T., the Panthers and coach Demetris Mincey deserve some credit for the season they have been able to put together with a group that lost players to transfers, but has remained competitive and has a solid chance to finish with an 8-2 record after this week, a district crown and perhaps more. Dre’s pick: Dillard 26, Garcia 14.
Miami Ransom Everglades (6-2) at Miami La Salle (9-1), 7, Thursday
While I continue to salute teams that have had breakthroughs or defied expectations in 2024, I have to mention La Salle in that group. The Royal Lions went 10-1 in the fall of 2021, but struggled to keep that success going with losing seasons the past two years. But coach Helder Valle’s group is back this season, hoping to land at least the No. 2 seed in Region 4-2A and make some noise in the playoffs.
Junior wide receiver Brandon Kinsey (719 yards, 9 TDs) leads the group along with senior running back Santiago Robles. Junior Keondre Ponton (six INTs) and sophomore Phillip Jones Jr. (nine sacks) lead on defense. They will have their hands full with Ransom’s prolific passing game led by freshman quarterback Neimann Lawrence (28 TDs, 6 INTs).
This has been a solid rivalry game in the Coconut Grove area in many sports. This season, “The Battle of the Bay” should be a fun one…and potentially the first of two in a row if the playoff seeding pans out a certain way. Dre’s pick: LaSalle 30, Ransom Everglades 24.
Cape Coral Oasis (7-1) at NSU University School (8-2), 6, Thursday.
Last season, Davie U-School was unceremoniously dispatched from the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs in this round by Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy. The Sharks are back a year later, but won’t get a rematch with the crosstown rival Lions. Instead, they get another team nicknamed “Sharks” as Oasis travels across the state and brings a prolific rushing attack led by Frederick Harley Jr.
University School can also run the ball, but balances its offense with a passing game led by sophomore quarterback Jayden Miller and Carlos Avila-Lopez. The key will be if University’s defense can hold up against that running game, which has been a problem at times this season.
Dre’s pick: University School 24, Oasis 20.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
No other ranked teams play this week.
MORE GAMES
Wednesday - Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Mater Academy at Pines Charter, 3:45; PPC 16-13; Stranahan at Cypress Bay, 5; CB 20-14; Boca Raton Spanish River at Douglas, 6; SR 34-7.
Thursday - Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Krop at Flanagan, 6; Flan 34-12; Miami-Dade: Melbourne Central Catholic vs. True North (Tropical), 7; TN 35-34; Palm Glades Prep at Somerset Canyons, 6:30; Canyons 21-14; Broward: Deerfield Beach at Cardinal Gibbons, 6; CG 42-7; Coconut Creek at Delray Atlantic, 6:30; Atl 34-21; Boynton Beach at Northeast, 6; Boynton 27-12; Pompano Beach at Somerset Academy (Ansin), 7; SA 34-6.
ANDRE’S RECORD
Last week — Top 20 games: 6-3; Overall: 28-9; Season — Top 20 games: 115-26 (.816); Overall: 401-102 (.797).
This story was originally published November 4, 2024 at 2:28 PM.
