To schedule tough or not to schedule tough, that is the question. This year there are a number of teams that went out of their way to schedule tough teams in hopes to boost their resume in the eyes of the FPI point system with the FHSAA. Tough scheduling could pay dividends during the regular season and postseason as tougher schedules prepare teams for tougher games. If teams do not make it into the playoffs because they cannot beat the majority of the teams on their schedule, that’s when scheduling tough makes it tough on yourself.
The playoffs are coming…and we can’t wait!
Small School, Big Promise
The Miami community known as ‘Little Haiti,’ hails the Miami Edison Red Raiders who are growing into a contender in the 3A class this season. In a Thursday night surprise, they took down Miami Carol City 7-6. Zachery Baldwin returned an interception for a touchdown in the first half which would hold as the game-winning score. Miami based rapper and Head Coach Luther Campbell’s defense stifled the Chief offense who scored 24 against St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) just two weeks ago.
Edison’s three losses are to an undefeated Naples team 17-12, a blowout loss to Miami Central 44-14 and a one-point loss to Coral Gables about two weeks ago. If the ‘Rouge’ Raiders continue with the effort we saw Thursday night at Traz Powell Stadium, Edison could make a run in the 3A playoffs. Edison will look to keep it rolling at Miami Christian this week.
Lee Owns Tigers Again
Lee (Jacksonville) held on in overtime to take down the 6A title-contending Columbia (Lake City) Tigers Friday night. It was the fourth time in five years that Lee pulled out the victory over their district rivals. Lee’s running game was the engine that could not be stopped as the Generals rushed for 140 yards on 35 carries and took a 13-0 lead at the half.
Columbia, led by quarterback Jordan Smith, scored three touchdown passes, but it would be the touchdown the Tigers did not score in OT that would be the difference. Jeremy Porter’s sack in the extra period forced a field go try that the Tigers would miss. Lee countered with the go-ahead scoring run by sophomore quarterback Cale Zarah to hand Columbia their first loss of the season. Lee eliminated Columbia in the playoffs last season 31-27.
Sharks Feast On Explorers
The smaller 4A school in Nova Southeastern University School (Davie) took down 8A Columbus (Miami) with ease 35-0 Friday night. Freshman sensation Brandon Innis had an interception and a 63-yard touchdown catch and run to build a 28-0 lead in the first half.
Columbus seems like a different team without longtime head coach Chris Merrit, now coaching at FCS school Bryant University. Columbus was on their way to an official undefeated season in 2018 before losing to Mandarin (Jacksonville) in the state championship game. This season, Columbus already has three losses and travels to undefeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) this week.
Cowboys Tame Tigers
Madison County jumped out to a running-clock lead, (35-0) and held off a furious comeback to defeat Dunnellon 47-35 last week. Vinsonta Allen’s three touchdowns would help lift the Cowboys over the tigers.
For the third season in a row, the 1A back-to-back champions beat Dunnellon and prove that size does not matter. The Mad County Cowboys continue their big school schedule as they host Clearwater Academy International this week.
Never Underestimate The Heart Of A Champion
The 8A defending champion Mandarin (Jacksonville) Mustangs have been somewhat of a disappointment this season. The Knights of Oakleaf (Orange Park) failed to score on the potential winning two-point conversion as Walter Simmons III‘s pass sailed out of bounds. The try was set up by an Adrian Grey four-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left. The eventual winning score for Mandarin (Jacksonville), a score on a blocked kick from the kicking team. Joseph Lewis scooped the loose football after the failed field goal attempt and galloped to the end zone for the touchdown.
Mandarin’s previous losses to Lee (Jacksonville) and Bartram Trail (St. Johns) look better each week and their 34-33 win over Oakleaf gives them a puncher’s chance to win the district if they win out. Oakleaf played most of the game without Miami commit Chantz Williams who left the game with an injury in the first quarter. Both teams continue district play as Oakleaf gets undefeated Bartram Trail next week and Mandarin look to keep their district hopes alive as the Mustangs play at Sandalwood (Jacksonville).
Top Performers
Sean Washington, WR, Oakleaf – The senior had 10 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Mandarin.
