Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
It’s playoff time! Teams can either make history or be history. One things for sure is that it all will be decided on the field. Words like trust, heart and grit will continue to be etched in the minds of fans, coaches and players alike. Win or go home. Survive and advance. Last team standing is the last team smiling. Secure the bag. Play to win the game. Play to the whistle, the final whistle. May your last game be your best game. Here…we…go!
The last week of the regular season is time for most teams to tie up loose ends or solidify their identity. For 3A state champion Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood), it was about finishing strong. The Lions mauled previously undefeated University School (Davie) 35-0 behind the strong running game of Miami commit Thaddius Franklin. The 2021 running back rushed for 279 yards on 26 carries. Chaminade will be considered the favorite to win back to back state championships.
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) also handed an undefeated team their first loss of the season when they handled McArthur (Hollywood) 21-0 at home. Pittsburgh commit Vincent Davis rushed 17 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns earning MVP honors. Gibbons takes an 8-game winning streak into the playoffs continue to build a strong program.
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) avenged last years loss to Miramar dominating the Patriots 48-6.
Finally, in South Florida, @FootballHotbed recaps a pair of 954 showdowns highlighted by a revenge-filled W for @STA_Football over Miramar and @GibbonsFootball blanking McArthur. pic.twitter.com/dUKybPX08y
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) November 5, 2018
Running back Daniel Carter lead the way with 113 yards rushing while Oklahoma commit Jaden Davis scored on a 61-yard pick six. The Raiders go into the playoffs as the number one seed and should cruise through the region.
The defending champions of 7A had no trouble in the final week of the season. Venice throttled Manatee (Bradenton) 44-13 in route to a number 1 seed in the FHSAA playoffs. A trilogy between St. Thomas and Venice is one we all want to see. Aquinas won the first and went on to win the state title. Venice one second and went on to win the state title. Will we see a third?
Godby (Tallahassee) are city champs as they defeated Lincoln (Tallahassee) 34-24 and completed an undefeated season for the first time since 2006.
Top Performers
Brandon Gregory, RB, Venice – The senior ripped off runs of 47, 51 and 32-yard runs and scored two touchdowns.
Jacquez Yant, RB, Godby – The junior recorded his third straight 100 yard rushing game going for 150 against Lincoln.
Elan Sommala, RB, Naples – The 2020 back rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown in the win over Piper (Sunrise).
Games To Watch This Week
Atlantic (Delray) Vs. Western (Davie) Friday 7:30 PM
Wekiva (Apopka) Vs. West Orange (Winter Garden) Friday 7:30 PM
Columbia (Lake City) Vs. Fletcher (Jacksonville Friday 7:30 PM
Plant City Vs. Braden River (Bradenton) Friday 7:30 PM
Riverdale (Fort Myers) Vs. Bloomingdale (Valrico) Friday 7:30 PM
Mandarin (Jacksonville) Vs. Deland Friday 7:30 PM
Columbus Vs. Coral Gables Friday 7:30 PM
Miami Palmetto Vs. Belen Jesuit (Miami) Thursday 7:00 PM
Top 25
- Miami Carol City (6A) (8-2)
Last week: Defeated American (Miami Lakes) 41-13
This week: At Traz Powell Stadium Vs. Miami Norland Friday 7:30 PM
- Miami Central (6A) (8-2)
Last week: Idle
This week: At Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:30 PM
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Miramar 48-6
This week: Vs. South Miami Friday 7:30 PM
- Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (5A) (10-0)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. Suwannee (Live Oak) 7:30 PM Friday
- Deerfield Beach (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. Miramar Friday 7:30 PM
- Miami Columbus (8A) (10-0)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. Coral Gables Friday 7:30 PM
- Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Bolles (Jacksonville) 34-19
This week: Vs. Fletcher (Jacksonville Beach) Friday 7:30 PM
- Vero Beach (8A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Sebastian River 21-0
This week: Vs. Gateway (Kissimmee) Friday 7:30 PM
- Atlantic (Delray) (8A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Wellington 42-3
This week: Vs. Western (Davie) Friday 7:30 PM
- Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (5A) (8-2)
Last week: Defeated McArthur (Hollywood) 21-0
