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Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
Teams are starting to separate themselves into tiers in week 3. We have elite teams, contenders and teams on the rise in all classifications. Miami Central, one of the elite teams in the Florida, went up to to play St. Johns (DC) in our nations capital. This was probably the best game of the year thus far. St. Johns is ranked #6 nationally and was able to squeak out a 37-34 victory in five overtimes. St. Johns was scheduled to take on the number one team nationally in IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL), but the game has now been cancelled due to Hurricane Florence and unlikely to be rescheduled. IMG is unable to compete in the Florida state championships due to FHSAA rules. The loss however did not drop the Rockets out of the top five in our rankings. Taking a tumble this week was Miami Columbus who looked like an average team against #1 Miami Carol City. The Chiefs of Dade County are a machine to be reckoned with and their clash with Miami Central on October 26th should be the game of the regular season in the county.
Notable teams making an appearance in the top 25 this week include Armwood (Seffner), Rockledge and South Dade (Homestead). Armwood may be gearing up for another state title run as they were the runner-ups in 6A last season. The Hawks went to Plant (Tampa) and got a strong win 21-18. The team that defeated the Hawks in that title game last season, Miami Northwestern, are having a disappointing start to their season. The Bulls lost their second game of the season to the Bucs of South Dade 20-18. Rockledge are following up the 2017 season with a strong campaign this season as they are now 3-0 with their victory over Bolles (Jacksonville) 27-24 last weekend.
Lakeland solidified their top ten ranking defeating Apopka 37-20. Wekiva (Apopka) was able to get by Winter Haven 25-22 to stay in the top ten. Vero Beach dismantled Dr. Krop (Miami) over the weekend 44-0 and has a 46-game regular game winning streak. Lake Butler-Union County (1993-98), Wauchula-Hardee (2001-06) and Lakeland (1995-2001) are the only other schools with such streaks.
Top Performers
Deajaun McDougle, WR, Deerfield Beach – Whenever quarterback Derohn King needed a big catch, McDougle was his go to receiver on this night. The 2020 receiver would finish the night with two touchdowns.
Demetrius Burns, QB, South Dade – The 2019 dual-threat signal caller for the Bucs went 14 of 24 for 235 yards and a touchdown.
Agiye Hall, WR, Armwood (Seffner) – Sophomore Hall received the Football Hotbed MVP shirt with his two touchdown performance against Plant (Tampa).
DeMarkcus Bowman, RB, Lakeland – The 2020 running back had 153 yards rushing on 14 carries. He also had a 27 yard touchdown run.
Ladarius Tennison, RB/LB, Rockledge – The junior Tennison came up with a huge sack in the game to force a field goal and also had a touchdown on a 38-yard run.
Nick Celidonio, QB, Vero Beach – The 2019 dual-threat quarterback passed for three touchdowns in route to the Fighting Indians 46th straight regular season victory.
Games to Watch This Week
Columbia (Lake City) vs. Lee (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM
Miami Columbus vs. Miami Booker T. Washington At Curtis Park Friday 7:30 PM
Miramar at Plantation Friday 7:00 PM
Miami Jackson at Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:30 PM
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM
Vero Beach vs. Fort Lauderdale Friday 7:00 PM
Top 25
- Miami Carol City (6A) (2-0)
Last week: Defeated Columbus (Miami) 35-0
This week: At Traz Powell Stadium Vs. Miami Norland Friday 7:30
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Flanagan (Sunrise) 62-0
This week: Vs. Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
- Deerfield Beach (8A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Westlake (Atlanta) 40-16
This week: Vs. Blanche Ely (Pompano) Saturday 7:00 PM
- Miami Central (6A) (2-1)
Last week: Lost to St. John’s (DC) 37-34 5OT
This week: At Traz Powell Stadium Vs. Miami Edison Saturday 7:00 PM
- Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Buchholz (Gainesville) 39-0
This week: Vs. Lee (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM
- Lakeland (7A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Apopka 37-20
This week: Vs. Gibbs (St. Petersburg) Friday 7:30 PM
- Wekiva (Apopka) (8A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Winter Park 25-22
This week: Idle
