Fernandez: South Florida football powers ready to go 5-for-5 at home | Opinion
The state football championships are back in Miami this week, and rightfully so.
Miami-Dade and Broward County teams have continuously proven South Florida as the most dominant region in the state for over a decade.
The two counties have had at least three teams win state titles in the same season each year since 2012. In 11 of those seasons, Dade and Broward teams won four or more state championships.
South Florida’s best are ready to do it again this weekend in their own backyard.
Five teams, including four reigning state champions, will play for state titles starting Thursday as the state football championships are held for the second consecutive season at Pitbull Stadium at FIU.
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas is looking to add its state records as far as most championships won and consecutive state titles won.
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna is making a state-record 10th consecutive finals appearance and is trying to join Aquinas as the only South Florida schools to ever win five in a row.
Miami Northwestern is aiming for its 10th state title overall and second in a row following a tumultuous start to its season.
Plantation American Heritage has been a bit more of an underdog this season, but is back in position to win its second in a row and seventh overall.
And Pembroke Pines West Broward is the newcomer to the picture, making its first state final appearance and looking to dethrone a reigning champion in West Boca Raton.
Let’s take a look at each matchup and see what each team must overcome to walk away with a trophy.
Class 1A - Chaminade-Madonna (11-2) vs. West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (11-3), 12:30, Thursday.
The Lions began this streak in 2016 when Dameon Jones became their coach and have won seven state titles in nine seasons since. Chaminade is aiming for its 10th overall and the last four have been won by a combined score of 167-21.
But after pummeling Clearwater Central Catholic in the final by a combined score of 146-21 for the past three seasons, the Lions seemingly face a much greater challenge from not too far up the road.
Cardinal Newman is 0-4 in the playoffs all-time against Chaminade, including losses in the regional finals three years in a row from 2021-2023. But this may be one of the most talented teams the Crusaders have ever had, led by senior dual-threat quarterback Jyron Hughley, a West Virginia signee, who has run for 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns on 114 carries (12.3 yard average), and passed for 1,901 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Hughley’s favorite target is senior receiver Leslie Mosley (48 catches for 944 yards, eight touchdowns). Hughley has paced the running game along with senior Phoenix Donghia, who has 1,379 yards and 23 touchdowns on 179 carries. Offensive tackle and Syracuse signee Brayden Charney paves the way up front and Newman’s defense is led by senior linebacker and Auburn signee Adam Balogoun-Ali (116 tackles, 17 TFL), sophomore defensive end Ty Kirkpatrick (19 TFL, 5 sacks) and senior defensive back Kahlil Gabaud (6 INTs).
But it remains to be seen if they can handle Chaminade’s potent offense, led by Texas signee Derrek Cooper, who has rushed for 1,424 yards and 17 touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Malik Leonard’s performance will be key if he can connect with top targets such as FSU signee Jasen Lopez and sophomore Tromon Isaac Jr. The Lions’ defense, led by junior Trevoris Finley (16 sacks, 26 TFL), shut out Jacksonville Trinity Christian last week, and should be ready for the challenge. Dre’s pick: Chaminade 34, Cardinal Newman 21.
Class 5A - St. Thomas Aquinas (13-1) vs. Lakeland (12-2), 7:30, Thursday.
One of three rematches from last year’s finals involving South Florida teams features the eighth state championship clash between these two teams.
Lakeland leads the all-time series 5-2, but Aquinas got some payback emphatically last season, blanking the Dreadnaughts 34-0. Expect the Raiders to be favorites again this season as they enter the week as the only team ranked in the top 15 nationally playing at state.
Quarterback Mason Mallory has been fantastic down the stretch and has accounted for 32 touchdowns overall. A balanced offense led by Virgil Lemons on the ground and receivers such as Julius Jones has helped Aquinas average 41.1 points per game. Lakeland will try to slow the Raiders down with a line led by junior Santana Harvey and senior Malik Morris, a Florida signee. Junior cornerback Jordan Young and safety CJ Cresser, a USF signee, lead the secondary.
