Fernandez: Highs, lows from the first half, and can Heritage still repeat? | Opinion
We have reached the midway point of the regular season, and it has been an unusual, interesting, rain-soaked ride through five weeks for South Florida high school football.
Some of the teams we figured would be among the best have been even after tough starts like Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Northwestern, Hollywood Chaminade, Miami Central and Miami Southridge.
But some of the typical powerhouses are struggling.
Miami Columbus is 0-4 for the first time since 1988, albeit against a gauntlet of a schedule, and with a potential win against Southridge in stasis until the teams try to finish it on October 6.
Plantation American Heritage is dealing with a quarterback change, several key injuries and a 1-3 start.
Meanwhile, there are several teams having breakout starts like Fort Lauderdale Dillard, Miami True North, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, Miami Killian, Hialeah Gardens Goleman, Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy and Coconut Creek.
And teams that have long been close, but not close enough, could be ready to make big leaps like Miami Palmetto, Hollywood McArthur and Pembroke Pines West Broward.
Key district games involving several of those teams highlight week 6. Let’s take a look at the top games and the new Miami Herald rankings.
THE MIAMI HERALD’S SOUTH FLORIDA TOP 20
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (4-1); 2. Northwestern (3-1); 3. Chaminade (2-1); 4. Central (3-0); 5. Southridge (4-0); 6. Dillard (5-0); 7. American Heritage (1-3); 8. Palmetto (3-1); 9. McArthur (2-2); 10. West Broward (2-2); 11. Miami Norland (2-3); 12. True North (2-2); 13. Coconut Creek Monarch (3-2); 14. Archbishop McCarthy (4-1); 15. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2-1); 16. Mater Academy (5-0); 17. Coconut Creek (4-1); 18. Plantation (3-2); 19. Goleman (3-1); 20. Killian (3-1); Dropped out: 11. Columbus (0-4); 20. Pembroke Pines Flanagan (3-1); On the rise: Miami La Salle (3-0), Miami Edison (2-2).
GAMES OF THE WEEK
10. West Broward (2-2) at 15. Cardinal Gibbons (2-1), 6, Monday.
Weird that the best matchup of the week is technically at the start of next week, but with the weather postponing tons of games already this season… here we are.
We forecasted this matchup a couple of weeks ago and it remains an intriguing one as West Broward has secured back-to-back wins following an 0-2 start against elite out-of-state competition. Gibbons seems to have shaken off a shootout loss to Archbishop McCarthy and showed some grit in an ugly 11-6 win against previously unbeaten Coconut Creek last Saturday.
My original pick here was 40-38 West Broward. I still like the Bobcats close, but I’ll give the defenses more credit after what’s happened recently. Dre’s pick: West Broward 26, Cardinal Gibbons 24.
14. Archbishop McCarthy (4-1) vs. 11. Norland (2-3), 7, Thursday, Traz.
If Heritage is vulnerable in Class 4A, or more specifically, in District 15-4A, the winner of this game will have the best chance of upstarting the Patriots. McCarthy opened the season on fire following a win against Cardinal Gibbons and rode that momentum to a 3-0 start. The Mavericks were brought to a halt by True North in a lopsided 31-7 home loss a couple of weeks ago.
While McCarthy’s offense has shown it can put up points, it will have a hard time against a stout Norland defensive front that can still get after the quarterback. The Vikings’ record is under .500, but don’t be fooled, this team is battle-tested and ready to start solidifying a spot in the playoffs and perhaps more. Dre’s pick: Norland 30, McCarthy 14.
7. American Heritage (1-3) vs. 18. Plantation (3-2), 7, Friday, PAL Field.
This one is more intrigue than anything else and mostly surrounding a wounded and reeling American Heritage squad. First, star quarterback Dia Bell announces he had a “minor medical procedure” and decided he won’t play again for the Patriots. Add to that, running back Jonathan Bueno was injured again in this week’s loss to Miami Central. And, that loss, was the Patriots’ third in a row since their miraculous comeback from down 28 points in their season opener against Philadelphia’s St. Joseph’s Prep.
So the question now is if Heritage can pick up the pieces and have enough to still make a run to repeat as Class 4A state champions? The arrival of Northwestern transfer quarterback Leon Strawder will help.
But this team needs not only a win, but chemistry on offense. Perhaps it begins against an upset-minded Plantation squad, which has been competitive, but not consistent this season in each team’s district opener. Dre’s pick: Heritage 28, Plantation 13.
16. Mater Academy (5-0) vs. North Miami (4-1), 7, Saturday, Milander.
It hasn’t taken long for the arrival of longtime coach Tim “Ice” Harris and staff, and an influx of talent to turn the Lions into one of the better teams in South Florida. But championships and milestones are what people remember most. This week, Harris faces one of his former assistant coaches in North Miami’s Gerald Cox in a game likely to decide the District 15-5A title.
The Pioneers got off to a 4-0 start before slipping against Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian last week, but are still in good shape to make the postseason, especially if Cox can take down his mentor’s squad. Mater is trying to win its first district title since 2016 and make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014-2017. The Lions are ready to claim their first trophy under Harris’ guidance. Dre’s pick: Mater 28, North Miami 12.
