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Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
Anyone closely following high school football in South Florida knows that Miami Carol City is one of the elite teams in the country. The nation is finally taking notice. We had them ranked number 1 in our preseason poll and they never left that spot since. The Chiefs are ranked 20th by USA Today and they remain as our top team in the state with their 36-28 win over rival Miami Central. The Rockets are number 2 in our rankings and defeated our number 3 team St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 43-27. It is the first time Carol City made the top 25 in the USA Today poll this season.
Quarterback Daniel Richardson, Miami Carol City
Seniors Daniel Richardson and Nay’Quan Wright lead the charge for the Chiefs as they claimed a district title with the win. The Chiefs forfeited two games last week for using two ineligible players for the first two games of the season. Despite the (7-2) record, Carol City is still undefeated and continues to put the nation on notice.
Running back @B0SSMAN_5 muscles his way over the goal line for his @CarolCitySr1 Chiefs. The senior helped his team get the game clinching first down over Miami Central to run out the clock. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/5vw6T4wsy0
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) October 30, 2018
Miramar battled back from a 17-point halftime deficit to defeat Western (Davie) in overtime 26-23. The Patriots keep their playoff hopes alive with the win as it come down to points for the district title next week. Senior running back Clifton Miller scored the game winning touchdown in overtime. Miller finished with 13 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Running Back Clifton Miller, Miramar
The playoffs are beginning to take form as more district champions were crowned over the weekend. Miami Southridge clinched the 16-8A district title with a 15-13 win over South Dade (Homestead). UNLV commit Courtney Reese earned MVP honors with his performance. His 19-yard touchdown run would prove to be the game winning score in the fourth quarter.
MVP of the game goes to Senior RB Courtney Reese @Glizzyglo6 .. His speed was on display every time he touched the ball. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/ICWlwa747U
— Coach John (@CoachJohn_HYAS) October 27, 2018
Plant City claimed the 9-7A district title by defeating Tampa Bay Tech 24-21. Plant City is transforming into Plunk City behind the senior leadership of quarterback Braxton Plunk. Plunk carried his team passing for three touchdowns in the victory.
Wekiva (Apopka) retained the Mayor’s cup with a 35-0 shutout over Apopka. It was the first time Apopka was shutout since 2011 and the Mustangs continue their recent string of defensive dominance as they held the Blue Darters to 38 total yards in the first half. This district comes down to points in the final week.
Columbia (Lake City) wrapped up the 2-7A district with a closer than we expected win over First Coast (Jacksonville) 37-27. Senior Jaylin Brown and junior Kylen Callum added rushing touchdowns in the second half to seal district title.
In that same district, Lee (Jacksonville) took care of business on the defensive end to get the victory against Fletcher (Jacksonville) 7-0. The General defense shut down Fletcher on four straight downs from inside the five yard line to preserve a playoff spot.
Top Performers
Demario Williams, WR, Plant City – The sophomore had touchdown catches of 60 and 34 yards in route to a district title.
Larry Preston, QB, Wekiva (Apopka) – The junior quarterback built a 21-0 lead for his team as he accounted for all three touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing).
Casey Levy, RB, Clearwater Central Catholic – The senior rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown in a 55-20 win over Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota).
Kenny McIntosh, RB University School (Davie) – The senior ran for an astounding 201 rushing yards on nine carries scoring three times.