Sophomore Ahnarri Cooper leads a Dreadnaughts running game, which has amassed 2,419 yards. But the depth of St. Thomas should once again play a factor and help it wear down Lakeland as the Raiders continue to avenge losses of the past in this rivalry. Dre’s pick: Aquinas 28, Lakeland 7.
Class 6A - West Broward (12-2) vs. West Boca Raton (12-2), 12:30, Friday.
West Broward is in the position its opponent was in a year ago - trying to win its first state championship and prove itself a legitimate contender. The Bobcats have made a great case for themselves over the past three months, surging to a 12-game winning streak since their 0-2 start.
Last week was the latest example as West Broward went on the road and defied the odds by denying Gainesville Buchholz at the doorstep of the state finals. The Bobcats beat a team that felt like it was due after four prior losses in the semifinals. They erased a 10-0 deficit on the road proving their toughness once again. And sophomore Amir Sears keeps showing why he’s on every recruiter’s radar at such a young age.
But it’s going to take a lot to topple the reigning champions, who are led by University of Miami signee Javian Mallory (1,135 yards, 15 TDs). West Boca’s defense is a handful, and led by edge rusher Demetrius Geathers Jr., a USF signee, four-star junior lineman Jamar Thompson, and cornerback Jaydin Broadnax, a Louisville signee.
West Broward must be able to run the ball as it has all season to have any chance. Dre’s pick: West Broward 15, West Boca 14.
Class 3A - Miami Northwestern (13-0) vs. Jacksonville Raines (13-0), 7:30, Friday.
The only matchup of unbeatens this week features a Raines squad looking to avenge Northwestern’s lopsided win in last year’s final. The Vikings enter this game unbeaten for the second year in a row, and are once again led by senior quarterback Timothy Cole, who has thrown 39 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. Senior receiver Ziyon Butler has 1,020 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns while Tadarius Washington and Tisean Haynes lead the backfield with 1,518 combined rushing yards and 27 touchdowns.
But just like last season, the Bulls have speed and talent unmatched by anyone Raines has played this year. Northwestern’s talented sophomore quarterback Neiman Lawrence is flourishing with the help of a stout offensive line and a trio of great receivers in Calvin Russell, Nick Lennear and Nicsaint Joseph. The Bulls’ defense, led by seniors Demarcus King (13 sacks, 33 TFL) and Pitt signee Desmond Johnson, is one of the best in the nation and could help turn this into another rout. Dre’s pick: Northwestern 34, Raines 7.
Class 4A - American Heritage (8-5) vs. Orlando Jones (12-2), 12:30, Saturday.
One more rematch on the final day could end up being one of the best matchups of the week.
Heritage looks a lot different than it did last season when Malachi Toney stepped up to lead it to a state title playing quarterback and outdueled Jones senior and UM signee Dereon Coleman to a 41-31 win. This season, injuries to several key players contributed to a 4-5 regular season for the Patriots.
But in the playoffs, Heritage has looked like its former self again in four consecutive wins, capped by an impressive road trip to Fort Walton Beach last week. Jones looks even tougher than last year with Coleman having an incredible season (2,749 yards, 28 TDs, 3 INTs). Running back Daunte Wallace (1,368 yards, 20 TDs) and receivers Larry Miles (88 catches, 1,111 yards, 10 TDs), a Nebraska signee, and DJ Hicks (55 catches for 1,036 yards, 14 TDs) can break a game open on one play.
The Patriots are healthier now than they’ve been all season, though, and if they can control the game on the ground with Jonathan Bueno, they could exit Pitbull Stadium with another state title. Dre’s pick: Heritage 30, Jones 28.
Andre’s record - Last week (Top 20): 7-0; Overall: 7-1; Season (Top 20): 181-22 (.892); Overall: 467-98 (.827).
