Northwestern still a beast, plus Broward teams seek national respect | Opinion
Teddy Bridgewater had a great evening this past Saturday.
He threw two touchdown passes for his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a preseason win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Some of the first to congratulate him on the performance?
His former players at Miami Northwestern High.
The Bulls had a nice night, too.
More than 1,000 miles to the south, at Vero Beach High, Bridgewater’s former team spent the evening crushing one of the state’s best teams, Lakeland.
The Bulls beat the Dreadnaughts, 40-3, in their first game since their former coach departed in the wake of a controversial team suspension for providing impermissible benefits to players.
While it was an exhibition, make no mistake, Northwestern didn’t treat it like one.
And no one should take their impressive performance like it wasn’t legit either.
Under former assistant Jaquantin Victrum, the Bulls sent a message they are still one of the nation’s best and a major favorite to repeat as state champions.
And with that, we’re back, South Florida, and ready to witness another high school football season.
It kicks off this weekend with a full slate highlighted by the annual Broward County Football Showcase that will pit juggernauts like Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Plantation American Heritage and Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna against the nation’s best.
Northwestern also faces a nationally-ranked opponent as do other top Broward teams.
Here’s a look at the Miami Herald’s rankings and my first picks for the first week of the 2025 season.
Here we go.
THE MIAMI HERALD’S SOUTH FLORIDA TOP 20
1. Chaminade; 2. St. Thomas Aquinas; 3. Northwestern; 4. American Heritage; 5. Miami Central; 6. Miami Southridge; 7. Miami Norland; 8. Miami Columbus; 9. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons; 10. Pembroke Pines West Broward; 11. Miami Palmetto; 12. Hollywood McArthur; 13. Coconut Creek Monarch; 14. Fort Lauderdale Dillard; 15. Miami Carol City; 16. Davie Western; 17. Miami Edison; 18. Miami True North; 19. Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy; 20. Miami Monsignor Pace; Dropped out: Sunrise Piper, Miramar. On the rise: Hialeah Gardens Goleman, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, Pembroke Pines Flanagan.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
1. Chaminade vs. St. Frances Academy (Maryland), 8, Sat., St. Thomas Aquinas
Chaminade is familiar with St. Frances — at least by name — from defeating the Panthers 35-14 in the Showcase two seasons ago. This year, St. Frances looks mightier than its 2023 counterpart and has earned a top-five national ranking heading into this game. The Lions have arguably the most firepower of any team in South Florida on offense and some major playmakers on defense, which need to step up to secure a win here and make Chaminade a true national title contender. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 31, St. Frances 30.
Mater Dei (California) at 2. St. Thomas Aquinas, 3:30, Saturday
For the second consecutive season, the Raiders are taking on the bona fide national title favorite in the Broward Showcase. Last season, although many felt it would lose in a rout, Aquinas nearly knocked off Las Vegas Bishop Gorman. Expect the Raiders to show up again at home and put up a good fight. But Mater Dei has that look of a colossal powerhouse echoing memories of Concord De La Salle back in the day and that could be too much of an obstacle. Dre’s pick: Mater Dei 34, Aquinas 24.
Orange Lutheran (California) vs. 3. Northwestern, 7, Saturday, Traz
So if you thought losing coach Teddy Bridgewater would slow down the Bulls, guess again. It was a preseason game, but Northwestern made a statement by crushing state runner-up Lakeland 40-3 last week. The Bulls looked like they picked up right where they left off when they pummelled five consecutive opponents in last year’s playoffs on their way to the Class 3A state title. Look for Northwestern to make another one this weekend against the Lancers, a top 100 foe from Orange, California. Dre’s pick: Northwestern 35, Orange Lutheran 13.
4. American Heritage vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.), 6, Friday, Aquinas
Heritage looked dominant for a half last week while its starters were in the game, building a 23-0 lead against much-improved McArthur and eventually hanging on for a 23-14 win. More importantly, quarterback Dia Bell looked like himself again as he made plays with his arm and feet, moving the Patriots’ offense effectively. Heritage will need a huge game from its defense to secure a win over a stout St. Joseph’s squad, also ranked in the top 30 nationally in multiple polls. Dre’s pick: American Heritage 30, St. Joseph’s 27.
6. Southridge vs. 8. Columbus, 4, Thursday, Tropical.
The top matchup this week involving two Dade teams is a rematch of a great one from last year’s first week. Columbus edged Southridge, scoring in the final minute of a 17-14 victory. The Explorers and Spartans each went on to reach the state semifinals in their respective classes.
Southridge feels this is its year to bring home a championship in Class 6A. Columbus was a back-to-back state champion in 2022 and 2023 and is eager to prove it can secure one this season in 7A. This game could be a springboard for both. Dre’s pick: Southridge 14, Columbus 13.
