This district might have some of the oldest and most intense rivalries in South Florida. There is a palpable amount of contention between the top three teams in the group and it makes the games that much entertaining. The only thing that surpasses the intensity of the rivalries is the overall level of talent that resides in this district on a yearly basis.
Christopher Columbus Explorers
2016 Record: 7-4 (2016 District champion)
Coach: Chris Merritt
2017 Outlook: Here’s a program that goes about the business of winning.
Columbus is all about consistency and continuity. And it comes from their coaching staff, led by head coach Chris Merritt. Merritt is on the short list of South Florida coaches who have been with the same program for more than a decade, as have a lot of his assistant coaches.
Even though the program goes through a heap of turnover every year – with senior classes of usually 20 players or better – the coaching staff develops players as they matriculate through the program.
Columbus has a nice collection of talent to work with in 2017.
Even though the team will miss four-star defensive back Josh Jobe, who transferred to a prep school in Connecticut because he surpassed the FHSAA age limit to participate in sports, the Explorers defense will be able to stymie what opposing teams will want to do because of defensive ends Jeramy Passmore and Tony Mills and defensive tackle Dylan Perez.
Passmore, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound 2019 standout, came over from Miami Westminster Christian and should benefit greatly from learning under Columbus’ coaching staff.
Also coming over from Westminster Christian was 2019 receiver/defensive back Kalani Norris and junior running back Demetries Ford.
Norris has the quickness to get behind defenders as a receiver as well as having great body control to make tough catches.
Ford is a shifty ball carrier that can also excel on screen plays – evident by the nearly 1,200 total yards from scrimmage he racked up during his sophomore season. Ford, who can also lineup as a defensive back, will replace the production Columbus lost when Darren Davis Jr. elected to transfer to Miami Southridge High.
Sophomore running back Henry Parris Jr., who finished third on the team in rushing this past season, will work in tandem with Ford to create a dynamic backfield duo.
Columbus will have a new quarterback in 2017. With the graduation of Marcelo Rodriguez, Coach Merritt will hand the ball to Anthony Arguellas. Arguellas, who’s also a baseball star for the school, has top-notch arm strength and is more than athletic enough to move around in or escape the pocket to extend plays or pick up positive yards with his feet.
The Explorers also have rising sophomore Brandon McDuffey. McDuffey, a Florida Atlantic University commit who also came over from Westminster Christian, has great upside but can use the 2017 season to learn all the demands of playing the position under Merritt.
Either quarterback will have the benefit of operating behind a big offensive line, anchored by junior Luis Cristobal and senior Kevin Colls.
Coach Merritt wasn’t shy when came time to make the Explorers’ schedule. After their season opener against a rebuilding Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy team, the Explorers will face Miami Northwestern (Sept. 1), Miami Carol City (Sept. 9) and Miami Booker T. Washington (Sept. 16) in consecutive weeks.
Those early tests should help when the Explorers host district foe Miami High on September 29th and Lakeland Lake Gibson High on October 6th and end the regular season against rival Coral Gables on October 27th.
Coral Gables Cavaliers
2016 Record: 10-2 (2016 District runner-up)
Coach: Tim Neal (1st year)
2017 Outlook: Here’s another storied program with a rich football history that continues to stay in the conversation for Miami-Dade County Class 8A supremacy.
Having its own rich tapestry of alums that went on to pro careers – including Jon Vilma, Frank Gore, and Denzel Perryman – Gables continues to strike tap into neighboring areas to feed its program.
2017 is no different. Coral Gables’ roster is stocked with athletes that will once again have the Cavaliers in the thick of their district championship race as well as the playoff hunt.
The Cavaliers do have a new man in charge, naming former Southwest Miami head coach Tim Neal to replace Roger Pollard back in February.
Pollard stepped down to take a job outside of football, working with former teammate and lifelong friend Jon Vilma.
Neal, who spent 10 years as an assistant coach at Coral Gables over the course of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, was Southwest’s coach for the past eight seasons and led the program to a 50-26 record, two district titles and six playoff appearances in that time.
With Neal came a pair of talented athletes in senior athlete Te’Cory Tutson and sophomore running back Andre Stringfield. Both Tutson and Stringfield played for Neal at Southwest Miami this past season and will be instant starters for the Cavaliers this season.
Stringfield, a 5-foot-8, 180-pound youth league phenom, will replace the rushing production that was lost when Johnny Ford transferred to Miami High.
Tutson brings versatility and playmaking – able to play running back, receiver and defensive back.
With Tutson and Stringfield serving as the key offensive playmakers, 2018 quarterback Harrison Easton, who transferred in from Miami Westminster Christian, could put together a solid year leading the Cavaliers offense.
