Winker’s South Florida High School Football Week 8 Oct 29 Update

One of the best sporting events in South Florida is the annual matchup at historic Traz Powell stadium between the Northwestern Bulls and the Central Rockets.

Traz Powell has earned its nickname, the “Mecca,” by featuring the highest concentration of talent of any high school field in the country, and the twenty-plus Division One prospects on the field Friday night did not disappoint.

It seems like a long time ago when Northwestern Coach Max Edwards was suspended back in May for unauthorized training during the pandemic, but the Bulls definitely looked in mid-season form as they scored on the second play of the game with QB Taron Dickens connecting with Miami 4 star commit Romello Brinson for a 75-yard touchdown on the second play of the game.

Edwards took over as the Northwestern head football coach in 2015 and has led the Bulls to a 52-16 record over the past five seasons on the way to three consecutive state championships.

Year in and year out, the best team in South Florida can make a case as the best team in the country, and with Cardinal Gibbons’ stunning defeat of USA Today #2 St. Thomas Aquinas, Northwestern’s game this week against IMG will be for the number one spot in the nation. IMG is has rolled to a 6-0 start and this will be a difficult test in Bradenton for Northwestern.

Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (3-0) at American Heritage Patriots (4-1) Oct 30 7:30pm

The Chiefs pulled off the biggest upset of the year last week and there will be no let up as they visit American Heritage, who is coming off a solid 41-26 win at Venice

Central Rockets (0-1) at Edison Red Rockets (1-0) at Traz Powell Oct 30 7:30pm

Central tries to bounce back against Luther Campbell’s Red Rockets, who looked great in a 46-20 win over Homestead last Friday. Edison is going to be looking to make a statement in this game.

St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (1-1) at DeLand Bulldogs 2-0 Oct 30 6pm

Poor Deland. They are a perennial powerhouse in Volusia County, but they will be facing a HIGHLY motivated St. Thomas Aquinas team trying to get its season back on track.

Champagnat Catholic Lions (5-2) at Gulliver Prep Raiders (3-0) Oct 304pm

Earl Sims’ Raiders are coming off a bye week and face Hector Clavijo’s battle tested Champagnat, who are coming off a 50-7 beat down of the Doral Firebirds. This is going to be a great game between talented teams with great coaches. If you haven’t seen a game at Sean Taylor Memorial Field, it is a wonderful place to catch a game.

Columbus Explorers (1-0) vs Booker T. Washington Tornadoes (0-0) Oct 31 12pm at Traz Powell

The Tornadoes open their season with a bang against Columbus, who beat Killian 16-7 last week. This is a great rivalry and will be a fun game.

Homestead Broncos (0-1) at Palmetto Panthers (0-0) Oct 30 7:30pm

Palmetto has opted into the playoffs and starts its shortened season this week against Homestead, which has likewise opted in.

Jones (Orland0) Fighting Tigers (5-0) at Chaminade-Madonna Lions (4-1) Oct 30 7:30pm

This is another great game this week. Chaminade-Madonna is coming off a 41-7 mauling of Benjamin and is hosting Jones, which is a legitimate 5A contender coming off a 31-13 win over a good Edgewater team.

Surge Academy at Key West Conchs (2-1) Oct 30 7pm

Key West head coach John Hughes had to scramble for a game after Belen cancelled this week. The Conchs are coming off a loss and will look to get back in gear against first year team Surge Academy in Fort Lauderdale.

Coral Gables Cavaliers (0-0) at Southridge Spartans (0-1) Oct 30 7pm

Coach Roger Pollard’s Cavaliers, which opted out of the state playoffs begin their campaign at Southridge, who are coming off a 14-7 loss to the North Miami Pioneers.

American Patriots (1-0) at Calvary Christian Eagles (3-0) Oct 30 7:30pm

Demetrius Jackson's American Patriots travel to play Kirk Hoza's Calvary Christian, who will be looking to shake off the rust and get into the form they were in before a 3 week Covid hiatus.