South Florida schools were forced to decide this week whether to participate in the Florida High School Athletic Association state playoffs this year, and with a few notable exceptions the vast majority of schools across South Florida won’t be participating.
All public high schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties have opted out of the playoffs this year, as have almost all Miami-Dade public high schools.
The exceptions are defending 5A champion Northwestern, 6A champion Central, defending Class 5A champion Miami Northwestern, and Palmetto, Homestead and Edison.
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These five public schools join a few private schools, including defending 2A champion Champagnat Catholic. In Broward County, defending 7A champion St. Thomas Aquinas and defending 3A champion Chaminade-Madonna.
Last year South Florida schools combined to win a record seven out of eight championship. Five of those teams have opted in and will be defending their titles this year, while defending 8A champion Columbus and defending 4A champion Booker T. Washington opted out.
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Coral Gables head coach Roger Pollard told me today that there is no indication as to when public schools will be allowed to begin playing football, despite plans to start in-person school by the second week of October.
American Heritage makes statement at Chaminade-Madonna
Football purists love battles between an unstoppable running offense and an impenetrable defense, and last Friday’s slugfest between American Heritage and Chaminade-Madonna didn’t disappoint.
The limited fans able to get their hands on the hottest ticket in town saw the Patriots come away with a 7-3 victory as Miami-commit Thad Franklin was contained for the first time in a long while.
Both teams hit the road for tough games this week.
American Heritage Patriots (1-0) at Clearwater Tornadoes (1-1), Fri Sept. 25 7pm
The Patriots will be put to the test against a tough Clearwater team. The Tornadoes, who made it into the second round of the playoffs last year, lost their opening game to a championship caliber Tampa Jesuit team.
Chaminade-Madonna (1-1) at Fort Myers Bishop Verot (2-1), Fri Sept. 25 7pm
Coach Dameon Jones’ Lions are coming off of two tough games, with an opening win against defending 2A champ Champagnat and last week’s tough loss to American Heritage. Bishop Verot is a good football team and, like Clearwater, their only loss is to Tampa Jesuit.
There are questions about Thad Franklin’s ankle, which he injured in last week’s game, and if he is not 100% the Lions could be in for a dogfight.
Champagnat Catholic Lions (1-1) at Dade Christian Crusaders (1-0) Fri, Sept 25 7:30pm
One of the most enjoyable recent rivalries in South Florida has been between Hector Clavijo’s Champagnat Lions and Nick Turnbull’s Miami Christian, which has been dubbed the “Pastelito Bowl.” While the rivalry has been one-sided in favor of Coach Clavijo, the rivalry has been heated and the games entertaining.
After a solid stint at Miami Christian, coach Turnbull has moved back to his alma mater and will try to bring the Dade Christian program back to prominence.
Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks at Belen Jesuit Wolverines Fri, Sept. 25 @ 7pm
Don Chaney takes over the reins at Belen as they host Archbishop McCarthy in the first game of the year for both teams.
