Winker’s South Florida High School Football Update- Week 9

RPI = (WP)*.35 + (OWP)*.35 + (OOWP)*.30

That algebraic formula will determine district champion seeding, as well as the four wild-card entries for each region.

The formula looks complicated, but it actually makes a lot of sense and has incentivized the competitive style games and weekly playoff atmosphere we have been enjoying.

Basically, 35% of the ranking is your win/loss record, 35% is your opponents win/loss record, and 30% is your opponent’s opponents win/loss record.

The rankings are released by class each week, and there are not a lot of surprises:

4A

NSU University School 6-1

Gulliver Prep 7-0

Cardinal Gibbons 5-2

Booker T. Washington 6-2

5A

American Heritage (Plantation) 6-1

Miami Northwestern 5-2

Key West 5-2

6A

Naples 7-0

Barron Collier 5-2

Miami Central 6-2

Fort Myers 6-2

Dillard 8-0

7A

St. Thomas Aquinas 6-0

Plantation 6-1

Atlantic (Delray) 4-2

Miramar 5-3

8A

South Dade 7-0

Douglas 6-0

Miami Palmetto 6-1

Columbus 4-3

Western 6-1

Miami High 5-2

Last week’s games featured a big 7-6 win for the Edison Red Raider over a battle tested Carol City Chiefs team, a statement win by the University Sharks over Columbus 35-0, and Central pounding the Norland Vikings 38-0.

Thursday Game of the Week

Palmetto Panthers (6-1) takes on Miami High Stingarees (5-2) Thursday at Southridge High 7pm

Stingarees coming off a good win over the Coral Gables Cavaliers have a tough task ahead of them against the Panthers, who will have to avoid looking ahead to their game of the year against South Dade next week.

Packed schedule of Friday Games

Northwestern Bulls (5-2) host Key West Conchs (5-2) Friday at Traz Powell 7:30pm

Coming off a 34-28 home victory over the Jackson Generals, the Conchs will get a good indication of their strengths and weaknesses Friday night at Traz Powell against the Bulls. Northwestern beat Miami Springs 59-0 last week.

Columbus Explorers (4-3) at Dillard Panther (8-0) Friday 7pm

Columbus is coming off a humbling 35-0 beating at University last week to face an undefeated Dillard team.

3A Calvary Christian Academy Eagles (8-0) at 4A Gulliver Prep Raiders (7-0), Friday, 4pm

Always fun to watch undefeated playoff bound teams go at it. Gulliver Head Coach Earl Sims is putting together a great season and this will be a solid test for the Raiders.

Carol City Chiefs (3-5) at South Dade Buccaneers (7-0), Harris Field Friday 7:30pm

Coming off a tough 7-6 loss to Edison, the Chiefs head to Homestead to take on unbeaten South Dade.

Deerfield Beach Bucks (5-2) at St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (6-0), Friday 7pm

Deerfield Beach faces the No. 2 USA Today ranked Raiders (California’s Mater Dei (7-0) is ranked number 1).