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In years past, district rivals would often play each other twice during the year, once during the regular season and occasionally we would get that juicy playoff rematch. This year, with class and district realignment, we only get some rivalry games once a year. Some of the biggest matchups took place on Friday night and one team will have bragging rights for a whole year or beyond while the other will be wondering what could have been.
The rankings below are based on quality of wins and losses and not simply based on if a team has not lost a game. Also, how you win and lose is a measure of a team’s greatness. As we move through more district games through this season, we realize that most competive games are behind us until we get to the postseason so there will opportunites for teams to move up. So to be ranked high, it pays to schedule tough and play to the final whistle.
Bulls Put Rockets Down
Swings of momentum are common in Miami Northwestern and Miami Central battles through the years. Last Friday, Central jumped out to a two-touchdown lead early second half but the Bulls would rush back with a big rushing night by running back Nathaniel Noel. The senior would put a bow on a second half comeback earning 66 yards and a touchdown on four carries on the final scoring drive en route to a 30-20 victory over Central. The Bulls defense remains the strength of the team as they held Central to just 31 yards rushing.
Nate Noel, RB, Miami Northwestern
Heritage Tops Rival, Now In Top Five
The Patriots add another strong win to their resume with a 28-21 victory over their rival Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale). As you would expect, it was close throughout and came down to the final possession. A remarkable performance by Edwin Rhodes where he completed 28 of 33 passes (84.5%) for 338 yards and four touchdowns solidifies his place among the state’s best quarterbacks.
Edwin Rhodes, QB, American Heritage
With the score tied at 21 in the fourth quarter, Rhodes executed on a seven-play touchdown drive and connected with Jacolby Spells for a 23-yarder for the eventual game-winner. The two teams have combined for 5 state championships in the last 6 years and both can take home state titles this year as Gibbons dropped down to 4A while Heritage remains in 5A.
Tigers Claw Through Blue Darters
Keeping with the 5A class, a team to keep an eye on are the Jones (Orlando) Tigers. Jones nearly took down Gibbons last year in the playoffs and have quality wins on their resume including last week’s 21-12 win over the Apopka Blue Darters. Jones outgained Apopka 249-76 in the first half and was able to hold off the 8A squad in a game played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Dominick Hill’s second interception late helped seal the deal for the Tigers.
Armwood Moves up and Bloomingdale Moves In
The Armwood (Seffner) Hawks’s 28-0 shutout of Bloomingdale (Valrico) a month back looks even better as the Bulls beat Tampa Bay Tech last week 26-14. For the second year in a row, Tech’s first loss of the season came at the hands of Bloomingdale. The Bulls got seven sacks and a late touchdown from a blocked punt by Wa’myron Howard to get the victory. Armwood added another shutout to their schedule as they blanked Plant City 35-0. Junior wide receiver Agiye Hall returned to game action and had two touchdown catches as the Hawks defense held the Raiders to just 100 total yards.
Tornadoes Take Care of Business At Traz
One of the state title contenders for the 3A class Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) traveled to South Florida to take on 4A contender Miami Booker T. Washington last Thursday at Traz Powell Stadium. The Tornadoes blew the Conquerors away scoring 20 straight points to send the visitors back home with another loss. After a 7-7 tie, receiver Jacorey Brooks took over the game. The junior had 141 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns in the second half.
Jacorey Brooks, WR, Miami Booker T. Washington
Cowboys Mauled By Tigers
The back-to-back 1A state champions Madison County are playing a big school schedule this year. Two weeks ago they were edged by 4A state title contender in Lakewood (St. Petersburg) 21-20 in overtime and were looking to bounce back against long-time rival Columbia (Lake City). The Cowboys were up 21-13 at home at halftime but struggled to hold on late. Quarterback Jordan Smith led the Tigers scoring 19-straight points to defeat Madison County for the second straight year. The Cowboys continue their tough slate against Dunnellon this week.
