Miami Herald Logo

Booker T. Washington and Davie University School face each other in a battle of champs | Miami Herald

×
  • E-edition
  • Home
    • Site Information
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Herald Store
    • RSS Feeds
    • Special Sections
    • Advertise
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Mobile
    • Mobile Apps & eReaders
    • Newsletters
    • Social
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    • Sections
    • News
    • South Florida
    • Miami-Dade
    • Broward
    • Florida Keys
    • Florida
    • Politics
    • Weird News
    • Weather
    • National & World
    • Colombia
    • National
    • World
    • Americas
    • Cuba
    • Guantánamo
    • Haiti
    • Venezuela
    • Local Issues
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • In Depth
    • Issues & Ideas
    • Traffic
    • Sections
    • Sports
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Pro & College
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Miami Heat
    • Miami Marlins
    • Florida Panthers
    • College Sports
    • University of Miami
    • Florida International
    • University of Florida
    • Florida State University
    • More Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Auto Racing
    • Fighting
    • Golf
    • Horse Racing
    • Outdoors
    • Soccer
    • Tennis
    • Youth Sports
    • Other Sports
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • The Florida Influencer Series
    • Sections
    • Business
    • Business Monday
    • Banking
    • International Business
    • National Business
    • Personal Finance
    • Real Estate News
    • Small Business
    • Technology
    • Tourism & Cruises
    • Workplace
    • Business Plan Challenge
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Cindy Krischer Goodman
    • The Starting Gate
    • Work/Life Balancing Act
    • Movers
    • Sections
    • Living
    • Advice
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Fitness
    • Home & Garden
    • Pets
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Wine
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Dave Barry
    • Ana Veciana-Suarez
    • Flashback Miami
    • More Living
    • LGBTQ South Florida
    • Palette Magazine
    • Indulge Magazine
    • South Florida Album
    • Broward Album
    • Sections
    • Entertainment
    • Books
    • Comics
    • Games & Puzzles
    • Horoscopes
    • Movies
    • Music & Nightlife
    • People
    • Performing Arts
    • Restaurants
    • TV
    • Visual Arts
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Jose Lambiet
    • Lesley Abravanel
    • More Entertainment
    • Events Calendar
    • Miami.com
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Sections
    • All Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Op-Ed
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Jim Morin
    • Letters to the Editor
    • From Our Inbox
    • Speak Up
    • Submit a Letter
    • Meet the Editorial Board
    • Influencers Opinion
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Blog Directory
    • Columnist Directory
    • Andres Oppenheimer
    • Carl Hiaasen
    • Leonard Pitts Jr.
    • Fabiola Santiago
    • Obituaries
    • Obituaries in the News
    • Place an Obituary

    • Place an ad
    • All Classifieds
    • Announcements
    • Apartments
    • Auctions/Sales
    • Automotive
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Employment
    • Garage Sales
    • Legals
    • Merchandise
    • Obituaries
    • Pets
    • Public Notices
    • Real Estate
    • Services
  • Public Notices
  • Cars
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Real Estate
  • Mobile & Apps

  • el Nuevo Herald
  • Miami.com
  • Indulge

Miami-Dade High Schools

Booker T. Washington and Davie University School face each other in a battle of champs

Andre C. Fernandez

    ORDER REPRINT →

November 19, 2013 12:01 AM

We have been waiting for it since January.

We have the battle of defending state champions between No. 1 nationally ranked Booker T. Washington and Davie University School .

Will the game live up to the hype?

Booker T. has steamrolled most of its opponents keeping its No. 1 national ranking heading into this matchup. University School has struggled in two games against comparable opponents losing to Central and Bradenton Manatee.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to the Miami Herald

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

The winner is very likely to repeat as state champions.

And for the Tornadoes, it’s a bigger prize at stake.

Region 4-4A final — Booker T. Washington (11-0) vs. Davie University School (9-2) at Nova: Booker T. is at full strength following the return of quarterback Treon Harris. University had its tune-up after beating Gulliver last week.

The Suns, however, have lost both games in recent weeks against state championship-caliber teams unable to slow down opposing running games.

Booker T.’s offense is more of a balanced attack, which could give University more of a chance to hang in there. But as talented as the Suns are, it’s going to be hard for them to match speed and skill overall with the Tornadoes.

The Suns need to get their own playmakers the ball and protect quarterback Sean White consistently.

That’s going to be awfully tough against arguably the best front seven in the nation. Look for Booker T.’s defense to make the difference when it counts. Andre’s pick: Booker T. 37, University 21.

Region 4-8A semifinal — South Dade (10-1) vs. Killian (7-4) at Tropical: This is the toughest one to pick this week. South Dade has looked great behind its high-powered offense for most of the season. Killian is the only team that made it look vulnerable in a game that the Cougars won to eventually secure the District 16-8A title.

Four interceptions of South Dade quarterback Khalil Render made the difference in that game. The Cougars defense is the biggest reason they enter this game on a six-game winning streak.

But can they do it again to the Bucs, who look like they’ve recaptured their offensive rhythm? The wild card in this one could be, what if South Dade’s defense makes the decisive play? Andre’s pick: South Dade 20, Killian 19.

Region 4-8A semifinal — Columbus (7-4) vs. Coral Gables (10-1) at Tropical, Thurs., 7 p.m.: Oshton Armstrong running for 193 yards and the Explorers going for 226 as a team. That’s the team Columbus needs to be to get back to the state semifinals.

