Here’s a look at the top games in Miami-Dade for the 2024 high school football season
Miami-Dade County high school football teams consistently take on the best of the best from around the state and the nation, and aren’t shy about putting together some of the top crosstown matchups featuring the county’s best.
The 2024 season is no different as every week has intriguing matchups on the road back to possible state championships.
Here’s a look at the best games week-by-week featuring Miami-Dade County teams.
NOTE: All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
WEEK 1 - AUG. 22-24
Miami Northwestern at Coconut Creek, Aug. 22, 8 p.m.
He’s coached a spring game and by this point, he’ll have coached a preseason game. But here’s where it starts getting real for first-year Northwestern coach Teddy Bridgewater and the Bulls, who are hoping for a major resurgence this season.
Northwestern becomes the first Dade team to participate in the third annual Broward County Football Showcase and will take on one of the 954’s best in the Cougars, who are loaded and hoping to build off last year’s regional finals appearance.
Miami Central vs. Lakeland, Aug. 23 at Traz Powell Stadium.
Lakeland, a nine-time state champion and winner of two state crowns in a row in the defunct Class 4 Suburban division, rarely leaves Polk County to come to Dade County for one of these huge matchups. This promises to be a great early test for both sides and especially for a Rockets’ squad hoping to start a new state championship streak after having their run of four in a row snapped by Miami Norland last season.
▪ More games to watch - Aug. 22: Columbus at Southridge, 7; South Dade vs. Booker T. (Traz), 7; Aug. 23: Norland at Miramar, 7; Homestead vs. Palmetto (Tropical).
WEEK 2 - AUG. 29-31
Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) vs. Columbus, Aug. 30 at Tropical Park
Not so long ago, winning a state football championship was an elusive dream at Columbus. The Explorers enter this season aiming for their first ever “three-peat” and fourth state title overall. But there’s been a lot of roster turnover, including quarterback. Maryland powerhouse Our Lady of Good Counsel should provide Columbus a good early gauge of what it needs to fortify if it’s to make another title run.
▪ More games to watch - Aug. 29: Palmetto vs. Booker T. (Traz), 7; Aug. 30: Homestead vs. South Dade (Harris); Northwestern at Venice; Carol City vs. Norland (Traz); Aug. 31: Edison vs. Central (Traz), 7
WEEK 3 - SEPT. 5-7
Columbus at St. Thomas Aquinas, 7, Sept. 6 - GAME OF THE YEAR
A long-awaited clash between two of South Florida’s most decorated programs is finally happening. Aquinas is chasing more history as it hopes to extend its streak of five consecutive state championships. Meanwhile, Columbus is vying for three in a row.
This game…no…this event, which will bring together two of the most fervent fanbases in the state could become a great annual series both on and off the field.
Central vs. Booker T. Washington, 7, Sept. 7 at Traz Powell.
Central will be coming off three potential playoff teams as it braces for one of its longtime rivals. Although the Rockets have owned this series in recent years, Booker T. is always a formidable challenge and the Tornadoes believe this is the year they break through to win another state championship.
▪ More games to watch - Sept. 6: Palmetto at Southridge; Northwestern vs. Carol City (Traz); Belen at La Salle, 7
WEEK 4 - SEPT. 12-14
Northwestern vs. Norland, Sept. 13 at Traz Powell.
Norland’s dream season came to a crashing halt after an upset loss in the Class 2M state championship game against Tampa Berkeley Prep. Reports of the Vikings’ demise have been exaggerated as they remain among the state and nation’s best. Call this a proving ground game between a team trying to secure another chance at the title and Northwestern, which is trying to prove it is back among the elite.
▪ More games to watch - Sept. 12: Edison at Chaminade, 7; Sept. 13: Columbus vs. Palmetto (Tropical); Coral Gables vs. Miami High (Curtis).
WEEK 5 - SEPT. 19-21
American Heritage vs. Central, Sept. 20 at Traz Powell.
We couldn’t get the rematch of the 2022 Class 2M state title game last year after Central was ousted from the playoffs by Norland. We get it this time around as the Patriots drive down to north Dade for a game between two of the most battle-tested teams in the state at this point. The championship two seasons ago was decided in the closing seconds. Will it be again this year?
