Fernandez: Chaminade, Northwestern, Norland bounce back from losses | Opinion
The first week of the high school football season featured a comeback for the ages by Plantation American Heritage, which ascended to the No. 1 spot in the Miami Herald’s South Florida Top 20 rankings.
The Patriots erased a 28-0 deficit against nationally ranked St. Joseph’s Prep, winning 31-28 on a last-second field goal by Kade Bailey. Heritage and Fort Lauderdale Dillard, which crushed Orlando Dr. Phillips 39-0, were the only Broward teams to beat out-of-county competition last week in the Broward County National Football Showcase.
Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy’s 42-35 win over Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons also opened some eyes as the Mavericks continued to impress.
American Heritage is off this week before its annual clash with Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna on Sept. 5.
The Lions, who face Hollywood McArthur this week, need a major recovery game this week after being throttled by Maryland powerhouse St. Frances Academy.
Let’s take a look at these, and more games to watch, plus our new rankings.
THE MIAMI HERALD’S SOUTH FLORIDA TOP 20
1. American Heritage (1-0); 2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1); 3. Miami Northwestern (0-1); 4. Chaminade (0-1); 5. Miami Central (0-0); 6. Miami Columbus (0-0); 7. Miami Southridge (0-0); 8. Dillard (1-0); 9. Miami Norland (0-1); 10. Pembroke Pines West Broward (0-1); 11. Archbishop McCarthy (1-0); 12. Miami Palmetto (0-0); 13. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (0-1); 14. McArthur (0-0); 15. Miami Carol City (1-0); 16. Miami Edison (1-0); 17. Coconut Creek Monarch (0-1); 18. Plantation (1-0); 19. Hialeah Gardens Goleman (1-0); 20. Miami True North (0-1); Dropped out: 16. Davie Western (0-1); On the rise: Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (1-0), Miami Monsignor Pace (0-0), Miami La Salle (1-0), Western Cypress Bay (1-0), Pembroke Pines Flanagan (0-0).
GAMES OF THE WEEK
4. Chaminade (0-1) at 14. McArthur (0-0), 7, Friday.
Although several teams in Broward had a hard time last week against some of the nation’s best, Chaminade took the most lopsided defeat, 42-13, against St. Frances Academy. The Lions’ high-powered offense was held mostly in check and St. Frances moved the ball at will against their defense. Next is McArthur, a team infused with transfers and looking to make a name for itself this season. The Mustangs were off last week after being somewhat competitive with American Heritage in a preseason classic. This is the spot last season where Chaminade started 0-2 after losing to Blanche Ely. The Lions need to avoid the trap this time around. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 28, McArthur 18.
Venice (0-1) at 3. Northwestern (0-1), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
The Bulls routed Lakeland in their preseason classic 40-3 and their defense has looked dominant even in last week’s 17-13 loss to Orange Lutheran from California. Northwestern’s high-octane offense should bounce back this week. The mystery is Venice, which came in expected to be the clear front-runner in 7A, but suffered a lopsided 29-7 loss against Tampa Bay Tech last week. The Bulls bounce back from a frustrating opener with a quality victory. Dre’s pick: Northwestern 20, Venice 14.
5. Central (0-0) vs. 16. Edison (1-0), 3:30, Friday, Traz.
After having their preseason classic rained out and having their season opener cancelled last minute by Jacksonville Raines, the Central Rockets finally will play a game this week. The Rockets, under new coach Derrick Gibson, are eager to prove they are still a bona fide state title contender and should be tested against a solid Edison team that made the regional finals last year in 1A and remains talented itself. Dre’s pick: Central 34, Edison 24.
9. Norland (0-1) vs. 15. Carol City (1-0), 7, Thursday, Traz.
After erasing a big deficit to salvage a 30-30 tie at Vero Beach in the preseason, Norland let a 29-7 lead slip away last week against Class 7A contender Lake Mary before losing 30-29. The Vikings are still among the better squads in South Florida, but have to develop consistency, especially against a hungry Carol City squad, which would love nothing more than to score an upset against a neighborhood rival. Dre’s pick: Norland 16, Carol City 13.
7. Southridge (0-0) vs. 19. Goleman (1-0), 7, Thursday, Milander.
Southridge went through four days of delays and postponements and couldn’t finish its season opener against Columbus due to weather issues. The Spartans trailed 14-7 when the game was halted for good in the third quarter. Southridge’s defense showed its ability to create timely turnovers and its offense showed flashes of brilliance, but struggled with consistency overall. Goleman had an impressive 62-21 victory at Key West in which quarterback Timothy Potts threw six touchdown passes. The Gators have likely their most talented roster ever and would love to make a statement here, but the Spartans’ defense is tough. Dre’s pick: Southridge 21, Goleman 13.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
1. American Heritage (1-0): Bye
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson (0-0) at 2. St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: St. Thomas 38, Boyd Anderson 6. The Raiders hung tough with the nation’s best and should cruise to their first win.
