Fernandez: This time, Central and Northwestern can settle things on the field
You could have bought a ticket for this game in August.
And after having to wait an extra year, the highly anticipated postseason showdown between longtime rivals, Miami Central and Miami Northwestern, promises to be the Game of the Year in Miami-Dade County.
Regional final week is stacked once again with huge playoff showdowns.
But it’s hard for any other game to overshadow this one, which fans were unable to see last year after Central was forced to forfeit its nine victories and missed the playoffs.
The teams finally met on October 4 with Northwestern winning 30-21.
But this is the one that means the most. It’s not just the season on the line.
Realistically, it’s the Class 3A state championship game. Sorry, “other six teams left in the bracket.”
See every Northwestern playoff game last season including its 41-0 thumping of Jacksonville Raines and each of the two playoff wins so far for the Bulls and Rockets this season if you need proof.
But who will emerge as the overwhelming favorite to play for the title at Pitbull Stadium?
Let’s dive into that matchup and the rest of the teams vying to win regional titles.
NOTE: Teams listed with their seeding in their region; All games on Friday unless noted.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Region 4-3A — 2. Central (10-1) vs. 1. Northwestern (11-0), 7, Saturday, Traz.
This one will have all the spotlight it deserves on Saturday night in prime time and won’t even have to compete for viewership with the University of Miami’s crucial regular-season finale earlier that day.
While these two have met numerous times through the years, they have split eight all-time playoff matchups since 2006 with the winner often at least playing for a state title.
Central controlled the rivalry in recent years until the arrival of Teddy Bridgewater last season turned the tide and delivered the Bulls’ ninth state title all-time. But Northwestern did not have to beat the Rockets to secure that championship.
However, the Bulls made a statement on the field last October winning the first round this season.
Central appeared to be the younger team overall entering the season with several new players in key roles. Northwestern changed starting quarterbacks early in the season, handing the keys to the offense to super sophomore Neiman Lawrence after last year’s starter Leon Strawder transferred to Plantation American Heritage.
Lawrence has taken command of the offense, and the Bulls have ridden that passing attack and a punishing defense to an unbeaten season and two playoff wins by an average margin of 60 points. The Rockets’ only loss came against Northwestern, and they have also pummeled their two playoff opponents by an average 55-point margin.
Like the first matchup, the key could come down to whether Central’s defense can rattle Lawrence, disrupt the Bulls’ offense and perhaps create game-changing turnovers. Northwestern proved it could handle it back in October, and has more players who experienced a state title run a year ago. Dre’s pick: Northwestern 34, Central 30.
THE REST
Region 4-7A — 3. Hialeah Goleman (8-4) vs. 1. Palmetto (10-2), 6, Tropical.
Hats off to both of these teams for milestone triumphs last week to reach this point.
While this isn’t Miami Palmetto’s first time in the regional finals, the Panthers were able to finally clear their perennial roadblock in Miami Columbus, beating the Explorers for the first time in the playoffs. Goleman, a team which was playing independent football not so long ago, is in this round for the first time, and seeing the payoff from a long developmental process during the past few years under coach Ariel Cribeiro. The Gators’ high-powered offense, led by FSU commit Darryl Bell III, Timothy Potts and Antwain Easterling, has carried it to two big playoff wins against South Dade and Boca Raton Spanish River.
But Goleman will next face a major challenge against a Palmetto defense, which might be its best since 2020 when it last advanced to the state semifinals. The Panthers also have an explosive offense led by quarterback Andre Bailey to complement that stingy D. Dre’s pick: Palmetto 35, Goleman 14.
Region 4-6A — 2. West Broward (10-2) at 1. Southridge (11-1), 7, Sam Burley Stadium.
Homestead Southridge made this one a laugher last season with a 51-21 victory to advance to the state semifinals. This will be A LOT closer this time.
The Spartans entered the season as one of the state title favorites from South Florida and have not disappointed, coming one close loss to Central short of being unbeaten at this point. Pembroke Pines West Broward is having a program-best season, and is on a 10-game winning streak after losing its first two to out-of-state competition.
The Bobcats can run the football with the best of them led by Daquan Adderley and have an opportunistic defense led by Amir Sears, who can change a game on one play in any of the three phases.
If the game comes down to which quarterback can take control in the clutch, West Broward’s dual-threat leader, Brandon Mincey, has really improved. But Southridge’s James Perrone, a USF commit, has proven it time and again over the past three seasons for the Spartans. Dre’s pick: Southridge 30, West Broward 28.
Region 4-5A — 6. Hollywood McArthur (10-2) at 1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1), 7.
The Mustangs’ roster overhaul and coaching change paid off as the Mustangs pulled off one of their biggest wins in school history last week, 17-16, on the road at Delray Atlantic. McArthur is in this round for the first time since 2003 and for only the second time ever. But next, the Mustangs face a much bigger challenge as they take on the 16-time state champion Raiders for the first time in the playoffs. It won’t be their first meeting this season, however, as Aquinas already handed McArthur a 31-7 loss on Sept. 19. The Mustangs have won eight in a row since that defeat and their only other loss was against Chaminade. Expect this one to be more competitive than last time, but Aquinas should still be too much. Dre’s pick: Aquinas 24, McArthur 7.
Region 4-4A — 2. Plantation American Heritage (6-5) at 1. Archbishop McCarthy (9-2), 7.
The deepest district in the state had all four of its members make the playoffs and win their first-round games. The chalk held last week, giving us a rematch of Heritage and McCarthy — longtime rivals in many sports, but never as much as they are right now in football. The remarkable Mavericks continue to show they are not a fluke, beating Norland for a second time last week and even more convincingly than the first time.
But American Heritage is starting to look like American Heritage again. The Patriots are healthier than they’ve been all season with running back Jonathan Bueno and receiver Brandon Bennett back and making an impact.
McCarthy will have the home field advantage again. But the second time around against Heritage will be a lot harder. Dre’s pick: Heritage 20, McCarthy 14.
Region 4-2A — 2. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-3), at 1. Miami La Salle (12-0), 7.
La Salle’s remarkable season continued with a lopsided win over Ransom Everglades as the Royal Lions continue to show how far their program has come. But here comes another “prove it” game against a two-time state champion looking to secure a third. The Chiefs have one of the most high-powered offenses in South Florida. But they’ll face a strong La Salle ground game led by sophomore Adrian Cox. Turnovers may decide this one. Dre’s pick: Gibbons 27, La Salle 24.
Region 4-1A — 2. True North (10-2) at 1. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (9-2), 6:30.
This is True North’s best shot at the champ. This is like in pro wrestling when the challenger loses over and over and finally gets a chance to end the story as a winner.
But sometimes in pro wrestling, the underdog doesn’t win. And while True North has come a long way, it’s still hard to see the Titans overcome a talent-rich Lions’ squad, which will be at home and has the experience of winning four state titles in a row and seven in the past eight years. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 35, True North 20.
FIT 3A-1A semifinal — 3. Miami Booker T. Washington (3-8) vs. 1. North Miami Beach (5-6), 6, Traz. Dre’s pick: NMB 22, Booker T. 20. Good for the winner to be able to play for a championship in an otherwise difficult season. My hunch is it’ll be the Chargers, who just barely missed the state playoffs.
Andre’s record - Last week (Top 20): 13-0; Overall: 15-1; Season (Top 20): 168-21 (.889); Overall: 453-96 (.825).
This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM.
