Which breakthrough season survives past round 2? Piper? West Broward? Pace? La Salle? | Opinion
It’s regional semifinals week.
And after a week of mostly blowout games to weed out a lot of pretenders, it’s time to get even more serious.
This means, this week we find out how legit at least four of the most remarkable breakthrough seasons by South Florida teams really are.
Pembroke Pines West Broward takes on Sunrise Piper in a Region 4-6A semifinal with Coconut Creek Monarch and Miami Southridge on the other side of that bracket. Meanwhile in a very competitive Region 4-2A, Miami Monsignor Pace takes on Miami La Salle with the winner drawing a multi-time state champion either in Miami Booker T. Washington or Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons next week.
Let’s dive into those matchups and the rest of the field for round 2:
GAMES OF THE WEEK
4-6A semifinal: 9. Monarch (7-3) at 8. Southridge (9-2), 7:30, Friday.
Maybe not a breakthrough but more of a build to prominence. Southridge has been one of the most impressive steady-climbing teams in South Florida and is looking to take a big step toward state title contention if it can survive this test from the north. Monarch’s offense can be explosive and last week squeaked past Homestead in what some thought was controversial fashion when quarterback Jack Spaeder fumbled as he was scoring the game winner. The refs ruled he had crossed the plane and therefore the Monarchs had the points they needed to punch their ticket to Southridge’s home field this week.
This will come down to whether or not the Spartans’ defense is again up to the challenge of slowing down a Monarch offense that has added a run dimension with quarterback Florentino Lopez. Dre’s pick: Southridge 21, Monarch 20.
4-6A semifinal: 18. West Broward (8-3) at 12. Piper (10-1), 7:30, Friday.
West Broward has never made it past this round and last week was only its second playoff victory ever. The Bobcats are in the regional semifinals for the first time since 2017. Piper has also never been past the second round and has made it this far for the first time since 2003.
West Broward’s running game led by Amos Bradford needs to set the tone in this one. But Piper’s defense has been doing that the entire season even in contests against tough competition and could be the key in this game again. Dre’s pick: Piper 17, West Broward 7.
4-5A semifinal: 13. Blanche Ely (8-3) at 5. St. Thomas Aquinas (8-3), 7, Friday.
Ely has had this matchup circled since the start of the season and its coach Terence McFadden wasn’t shy about it. The Tigers have had a few setbacks during the season, but managed to stay on course and earn their shot at the reigning five-time state champions. This hasn’t been a typical Aquinas season either. The Raiders have three losses, which sometimes doesn’t happen in less than a three-year span at that school.
But all three losses have been to premier competition - Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, Chaminade and American Heritage - and all in down-to-the-wire finishes. Ely’s offense is explosive and might be able to put up points. But the Raiders turn things up a notch this time of year, have a ton of experience on how to win big games, and, oh yeah, they saw McFadden’s message. Dre’s pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 34, Ely 14.
4-2A semifinal: 20. Cardinal Gibbons (7-4) vs. 7. Booker T. (8-2), 7, Traz, Thursday.
Booker T. has exited the playoffs in this round each of the past three seasons and hasn’t made a deep push since the last time it won a state title in 2019. The Tornadoes continue to play their best football at the right time, however, and their young roster isn’t that “young” anymore after being battle-tested this season. Booker T. faces a Gibbons squad, which has survived its own brutal path to this round, but lost its starting quarterback Jayden Torres to injury last week. Sophomore Cody Conness proved himself capable in helping the Chiefs survive and beat Miami Carol City 17-14. He will be tested this week by a tough Tornadoes’ defense and a balanced offense that’s been humming in recent weeks. Dre’s pick: Booker T. 27, Cardinal Gibbons 14.
4-2A semifinal: 14. Monsignor Pace (9-2) at La Salle (10-1), 7:30, Friday
La Salle has had a remarkable run this season, securing its second 10-win campaign in four years after rebuilding in the post-COVID era. Athletes like quarterback Dorian Mallary and Brandon Kinsey are a big reason the Royal Lions won their first playoff game since 1975 last week. But Pace, I think because of its past football tradition, doesn’t get as much acclaim for the great job it has done this season. The Spartans won it all in 2003 and have not been to a regional final since 2017. But this season could be their best chance in some time thanks to a playmaking defense chock full of great athletes. Depth should make the difference here. Dre’s pick: Monsignor Pace 24, La Salle 10.
4-1A semifinal: True North (8-3) vs. Edison (7-4), 5, Tropical, Thursday.
This could be one of the most competitive games of round 2 as the Red Raiders look to advance to the regional finals for the first time since 2020. Meanwhile True North has raised its level play ever since quarterback Zach Katz returned and settled into the offense. The Titans have advanced to the regional finals each of the past two seasons, but face likely their toughest obstacle in the postseason - outside of Chaminade - in that span.
If Edison can run the ball and play solid defense while avoiding mistakes, it should be enough to advance. But that’s always a big “if.” Dre’s pick: Edison 22, True North 21.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
4-1A semifinal: Boca St. Andrew’s (6-5) at 1. Chaminade (9-2), 6, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 47, St. Andrews 7. Next week, it might get a little tougher for the Lions, but it’s hard to not see this team playing for a title again in a few weeks.
4-4A semifinal: 17. Dillard (9-2) at 2. American Heritage (8-2), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: American Heritage 30, Dillard 12. The Patriots should cruise here against a solid Dillard squad and set up the rematch with Norland.
4-4A semifinal: 3. Norland (8-2) at Archbishop McCarthy (7-4), 7, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Norland 42, McCarthy 7. The Vikings could erupt for some points here and take the extra day to prepare for the Heritage rematch next week.
4-3A semifinal: Naples Lely (7-4) vs. 4. Northwestern (8-2), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Northwestern 47, Lely 3. Barron Collier? Check. Lely? Check. Key West next?
4-7A semifinal: South Dade (6-5) at 6. Columbus (7-3), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Columbus 34, South Dade 7. The Explorers won’t take their foot off the gas in this one as they likely await a showdown with Western.
4-7A semifinal: 10. Western (5-6) at Boca Raton (10-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Western 27, Boca Raton 7. The Wildcats are rolling and should set up a regional final rematch with Columbus.
4-5A semifinal: 19. Miramar (7-4) at Delray Beach Atlantic (10-1), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Atlantic 28, Miramar 13. The Patriots had a strong finish to the season, but Atlantic is tough on both sides of the ball and a legit threat in Class 5A.
ANDRE’S RECORD
Last week — Top 20 games: 15-2; Overall: 26-4; Season — Top 20 games: 133-28 (.826); Overall: 441-107 (.805).
This story was originally published November 19, 2024 at 5:51 PM.