Top Performers
Mendez Jean-Baptiste, WR, Jones – caught seven passes for 127 yards in the 21-12 win over Apopka.
Mendez Jean-Baptiste Apopka Game Film
Zion Tuner, QB, St. Thomas Aquinas – The 2022 quarterback completed 11 of 13 passes accounting for four touchdowns in a 56-28 win over Mandarin (Jacksonville).
Zion Turner Mandarin Game Film
Timmy McClain, QB, Seminole – The 2021 quarterback had five touchdown passes throwing for 376 yards in a 42-20 win over Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs).
Timmy McClain Lake Brantley Film
Katravis Jeter, RB, Miami Carol City – finished with 36 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-14 win over Vanguard (Ocala).
Diego Arroyo, QB, Cocoa – Arroyo passed 332 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-22 win over Mainland (Daytona).
Games To Watch This Week In Florida
(All Game Times Eastern)
#2 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. Plantation Friday 7:00 PM
#6 Armwood (Seffner) At Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30
#16 Cocoa At Venice Friday 7:30 PM
#23 University School (Davie) Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 7:00 PM
#24 Dunnellon Vs. Madison County Friday 7:30 PM
Top 25
1. Lakeland (7A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Centennial (Port St. Lucie) 42-6
This Week: At Durant (Plant City) Friday 7:30 PM
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Mandarin (Jacksonville) 56-28
This Week: Vs. Plantation Friday 7:00 PM
3. Miami Northwestern (5A) (4-2)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Central 30-20
This Week: Vs. Miami Springs Friday 7:30 PM At Traz Powell Stadium
4. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Madison County 32-21
This Week: At Lee (Jacksonville) Friday 6:00 PM
5. American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 28-21
This Week: At Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
6. Armwood (Seffner) (7A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Plant City 35-0
This Week: At Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30 PM
7. Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (6-1)
Last Week: Lost to Marietta (GA) 39-24
This Week: At South Lake (Groveland) Friday 7:00 PM
8. Miami Central (6A) (5-2)
Last Week: Lost to Miami Northwestern 30-20
This Week: Vs. Miami Norland Friday 7:30 PM
9. Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (5-2)
Last Week: Defeated Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 20-7
This Week: At American (Hialeah) Friday 7:30 PM At Ted Hendricks Stadium
10. South Dade (Homestead) (8A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Southridge 23-10
This Week: At Southwest Miami Friday 7:30 PM
11. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (4A) (4-2)
Last Week: Lost to American Heritage (Plantation) 28-21
This Week: Vs. McArthur (Hollywood) Friday 7:00 PM
12. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Doral Academy 56-7
This Week: At Pahokee Friday 6:30 PM
13. Jones (Orlando) (5A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Apopka 21-12
This Week: At Eustis Friday 7:00 PM
14. Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (5-1)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Mandarin (Jacksonville) Friday 7:00 PM
15. Rockledge (5A) (5-1)
Last Week: Lost to St. Ignatius (OH) 42-7
This Week: At Merritt Island Friday 7:00 PM
16. Cocoa (4A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Mainland (Daytona) 36-22
This Week: Bye
17. Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (4A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Sebring 38-0
This Week: At Osceola (Seminole) Friday 7:30 PM
18. Seminole (Sanford) (8A) (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 42-20
Next Week: At Palm Coast Friday 7:00 PM
19. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) (6A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Archbishop McArthy (Southwest Ranches) 65-0
This Week: Vs. Hollywood Hills Saturday 7:00 PM
20. Bloomingdale (Valrico) (7A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Tampa Bay Tech 26-14
This Week: Vs. Kathleen (Lakeland) Friday 7:30 PM
