Miami-Dade high school football games of the week
All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.
WEEK 2 — SEPT. 4
South Dade at Coral Gables, 4 p.m.
Comment: Two of the best running games in the county collide in this early season matchup as South Dade’s balanced backfield takes on Amir Rasul and Coral Gables.
More must-see games: Sept. 3 — American vs. Norland (N. Miami), 7; Miami High vs. Southwest (Southridge), 4; Reagan vs. Doral (Milander), 3:30; Carol City at Oxbridge Academy, 7; Sept. 4 — Columbus vs. Northwestern (Traz).
WEEK 3 — SEPT. 11
Booker T. vs. Jackson, Traz Powell
Comment: Jackson has not defeated Booker T. Washington since the school reopened as a high school in 1999. This might be the Generals’ best chance, with one of their best squads in recent memory.
More must see games: Sept. 11 — Columbus at Southridge; Carol City at Lakeland; Gulliver at Belen, 4; Northwestern at Plantation American Heritage; Norland vs. South Dade (Harris); Sept. 12 — Jacksonville First Coast vs. Central (Traz), 7; Mater Academy vs. Reagan (Milander), 7.
WEEK 4 — SEPT. 19
Central vs. Norland, 7 p.m., North Miami Stadium
Comment: You might not find a better pairing of defenses all season in this county. The difference last season in this game was Central’s offensive strength in the running game. Can Norland match points this time?
More must-see games: Sept. 17 — Miami High at Columbus, 4; Sept. 18 — Coral Gables vs. Killian (Southridge); Monsignor Pace at Gulliver, 4; Champagnat Catholic at Dade Christian, 7; Sept. 19 — Southridge vs. Booker T. (Traz), 7.
WEEK 5 — SEPT. 25-26 — GAMES OF THE YEAR
Columbus vs. Belen, FIU Stadium, Sept. 25
Central vs. Booker T., 7 p.m., Traz Powell, Sept. 26
Comment: The annual event at FIU pitting longtime rivals Belen and Columbus figures to have its usual fervor. But will it be yet another lopsided win for Columbus? The following night, Central and Booker T. Washington renew their rivalry as the Rockets try to avenge their only two defeats the past two seasons.
More must-see games: Sept. 25 — American vs. North Miami (N. Miami); Southridge vs. Carol City (Traz); Northwestern vs. South Dade (Harris); Westminster Christian at Gulliver, 4; Sept. 26 — Plantation American Heritage vs. Norland (N. Miami), 7.
WEEK 6 — OCT. 2
Southridge vs. South Dade, Harris Field
Comment: We move into October and games start to become more meaningful in playoff races. This clash could determine the champion of District 16-8A.
More must-see games: Oct. 2 — Hallandale vs. Jackson (Traz); Miami High vs. Coral Gables (Tropical); Southwest at Belen, 4; Oct 3 — Central vs. Carol City (Traz), 7.
WEEK 7 — OCT. 10
Northwestern vs. Booker T. Washington, 7 p.m., Traz Powell
Comment: It has been closer than people have expected the past two years when these two have played. This year probably won’t be any different.
More must-see games: Oct. 8 — Southwest vs. Carol City (Traz), 7; Oct. 9 — Chaminade-Madonna at Westminster Christian, 4; Jackson vs. Central (Traz); Killian at Southridge.
WEEK 8 — OCT. 16
Norland vs. Carol City, Traz Powell
Comment: A playoff berth could be on the line in this matchup. These two and Northwestern went to a tiebreaker last year, and both missed the playoffs. The victor here could likely prevent such a fate.
More must-see games: Oct. 15 — South Dade vs. Killian (Southridge), 7; Gulliver vs. Booker T. (Traz), 7; Mater Academy vs. Miami Springs (Milander), 7; Oct. 16 — North Miami vs. NMB (N. Miami); Southwest vs. Coral Reef (Southridge), 4; Champagnat Catholic at Belle Glade Glades Day, 7; Oct. 17 — Central vs. Northwestern (Traz), 7.
WEEK 9 — OCT. 23
Booker T. vs. Columbus, Tropical Park
Norland vs. Northwestern, North Miami Stadium
Comment: Booker T. and Columbus each have their sights set on making it back to Orlando. This should be a good “measuring-stick” game only three weeks before the playoffs. Northwestern and Norland can clear up the playoff picture in District 16-6A further.
More must-see games: Oct. 22 — Reagan vs. Miami Springs (Milander), 7; Oct. 23 — Jackson at American Heritage; Champagnat Catholic at Gulliver, 4.
WEEK 10 — OCT. 30
Columbus vs. Coral Gables, Tropical
Comment: Coral Gables won both meetings in 2013, and Columbus returned the favor in 2014. So is this the first of two clashes again this season?
More must-see games: Oct. 29 — Killian vs. Palmetto (Tropical), 7; Oct. 30 — Jackson at Coconut Creek, 7; South Dade vs. Homestead (Harris); Northwestern vs. Carol City (Traz), 7:30; Belen vs. Coral Reef (Southridge).
WEEK 11 — NOV. 6
Northwestern vs. Jackson, Traz Powell
Comment: Last year, Jackson won its first Soul Bowl since 2002. That has no doubt fueled the fire in one of the county’s most tradition-rich rivalries.
More must-see games: Nov. 6 — Carol City vs. American (Milander); Chaminade-Madonna at Gulliver, 3:30; Nov. 7 — Coral Gables vs. Southwest (Tropical), 7.
POSTSEASON
Nov. 2: District tiebreakers (if necessary).
Nov. 12-13: Regional quarterfinals (Classes 8A-5A); semifinals (4A-1A).
Nov. 20: Regional semifinals (Classes 8A-5A); finals (4A-1A).
Nov. 27: Regional finals (Classes 8A-5A); State semifinals (4A-1A).
Dec. 4-5: State finals at Citrus Bowl in Orlando (Classes 4A-1A); state semifinals (8A-5A).
Dec. 12-13: State finals at Citrus Bowl in Orlando (Classes 8A-5A).
This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Miami-Dade high school football games of the week."