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Hurricane Dorian put a monkey wrench into high school football games across the state last week. Many games were canceled or rescheduled due to the massive storm wreaking havoc in the Atlantic. Yesterday, the NFL was not the only games taking place as we had over 30 games played on the high school level in Florida.
What we are seeing this season based on scheduling is that teams are not dodging anyone anymore. Week after week we get to see a powerhouse take on a powerhouse and the action has been fantastic. Great football is everywhere in the sunshine state as the battle for district positioning continues. In this week’s top 25, squads continue to raise eyebrows and ascend up the list, while others fell looking to pick up the pieces.
Riser – Bucs Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
South Dade (Homestead) is at the bottom of the state and now they’re here. The Bucs have a balanced team and can contend with the best the state has to offer. The Bucs took down Columbus (Miami) holding Henry Parrish Jr. to under 100 yards for the first time this season and scored enough to beat the Explorers on Friday night at Tropical Park. Seniors Kelvin Durham and Trevon Sanders hooked up twice for passing touchdowns to get the 21-14 victory over Columbus. The win vaulted them to the number one team in 8A and in the top 10 overall.
Riser – Fly Eagles Fly
Senior defensive back Davon Martin halted two Jones (Orlando) drives as Edgewater (Orlando) defeated Jones by two scores 28-14 on Monday night. The game orginally scheduled for last Friday was a gritty battle between the two schools from the O-Town. The Eagles fly into the top 15 and continue to soar.
Faller – Sharks Drown Without Leader
University School (Davie) was without their quarterback Nick Vattiato who was ruled out due to a concussion suffered in the prevous game and unfortunately the Sharks could not swim toward the goal line without him. U-school failed to score points against McArthur (Hollywood) and the Mustangs shut out the Sharks 19-0 leaving all to wonder if the results would have been the same if the junior quarterback was behind center.
Faller – Explorers Head South
Columbus was off and running this season until South Dade humbled the the 8A state runner-ups. The Bucs stopped the Explorers 21-14 which plummeted Columbus out of the top ten. The Tornadoes of Miami Booker T. Washington come to their campus this week for a rare true home game. A Columbus win would do wonders for their confidence going forward.
Spontaneous Classic
One of the gems the hurricane brought was an impromptu game between two of the state’s best. Venice was originally scheduled to travel to take on Vero Beach but decided in the week to alter their plans to travel northeast to Jacksonville to take on 3A state title contender Trinity Christian Academy.
What we got was an instant classic.
Venice quarterback Nico DallaCosta was knocked out of the game in the second quarter but somehow the Indians returned to the suncoast with a double overtime victory. Trinity could have ended it in regulation, but a 32-yard missed field goal in the game’s final moments would keep Venice’s hopes alive. Both teams would match touchdowns in the two overtimes but head coach John Peacock elected to go for the win with the two-point conversion. On his 34th carry of the game, running back Brian Taylor bursted into the endzone for the 50-49 double overtime game winner.
IMG Bullies Bulls
In another switch of venues mid week, IMG Academy traveled south to Traz Powell Stadium to battle the 2018 6A back-to-back champion Miami Northwestern Bulls. The game was orginally to be held in Bradenton for the second straight year and for the second straight year this was a one-sided affair as the Bulls and Ascenders struggled to find any offensive rhythm all night.
The first touchdown of the game came on 57-yard pick six by junior defensive back OJ Burroughs who had four interceptions in the game. The other two scores for the Ascenders were results of stellar special teams plays. The first, a 95-yard kickoff return by junior wide receiver Ari Allen and the second, a blocked punt by Miami commit Michael Redding setup a 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore runnning back Kaytron Allen in route to a 24-7 win.
Rockets Blast Through
We seemed to be waiting for the real Miami Central team to show up this season and that team revealed itself Saturday night at Traz with a 49-26 win over rival Miami Carol City. Central got it going on the ground rushing for 296 yards and tallied 433 yards of total offense.
Defense was at minimum in this game as Chiefs freshman quarterback Keyone “Lights Out” Jenkins went 18 of 22 for 251 yards and touchdown but it was not enough to get the victory. Carol City continues their brutal schedule next week at 3A state champion Chaminade-Madonna.
