Winker’s South Florida High School Football Sept 1 2021 Update

If you weren’t at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon to see St. Thomas Aquinas grind out an impressive victory over Baltimore’s St. Francis Academy, I hope you were watching it on ESPN. Not ESPNU, not ESPN2 or 3. But prime billing on ESPN at high noon.

There are lots of great games to check out this week.

St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (1-0) at Tampa Jesuit Tigers (1-0) tbd

In a hastily scheduled game after Plantation was forced to cancel for covid protocol, St. Thomas Aquinas will be travelling to Tampa Jesuit to play the Tigers at Corral Memorial Stadium. Reports vary as to whether the game will be on Friday or Saturday. The Tigers are coming of a 35-0 blowout over Ocala’s West Port.

Central Rockets (0-1) vs. Las Vegas Bishop Gorman (1-0) Sat 8pm at Naples Paradise Coast Sports Complex

Central is ranked 24th in USA Today’s national poll after a season opening 35-12 loss two weeks ago in California to St. John Bosco (ranked 3rd). Bishop Gorman is ranked number 3 after beating St. Louis of Hawaii 42-21.

You want upsets, we got upsets

Has there been a bigger recent upset than American Heritage losing to Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast last Friday in Naples? American Heritage is still having nightmares of Treasure Coast’s single-wing offense and Edgarin James’ son Eden James ran wild for over 250 yards.

Chaminade-Madonna Lions (1-0) at American Heritage Patriots (0-1) Fri 7:30pm

The Patriots have no time to lick their wounds, as they welcome Chaminade-Madonna and its stand out sophomore running back Davion Gause

Thursday games

Palmetto Panthers (1-1) at Gulliver Raiders (1-0) Thurs 4 pm

I will be at the Pinecrest Bowl this Thursday and Sean Taylor Memorial Field should be rocking as expectations are high at Gulliver after two undefeated regular seasons followed by quick exits in the playoffs. The Raiders collected a nice road win over Bradenton Manatee last week.

Palmetto stole one at Homestead last week 21-19 after a season opening loss at Cardinal Gibbons.

Miami Stingarees (1-0) vs North Miami Pioneers (0-1) 7pm Curtis Park

I was at Curtis Park last Thursday night and couldn’t have been more impressed with the Stingarees and the job first year coach Paul Volero has done to get Miami High cranked up for highly competitive 8A play this year.

Calvary Christian (1-0) at Taravella (0-1) Thurs 4pm

I am a big fan of Kirk Hoza and what he is doing at Calvary Christian, who will be looking to continue its winning streak after beating Pine Crest last week.

Friday games

Booker T. Washington Tornadoes (1-0) vs. Northwestern Bulls (1-0) Fri 7:30pm Traz Powell

This should be a good one as usual. The Bulls are coming off an opening-week win over defending Class 2A state champ Champagnat, while the Tornadoes held off Norland.

Champagnat Catholic Lions (0-1) at Delray Beach American Heritage (0-1) Fri 7pm

Coach Hector Clavijo has build his championship teams by embracing challenging scheduling, and the Lions will be on the road after last week’s opening loss to Northwestern.

Columbus Explorers (1-0) at St. Johns Bartram Trail (1-0) Fri 7pm

This is a big time game and could be a preview of the 8A state championship game. The Explorers travelled to Georgia and took a season-opening win against Benedictine last week.

Homestead Broncos (0-1) vs. South Dade Buccaneers (0-1) Fri 7:30pm Harris Field

This is always a fun game and Harris Field Park will be packed Friday night. Both teams are coming off opening season losses to tough opponents, as South Dade fell to Doral Academy and Homestead lost to Palmetto.

Deerfield Beach (1-0) at Dillard (1-0) Fri 7pm

Who is the best public school in Broward? Probably Deerfield Beach, who blocked a field goal as time expired for a big home field win over Edison. Dillard, coming off a blowout win over Boyd Anderson, definitely has the standout players to challenge the Bucks, including WR Devaughn Mortimer, a FSU commit.

Cardinal Newman (1-0) at Cardinal Gibbons (0-0) Fri 7pm

Cardinal Newman is coming off a blowout win over King’s Academy, while covid protocol cancelled reigning Class 4A champions Cardinal Gibbons’ game last week versus Venice

LaSalle Royal Lions (1-0) at Belen Jesuit Wolverines (1-0) Fri 7:30pm

Belen travelled to Colorado to beat Greeley 35-0, while LaSalle blew out Coral Springs Charter 50-0. I went to this game at LaSalle last year and it was a lot of fun with Belen pulling out a close one.