Winker’s South Florida High School Football Week 7 (10/22) Update

"El fútbol es lo más importante de las cosas menos importantes” is a saying in Spanish which means “football is the most important of the less important things.”

Miami-Dade public schools start off the football season with a bang this week, with the Central Rockets take on the Northwestern Bulls at Traz Powell Friday night at 7pm.

This should be a wild one between two of the best teams in the country (Central is ranked as the 9th best team in the nation by USA Today and Northwestern at #25).

Both teams have opted into the FHSAA playoffs and are playing abbreviated schedules. Northwestern travels to play IMG Academy next week and then plays Palmetto on November 7 before a playoff game against Key West on November 13. Central is playing an even more abbreviated schedule- against Edison next week before facing the Immokalee Indians in the playoffs on November 7.

For South Florida football aficionados, this game is both a cultural event and a chance to see the greatest concentration of football talent on any field in America. Attendance this year will be limited to family members of players.

A change.org/trazpowell petition has been launched asking Superintendent Alberto Carvalho to “Consider allowing the following: 250 Band and cheer members as well as 1,000 spectators on each opposing side, which will be 1250 people on each side and a total of 2500 in attendance.”

The petition asks “if we can reopen clubs, restaurants, banquet halls and business establishments why we can't make adjustments to reopen up stadiums and gymnasiums to spectators?”

It's a fair question as even strip clubs are now allowed to stay open 24 hours a day in Miami-Dade. Traz Powell received a great makeover in the offseason and hopefully fans will be filling the 8000 seats soon to cheer our kids on.

There are 28 other games this week, starting Thursday with a double-header at Traz Powell, with the American Patriots taking on the Miami Stingarees at 3:30. This is former University of Miami star Demetrius Jackson's coaching debut for the Patriots as they take on the Stingarees who recently lost their beloved coach Corey Smith.

The Carol City Chiefs under new head coach Dorrean James take on Darryl Heidelberg's Norland Vikings in the second game at 7:00.

In other 7pm Thursday night action, the North Miami Pioneers (0-0) are hosting the Hialeah Thoroughbreds (0-0) and Southwest is playing Coral Reef at Harris Field.

Friday’s other marquee games

Cardinal Gibbons Chief (2-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (1-0) Fri Oct 23 7pm

Roger Harriott’s Raiders, ranked #2 by USA Today (IMG is #1) beat TRU Prep 25-13 last week in their season opener. Cardinal Gibbons thrashed Doral Academy 35-3, but will not likely provide much more of a challenge to the Raiders.

American Heritage Patriots (3-1) at Venice Indians (6-1) Fri Oct 23 7pm

My prediction last week that the Patriots “should continue to roll against a tough opponent, the 7-time State 3A champs from Jacksonville” was off as the Patriots were shut out in a 3-0 loss.

Venice has won six straight and the Indians are averaging over 50 points per game since losing to IMG Academy in their opener. Don’t expect to see those numbers against American Heritage’s defense, but I’m not sure the Patriots can put enough points on the scoreboard to keep up.

Edison Red Raider (0-0) at Homestead Broncos (0-0) Fri Oct 23 7:30p

This should be an interesting game between Edison and Homestead, who along with Palmetto and defending state champs Northwestern and Central, are the only Miami-Dade public schools to opt into the FHSAA playoffs.

Columbus Explorers (0-0) at Killian Cougars (0-0) Fri Oct 23 7pm

Of the seven South Florida teams that won state titles last year, only 4A champ Booker T. Washington and 8A champ Columbus opted out.

The decision to opt out by Columbus was puzzling to many observers because most teams opting out cited the late start imposed by the Miami-Dade County School system that meant public schools would only be able to get in 3 games before starting the playoffs. Columbus, as a private school, could have started its season earlier along with defending 2A champion Champagnat, and Gulliver, Belen, Monsignor Pace, LaSalle, St. Brendan and Westminster Christian. Look for Columbus to begin its season with an easy win over the Cougars.

Chaminade-Madonna Lions (3-1) at Benjamin Buccaneers (1-2) Fri Oct 23 7pm

The Lions were on the road last week and beat Clearwater Academy International 44-34 and this week travel to Palm Beach Gardens to play the Benjamin Buccaneers, who lost at Gulliver Prep last week 40-28.

Calvary Christian Academy Eagles (3-0) at Gulliver Prep Raiders (3-0) Fri Oct 23 4pm

Calvary Christian visits Gulliver Prep with a 3-0 record, but has cancelled the last two week’s games because of a Covid outbreak. Gulliver Prep looks to continue its winning streak after beating Benjamin last week.

Champagnat Catholic Lions (4-2) at Doral Academy Firebirds (1-2) Fri Oct 23 7pm

Hector Clavijo’s Lions are coming off a gritty 33-27 road win in terrible weather at American Heritage Delray and should continue to roll on its way to defending their 2A title.

Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks (1-3) at Key West Conchs (1-1) Fri Oct 23 7pm

My prediction that John Hughes' Conchs would have their hands full with George Stubb's Dade Christian Crusaders last week was correct as the Crusaders came away with a 34-14 road win. Look for Key West to bounce back with a win over visiting Archbishop McCarthy.

Belen Jesuit Wolverines (2-2) at Cardinal Newman Crusaders (3-2) Fri Oct 23 7pm

Belen pulled off a great win against a tough St. Brendan Sabres team last week in a game that was really fun to watch. The Wolverines will have their hand full with Cardinal Newman, whose only losses were their opener to Calvary Christian and last week’s game at Clewiston 20-7.

Coral Shores Hurricanes (3-0) at Westminster Christian Warriors (2-1) Fri Oct 23 4pm

Regular readers know that I love cross-County clashes, especially Monroe County vs. Miami-Dade as the Keys teams are always tough and ready to play. Westminster Christian, coming off a 17-0 win over Palmer Trinity, hosts undefeated Coral Shores Friday afternoon.

Other Friday games

Boca Raton Christian (3-2) at Somerset Academy (1-0) 4pm

SASH (0-3) at St. Brendan (2-1) 7pm

Everglades Prep Academy (0-3) at Dade Christian (3-2) 7pm

American Collegiate Academy (Clearwater) (4-2) at Dade Christian (3-2) 7pm

Ransom Everglades (0-0) at Marathon (0-3) 7pm

Mater Academy Charter (0-0) at LaSalle (1-1) 7pm

Berean Christian (0-5) at Westminster Academy (1-5) 7pm

Somerset Academy Silver Palms (2-2) at Monsignor Pace (0-2) 7pm

North Miami Beach (0-0) at Jackson (0-0) 7pm

Miami Christian (1-2) at Avant Garde Academy (0-1) 7pm

Palmer Trinity (1-1) at Florida Christian (3-1) 7:30pm