Each week of the HS football season, I will pick a few games of the south Florida HS football schedule that catch my attention and preview them here.
Columbus (1-0) vs. Northwestern (1-0)
This is the game that I will be at on Thursday night. If the past couple weeks are any indication, The West could be back. After defeating Dwyer 34-17 in preseason, The Bulls throttled American 47-0. Slick quarterback Tutu Atwell is backed by an aggressive and speedy defense.
On the other side, Columbus defeated Jackson 21-13 in week one after falling to Boyd Anderson in their kickoff classic. Marcelo Rodriguez needs to be more consistent at QB for the Explorers for them to win this game.
This is Northwestern’s opportunity on a big stage to show they are contenders and this is a great litmus test for Columbus early in the season. I think this one could go either way and the Bulls could pull it off, but the Columbus defense makes a couple game-changing plays to push the Explorers to victory.
When and where: Thursday at 7 – Tropical Park
Prediction: Columbus 27-20
Coral Gables (1-0) vs. South Dade (1-0)
It was a great victory for Coral Gables last week against Carol City in their season opener. South Dade defeated Coral Reef 19-0 to get off to a solid start as well. This is also a battle of two Miami Hurricanes 2018 commits at defensive back – Gilbert Frierson and D.J. Ivey.
One of the most exciting players in Dade County this season will be Cavaliers all-purpose back Johnny Ford and this could be a big game for him.
When and where: Thursday at 7 – at South Dade HS
Prediction: Coral Gables 23-13
Oxbridge Academy (1-0) vs. Carol City (0-1)
Carol City dropped a disappointing game to Coral Gables last week – a game that they were more than capable of winning. Oxbridge, on the other hand, grinded out a 7-6 victory over Flanagan. It’s been a tumultuous offseason for Oxbridge, but a 2-0 start with wins over Flanagan and Carol City would be an incredible start to the season.
Carol City battled IMG tough in their kickoff classic game and I think the Chiefs put it together this week to recover from the stinging loss to Coral Gables. I see Nayquan Wright and Camron Davis having a big night on the ground.
When and where: Thursday at 7 – at Oxbridge (West Palm Beach)
Prediction: Carol City 30-20
North Miami Beach (1-0) vs. Chaminade-Madonna (0-0)
This game caught my eye because it pegs the private 3A school Chaminade against 8A NMB Pioneers. This will be Chaminade’s season opener after losing to Deerfield Beach in their kickoff classic game. NMB won their first game 57-0 against Braddock.
On paper, the 3A Lions have the firepower to compete with most teams in south Florida, but questions within the program still linger as Jason Milgrom stepped down as head coach just before the start of fall practice.
When and where: Friday at 4 – at Chaminade
Prediction: North Miami Beach 27-24
Miramar (1-0) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1)
The STA Raiders were a part of arguably one of the greatest games in south Florida football history last week when they suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Booker T. Washington. They will go into this week as heavy favorites against long-time nemesis Miramar.
The Patriots are led by coach Pierre Senatus, who is the former defensive line coach at Booker T. He is trying to get Miramar back to playing fundamentally sound defense, as was seen in their 28-7 win over Mater Academy to start their season.
I see Aquinas bouncing back and winning this game handily. Side note: Canes commit Brian Edwards is playing for Miramar, after being at Aquinas for a few weeks over the summer. That should be an interesting dynamic to follow throughout the game.
When and where: Friday at 7 – at Miramar
Prediction: STA 42-13
Coconut Creek (0-1) vs. Flanagan (0-1)
The Cougars of Coconut Creek fell to Keys Gate Charter in week one. It wasn’t the start that new head coach Gerald Cox was looking for. Flanagan also suffered a loss as they only mustered 6 points and lost to Oxbridge.
Both teams have plenty of talent at the skill positions – Flanagan is led by Stanford Samuels, Jr. and Clevan Thomas and Coconut Creek has young talents such as Miguel Edwards, Stanley Garner, and Marquis Williams. I like the Dirty Birds of Flanagan in a close one.
When and where: Friday at 7 – at Coconut Creek
Prediction: Flanagan 20-17
One more to watch: Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) travels down to Plantation, Florida to face American Heritage at 7 on Friday night. Two of the top programs in the country. Should be fun to watch.