Sean Washington Mandarin Game Film
Thad Franklin, RB, Chaminade-Madonna – The Miami commit (2021) rushed for 267 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-7 win over Pahokee.
Quadric Bullard, DB, Chaminade-Madonna – The senior UCF commit had nine tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in Pahokee.
Quadric Bullard Pahokee Game Film
Raheim Sanders, DE/WR, Rockledge – The junior had four sacks, two forced fumbles, four tackles for loss, three catches for 68 yards and a two-point conversion in a 42-6 win over Merritt Island.
Games To Watch This Week In Florida
(All Game Times Eastern)
#1 Lakeland At #18 Bloomingdale (Valrico) Friday 7:30 PM
#2 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. Deerfield Beach Friday 7:00 PM
#13 Cocoa At Venice Friday 7:30 PM
#17 South Dade (Homestead) Vs. Miami Carol City Friday 7:30 PM
#19 Bartram Trail (St. Johns) At Oakleaf (Orange Park) Friday 7:00 PM
#20 Columbia (Lake City) Vs. Atlantic (Delray) Friday 7:30 PM
#21 Madison County At Clearwater Academy International Friday 7:30 PM
#22 Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 7:00 PM
#24 Gaither (Tampa) At Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30 PM
Lee (Jacksonville) At Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Thursday 7:00 PM
Top 25
1. Lakeland (7A) (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Durant (Plant City) 27-0
This Week: At Bloomingdale (Valrico) Friday 7:30 PM
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Plantation 35-0
This Week: Vs. Deerfield Beach Friday 7:00 PM
3. Miami Northwestern (5A) (5-2)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Springs 58-0
This Week: Vs. Key West Friday 7:30 PM
4. American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) 27-6
This Week: Vs. American Collegiate (Clearwater) Friday 7:00 PM
5. Armwood (Seffner) (7A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Tampa Bay Tech 32-0
This Week: Vs. Jefferson (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM
6. Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (7-1)
Last Week: Defeated South Lake (Groveland) 56-0
This Week: Bye
7. Miami Central (6A) (6-2)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Norland 38-0
This Week: At South Miami Thursday 7:30 PM At Tropical Park
8. Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (6-2)
Last Week: Defeated American (Hialeah) 41-0
This Week: Vs. North Miami Beach Friday 7:30 PM At Curtis Park
9. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (4A) (5-2)
Last Week: Defeated McArthur (Hollywood) 38-14
This Week: At Coral Springs Charter Thursday 7:00 PM
10. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Pahokee 43-7
This Week: At Vero Beach Friday 7:00 PM
11. Jones (Orlando) (5A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Eustis 54-0
This Week: Vs. Mount Dora Thursday 7:00 PM
12. Rockledge (5A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Merritt Island 42-6
This Week: Vs. Palm Bay Friday 7:00 PM
13. Cocoa (4A) (5-1)
Last Week: Bye
This Week: At Venice Friday 7:30 PM
14. Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (4A) (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Osceola (Seminole) 49-0
This Week: Bye
15. Seminole (Sanford) (8A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Flagler Palm Coast 34-9
Next Week: At Spruce Creek (Port Orange) Friday 7:00 PM
16. University School (Davie) (4A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Columbus (Miami) 35-0
This Week: At Clearwater Central Catholic Friday 7:30 PM
17. South Dade (Homestead) (8A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Southwest Miami 43-6
This Week: Vs. Miami Carol City Friday 7:30 PM At Harris Field
18. Bloomingdale (Valrico) (7A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Kathleen (Lakeland) 46-10
This Week: Vs. Lakeland Friday 7:30 PM
19. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (8A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Nease (Ponte Vedra) 52-22
This Week: At Oakleaf (Orange Park) Friday 7:00 PM
20. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (6-1)
Last Week: Lost to Lee (Jacksonville) 27-21
This Week: Vs. Atlantic (Delray) Friday 7:30 PM
21. Madison County (1A) (6-2)
Last Week: Defeated Dunnellon 47-35