Columbus needs to have its defense play as solid as it has since its loss to Norland that capped a sloppy 1-4 start. The Explorers have since allowed 15 points in six wins and those came on a safety and two meaningless fourth-quarter touchdowns.

The Explorers don’t need much motivation against a Gables team that beat them for the first time since 2006.

Gables’ defense intercepted Columbus quarterback Tucker Beirne three times in the first meeting. The Cavaliers will only be able to duplicate that if they can shut down this revived Columbus running. Gables also needs a healthy Gregory Howell dominating as a 1-2 punch with sophomore Keino Mike and balancing an offense with quarterback Dijion Smith. Howell hasn’t played in recent weeks so it remains to be seen how much of a factor he can be in the rematch. Andre’s pick: Columbus 27, Coral Gables 24.

Region 4-6A semifinal — Fort Lauderdale Dillard (8-3) vs. Central (9-1) at Traz Powell: Dillard pulled off a turnaround of its own last week jumping ahead of Carol City early and holding on for a 28-19 win. This came a week following a 50-0 loss in the Soul Bowl to Blanche Ely.

This week presents a monster of a challenge against a Central team that put up 48 points in the first half against Boynton Beach. Dillard’s offense might be able to generate some points if it comes out sharp. But look for the Rockets to wear down the Panthers defense with the running game and break some big plays to turn the score heavily in their favor. Andre’s pick: Central 42, Dillard 20.

Region 4-3A final — Westminster Christian (10-1) at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (8-3): Mounting injuries and a tough trip to West Palm Beach are going to be tough for the Warriors to overcome. Jordan Cronkrite, one of Westminster’s top playmakers, went down with an ankle injury last week, and the Warriors barely survived Pahokee thanks to a stellar defensive effort.

They can’t afford a slow start against Newman, a team that has been getting closer to a breakthrough the past few seasons under coach and former UM quarterback Steve Walsh. Andre’s pick: Cardinal Newman 28, Westminster Christian 24.

Region 4-2A final — Champagnat Catholic (11-0) at Belle Glade Glades Day (8-3): The Lions picked up their first playoff win last week running the football well as they have in recent weeks. They didn’t get the rematch with rival Dade Christian. Instead, they have to hit the road to Belle Glade which is never easy.

That, and a Glades Day team that might not be as down as people think could cause problems for Champagnat if it’s not ready. But the Lions are too talented to slip up at this point. Look for a strong second half to help them win again. Andre’s pick: Champagnat Catholic 22, Glades Day 8.

Andre’s record — Last week: 10-1; Season: 225-61.

NOTE: All games start Friday at 7:30 p.m.

  Comments  

Videos

Northwestern High’s Samuel Brooks commits to the University of Miami

Carol City’s head coach talks new football season

View More Video

Trending Stories

Haitian police arrest five Americans who claimed they were on a ‘government mission’

February 18, 2019 06:37 PM

Man arrested after climbing crane near FIU to ask Trump for mercy for Cuban exile bomber

February 18, 2019 08:44 AM

A Florida 6th-grader called the Pledge of Allegiance ‘racist.’ Then he got arrested.

February 18, 2019 08:59 AM

Double vision: Miami will host Miami in future football game

February 18, 2019 06:36 PM

Here’s why the Dolphins will avoid dummies more than ever. And coaches weigh in on new QB

February 18, 2019 02:07 PM

Read Next

Get to know Miami’s 2020 recruiting class: RB Don Chaney Jr. gives Canes a class leader

University of Miami

Get to know Miami’s 2020 recruiting class: RB Don Chaney Jr. gives Canes a class leader

By David Wilson

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 18, 2019 11:44 AM

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School four-star running back Don Chaney Jr. orally committed to the Miami Hurricanes on Feb. 3 and has positioned himself as an early leader for the Canes’ Class of 2020.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to the Miami Herald

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE MIAMI-DADE HIGH SCHOOLS

It needed overtime, but Palmer Trinity boys’ soccer will defend its state title

Miami-Dade High Schools

It needed overtime, but Palmer Trinity boys’ soccer will defend its state title

February 16, 2019 07:59 PM
LaSalle boys’ soccer will play for a state title — and made school history along the way

High School Sports

LaSalle boys’ soccer will play for a state title — and made school history along the way

February 16, 2019 11:20 PM
For the first time in eight years, Varela boys’ soccer returns to state title game

Miami-Dade High Schools

For the first time in eight years, Varela boys’ soccer returns to state title game

February 16, 2019 07:56 PM
Pine Crest girls’ basketball wins first regional game in 21 years

High School Sports

Pine Crest girls’ basketball wins first regional game in 21 years

February 14, 2019 10:34 PM
54 football players from 17 area high schools named to All-State first-teams

High School Sports

54 football players from 17 area high schools named to All-State first-teams

February 14, 2019 03:20 PM
Big game from keeper carries LaSalle past University School in 2A final

Miami-Dade High Schools

Big game from keeper carries LaSalle past University School in 2A final

February 13, 2019 10:26 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Miami Herald App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Public Insight Network
  • Reader Panel
Advertising
  • Place a Classified
  • Media Kit
  • Commercial Printing
  • Public Notices
Copyright
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story