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(6) South Dade Buccaneers (6-0) vs. (12) Miami Palmetto Panthers (5-1)
Friday at Harris Field, 7:30 p.m.
On the surface, this game seems like a huge showdown between a pair of district rivals – and it is.
But because of the new playoff point system, this game doesn’t carry as much weight because I strongly believe that both of these teams are going to make the playoffs.
Check my reasoning.
Remember, the brackets are being built by region. Region 4-8A consists of Districts 13-8A, 14-8A, 15-8A and 16-8A. Eight teams will qualify from these four districts.
Because a lot of the teams in Districts 13-8A, 14-8A and 15-8A aren’t having the kinds of seasons they wanted to, it is looking like there will be some extra playoff spots open.
District 15-8A may only qualify its district champ (Belen Jesuit); 14-8A will very likely only send two because Coral Gables already has four losses and it still hasn’t played Columbus, and no clear favorite has emerged in 13-8A.
That means District 16-8A could send three teams – Southridge, Palmetto, and South Dade – to the playoffs.
Still, this game will be a very good measuring stick for these two solid squads.
South Dade is one of the few undefeated teams left in South Florida. The Bucs have a very good coach in Nate Hudson and they have a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Torey “Scooter” Morrison.
Palmetto came out of the gates strong and looked strong before they got chastened by Southridge a few weeks ago. The game against the Spartans notwithstanding, the Panthers still have an offense capable of being a very potent unit thanks to the trio of quarterback Cairiq Rackley, running back Trey Flowers and wide receiver Ivan Thomas.
The Panthers will test South Dade in this game. Save for the Buccaneers’ week one game against Coral Gables, they haven’t had to square off with another Hotbed Top 20 team this season.
It’ll be close, but I think South Dade will pass the test.
Bald Prediction = South Dade wins 22-20
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