Norland at Chaminade, Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
The Vikings move into the meat of their schedule as quarterback Ennio Yapoor and Co. take on some of the toughest teams in the country. Chaminade is likely the toughest opponent Norland will face and a great test in its bid to return to state.
▪ More games to watch - Sept. 19: Columbus vs. Northwestern (Traz), 7; Sept. 20: Booker T. at Lakeland; Palmetto vs. Killian (Tropical); Southridge at Doral, 7; Edison at Monsignor Pace.
WEEK 6 - SEPT. 26-28
Northwestern vs. Jackson, Sept. 27 at Traz
Will the Soul Bowl be competitive again?
It will be interesting to see how much both programs have progressed by this point. The Bulls hope to be in state title contention in Bridgewater’s first season. And former Northwestern coach Max Edwards will have a chance to really hand his former school a tough setback if he can get the Generals to the point they can compete for a rare win in this series.
▪ More games to watch - Sept. 26: Archbishop Carroll vs. True North (Tropical), 3:30; Sept. 27: Southridge vs. Homestead (Harris); Braddock vs. Ferguson (Tropical); Sept. 28: South Dade vs. Columbus (Tropical), 7.
WEEK 7 - OCT. 3-5
Central vs. Northwestern, Oct., 4 at Traz Powell.
Even after the Bulls dropped off a bit last season, they still competed with Central and nearly upset the Rockets. Northwestern figures to be much better this season thanks to an influx of talent and Bridgewater’s arrival. Central is still likely to be the favorite, but the gap has narrowed.
Norland at Cocoa, Oct. 4, 7 p,m.
Another doozy of a road test for the Vikings as they travel up the road to take on the nationally-ranked Tigers and their explosive offense. Watch for the fireworks in this one as both teams will sling it.
▪ More games to watch - Oct. 4: Palmetto vs. South Dade (Harris); Hialeah vs. HML (Milander), 7; Oct. 5: Southridge vs. Edison (Traz), 7.
WEEK 8 - OCT. 9-12
American Heritage vs. Norland, Oct. 12, 7 p.m. at Traz
The Vikings bring a nationally-ranked powerhouse to their neck of the woods for a change as this game could be a preview of the most important postseason clash in Class 4A. It will more than likely decide a district championship and set the tone for a rematch in the regional finals.
▪ More games to watch - Oct. 10: Booker T. vs. Homestead (Harris), 7; North Miami Beach vs. Carol City (Betty Ferguson), 7.
WEEK 9 - OCT. 17-19
GMAC championship, Friday, at site TBD
The fourth annual GMAC championship week has become a great chance to see matchups between teams from the north and south ends of the county who don’t normally play each other. Columbus has made it each of the first three years, but lost the title game the past two seasons to Central and Norland. Figure those three to be the frontrunners to be in the championship again, but there are other contenders looking to upset the status quo.
▪ More games to watch - Oct. 18: Belen at Gulliver, 4; La Salle at St. Brendan, 7; True North at Kings Academy, 6:30.
WEEK 10 - OCT. 23-26
Homestead vs. Edison, Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m. at Traz
Homestead moved into Class 6A and has its sights set on returning to the state final for the third consecutive season. The Broncos should be among the strongest squads in the county again and face an Edison team, which is still very talented in its own right and should make the postseason. This presents an interesting test for both sides with the playoffs looming at this point.
▪ More games to watch - Oct. 25: NSU University School at Gulliver, 4; NMB at Monsignor Pace; Oct. 26: Westminster Christian vs. True North (Tropical), 7.
WEEK 11 - OCT. 30-NOV. 1
Southridge vs. South Dade, Nov. 1 at Harris Field.
Numerous teams have a bye this week as they prepare for the playoffs, but down south these two longtime rivals will square off in what should be a solid showdown. Last season, this game went down to the wire with the Bucs prevailing on a late touchdown.
▪ More games to watch - Nov. 1: Gulliver at St. Brendan, 7; Monsignor Pace vs. Goleman (Milander).
PLAYOFFS
▪ Nov. 7-8: Regional quarterfinals; Nov. 14-15: Regional semifinals; Nov. 22: Regional finals; Nov. 29: State semifinals; Dec. 5-7: State championship at site TBD.
