Winker’s South Florida High School Football Update- Week 11

Friday night I was watching the Columbus Explorers beat the Coral Gables Cavaliers 42-26 and ran into legendary Larry Blustein, one of the pillars of South Florida high school football for over 40 years. Larry is known for his “tell us about that” interview style as host of the South Florida High School Sports Show on 560 WQAM and his tireless work highlighting the good things our young athletes are accomplishing on and off the field.

It was great to speak with him about Thursday night’s epic 8A battle where the Palmetto Panthers beat the South Dade Buccaneers 46-42 at Harris Field and Gulliver’s convincing win over Champagnat Catholic (35-21) earlier Friday afternoon.

There were a couple of surprising results last week. Belen failed to score in a 7-0 loss to Southridge and Central’s up and down season continued with loss in Hollywood to Chaminade-Madonna.

In other action, the Killian Cougars continued their strong inauguaral season under Coach Derrick Gibson with a 52-35 victory in Key West over the Conchs.

Has anyone ever played more football over a 7 day period than the Norland Vikings?

They will play their third game within a week. Last Thursday they beat the South Miami Cobras 45-0, and then on Saturday night the Vikings travelled up to Bradenton to take on IMG Academy, losing 35-0 in a make up game rescheduled from Aug. 30 because of Hurricane Dorian. On Thursday, the Vikings take on winless Mater Academy Charter.

Friday Night's Featured Games

St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (8-0) at Western Wildcats (7-1), Friday 7

HC Adam Ratkevich’s Wildcats host the Raiders in one of two Broward battles Friday night. HC Roger Harriot has the USA Today second ranked Raiders heading into the playoffs as No. 1 seed in Region 4-7A.

Northwestern Bulls (7-2) vs. Edison Raiders (5-4), Friday, 7:30, Traz Powell

Coach Luther Campbell has surprised many with what he has accomplished in his first year at Edison and has them playoff bound. The Bulls, seeking their third consecutive state title, will be a great prep for the pace and intensity of playoff football.

Northwestern beat the Jackson Generals in last week’s Soul Bowl at Traz Powell Friday night 49-6. Edison is coming off a loss to the the Booker T. Washington Tornadoes 28-6 last week.

Plantation Colonels (8-1) at Stoneman Douglas Eagles (8-0) Friday 7

Stoneman Douglas puts its undefeated record up against the Colonels in a battle of playoff bound teams.

Saturday Night’s Featured Game

▪ No. 5 Dillard Panthers (9-0) at Blanche Ely Tigers (7-2), Saturday, 5

We don’t often have a Saturday night game to highlight, but the Broward Soul Bowl is always a blast. Dillard puts its undefeated record on the line against Blanche Ely.