Winker’s South Florida High School Football Week 4 (Oct 1) Update

In-person school starts next week at Miami-Dade high schools and coaches are eagerly awaiting permission to begin practicing, with games expected to start at the end of this month.

I spoke with Coral Gables Coach Roger Pollard, who told me they are handing out equipment tomorrow.

American Heritage and Chaminade-Madonna get big road wins

Meanwhile, private schools are playing and American Heritage and Chaminade-Madonna went on the road to the west coast of Florida last Friday and returned victorious.

American Heritage traveled to Clearwater High School and beat the Tornadoes 24-0. Chaminade was a little closer to home traveling to Fort Myers where the Lions knocked off Bishop Vero 21-6.

American Heritage Patriots (2-0) at St. John’s Bartram Trail Bears (3-0) Fri Oct 2 7pm

The Patriots are on the road again as they head up to the Jacksonville area to take on Bartram Trail in St. John’s County. This will be another test for the Patriots defense, as Bears QB Santino Marucci is one of the top pro style QBs in the country.

Gulliver Prep Raiders (0-0) at Belen Jesuit Wolverines (1-0) Fri Oct 2 7pm

Belen, coming off a convincing 45-0 win over Archbishop McCarthy last week, is in for a big reality check as they host a resurgent Gulliver team that is ready to make its mark after a deep playoff run last year.

Westminster Christian Warriors (0-0) at Florida Christian Patriots (1-0) on Fri Oct 2 7:30pm

This is the first game for the Warriors, who look to build on a record breaking year last year that ended with a loss in the playoffs to Edison.

Champagnat Catholic Lions (2-1) at Monsignor Pace Spartans (0-0) Fri Oct 2 7:30pm

Defending 2A champ Champagnat is coming off a 34-14 victory over George Stubbs’s Dade Christian Crusaders and will be visiting Monsignor Pace this week.

I spoke with Champagnat head coach Hector Clavijo, who pointed out that this is his fourth game in a row without any film whatsoever on his opponent. Look for Champagnat to continue its two game winning streak since its opening season loss at Chaminade-Madonna over a rebuilding Spartans program.

The Crusaders play at Somerset Academy Silver Palms Friday, October 2 @ 7pm

Calvary Christian Eagles (2-0) at Clewiston Tigers (2-0) Fri Oct 2 7:30 p.m.

This is an interesting game between unbeaten teams that have never given up a score. I spoke with Calvary head coach Kirk Hoza about the challenges of playing at Clewiston. "This is a historic program with a talented team led by a great coach," said Hoza. "Our team is looking forward to the challenge."

Key West Conchs (0-0) at Westminster Academy Lions (1-2) Fri Oct 2 @ 7pm

The Conchs start their season with a tough road game at Westminster Academy. I spoke with Key West head coach John Hughes who said his kids are eager to hit the field. He also said the Lions are better than their 1-2 record indicates and he is preparing his boys for a tough matchup.

The Conch Train always brings tough and well-coached football when it heads up the Overseas Highway and this should be an entertaining game. The Lions will be looking to bounce back from a 26-6 loss to Boca Raton’s undefeated St. John Paul II Academy.

In other Monroe County action, the Marathon Dolphins host the Coral Shores Hurricanes on Friday, October 2 @ 7p.