THE REST OF THE TOP 20
1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (4-1): Bye
Miami Jackson (0-5) vs. 2. Northwestern (3-1), 7:30, Friday, Traz.
Dre’s pick: Northwestern 55, Jackson 2. It’s a shame how badly mismatched the Soul Bowl is these days.
Davie Western (1-3) at 3. Chaminade-Madonna (2-1), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Chaminade 38, Western 7. The Lions have dominated this matchup even in years where Western was better.
4. Central (3-0): Bye
Homestead (1-2) at 5. Southridge (4-0), 7:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Southridge 42, Homestead 6. Rivals in name, but a major gap this season between these two teams.
Riviera Beach Suncoast (1-4) at 6. Dillard (5-0), 6:30, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Dillard 47, Suncoast 6. The Panthers survived a close call from gritty Miramar, but get back to winning in blowout fashion here.
8. Palmetto (3-1) vs. Coral Gables (2-1), 7, Thursday, Tropical.
Dre’s pick: Palmetto 42, Coral Gables 7. The Panthers start to pick up momentum as we get closer to the midway point.
Hollywood Hills (2-2) at 9. McArthur (2-2), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: McArthur 42, Hollywood Hills 6. The Mustangs are hurting, but showed their toughness against Aquinas. They should cruise this week.
Miramar Everglades (2-3) at 10. West Broward (2-2), 7, Friday, Flanagan.
Dre’s pick: West Broward 44, Everglades 6. This is the Bobcats’ tuneup before the showdown with Gibbons.
12. True North (2-2) at Miami Archbishop Carroll (3-0-1), 3:30, Friday.
Dre’s pick: True North 35, Carroll 13. These two have had good battles in the past, but the Titans appear to have one of their most talented squads ever.
13. Monarch (3-2): Bye
15. Cardinal Gibbons (2-1) at South Broward (2-2), 6, Thursday.
Dre’s pick: Cardinal Gibbons 42, South Broward 8. The Chiefs’ defense needed a game like last week’s and now they must show their endurance with two games in five days.
17. Coconut Creek (4-1) at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson (0-4), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Creek 42, Boyd Anderson 6. The Cougars will bounce back from a frustrating setback last week.
19. Goleman (3-1) at Weston Cypress Bay (2-2), 7, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Goleman 31, Cypress Bay 20. The Gators face a solid road test, and a must-win in the District 15-7A race.
20. Killian (3-1) at Gulliver (2-2), 4, Friday.
Dre’s pick: Killian 28, Gulliver 14. Likely, the winner claims the District 16-2A title.
OTHER GAMES
Thursday - Miami-Dade: South Dade at Columbus, 6; Col 34-8; Hialeah vs. South Miami (Tropical), 3:30; Hia 47-2; Booker T. vs. Miami Springs (Curtis), 7; BTW 16-13; Varela vs. Coral Reef (Southridge), 7; Reef 24-6; Broward: Fort Lauderdale vs. Cooper City (Dillard), 7; FTL 20-13; South Plantation at Northeast, 6:30; SP 27-12; Somerset Prep at Boca St. Andrews, 6:30; SA 42-7.
Friday - Miami-Dade vs. Broward: Flanagan vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7; Flan 35-7; NSU University School at Somerset Silver Palms, 7; US 34-20; Miami-Dade: American at Belen, 7; Bel 24-12; Doral vs. Krop (Ives), 7; Doral 20-6; La Salle at Ransom Everglades, 7:30; LaS 30-14; St. Brendan at Key West, 7:30; KW 22-14; Carol City at Monsignor Pace, 7:30; Pace 24-21; NMB at Westland Hialeah (Hialeah Gardens), 3:30; NMB 42-7; Braddock at Ferguson (Tropical), 7:30; Brad 24-17; Coral Park at Reagan (Milander), 7; RR 41-7; BridgePrep Village Green at Westminster Christian, 4; WC 44-3; Florida Christian at Tavernier Coral Shores, 7; FC 21-20; Broward: Pembroke Pines Charter at Miramar, 7; Mir 35-3; Boca Raton at Douglas, 7; Boca 27-14; Coral Glades at Boca Spanish River, 7; SR 26-6; Deerfield Beach at Blanche Ely, 7; Ely 16-12; Taravella at Coral Springs Charter, 7; CSC 24-8; Coral Springs at Piper, 7; Pip 30-7; Nova at Hallandale, 7; 24-20; Stranahan at Somerset Academy, 7; SA 30-28; Westminster Academy at Pompano Beach, 7; WA 35-12; Somerset Key at North Broward Prep, 7; NBP 24-13; Pine Crest at Boca St. John Paul II, 7; SJP 34-27.
Monday - Broward: Coral Glades at Hallandale, 7; Hall 20-18.
Andre’s record - Last week (Top 20): 13-0; Overall: 45-4; Season (Top 20): 56-11 (.836); Overall: 176-40 (.815).
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