This Week: At Clearwater Academy International Friday 7:30 PM
22. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) (6A) (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Hollywood Hills 61-0
This Week: Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 7:00 PM
23. Miami Palmetto (8A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Coral Reef (Miami) 55-0
This Week: Vs. Miami High Friday 7:30 PM At Southridge
24. Gaither (Tampa) (6A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Land O’ Lakes 40-0
Next Week: At Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30 PM
25. Gulliver (Miami) (4A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Benjamin (Palm Beach) 42-14
Next Week: Vs. Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 4:00 PM
Others Receiving Votes:
Apopka (8A) (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated West Orange (Winter Garden) 10-0
This Week: Vs. Evans (Orlando) Thursday 7:00 PM
Atlantic (Delray) (7A) (4-2)
Last Week: Defeated West Boca Raton 52-0
This Week: At Columbia (Lake City) Friday 7:30 PM
Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (2A) (5-2)
Last Week: Defeated Belen Jesuit (Miami) 20-0
This Week: At American Heritage (Delray) Friday 7:00 PM
Columbus (Miami) (8A) (4-3)
Last Week: Lost to University School 35-0
This Week: At Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
Deerfield Beach (8A) (5-2)
Last Week: Defeated Spanish River (Boca Raton) 64-0
This Week: At St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM
Dunnellon (5A) (6-1)
Last Week: Lost to Madison County 47-35
This Week: At Lake Weir Friday 7:00 PM
Escambia (Pensacola) (6A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Mosely (Lynn Haven) 35-28
This Week: At Fort Walton Beach Friday 8:00 PM
Florida State High (Tallahassee) (3A) (7-1)
Last Week: Defeated Pensacola 55-13
This Week: Vs. Rickards (Tallahassee) Friday 7:30 PM
Lake Wales (5A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Hardee (Wauchula) 35-17
This Week: Vs. Sebring Friday 7:30 PM
Lee (Jacksonville) (6A) (5-2)
Last Week: Defeated Calvary Christian (Clearwater) 16-10
This Week: At Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Thursday 7:00 PM
Miami Edison (3A) (5-3)
Last Week: Defeated Miami Carol City 7-6
This Week: At Miami Christian Friday 4:00 PM
Miramar (7A) (5-3)
Last Week: Defeated Everglades (Miramar) 21-0
This Week: At American (Hialeah) Friday 7:30 PM
Naples (6A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Lely (Naples) 45-0
This Week: At Golden Gate (Naples) Friday 7:00 PM
Niceville (7A) (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Tate (Cantonment) 41-28
This Week: At Chiles (Tallahassee) Friday 7:00 PM
Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A) (5-2)
Last Week: Lost to Mandarin (Jacksonville) 34-33
This Week: Vs. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) Friday 7:00 PM
Osceola (Kissimmee) (8A) (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Freedom (Orlando) 58-0
This Week: At Manatee (Bradenton) Friday 7:30 PM
Palm Beach Lakes (7A) (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Seminole Ridge (Loxahatchee) 23-3
This Week: Vs. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) Friday 6:30 PM
Palmetto (6A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Charlotte 34-0
This Week: At Southeast (Bradenton) Friday 7:30 PM
Plantation (7A) (6-1)
Last Week: Lost to St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 35-0
This Week: Bye
Tampa Bay Tech (7A) (5-2)
Last Week: Lost to Armwood (Seffner) 32-0
This Week: Vs. Gaither (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (3-5)
Last Week: Lost to Colquitt County (GA) 45-6
Next Week: Vs. Lee (Jacksonville) Thursday 7:00 PM
Venice (7A) (4-3)
Last Week: Defeated Lakewood Ranch 49-6
This Week: Vs. Cocoa Friday 7:30 PM
Victory Christian (Lakeland) (2A) (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Calvary Christian (Clearwater) 16-10
This Week: At Trinity Catholic (Ocala) Friday 7:00 PM
Class Rankings (Top Three)
8A
Seminole (Sanford)
South Dade (Homestead)
Bartram Trail (St. Johns)
7A
Lakeland
St. Thomas Aquinas
Armwood (Seffner)
6A
Miami Central
Columbia (Lake City)
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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