Coral Gables leader is senior defensive back Gilbert Frierson. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound University of Miami commit has showcased the speed and athleticism to stick with speedy receivers while also being physically strong and tough enough to come up near the line of scrimmage to make tackles and punish pass catchers in the secondary.
Gables’ defense as a whole will once again be a top unit – with linebackers Terrell Cofield, Basilio Fernandez and Derrius Perryman patrolling the middle and Anthony Puntonet working in tandem with Frierson in the defensive backfield.
The Cavaliers will be tested right out the gates with a non-district game against fellow 8A contender Homestead South Dade (Aug. 25) as well as a Sept. 22 meeting with Miami Palmetto and an Oct. 5 showdown with Miami Booker T. Washington.
Miami High Stingarees
2016 Record: 3-6
Coach: Sedrick Irvin (1st year)
2017 Outlook: One of the oldest schools in Miami-Dade County with one of the richest football histories in the country – something to the tune of 17 mythical national championships – Miami High enters the 2017 season with extremely high expectations.
Despite a sub .500 year in 2016, Miami High is being considered by some a dark horse team to go on a lengthy playoff run this season.
Why did things go from zero to 100 almost overnight?
The arrival of new head coach Sedrick Irvin.
The Miami High alum, former Michigan State standout and NFL running back returned to South Florida to coach the Stingarees – replacing Ivan Rosales – and restore some luster to their gold helmets.
Irvin has coached on the high school and collegiate level since hanging up his own cleats. He worked as an assistant coach at Alabama under Nick Saban, whom Irvin played for at Michigan State; as well as serving as an assistant coach at both Memphis and East Carolina University.
Irvin’s high school coaching resume is also impressive. He coached at Miami Westminster Christian School for five seasons (2011-2015) and led the Warriors to three straight district championships as well as reaching the Class 3A state semifinal game in 2013.
Upon arriving at Miami High, Irvin revamped the coaching staff and began to add new pieces to Miami High’s roster.
One of the first and biggest acquisitions made was getting 6-foot-5, 330-pound junior offensive lineman Dontae Lucas to transfer in from powerhouse Miami Booker T. Washington.
Getting Lucas signified the community’s belief in Irvin’s ability to take a program to new heights.
The Stings also brought in former Coral Gables running back Johnny Ford, after his brief stint at Booker T. Washington over the offseason; 2019 running back Marcus Barthell came in from Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas; senior linebacker Antquan Kinsey came back to Miami High after spending a couple of seasons at Booker T.; and they picked up 2018 receiver Lamont Finnie Jr. from Miami Edison High.
The handful of new pieces will mix in with talented holdovers like senior defensive back Derek Gainous, a 6-foot, 175-pound Central Florida commit, and senior quarterback Isaias Castellon.
Miami High has even tapped into its history to help its future, getting sophomore running back Roscoe Parrish Jr. in the fold. Parrish Jr. is the son of former Stingarees quarterback, University of Miami and Buffalo Bills receiver Roscoe Parrish.
Whenever a team brings in so many new pieces, the biggest concern is chemistry. While the players may be familiar with one another from playing together in youth leagues, this will be the first time that they are playing together in high school and it will be the first time that they’ll be facing adversity together on the big stage of high school football.
Because of Miami High’s schedule, we will know how much mettle and resolve the team has through the first six weeks of the season.
Kicking things off with non-district games against North Miami, Dr. Krop and Southwest Miami will set the table for big showdowns against district rivals Coral Gables (Sept. 15) and Columbus (Sept. 28).
Miami Beach Hi-Tides
2016 Record: 3-6
Coach: Rod Williams (1st year)
2017 Outlook: A lot of people easily forget that Miami Beach was once a pretty big player in the overall scope of Miami-Dade County football at one point in time.
Having produced future NFL pros Dave Thomas (1986), Duane Starks (1993), Samari Rolle (1994), Terry Cousin (1993), Chad Johnson (1996) and Ricardo Louis (2012), the Hi-Tides have had its fair share of talent roam their halls.
Recently, Miami Beach football has been fighting for relevancy. Posting a 9-19 record over the past three years hasn’t helped, but there’s reason for optimism heading into 2017.
The Hi-Tides have a new head coach in Rod Williams, who replaces Aaron Harris.
Williams, who spent the 2016 season on Miami Dr. Krop’s coaching staff as offensive coordinator, was given the job in June and has tried to hit the ground running in his first year ever as a head football coach.
Miami Beach must replace Eddie Brill, the dual-threat quarterback who led the team in passing and rushing in 2016.
Junior Zachary Matz appears the next man up and will lead what is going to be a young Hi-Tides offense.
Defensively, Miami Beach has a handful of upperclassmen to lean on.
Defensive end Taryll McKinney Jr., linebacker Justin Chandler and defensive back Kama Jackson III will all need to manufacture solid seasons if Miami Beach is to have better fortunes this coming year.