Games To Watch This Week
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) at McArthur (Hollywood) Friday 7:00 PM
Venice vs. Manatee (Bradenton) Friday 7:30 PM
Lincoln (Tallahassee) at Godby (Tallahasee) Friday 7:00 PM
University School vs. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Friday 7:00 PM
Tampa Jesuit at Tampa Catholic Friday 7:00 PM
Piper (Sunrise) at Naples Friday 7:30 PM
Niceville vs. Navarre Friday 7:00 PM
St. Thomas Aquinas at Miramar Friday 7:00 PM
Top 25
- Miami Carol City (6A) (7-2)
Last week: Defeated Miami Central 36-28
This week: Vs. American (Miami Lakes) Thursday 7:00 PM
- Miami Central (6A) (8-2)
Last week: Lost to Miami Carol City 36-28
This week: Idle
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Blanche Ely (Pompano) 58-0
This week: At Miramar Friday 7:00 PM
- Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (5A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) 52-10
This week: Idle
- Atlantic (Delray) (8A) (9-0)
Last week: Defeated Boca Raton 14-7
This week: At Wellington Friday 6:00 PM
- Vero Beach (8A) (9-0)
Last week: Defeated Central (Fort Pierce) 51-13
This week: Vs. Sebastian River Friday 7:00 PM
- Lakeland (7A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated At Kathleen (Lakeland) 50-0
This week: Idle
- Miami Columbus (8A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Coral Gables 36-21
This week: Vs. Idle
- Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated First Coast (Jacksonville) 37-27
This week: Vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM
- Deerfield Beach (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Piper (Sunrise) 35-0
This week: Idle
- Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (5A) (7-2)
Last week: Defeated Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) 38-6
This week: At McArthur (Hollywood) Friday 7:00 PM
- American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Hallandale 37-0
This week: Idle
- Clearwater Central Catholic (3A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) 55-20
This week: Idle
- Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated West Boca Raton 33-2
This week: Idle
- Venice (7A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Palmetto 56-28
This week: Vs. Manatee (Bradenton) Friday 7:30 PM
- Godby (5A) (Tallahassee) (9-0)
Last week: Defeated Florida State University High 27-19
This week: Vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee) Friday 7:00 PM
- University School (Davie) (4A) (9-0)
Last week: Defeated Melbourne Central Catholic 58-0
This week: Vs. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Friday 7:00 PM
- Lee (Jacksonville) (7A) (7-1)
Last week: Defeated Fletcher (Jacksonville) 7-0
This week: Vs. White (Jacksonville) Friday 7:00 PM
- Armwood (Seffner) (6A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Hillsborough (Tampa) 10-6
This week: Vs. Durant (Plant City) Friday 7:30 PM
- Plant City (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Tampa Bay Tech 24-21
This week: Idle
- Wekiva (Apopka) (8A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Apopka 35-0
This week: At Lake Nona (Orlando) Friday 7:00 PM
- Tampa Jesuit (5A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Tampa Middleton 42-7
This week: At Tampa Catholic Friday 7:00 PM
- Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (9-0)
Last week: Defeated Forest (Ocala) 55-3
This week: Vs. Oakleaf (Orange Park) Friday 7:30 PM
- Bloomingdale (Valrico) (7A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Durant (Plant City) 42-0
This week: At Robinson (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM
- Pinellas Park (Largo) (7A) (9-0)
Last week: Defeated Countryside (Clearwater) 48-20
This week: Vs. Dixie Hollins (St. Petersburg) Friday 7:30 PM
Also Receiving Votes:
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (7-2)
Last week: Defeated Flanagan (Pembroke Pines) 51-0
This week: At University School (Davie) Friday 7:00 PM
Jones (Orlando) (5A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Tavares 60-0
This week: Vs. Evans (Orlando) Monday 7:00 PM
Madison County (1A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Suwannee (Live Oak) 50-12
This week: Vs. Rickards (Tallahassee) Friday 7:30
McArthur (Hollywood) (7A) (9-0)
Last week: Defeated Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes) 28-8
This week: Vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
Miami Christian (2A) (7-0)
Last week: Everglades Prep (Homestead) 25-24 2OT
This week: At Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
Miami Southridge (8A) (7-2)
Last week: Defeated South Dade (Homestead) 15-13
This week: At Dr. Krop (Miami) Friday 7:30 PM
Miami Palmetto (8A) (7-1)
Last week: Defeated Miami Killian 30-17
This week: Vs. Miami Coral Reef Friday 7:30 PM
Naples (6A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Baron Collier (Naples) 25-9
This week: Vs. Piper (Sunrise) Friday 7:30 PM
Navarre (6A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Gulf Breeze 35-0
This week: At Niceville Friday 7:00 PM
Osceola (Kissimmee) (8A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated George Jenkins (Lakeland) 42-14
This week: At Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) Friday 7:00 PM
Palm Beach Central (Wellington) (8A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Palm Beach Gardens 31-14
This week: At Leonard (Greenacres) Friday 7:00 PM
Plant (Tampa) (7A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Wiregrass Ranch (Wesley Chapel) 42-0
This week: At Newsome (Lithia) Friday 7:30 PM
Plantation (8A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated South Plantation 52-0
This week: Vs. Stoneman Douglas (Parkland) Friday 7:00 PM
Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (8-1)
Last week: Defeated Lincoln (Tallahassee) 27-20
This week: Vs. Ribault (Jacksonville) Saturday 2:00 PM
Tampa Bay Tech (7A) (7-2)
Last week: Lost to Plant City 24-21
This week: Vs. Gaither (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM
Winter Park (8A) (8-1)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. Lake Mary Friday 7:00 PM
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