21. Miami Palmetto (8A) (5-1)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Coral Reef (Miami) Thursday 7:00 PM
22. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (8A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Ponte Vedra 27-25
This Week: Vs. Nease (Ponte Vedra) Friday 7:00 PM
23. University School (Davie) (4A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Christian 41-14
This Week: Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 7:00 PM
24. Dunnellon (5A) (6-0)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Madison County Friday 7:30 PM
25. Gulliver (Miami) (4A) (6-0)
Last Week: North Broward Prep 58-6
Next Week: At Benjamin (Palm Beach) Friday 7:00 PM
Others Receiving Votes:
Apopka (8A) (4-1)
Last Week: Lost to Jones (Orlando) 21-12
This Week: Vs. West Orange (Winter Garden) Friday 7:00 PM
Atlantic (Delray) (7A) (3-2)
Last Week: Lost to Clearwater Academy International 14-9
This Week: At West Boca Raton Friday 6:30 PM
Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (2A) (4-2)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: At Belen Jesuit (Miami) Friday 7:30 PM
Columbus (Miami) (8A) (4-2)
Last Week: Defeated Monsignor Pace (Miami) 35-14
This Week: At University School (Davie) Friday 7:00 PM
Deerfield Beach (8A) (4-2)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Spanish River (Boca Raton) Thursday 7:00 PM
Escambia (Pensacola) (6A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Pace 48-7
This Week: At Mosely (Lynn Haven) Friday 8:00 PM
Florida State High (Tallahassee) (3A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) 60-13
This Week: Vs. Pensacola Friday 7:30 PM
Gaither (Tampa) (6A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Chamberlain (Tampa) 33-28
Next Week: Vs. Land O’ Lakes Friday 7:30 PM
Lake Wales (5A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Lely (Naples) 16-3
This Week: At Hardee (Wauchula) Friday 7:30 PM
Madison County (1A) (5-2)
Last Week: Lost to Columbia (Lake City) 32-21
This Week: At Dunnellon Friday 7:30 PM
Miami Carol City (4A) (3-4)
Last Week: Defeated Vanguard (Ocala) 27-14
This Week: Vs. Miami Edison Thursday 7:30 PM At Traz Powell Stadium
Miramar (7A) (4-3)
Last Week: Defeated Hallandale 20-0
This Week: At Everglades (Miramar) Friday 7:00 PM
Naples (6A) (6-0)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: Vs. Lely (Naples) Friday 7:30 PM
Niceville (7A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated West Florida (Pensacola) 35-14
This Week: Vs. Tate (Cantonment) Friday 8:00 PM
Osceola (Kissimmee) (8A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated St. Cloud 43-0
This Week: Vs. Freedom (Orlando) Friday 7:00 PM
Palmetto (6A) (6-0)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: At Charlotte Friday 7:30 PM
Plantation (7A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated South Plantation 61-7
This Week: At St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
Tampa Bay Tech (7A) (5-1)
Last Week: Lost to Bloomingdale (Valrico) 26-14
This Week: Vs. Armwood (Seffner) Friday 7:30 PM
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (3-4)
Last Week: Lost to Miami Booker T. Washington 20-7
Next Week: At Colquitt County (GA) 8:00 PM
Venice (7A) (3-3)
Last Week: Lost to St. Frances (MD) 49-7
This Week: At Lakewood Ranch Friday 7:30 PM
Victory Christian (Lakeland) (2A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Berkley Prep (Tampa) 19-13
This Week: Calvary Christian (Clearwater) Friday 7:00 PM
Class Rankings (Top Three)
8A
South Dade (Homestead)
Oakleaf (Orange Park)
Seminole (Sanford)
7A
Lakeland
St. Thomas Aquinas
Armwood (Seffner)
6A
Columbia (Lake City)
Miami Central
Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)
5A
Miami Northwestern
American Heritage (Plantation)
Jones (Orlando)
4A
Miami Booker T. Washington
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)
Cocoa
3A
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
Florida State High (Tallahassee)
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)
2A
Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah)
Victory Christian (Lakeland)
University Christian (Jacksonville)
1A
Madison County
Baker
Blountstown
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