Coral Park Rams
2016 Record: 4-6
Coach: Rafael Jimenez
2017 Outlook: Coral Park exceeded expectations in a huge way in 2016.
The Rams had a 400 percent improvement – going 4-6 this past season after suffering through a winless 2015 season. Better yet, the four wins in 2016 matched Coral Park’s win total from the previous four seasons combined.
Credit veteran head coach Rafael Jimenez and his coaching staff for the turnaround.
The only blemish on what was a largely successful year was Coral Park’s forfeit to district opponent Columbus. The game was originally postponed due to inclement weather, but the Rams administration elected to not make up the district game.
Still, Coral Park enters the 2017 season looking to build on what it started in 2016.
The Rams’ quest for the .500 mark will be spearheaded by senior running back Bryan Gonzalez. Gonzalez led the team in rushing touchdowns this past season and was second in total yardage. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound ball carrier should be the No. 1 back in every category while fellow senior running back Isaac Joseph bolsters the team’s rushing attack.
Sophomore defensive end Elijah Roberts will be looking to make the most of his 6-foot-4, 245-pound frame and become the Rams’ defensive anchor while also introducing himself to South Florida.
Senior defensive back Juan Gonzalez is another player that has multiple years of experience and will be counted on by Coach Jimenez to lead by example.
Bald Prediction
Because Miami High has turned itself into a legit playoff team in the span of four months, I think this district is ripe for a three-way tiebreaker at the top between Coral Gables, Columbus and the Stingarees.
Because of what I think will happen in terms of the playoff race (see below), I see the district champion spot as both important and not important.
It’s important because of the obvious – the district champion is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. But it’s not important because (see below).
I could easily see a scenario (and this is just an example) where Columbus beats Gables, Gables beats Miami High, and Miami High beats Columbus – thus creating a three-way tie for the district championship.
Intangible stuff (weather, injuries, momentum, etc.) will come into play whenever the top three teams play.
After that, I think the district will stick to a familiar order with Miami Beach finishing fourth and Coral Park taking the No. 5 spot.
Predicted Champion: Tiebreaker
Predicted Playoff Team(s): Columbus, Coral Gables, Miami High
Bold Prediction
I’m not a fan of the theory that three teams from one district can all make the playoffs, but looking at region 4-8A, it is possible that the three top teams in this district make the playoffs.
I am going to call my shot and say that Columbus, Coral Gables and Miami High will all make the postseason.
District MVP
The real MVP of this district will be whichever coaching staff – between Columbus, Gables and Miami High – is able to figure out and solidify its quarterback situation the quickest.
By comparison to the collection of talent that each program has at the skill positions, none of the top three teams have an elite level quarterback.
Because of that, the coaching staffs must find ways to always put their respective quarterbacks in positive situations for them to succeed. Quarterback play will be key in the race for the district title as well as any potential playoff runs.
Top Players
Anakin Otero – Coral Gables
Andre Stringfield – Coral Gables
Anthony Arguellas – Christopher Columbus
Anthony Puntonet – Coral Gables
Antquan Kinsey – Miami High
Brandon McDuffey – Christopher Columbus
Bryan Gonzalez – Coral Park
Daniel Perera – Christopher Columbus
Demetries Ford – Christopher Columbus
Derek Gainous – Miami High
Derrius Perryman – Coral Gables
Dontae Lucas – Miami High
Dylan Perez – Christopher Columbus
Elijah Roberts – Coral Park
Gilbert Frierson – Coral Gables
Henry Parrish Jr. – Christopher Columbus
Isaac Joseph – Coral Park
Isaias Castellon – Miami High
Jaafari Stephens – Coral Gables
Jeramy Passmore – Christopher Columbus
Jeremy Thomas – Miami Beach
Johnny Ford – Miami High
Jonathan Perez – Miami Beach
Juan Gonzalez – Coral Park
Justin Chandler – Miami Beach
Kalani Norris – Christopher Columbus
Kama Jackson – Miami Beach
Kevin Colls – Christopher Columbus
Kevin Duggan – Coral Park
Lamont Finnie Jr. – Miami High
Leonard Lucas Jr. – Miami High
Luis Cristobal – Christopher Columbus
Marcus Barthell – Miami High
Rayquan Berry – Coral Gables
Robert Crockett III – Christopher Columbus
Ronaldo Marquina – Miami High
Roscoe Parrish Jr. – Miami High
Sean Gilbert – Christopher Columbus
Sebastian Riella – Coral Gables
Shaun McReynolds – Christopher Columbus
Taryll McKinney Jr. – Miami Beach
Te’Corey Tutson – Coral Gables
Tony Mills – Christopher Columbus
Tyler Harrell – Christopher Columbus
William Santiago – Miami High
Xavier Burns – Coral Gables
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