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

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (2-0) vs. 16. Plantation (2-0), 7, Friday, PAL.

Andre’s pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 41, Plantation 17. Raiders take control and beat a former district adversary.

2. Flanagan (2-0): Bye.

3. American Heritage (1-1) vs. 19. Northwestern (1-1), 7:30, Friday.

Andre’s pick: American Heritage 31, Northwestern 6. Patriots bounce back from tough loss to DeMatha Catholic.

4. Central (1-1) vs. Jacksonville First Coast (0-2), 7, Sat., Traz.

Andre’s pick: Central 34, First Coast 7. Central uses this week to continue to improve its offense against a solid northern Florida opponent.

5. Columbus (2-0) at 11. Southridge (2-0), 7:30, Friday.

Andre’s pick: Columbus 14, Southridge 12. Upset alert for the Explorers against a much-improved Spartans’ squad.

6. Hallandale (2-0): Bye.

7. Norland (2-0) vs. 8. South Dade (1-0), 7:30, Friday, Harris.

Andre’s pick: Norland 14, South Dade 13. Big test for both sides as they hope to continue their respective early-season success.

9. Booker T. Washington (1-1) vs. 15. Jackson (0-1), 7:30, Friday, Traz.

Andre’s pick: Booker T. 17, Jackson 14. Despite its tough start, the Tornadoes still maintain ownership of this series.

10. Deerfield Beach (1-0) at Blanche Ely (0-2), 7, Saturday.

Andre’s pick: Deerfield Beach 27, Ely 12. The Bucks enjoyed a bye week and should remain undefeated after securing this road win.

12. Coconut Creek (1-1) vs. 17. Boyd Anderson (2-0), 7, Friday, Coconut Creek.

Andre’s pick: Creek 27, Boyd Anderson 14. Creek gets back on track against a much-improved Cobras’ squad.

13. Coral Gables (1-0) vs. Homestead (1-1), 4, Friday, Gables.

Andre’s pick: Coral Gables 35, Homestead 7. Cavaliers should take control quickly behind its running game and defense.

14. Carol City (1-1) at Lakeland (2-0), 7:30, Friday.

Andre’s pick: Carol City 35, Lakeland 34. Can the Chiefs make it two impressive road wins in a row?

18. Dillard (1-1) at Lakeland Lake Gibson (0-2), 7:30, Friday.

Andre’s pick: Dillard 27, Lake Gibson 20. Panthers get a much-needed road victory following that tough loss to Hallandale.

20. Southwest (2-0) vs. North Miami Beach (0-2), 7:30, Fri., N. Miami.

Andre’s pick: Southwest 34, NMB 8. The Eagles use a much less turnover-riddled effort to remain unbeaten.

Dropped out: 11. Miramar (0-2).

Under consideration: Mater Academy (1-0), Chaminade-Madonna (1-0), Miami High (1-1), Palmetto (2-0).

This story was originally published September 7, 2015 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Miami Herald’s South Florida Top 20 high school football rankings."