Winker’s South Florida High School Football Nov 25 2020 Update

The state championship playoffs are in full swing, with South Florida teams in some some great matchups this week.

8A Palmetto Panthers at Treasure Coast (PortSt. Lucie) Titans (10-0) Fri Nov 27 7:30pm

Palmetto is the only 8A team in South Florida that opted into the state playoffs, and with defending champ Columbus choosing not to defend its state title the Panthers have a good opportunity to pick up their first state championship. But to get there, they have to beat some really good teams starting with a visit to undefeated Treasure Coast.

The Panthers slipped by Lake Nona 9-6 and the Titans will present an even more difficult challenge. The Titans undefeated record includes a win over Vero Beach, who will likely meet the winner of this game in the next round.

7A St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (4-1) at Manatee (Bradenton) Hurricanes (9-1) at Fri Nov 27 7:30pm

The defending Class 7A state champions St. Thomas Aquinas were in a rare regional quarterfinal contest on the road and pounded Lehigh 50-14. The Raiders will play on the road for the second straight week against longtime playoff rival Manatee.

7A Venice Indians (10-3) at Homestead Broncos (3-2) Traz Powell Sat Nov 28 6pm

Homestead came out of the gate with two straight losses to Edison and Palmetto, but has now won three in a row headed into its Saturday game against two time state champ Venice at Traz Powell. Homestead defeated Doral Academy 12-9 last week. Venice is a monster, with wins over Sarasota and Lakeland and its only losses to IMG, American Heritage and Manatee.

6A Central Rockets (4-1) at Naples Golden Eagles (7-1) Fri Nov 27 7:30pm

Miami Central played its first playoff game of the year after winning two games in a row by forfeit. The Rockets easily handled Lely 42-16 and travel to Naples in what will be their first test of the playoffs.

5A American Heritage Patriots (7-2) at Rockledge Raiders (7-1) Fri Nov 27 7:30pm

Oh man. A battle tested American Heritage dethroned defending Class 5A state champions Miami Northwestern 12-3 at Traz last weekend, ending the Bulls quest for a four-peat. Rockledge’s only loss was to undefeated Cocoa.

4A Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (5-1) at Delray American Heritage Stallions (4-3) Fri Nov 27 7:30pm

Cardinal Gibbons took care of business at at FIU’s Riccardo Silva Stadium, knocking off Gulliver Prep 29-7. The Chiefs face the Stallions in Delray Beach, who beat Lemon Bay 49-7 last week.

3A Chaminade-Madonna Lions (6-1) at Edison Red Raiders (4-1) Traz Powell Fri Nov 27 7:30pm

Broward vs. Miami-Dade at Traz Powell is always a good time and this is the game of the week. Chaminade-Madonna, looking for a historic four-peat, beat Calvary Christian Academy 38-6 in Hollywood while Miami Edison blanked St. John Paul II 41-0.

2A Champagnat Catholic Lions (8-2) Community School of Naples Seahawks (9-1) Fri Nov 27 7

Champagnat Catholic smashed Moore Haven 55-12 and will travel to play Community School of Naples, who beat Westminster Academy 23-12.

In other action last week, the top ranked team in the USA Today IMG Academy crushed Tru Prep Academy on ESPNU Friday night 41-6. TRU Prep Academy, a first-year program formed after University cancelled its season due to COVID-19, finishes its season 5-2.

The win caps an undefeated 8 win season for IMG, with notable wins over Duncanville (Texas), Northwestern, Edgewater and Venice.

In local opt-out action, Columbus crushed Coral Gables 57-0.