Fernandez: Chaminade and American Heritage should deliver another classic
While the inclement weather continued to wreak havoc with several games, there were a few interesting bounce back games for some of South Florida’s top teams.
Teams like Miami Norland and Coconut Creek may have made statements that they each should be considered among the top contenders in the area.
This week, two of the nation’s best - Plantation American Heritage and Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna will lock up in one of the best matchups of the season.
Let’s take a look at that clash, and more games to watch, plus our new rankings for week 3.
THE MIAMI HERALD’S SOUTH FLORIDA TOP 20
1. American Heritage (1-0); 2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (1-1); 3. Miami Northwestern (0-1); 4. Chaminade (1-1); 5. Miami Central (1-0); 6. Miami Southridge (1-0); 7. Miami Columbus (0-1); 8. Dillard (2-0); 9. Miami Norland (1-1); 10. Archbishop McCarthy (2-0); 11. Miami Palmetto (1-0); 12. Coconut Creek Monarch (1-1); 13. Cardinal Gibbons (0-1); 14. Pembroke Pines West Broward (0-2); 15. McArthur (0-1); 16. Coconut Creek (2-0); 17. Miramar (1-1); 18. Plantation (1-1); 19. Miami Edison (1-1); 20. Miami Carol City (1-1); Dropped out: 19. Hialeah Gardens Goleman (1-1), 20. Miami True North (0-2); On the rise: Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (2-0), Miami Monsignor Pace (0-0), Pembroke Pines Flanagan (1-0), Miami La Salle (2-0).
GAMES OF THE WEEK
4. Chaminade (1-1) at 1. American Heritage (1-0), 7:30, Friday.
The longtime Broward powerhouses have made for a fun annual matchup in recent years. Chaminade has won the past three meetings, but the games have remained competitive with both usually winning or coming close to winning state titles.
Chaminade appeared to recover some of its form last week in a 28-14 win over McArthur. While its quarterbacks Malik Leonard and Tyler Chance continued to split time, the Lions’ running game kicked into gear behind Elijah Hardy, who broke loose for an early 72-yard touchdown run.
Heritage was off last week after its stunning comeback win over St. Joseph’s Prep where it overcame a 28-0 deficit.
Both teams can run the ball effectively as Heritage can counter with Jonathan Bueno, and each side has an array of talented receivers, especially if Brandon Bennett is healthy enough to rejoin the lineup.
Each team’s defense can also create havoc on opposing quarterbacks. The matchup could come down to how much success Heritage quarterback Dia Bell has against a tough Chaminade pass rush led by Trevoris Finley, who had two sacks last week. Explosive plays could decide this one. Dre’s pick: American Heritage 34, Chaminade 31.
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (2-0) vs. 7. Columbus (0-1), 7:30, Friday, Tropical.
This clash of South Florida state title contenders turned out to be more of an event than a game last season with Aquinas cruising to a 42-6 win. The scene shifts to Miami-Dade County this season and figures to be more of the same when it comes to two of the area’s biggest fanbases.
But the Raiders could turn this one into a lopsided game again if they continue to play the way they are capable. Aquinas let out its frustrations from a prior 26-23 loss to national No. 1 Mater Dei on an overmatched Boyd Anderson last week. Columbus played well in a game yet to be finished against Southridge and was competitive in a 14-7 loss in Maryland to Our Lady of Good Counsel.
But the Raiders’ depth on all sides will be the difference in this one. Dre’s pick: Aquinas 35, Columbus 14.
6. Southridge (1-0) vs. 11. Palmetto (1-0), 7, Thursday, Tropical.
Both teams finally got to finish games last week and did so with blowout victories. The neighborhood rivals each have designs on winning state titles in their respective classifications. This should be a good early-season gauge as to where each team is at. A slight nod goes to a turnover-producing Spartans defense in this one. Dre’s pick: Southridge 20, Palmetto 13.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
20. Carol City (1-1) vs. 3. Northwestern (0-1), 7, Thursday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Northwestern 31, Carol City 7. The Bulls lost a tough season opener and have been itching for a chance at redemption.
5. Central (1-0) vs. Miami Booker T. Washington (0-2), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Central 42, Booker T. 3. It’s a shame the Tornadoes are struggling as much as they are heading into this rivalry game.
Oakland Park Northeast (1-1) at 8. Dillard (2-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 42, Northeast 2. Dillard’s defense continues to impress and its offense should rack up some points in this one.
