Winker’s South Florida High School Football Update- Playoffs Wk 2

High School Playoff games in South Florida are always special, and I saw it in the face of Carol City Assistant Principal Kay Delgado, who grimaced on the sidelines with other Carol City teachers and administrator as the Chiefs failed to stop the Booker T. Washington on a third and long.

“Teacher or Mom” I asked her. “Is there really a difference?” she responded, as she described the pride she felt as she saw her students excelling in and out of the classroom and on the football field.

The 4-4A “Region of Death” started off with a bang as Booker T. Washington beat Carol City 35-14 in front of some of South Florida’s football royalty, including Dolphins HC Brian Flores and running back Mark Walton (a former Tornado and Miami Hurricane), Florida Memorial Lions HC Ice Harris, and Edison HC Luther Campbell.

Booker T. improved to 9-2 and will play undefeated No. 1 seed Gulliver Prep Raiders on Friday Nov. 15 at Tropical Park at 7:30pm.

Westminster Christian fell to Edison Red Raiders 33-7 in a Region 4-3A semifinal

With Miami Hurricanes HC Manny Diaz looking on, the Red Raiders won a game everyone knew they would win, but it was great to see the amount of fight in the Warriors.

Despite what some say, there are moral victories in football as in all other endeavors and a few highlight plays by the Warriors, including an interception by Gabriel Dozier in the end zone and a 80 yard touchdown run on the next play by Denim Edwards, avoided a running clock and a shutout (as Central did to Dunbar (38-0) and Northwestern did to Stranahan (63-0)).

A sure sign of great coaching is a team that doesn’t roll over, and HC Ed Holly’s warriors fought hard until the final whistle. I spoke with Warriors Team Mom Paige Teasdale on the sideline about the Warriors’ successful season and how they plan to build on it with only three seniors graduating.

The Red Raiders will travel north to take on top seeded Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Friday Nov. 15 at 8pm.

Western 43, South Dade 20

In a game many thought would be closer, the Western Wildcats handed the Buccaneers their fourth straight straight loss after a 7-0 start, and knocked them out of the playoffs in a Region 4-8A quarterfinal.

Western will face Palmetto Thursday in the regional semifinals at Harris Field in Homestead at 7pm. The Panthers blew past Taravella 68-0 at Tropical Park in their regional quarterfinal.

Miami High 28, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas 3

The Eagles were pounded in their first home playoff game in school history, as the Stingarees advanced in Class 8A to play Thursday 7pm in a regional semifinal game against Miami Columbus at Tropical Park at 6pm. The Explorers defeated Coral Gables Thursday night 50-14.

Cardinal Gibbons 56, Monsignor Pace 26

Cardinal Gibbons never trailed on its way to a 56-26 win against the Spartans in the Region 4-4A quarterfinals at Dr. Bud Tight Field. The Chiefs quest for a second straight state championship continues Friday as they travel to face No. 2-seed University, which had a bye to the region semifinals. The game will be played at Nova High School.

Plantation Colonels 47, Hialeah 35

The Plantation Colonels outscored Hialeah 47-35 in a Region 4-7A quarterfinal Friday at Milander Stadium to set up a rematch with the USA Today No. 2 ranked Raiders, which beat them 35-0 last month. The Raiders demolished South Broward 52-0 Friday night.

Other Games this week

Miami Christian Victors vs. Champagnat Lions, Thursday Nov 14 7pm Curtis Park

The Victors beat Neumann 35-24 to advance to play HC Hector Clavijo’s Lions, who are looking for their 4th straight trip to the 2A finals after first round bye.

This is a “rivalry” game, but in quotes because only one side considers it a rivalry.

An August Miami Herald article outlined the history and bad blood between these teams. Champagnat defeated the Victors in the first round of last year’s playoff 21-20.

“I don’t see how anyone can mention us in the same breath with a straight face,” Clavijo told me, “we see them as just another stepping stone to our goal every year- a state championship.”

American Heritage Patriots host the North Miami Beach Chargers Friday Nov 15 7:30pm

The Patriots pounded the Key West Conchs in a 5A quarterfinal Friday night 53-15 and the Chargers travelled to Fort Myers to beat Cypress Lake 14-7.

Naples Golden Eagles host the Central Rockets Friday Nov 15 7:30pm

The most interesting matchup this week is in 6A, with undefeated Naples hosting the Central Rockets Friday night at 7:30pm. Naples beat South Fort Myers 45-7 and Central pummeled Dunbar 38-0.

Dillard Panthers host the Fort Myers Green Wave Friday Nov 15 7:30pm

The undefeated Dillard Panthers advanced by beating Lely 48-6, and Fort Myers beat North Fort Myers 49-28.

Northwestern Bulls vs Killian Cougars at Traz Powell on Friday Nov 15 7:30pm

Killian first year HC Derrick Gibson has impressed everyone with his quick turnaround of the Cougars into a tough team to beat. Killian travelled to Jensen Beach last week and won a defensive battle 6-3 in overtime last week. Their reward: a trip to Traz Powell to face HC Max Edward’s Bulls, who are playing on a different level as they seek their third consecutive state championship and demolished Stranahan 63-0 last week.

Chaminade-Madonna Lions host Somerset Academy Silver Palms Friday Nov 15 7:30pm

The Lions are coming off their bye and starting their defense of last year’s 3A State Championship against HC Javi Valdes’s tough Somerset Academy Silver Palms team, who blew out Saint Andrew’s 54-7 last week.