Miami Herald’s South Florida Top 20 high school football rankings

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) vs. 11. Miramar (0-1), 7, Friday, Aquinas.

Andre’s pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 24, Miramar 7. Raiders continue to wear down opponents with defense as its offense continues to gel.

2. American Heritage (1-0) vs. DeMatha Catholic (Md.) (1-0), 6, Saturday, Heritage.

Andre’s pick: American Heritage 17, DeMatha Catholic 16. How high will Heritage climb nationally if it pulls this one off?

3. Flanagan (1-0) vs. 12. Coconut Creek (1-0), 7, Friday, Flanagan.

Andre’s pick: Flanagan 32, Coconut Creek 14. Falcons are looking to make a statement on a weekly basis. Here’s a chance against one of Broward’s most talented squads.

4. Central (0-1) vs. Killian (0-0), 7:30, Southridge.

Andre’s pick: Central 38, Killian 7. Not a good week to face the Rockets, who are looking to get their season and offense rolling.

5. Columbus (1-0) vs. 15. Northwestern (1-0), 7:30, Friday, Traz.

Andre’s pick: Columbus 21, Northwestern 13. Explorers defense comes up big for the second week in a row against one of the county’s better quarterbacks.

6. Hallandale (1-0) vs. 7. Dillard (1-0), 7, Friday, Hallandale.

Andre’s pick: Hallandale 28, Dillard 16. Good early season clash between two likely playoff teams will be decided by the high-powered Chargers offense.

8. Norland (1-0) vs. American (0-1), 7, Thursday, N. Miami.

Andre’s pick: Norland 13, American 3. A defensive struggle goes to the Vikings, who are looking to prove they can score a bit, too.

9. South Dade (1-0) at 16. Coral Gables (1-0), 4, Friday.

Andre’s pick: South Dade 16, Coral Gables 13. Two playoff contenders clash early hoping to see where they stand so far.

10. Booker T. (0-1) at Monsignor Pace (0-1), 7:30, Friday.

Andre’s pick: Booker T. 31, Pace 7. Tornadoes bounce back after humbling loss to Aquinas with a district win.

13. Deerfield Beach (1-0): Bye.

14. Jackson (0-1): Bye.

17. Southridge (1-0) vs. Dr. Krop (1-0), 7:30, Fri., N. Miami.

Andre’s pick: Southridge 17, Krop 6. Spartans edge another opponent with defense.

18. Carol City (0-1) at Oxbridge Academy (1-0), 7, Thursday.

Andre’s pick: Oxbridge 28, Carol City 12. This rising Palm Beach powerhouse emphatically takes down another Dade opponent.

19. Plantation (1-0) vs. Blanche Ely (0-1), 7, Friday, PAL Field.

Andre’s pick: Plantation 23, Ely 21. Colonels get past an always tough Tigers’ squad.

20. Miami High (1-0) vs. Southwest (1-0), 4, Friday, Curtis.

Andre’s pick: Miami High 21, Southwest 20. Two talented teams hoping to break through to the playoffs in their respective districts.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 7:53 PM with the headline "Miami Herald’s South Florida Top 20 high school football rankings."