Winker’s South Florida High School Football Week 5 Update

“May you live in interesting times,” goes the Chinese curse.

There is no doubt everything is really interesting right now.

To recap where are:

• Under the Florida High School Athletic Association's controversial modified plans for the football season, high schools had the option to opt out of the state playoff if COVID conditions in their area did not permit them to begin football activities. Schools that opt out of the FHSAA playoffs can continue their seasons outside the normal FHSAA window for football.

• All public high schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties opted out, as have almost all Miami-Dade public high schools, in order to play a longer season.

• The minority that have opted in will be playing an abbreviated season and today received their seeding in the playoffs, with games starting November 13. Those opting in include defending 2A champion Champagnat Catholic, 5A champion Northwestern, 6A champion Central, along with Palmetto, Edison, Belen, Key West, Westminster Christian, Gulliver and Monsignor Pace. In Broward County, defending 7A champion St. Thomas Aquinas and defending 3A champion Chaminade-Madonna opted in and are joined by Cardinal Gibbons, Calvary Christian, and Westminster Academy.

• The majority that opted out will be starting their season later this month and participate in a South Florida round robin tournament that guaranties more games. Defending 8A Columbus and 4A Booker T. Washington have opted out and will not be defending their state titles.

• Gables Coach Roger Pollard told me on AM1210 yesterday that Gables were holding their first practice Wednesday night.

Last week's games

American Heritage Patriots (3-0) took care of business on the road and defeated St. John’s Bartram Trail Bears (3-1) 35-10.

The Patriots are off this week.

Gulliver Prep Raiders (1-0) started where they left off last year with a strong showing at Belen Jesuit Wolverines (1-1) 42-7.

Belen hosts the Somerset Academy Silver Palms Stallions (1-2) Thursday October 8 @ 7pm.

Gulliver hosts theSomerset Academy South Homestead Hurricanes (0-1) Friday October 9 @ 7pm. Look for Coach Earl Sims' talented Raiders to make a deep run in the playoffs with Booker T. Washington opting out.

Florida Christian Patriots (2-0) beat the Westminster Christian Warriors (0-1) 16-7

Westminster Christian looks to bounce back at Miami Christian Victors (1-0) Friday October 9 @ 4pm.

Florida Christian travels to Marathon to play the Dolphins (0-1), who lost last week to the Coral Shores Hurricanes.

Champagnat Catholic Lions (3-1) rolled over Monsignor Pace Spartans (0-1) 35-0

Champagnat plays the Tru Prep Academy Saints (2-0) in what should be an interesting game Friday, October 9 @ 7pm. The game will take place at the new Lockhart Stadium practice field at 1350 nw 55th St, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33309.

When the University School canceled its football season, the Sharks' players moved together to Tru Prep Academy, a small school in Miami Gardens. The Saints have been playing well.

Monsignor Pace faces another tough challenge as it travels to play Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs in their season opener Friday Oct 9 @7pm.

Calvary Christian (4-0) beat Clewiston Tigers (2-1)

Long time readers know that I took early notice of the incredible things Hector Clavijo was doing at Champagnat with very little in the way of facilities and financial support (their first state championship rings feature the two palm trees that served as practice field goalposts.

While Calvary Christian has a much different vibe than Hialeah's Champagnat, Coach Kirk Hoza has much of the same "make the most of what you have" inspirational leadership.

After pulling off a gritty win in Clewiston, Calvary takes its undefeated record to Palm Beach County this Friday to take on the Benjamin Buccaneers (1-1). Clewiston hosts the Archbishop McCarthy Mustangs Mavericks (0-2) Friday Oct 9 @7:30pm.

Key West Conchs (1-0) won their first game 34-21 on the road at Westminster Academy Lions (1-3).

Westminster Academy hosts the Somerset Academy Panthers (0-0). The Conchs have the week off after an opening their season with a win.

Playoff Seeds released today

The Florida High School Athletic Association announced its playoff seeding today. For the first time ever, the bracket was a random draw, rather than based on results of play. Here is the South Florida seeding.

2A

Champagnat takes on Glades Day 11/6

The winner of Westminster Academy vs. Evangelical Christian on 11/6 plays Miami Christian, who has a draw.

3A

11/13

Edison Red Raiders play winner of Westminster Christian vs. Benjamin

Calvary Christian has a bye, then plays the winner of Bonita Springs vs. Lakeland Christian

Chaminade-Madonna plays Somerset Academy Silver Palms

4A
11/13
American Heritage plays Avon Park
Gulliver plays Monsignor Pace
Clewiston Plays Cardinal Gibbons

5A
11/13
Northwestern plays Key West
American Heritage plays winner of Palm Bay vs. Mariner

6A
11/6 Central plays Immokalee to see who moves on to play Archbishop McCarthy on 11/13
11/13 Belen plays Dunbar

7A
11/20 St. Thomas Aquinas plays winner of Sarasota vs. LeHigh

8A
11/13 Palmetto plays Dr. Phillips