This week: Vs. Merrit Island Friday 7:30 PM
- American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (8-1)
Last week: Idle
This week: At Westwood (Fort Pierce) Friday 7:30 PM
- Lakeland (7A) (10-0)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. Wiregrass Ranch (Wesley Chapel) Friday 7:30 PM
- Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (8-2)
Last week: Defeated University School (Davie) 35-0
This week: Bye
- Lee (Jacksonville) (7A) (7-1)
Last week: Defeated White (Jacksonville)
This week: At Hagerty (Oviedo) Friday 7:30 PM
- Godby (5A) (Tallahassee) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Lincoln (Tallahassee) 34-24
This week: Vs. Ponte Vedra Friday 7:30 PM
- Wekiva (Apopka) (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Lake Nona (Orlando) 35-0
This week: Vs. West Orange (Winter Garden) Friday 7:30 PM
- Clearwater Central Catholic (3A) (10-0)
Last week: Idle
This week: Bye
- Armwood (Seffner) (6A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Durant (Plant City) 38-0
This week: Vs. South Lake (Groveland) Friday 7:30 PM
- Plant City (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. Braden River (Bradenton) Friday 7:30 PM
- Tampa Jesuit (5A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Tampa Catholic 42-7
This week: Vs. DeSoto County (Arcadia) Friday 7:30 PM
- Venice (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Manatee (Bradenton) 44-13
This week: Vs. Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30 PM
- Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Oakleaf (Orange Park) 46-34
This week: Vs. Sebring Friday 7:30 PM
- Bloomingdale (Valrico) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Robinson (Tampa) 48-14
This week: At Riverdale (Fort Myers) Friday 7:30 PM
- Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Idle
This week: Vs. West Broward (Pembroke Pines) Friday 7:30 PM
- Pinellas Park (Largo) (7A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Dixie Hollins (St. Petersburg) 42-6
This week: Vs. Palmetto Friday 7:30 PM
Also Receiving Votes:
Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Boone (Orlando) 56-14
This week: At Bucholz (Gainesville) Friday 7:30 PM
Jones (Orlando) (5A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Evans (Orlando) 48-0
This week: Vs. Bishop Moore (Orlando) Friday 7:30 PM
Madison County (1A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Rickards (Tallahassee) 28-0
This week: Bye
McArthur (Hollywood) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Lost to Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 21-0
This week: Vs. Palm Beach Lakes Friday 7:30 PM
Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (5-5)
Last week: Idle
This week: Bye
Miami Northwestern (6A) (5-5)
Last week: Defeated Miami Jackson 34-10
This week: At Mainland (Daytona Beach) Friday 7:30 PM
Miami Southridge (8A) (8-2)
Last week: Defeated Dr. Krop (Miami) 36-0
This week: Vs. North Miami Friday 7:30 PM
Miami Palmetto (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Miami Coral Reef 43-2
This week: At Belen Jesuit (Miami) Thursday 7:30 PM
Naples (6A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Piper (Sunrise) 42-6
This week: Vs. Lehigh Friday 7:30 PM
Navarre (6A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Niceville 38-13
This week: Vs. Pace Friday 7:00 PM
Osceola (Kissimmee) (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 21-13
This week: Vs. Manatee (Bradenton) Friday 7:30 PM
Palm Beach Central (Wellington) (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Leonard (Greenacres) 52-0
This week: Vs. Wellington Friday 7:30 PM
Plant (Tampa) (7A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Newsome (Lithia) 50-36
This week: Vs. Gaither (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM
Plantation (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Stoneman Douglas (Parkland) 40-0
This week: Vs. Piper (Sunrise) Friday 7:30 PM
Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Ribault (Jacksonville) 14-6
This week: Bye
Rockledge (5A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Cocoa 42-10
This week: Vs. Coconut Creek Friday 7:30 PM
Seffner Christian (2A) (10-0)
Last week: Defeated Northside Christian 70-3
This week: Bye
South Dade (Homestead) (8A) (8-2)
Last week: Defeated Miami Edison 34-29
This week: At Hialeah Friday 7:30 PM
University School (Davie) (4A) (9-1)
Last week: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 35-0
This week: Bye
Winter Park (8A) (9-1)
Last week: Defeated Lake Mary 38-24
This week: Vs. Flagler Palm Coast Friday 7:30 PM
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