9. Norland (1-1) vs. Homestead South Dade (2-0), 7:30, Friday, Harris.
Dre’s pick: Norland 34, South Dade 13. The young Bucs are competitive, but haven’t faced an opponent like Norland yet.
10. Archbishop McCarthy (2-0) at Miami St. Brendan (1-0), 7, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: McCarthy 44, St. Brendan 8. The Mavericks’ high-powered offense is one of the most entertaining in South Florida.
12. Monarch (1-1) at Don Bosco Prep (NJ) (1-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Don Bosco 24, Monarch 13. Tough road date for the Knights despite their rebound last week.
13. Cardinal Gibbons (0-1) at Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (2-0), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Gibbons 34, Calvary 21. The Chiefs should be able to outscore the host Eagles in this one.
15. McArthur (0-1) at 17. Miramar (1-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: McArthur 27, Miramar 12. Expect the Mustangs to break through after facing two of the best teams in the nation counting their preseason matchup.
16. Coconut Creek (2-0) at Davie Western (0-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Creek 27, Western 14. The Cougars make a little more of a statement as one of the more improved teams in Broward.
18. Plantation (1-1) vs. 14. West Broward (0-2), 7, Friday, Flanagan.
Dre’s pick: West Broward 30, Plantation 20. The Bobcats have had two tough, out-of-state opponents to start. They turn things around this week.
19. Edison (1-1) vs. Miami Killian (2-0), 7:30, Friday, Southridge.
Dre’s pick: Edison 30, Killian 14. Curious one here, but the Red Raiders should have the talent to secure a bounce back win.
OTHER GAMES
Wednesday - Miami-Dade: South Miami vs. Southwest (Tropical), 7; SM 14-7.
Thursday - Miami-Dade: Goleman vs. American (Monsignor Pace), 7; Gol 42-3; Miami High vs. Coral Reef (Southridge), 7; Reef 20-16; HML at Sunset, 3:30; Sun 24-2; Gulliver at Kings Academy, 7:30; KA 30-21; Florida Christian at Delray American Heritage, 6; AH 27-20; Broward: Deerfield Beach at Stoneman Douglas, 7; DB 19-14; Taravella at Pompano Beach, 7; Tar 9-6; Boyd Anderson vs. Fort Lauderdale (Dillard), 7; FTL 20-19; South Broward at Cooper City, 7; SB 14-10; Hollywood Hills at PB Central, 7; PBC 44-3; North Broward Prep at Pines Charter, 6; NBP 31-17; Somerset Key at Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, 7; IG 17-14; Vero Beach St. Edwards at Pine Crest, 6; PC 21-14.
Friday - Coral Gables at Miami Beach, 3:30; MB 17-14; North Miami vs. Krop (Ives), 7; NM 38-12; Doral vs. Hialeah (Pace), 7; Hia 27-10; La Salle at Belen, 7; LaS 35-7; Jackson at Somerset Silver Palms, 7:30; SP 12-6; Hialeah Gardens at Mater Academy (Ansin), 7; Mater 45-2; Westland Hialeah at Ferguson, 3:30; Ferg 24-13; Braddock at Reagan, 3:30; RR 27-14; Ransom Everglades at New Smyrna Beach, 7; NSB 28-21; SmartEn Academy at Archbishop Carroll, 3:30; Carroll 35-7; Westminster Christian at Marathon, 7; WC 33-14; Tavernier Coral Shores at BridgePrep Village Green, 4; CS 31-20; Miami Country Day at Palmer Trinity, 4; PT 34-7; Broward: Coral Glades at Coral Springs, 7; CS 7-6; Piper at South Plantation, 7; Pip 13-10; Flanagan at Everglades, 7; Flan 30-13; NSU University School at Nova, 7; US 27-12; Stranahan at Blanche Ely, 7; Ely 34-8; Somerset Academy at Hallandale, 7; Hall 21-18; St. John Neuman at Coral Springs Charter, 7; Neumann 27-24; Somerset Prep at Westminster Academy, 7; WA 34-24.
Saturday - Miami-Dade: Monsignor Pace vs. True North (Tropical), 7; TN 31-24.
Andre’s record - Last week (Top 20): 12-1; Overall: 25-10; Season (Top 20): 21-6 (.778); Overall: 57-22 (.722).