19. Archbishop McCarthy at 9. Cardinal Gibbons, 7, Thursday.
Many are scoffing at this matchup being part of the Broward Showcase this week since it doesn’t include a glamorous nationally-ranked powerhouse from across the country. But could it become one of the best games of the weekend? McCarthy has noticeably improved. Gibbons is dreaming about winning its first state title since 2021 in Class 2A. Two schools that often clash as contenders in several sports could make this football meeting a good one. Dre’s pick: Cardinal Gibbons 27, Archbishop McCarthy 20.
MORE TOP 20 GAMES
5. Central: Bye
7. Norland at Lake Mary, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Norland 27, Lake Mary 24. The Vikings secured a hard-fought draw with Vero Beach, showing they are still among the best in the state.
10. West Broward vs. Corner Canyon (UT) (1-0), 4, Friday, Dillard.
Dre’s pick: Corner Canyon 31, West Broward 24. The visiting Chargers are ranked 19th nationally and present a good early gauge for the improved Bobcats.
11. Palmetto vs. Homestead, 7:30, Friday, Harris.
Dre’s pick: Palmetto 34, Homestead 7. Will the preseason loss last week be a wake-up call for a Panthers’ squad some expect to contend in Class 7A?
12. McArthur: Bye
13. Monarch vs. Jacksonville Bolles, 8, Thursday, Dillard.
Dre’s pick: Bolles 24, Monarch 20. The Knights should still be among South Florida’s best, but this will be a tough early obstacle.
14. Orlando Dr. Phillips at Dillard, 8, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 20, Dr. Phillips 19. Dillard has a new turf field and an improved roster which should show out in this game.
15. Carol City vs. Hialeah, 7, Thursday, Betty Ferguson.
Dre’s pick: Carol City 16, Hialeah 13. Despite being overshadowed by other games, this should be one of the better matchups this week.
Plantation at 16. Western, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Western 21, Plantation 7. The Wildcats are out to prove they are still a state title contender.
17. Edison at American, 3:30, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Edison 24, American 12. The Red Raiders should follow up their preseason win with another on the road, in the afternoon heat.
18. True North at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Cardinal Mooney 34, True North 24. The Titans have one of their more talented rosters ever, but Mooney is the favorite of many to win Class 2A.
20. Monsignor Pace: Bye
OTHER GAMES
Thursday - Miami-Dade: South Dade vs. Booker T. (Traz), 7:30; BTW 14-12; Westland Hialeah at Hialeah-Miami Lakes, 3:30; WH 6-2; Coral Reef vs. South Miami (Tropical), 7:30; Reef 27-6; Tavernier Coral Shores at Somerset South Homestead, 3:30; CS 35-7; Broward: Piper vs. Peachtree Ridge (Ga.) (Dillard), 4; PR 16-14; Cypress Bay at Douglas, 6; CB 42-14; Everglades vs. Fort Lauderdale (Northeast), 7; Ever 20-14; Pine Crest at Coral Springs Charter (Coral Springs Sportsplex), 7; CSC 28-21; Boca Raton Christian at Somerset Key, 7; BRC 14-7; Somerset Prep at Delray American Heritage, 6; AH 27-14; Tradition Prep at Westminster Academy, 7; WA 34-14; Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Somerset Academy at Mater Academy, 7; Mater 26-6.
Friday - Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Belen at Calvary Christian, 7; Calv 34-14; Westminster Christian at Coral Springs, 7; CS 23-20; North Broward Prep at Ransom Everglades, 7; RE 21-17; Miami-Dade: NMB at Tampa Carrollwood Day, 7; Carrollwood 30-22; North Miami vs. Jackson (Milander), 7:30; NM 18-13; Coral Gables at Ferguson, 3:30; CG 21-10; Goleman at Key West, 7:30; Gol 14-10; Miami High at La Salle, 7; LaS 34-6; Krop at St. Brendan, 7; StB 20-12; Riviera Beach Inlet Grove vs. Killian (Burley), 7; Kil 30-12; Miami Springs vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7; MS 14-13; Doral at Gulliver, 4; Doral 20-14; Varela at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30; Var 17-14; Southwest vs. Coral Park (Tropical), 7:30; SW 22-20; Reagan at Sunset, 3:30; RR 35-7; Somerset Silver Palms at Braddock, 3:30; SSP 28-14; Florida Christian at Archbishop Carroll, 3:30; Carroll 34-13; SmartEn Academy at Palmer Trinity, 4; PT 28-6; ABF Academy at BridgePrep Village Green, 7; VG 10-9; Broward: Blanche Ely at Boyd Anderson, 7; Ely 27-7; Coconut Creek at Miramar, 7; Mir 14-6; Cooper City vs. Coral Glades (CS Sportsplex), 7; Coop 20-7; Taravella at Hollywood Hills, 4; Hills 20-12; Palm Beach Central at Nova, 7; PBC 34-13; Deerfield Beach at South Broward, 7; DB 18-7; NSU University School at Lakeland Christian, 7; LC 38-34; Pines Charter at Northeast, 6:30; PPC 28-3; Marathon at Pompano Beach, 7; Mar 35-7.