Top Performers
Isaiah Connelly, RB, Edgewater – The senior running back had 22 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Isaiah Connelly Jones Game Film
Brian Taylor, RB, Venice – The senior had 34 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns in OT.
Brian Taylor Trinity Christian Game Film
Marcus Burke, WR, Trinity Christian – The 6’3″ junior had six catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns including one that went for 99 yards in the 50-49 loss to Venice.
Kejon Owens, RB, Miami Central – The senior had 13 carries for 131 yards and touchdown.
Games To Watch This Week In Florida
#13 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Vs. #15 Miami Carol City Friday 7:00 PM
#18 Columbus (Miami) Vs. #20 Miami Booker T. Washington Friday 5:00 PM
#1 Lakeland At Plant City Friday 7:30 PM
#6 Atlantic (Delray) At Glades Central (Belle Glade) Friday At 6:00 PM
#12 American Heritage (Plantation) At Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM
Deland Vs. Seminole (Sanford) Friday 7:00 PM
Raines (Jacksonville) At Lee (Jacksonville) Saturday 2:00 PM
University School (Davie) At Western (Davie) Friday 7:00 PM
All Game Times Eastern
Top 25
1. Lakeland (7A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated George Jenkins (Lakeland) 38-6
This Week: At Plant City Friday 7:30 PM
DeMarckus Bowman, RB, Lakeland
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (1-0)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: At South Plantation Friday 7:00 PM
3. Miami Central (6A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Carol City 49-26
This Week: Vs. Miami Southridge Friday 7:30 PM At Traz Powell Stadium
4. Miami Northwestern (5A) (2-1)
Last Week: Lost to IMG Academy (Bradenton) 24-7
This Week: Vs. Miami Killian Thursday 7:00 At Traz Powell Stadium
5. Armwood (Seffner) (7A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Bloomingdale (Valrico) 28-0
This Week: Bye
Camron Ransom, QB, Armwood
6. Atlantic (Delray) (7A) (1-0)
Last Week: Vs. Boca Raton (Cancelled)
This Week: At Glades Central Friday 6:00 PM
7. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated A’ Kelynn Angels Christian (Winter Haven) 67-12
This Week: Vs. Pine Forest (Pensacola) Friday 7:30 PM
8. Venice (7A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 50-49 2OT
This Week: Bye
9. South Dade (Homestead) (8A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Columbus (Miami) 21-14
This Week: Vs. Miami Norland Thursday 7:30 PM
10. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (8A) (2-0)
Last Week: Vs. Deland Friday (Cancelled)
This Week: At Bartram Trail (St. Johns) Friday 7:00 PM
Carson Beck, QB, Mandarin
11. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (4A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated North Miami 50-0
This Week: Vs. Fort Lauderdale Friday 7:00 PM
12. American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Miramar 31-6
This Week: At Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM
13. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Christian 34-13
This Week: Vs. Miami Carol City Friday 7:00 PM
14. Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Jones (Orlando) 28-14
This Week: Vs. Godby (Tallahassee) Friday 7:00 PM
15. Miami Carol City (4A) (1-2)
Last Week: Lost to Miami Central 49-26
This Week: At Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Friday 7:00 PM
16. Cocoa (4A) (1-1)
Last Week: Vs. Osceola (Kissimmee) (Cancelled)
This Week: At Sebastian River Friday 7:00 PM
17. Tampa Bay Tech (7A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Hillsborough 37-7
This Week: At Plant (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM
18. Columbus (Miami) (8A) (2-1)
Last Week: Lost to South Dade (Homestead) 21-14
This Week: Vs. Miami Booker T. Washington Friday 5:00 PM
19. Gulliver (Miami) (4A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Pinecrest 38-0
Next Week: Vs. Immaculata La Salle (Miami) Friday 4:00 PM
20. Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated to Miami Jackson 31-10
This Week: At Columbus (Miami) Friday 5:00 PM
21. Rockledge (5A) (2-0)
Last Week: Vs. Columbia (GA) (Cancelled)
This Week: Vs. Eau Gallie (Melbourne) Friday 7:00 PM
22. Jones (Orlando) (5A) (2-1)
Last Week: Lost to Edgewater (Orlando) 28-14