Columbus (1-0) vs. Northwestern (1-0)
This is the game that I will be at on Thursday night. If the past couple weeks are any indication, The West could be back. After defeating Dwyer 34-17 in preseason, The Bulls throttled American 47-0. Slick quarterback Tutu Atwell is backed by an aggressive and speedy defense.
On the other side, Columbus defeated Jackson 21-13 in week one after falling to Boyd Anderson in their kickoff classic. Marcelo Rodriguez needs to be more consistent at QB for the Explorers for them to win this game.
This is Northwestern’s opportunity on a big stage to show they are contenders and this is a great litmus test for Columbus early in the season. I think this one could go either way and the Bulls could pull it off, but the Columbus defense makes a couple game-changing plays to push the Explorers to victory.
When and where: Thursday at 7 – Tropical Park
Prediction: Columbus 27-20
Coral Gables (1-0) vs. South Dade (1-0)
It was a great victory for Coral Gables last week against Carol City in their season opener. South Dade defeated Coral Reef 19-0 to get off to a solid start as well. This is also a battle of two Miami Hurricanes 2018 commits at defensive back – Gilbert Frierson and D.J. Ivey.
One of the most exciting players in Dade County this season will be Cavaliers all-purpose back Johnny Ford and this could be a big game for him.
When and where: Thursday at 7 – at South Dade HS
Prediction: Coral Gables 23-13
Oxbridge Academy (1-0) vs. Carol City (0-1)
Carol City dropped a disappointing game to Coral Gables last week – a game that they were more than capable of winning. Oxbridge, on the other hand, grinded out a 7-6 victory over Flanagan. It’s been a tumultuous offseason for Oxbridge, but a 2-0 start with wins over Flanagan and Carol City would be an incredible start to the season.
Carol City battled IMG tough in their kickoff classic game and I think the Chiefs put it together this week to recover from the stinging loss to Coral Gables. I see Nayquan Wright and Camron Davis having a big night on the ground.
When and where: Thursday at 7 – at Oxbridge (West Palm Beach)
Prediction: Carol City 30-20
North Miami Beach (1-0) vs. Chaminade-Madonna (0-0)
This game caught my eye because it pegs the private 3A school Chaminade against 8A NMB Pioneers. This will be Chaminade’s season opener after losing to Deerfield Beach in their kickoff classic game. NMB won their first game 57-0 against Braddock.
On paper, the 3A Lions have the firepower to compete with most teams in south Florida, but questions within the program still linger as Jason Milgrom stepped down as head coach just before the start of fall practice.
When and where: Friday at 4 – at Chaminade
Prediction: North Miami Beach 27-24
Miramar (1-0) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1)
The STA Raiders were a part of arguably one of the greatest games in south Florida football history last week when they suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Booker T. Washington. They will go into this week as heavy favorites against long-time nemesis Miramar.
The Patriots are led by coach Pierre Senatus, who is the former defensive line coach at Booker T. He is trying to get Miramar back to playing fundamentally sound defense, as was seen in their 28-7 win over Mater Academy to start their season.
I see Aquinas bouncing back and winning this game handily. Side note: Canes commit Brian Edwards is playing for Miramar, after being at Aquinas for a few weeks over the summer. That should be an interesting dynamic to follow throughout the game.
When and where: Friday at 7 – at Miramar
Prediction: STA 42-13
Coconut Creek (0-1) vs. Flanagan (0-1)
The Cougars of Coconut Creek fell to Keys Gate Charter in week one. It wasn’t the start that new head coach Gerald Cox was looking for. Flanagan also suffered a loss as they only mustered 6 points and lost to Oxbridge.
Both teams have plenty of talent at the skill positions – Flanagan is led by Stanford Samuels, Jr. and Clevan Thomas and Coconut Creek has young talents such as Miguel Edwards, Stanley Garner, and Marquis Williams. I like the Dirty Birds of Flanagan in a close one.
When and where: Friday at 7 – at Coconut Creek
Prediction: Flanagan 20-17
One more to watch: Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) travels down to Plantation, Florida to face American Heritage at 7 on Friday night. Two of the top programs in the country. Should be fun to watch.