- American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (2-1)
Last week: Defeated Miramar 11-3
This week: At Coconut Creek Friday 7:00 PM
- Vero Beach (8A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Dr. Krop (Miami) 44-0
This week: Vs. Fort Lauderdale Friday 7:00 PM
- Atlantic (Delray) (8A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Pahokee 35-21
This week: Idle
- Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (2-1)
Last week: Defeated Blanche Ely 38-0
This week: Vs. Northeast (Oakland Park) Thursday 7:00 PM
- Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (5A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Parker (Jacksonville) 44-0
This week: Vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30
- Pinellas Park (Largo) (7A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Osceola (Seminole) 64-0
This week: Vs. East Lake (Tarpon Springs) Friday 7:30 PM
- Osceola (Kissimmee) (8A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Viera 34-14
This week: Vs. Winter Haven PM
- Tampa Bay Tech (7A) (2-0)
Last week: Defeated Sickles 19-6
This week: Vs. Strawberry Crest (Dover) Friday 7:30 PM
- Armwood (Seffner) (6A) (2-1)
Last week: Defeated Plant (Tampa) 21-18
This week: At Chamberlain (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM
- Miami Columbus (8A) (2-1)
Last week: Lost Miami Carol City 35-0
This week: At Curtis Park Vs. Miami Booker T. Washington Friday 7:30 PM
- University School (Davie) (4A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Everglades Prep (Homestead) 52-14
This week: Vs. Village Academy (Delray) Friday 7:00 PM
- Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated North Marion (Citra) 20-14
This week: At Dunnellon Friday 7:30 PM
- Plantation (8A) (2-0)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. Miramar Friday 7:00 PM
- Lee (Jacksonville) (7A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Mandarin (Jacksonville) 38-13
This week: At Columbia (Lake City) Friday 7:30 PM
- Rockledge (5A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Bolles (Jacksonville) 27-24
This week: At Space Coast (Cocoa) Friday 7:00 PM
- South Dade (8A) (Homestead) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Miami Northwestern 20-18
This week: At Harris Vs. Homestead Friday 7:30 PM
- Miami Palmetto (8A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Ferguson (Miami) 42-0
This week: Idle
- Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (2-1)
Last week: Defeated Miami Southridge 21-20
This week: At Curtis Park Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 7:00 PM
Also Receiving Votes:
Apopka (8A) (2-1)
Last week: Lost to Lakeland 37-20
This week: Vs. Dr. Phillips (Orlando) Friday 7:00 PM
Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (2-1)
Last week: Lost to Rockledge 27-24
This week: At Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (5A) (1-2)
Last week: Defeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) 34-12
This week: Vs. Miami Jackson Friday 7:00 PM
Cocoa (4A) (2-1)
Last week: Defeated Jensen Beach 57-14
This week: Idle
Deland (8A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Deltona 31-14
This week: Vs. Mandarin (Jacksonville) Friday 7:00 PM
Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) (7A) (2-1)
Last week: Defeated Glades Central (Belle Glade) 41-14
This week: At Palm Beach Lakes Friday 7:00 PM
Edgewater (Orlando) (7A)
Last week: Defeated Olympia (Orlando) 49-21
This week: At Ocoee Friday 7:00 PM
Golden Gate (Naples) (6A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Lely (Naples) 14-7
This week: Vs. Fort Meade Friday 7:00 PM
Miami Jackson (5A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated North Miami 12-0
This week: At Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
Miami Northwestern (6A) (1-2)
Last week: Lost to South Dade (Homestead) 20-18
This week: At Traz Powell Stadium Vs Hialeah-Miami Lakes Thursday 7:30 PM
Miami Southridge (8A) (2-1)
Last week: Lost to Miami Booker T. Washington 21-20 2OT
This week: At Tropical Vs. Killian (Miami) Friday 7:30 PM
Navarre (3-0) (6A) (3-0)
Last week: Defeated Crestview 41-35
This week: At Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) Friday 7:00 PM
Piper (Sunrise) (8A) (2-1)
Last week: Defeated Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes) 34-7
This week: At Stoneman Douglas Saturday 7:00 PM
Plant (Tampa) (7A) (2-1)
Last week: Lost to Armwood (Seffner) 21-18
This week: Idle
Treasure Coast (8A) (Port St. Lucie) (2-1)
Last week: Lost to Mainland (Daytona) 36-22
This week: Vs. Martin County (Stuart) Friday 7:00 PM