6. Columbus (0-0) at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) (0-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Good Counsel 27, Columbus 24. Tough turnaround for the Explorers on the road against a strong out-of-state opponent.
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (0-0) at 8. Dillard (1-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 33, Stranahan 6. The much-improved Panthers shouldn’t have trouble against a neighborhood rival.
10. West Broward (0-1) at Camden County (Ga.) (2-0), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Camden County 35, West Broward 28. Rough start for the Bobcats, but they will turn the corner soon and start winning.
Naples Community School (1-0) at 11. Archbishop McCarthy (1-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: McCarthy 27, Community School 24. Time to see how the Mavericks handle their early success.
12. Palmetto (0-0) vs. Miami Booker T. Washington (0-1), 7:30, Friday, Tropical.
Dre’s pick: Palmetto 24, Booker T. 8. The Panthers barely got their season started last week due to weather issues. Expect their first win here.
13. Cardinal Gibbons (0-1) at Hollywood South Broward (1-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Gibbons 42, South Broward 14. The Chiefs couldn’t keep pace with McCarthy, but should be good to pick up their first win this week.
17. Monarch (0-1) at Deerfield Beach (0-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Monarch 26, Deerfield Beach 12. The Knights had a rough time against Jacksonville Bolles, but should recover quickly in this one.
18. Plantation (1-0) at Miramar (0-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Plantation 27, Miramar 7. The Colonels will follow up a strong win over Western with another victory.
20. True North (0-1) at Fort Myers Bishop Verot (0-1), 7
Dre’s pick: Bishop Verot 28, True North 24. The Titans are testing themselves with tough competition early.
OTHER GAMES
Thursday - Miami-Dade: Mater Academy at Doral, 7; Mater 31-20; ABF Academy at Coral Gables, 3:30; Gables 20-6; South Miami vs. Miami High (Curtis), 7; MHS 27-6; Miami Beach at St. Brendan, 7; Beach 17-14; Miami Springs vs. Southwest (Tropical), 7; Springs 14-7; Hialeah at Belen, 7; Hia 34-14; Hialeah Gardens at Coral Park, 3:30; HG 17-10; Sunset at Coral Reef (Southridge), 7; Reef 28-7; Ransom Everglades at Somerset Silver Palms, 7; RE 21-17; Broward: Cypress Bay at Flanagan, 7; CB 27-20; Northeast at Taravella, 7; Tar 28-8; Nova at Coral Springs, 7; Nova 34-6; Pompano Beach at Pine Crest, 7; Pomp 27-17; Calvary Christian at NSU University School, 7; Calv 31-28.
Friday - Miami-Dade: South Dade vs. Homestead (Harris), 7:30; SD 20-6; La Salle vs. Jackson (Curtis), 7:30; LaS 30-6; Krop vs. Killian (Southridge), 7:30; Kil 34-6; Gulliver at Monsignor Pace, 7:30; Pace 28-13; Ferguson at Varela, 3:30; Ferg 24-21; HML vs. Reagan (Milander), 7; RR 34-7; Westland Hialeah at Lakeland Victory Christian, 7; VC 35-7; Somerset Homestead at Westminster Christian, 4; WC 33-8; BridgePrep Village Green at Miami Country Day, 7; MCD 14-7; Tavernier Coral Shores at Palmer Trinity, 4; PT 20-13; Broward: Piper at Coconut Creek, 7; Creek 16-14; Somerset Canyons at Somerset Academy, 7; SA 20-16; Douglas at Cooper City, 7; MSD 17-14; South Plantation at Coral Glades (CS Sportsplex), 7; SP 41-14; Fort Lauderdale at Hallandale, 7; Hall 17-14; Everglades at Richmond Hill (Ga.), 7; Rich 30-20; Coral Springs Charter at Pines Charter, 6; PPC 24-21; Westminster Academy at North Broward Prep, 7; WA 34-14; Somerset Prep at Somerset Key, 7; Key 14-7.
Saturday - Miami-Dade: NMB vs. North Miami (Traz), 7; NMB 13-12.
Andre’s record - Last week (Top 20): 9-5; Overall: 32-12; Season (Top 20): 9-5; Overall: 32-12.
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 12:15 PM.