This Week: Vs. Bishop Moore (Orlando) Friday at 7:00 PM
23. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) (6A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Pahokee 45-13
This Week: At Northeast (Oakland Park) Friday 7:00 PM
24. Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (2A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Christ Presbyterian (TN) 25-0
This Week: At Everglades Prep Friday 3:30 PM
25. Madison County (1A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Rickards (Tallahassee) 28-6
This Week: Vs. Suwanee (Live Oak) Friday 7:30 PM
Others Receiving Votes:
Berkeley Prep (Tampa) (3A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) 35-7
This Week: Bye
Deerfield Beach (8A) (1-2)
Last Week: Defeated Ely (Pompano) 42-0
This Week: At Zachary (LA) Saturday 2:00 PM
Deland (8A) (1-0)
Last Week: Vs. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (Cancelled)
This Week: Vs. Seminole (Sanford) Friday 7:00 PM
Florida State High (Tallahassee) (3A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Chiles (Tallahassee) 20-19
This Week: Vs. P. K. Yonge (Gainesville) Friday 7:30 PM
Gaither (Tampa) (6A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Plant City 28-23
Next Week: Vs East Bay (Gibonston) Friday 7:30 PM
Lake Wales (5A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Haines City 77-0
This Week: Vs. Mulberry Friday 7:30 PM
Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (4A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Gibbs (St. Petersburg) 43-0
Next Week: At Boca Ciega (Gulfport) Friday 7:30 PM
Lincoln (Tallahassee) (7A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Tate (Cantonment) 43-0
This Week: Vs. Navarre Thursday 7:00 PM
Miami Palmetto (8A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Hialeah 34-13
This Week: Vs. Coral Gables Friday 7:30 PM
Miramar (7A) (1-2)
Last Week: Lost to American Heritage (Plantation) 31-6
This Week: Vs. South Broward (Hollywood) Friday 6:30 PM
McArthur (Hollywood) (7A) (1-1)
Last Week: Defeated University School (Davie) 19-0
This Week: Bye
North Marion (Citra) (5A) (2-0)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: At Hardee (Wauchula) Friday 7:30 PM
Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Ridgeview (Orange Park) 41-13
This Week: Vs. Gainesville Friday at 7:00 PM
Osceola (Kissimmee) (8A) (1-1)
Last Week: Vs. Cocoa (Cancelled)
This Week: At Celebration Friday 7:00 PM
Plantation (7A) (2-0)
Last Week: Defeated West Broward (Pembroke Pines) 38-0
This Week: Vs. Piper (Sunrise) Friday 7:00 PM
Raines (Jacksonville) (5A) (1-1)
Last Week: Defeated Stanton (Jacksonville) 67-0
This Week: At Lee (Jacksonville) Saturday 2:00 PM
Seminole (Sanford) (8A) (2-0)
Last Week: Vs. Lyman (Longwood) (Cancelled)
Next Week: At DeLand Friday 7:00 PM
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (1-2)
Last Week: Lost to Venice 50-49 2OT
This Week: Vs. American Heritage (Plantation) Friday 7:30 PM
University School (Davie) (4A) (2-1)
Last Week: Lost to McArthur (Hollywood) 19-0
This Week: At Western (Davie) Friday 7:00 PM
Vanguard (Ocala) (5A) (2-0)
Last Week: Vs. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (Cancelled)
This Week: Vs. Dunnellon Friday 7:30 PM
Wekiva (Apopka) (7A) (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Olympia (Orlando) 44-7
This Week: At East River (Orlando) Friday 7:00 PM
Western (Davie) (8A) (2-0)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Springs 74-0
This Week: Vs. University School (Davie) Friday 7:00 PM
Rankings By Class (Top Three)
8A
1. South Dade (Homestead)
2. Mandarin (Jacksonville)
3. Columbus (Miami)
7A
1. Lakeland
2. St. Thomas Aquinas
3. Armwood (Seffner)
6A
1. Miami Central
2. Columbia (Lake City)
3. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)
5A
1. Miami Northwestern
2. American Heritage (Plantation)
3. Rockledge
4A
1. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)
2. Miami Carol City
3. Cocoa
3A
1. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
2. Florida State High (Tallahassee)
3. Berkeley Prep (Tampa)
2A
1. Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah)
2. St. Joseph (St. Augustine)
3. Cambridge Christian (Tampa)
1A
1. Madison County
2. Baker
3. Blountstown
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