Perhaps the theme of the past two weeks in south Florida high school football is how many points you can score on the opponent to make them look bad.

Let’s face it, you can tell the schools who pour it on are the ones who are frankly NOT used to the winning spotlight and believe that the only way they can continue to gain acceptance is to make sure that they rub it in. Remember, paybacks are often hell – and have no chill when trying to get even!

On the other side of those lopsided scores are teams who often do not belong competing against programs who simply have nowhere near the talent that the opposition does. The end result is you continue to get beat soundly, bringing your program to new levels of low – or compete against programs of your equal.

In today’s high school football society, you have that choice to make. Dr. Michael Krop made that decision three years ago – and went independent, trying to win games and gain interest again, so they could compete against those “mainstream” district programs.

It was during that 2018 season that they lost games to Carol City (76-0), North Miami Beach (32-0), Vero Beach (44-0), American (35-0) and Miami Southridge (36-0). That year followed up 2016 (5-5) and 2017 (4-7).

By going independent in 2019, head coach Tom Caporale and his Lightning finished 10-1, beating Barbara Goleman to win the GMAC Independent title. Last year, during the pandemic season, Dr. Krop ended 5-2 – with a 33-26 loss to Goleman, who is a program that has also used being an independent to add interest to their program.

This year, this program has jumped back in, and after last week’s 34-24 win over Miami High, they wrapped up a top 4 seed as District 15-8A champions in “mainstream” football, and while they have a long way to go, this is a program that has brought the talent back out – and there is a winning feeling going on right there on the Miami-Dade County border.

With prospects such as seniors Jayden Haynes (DE/TE, 6'0, 235), Julius Weaver (DT, 6'0, 285), Schneider Pierre (DE/LB, 6’1, 235) and receiver Bryce White (5’10, 180), the Lightning will be tested this evening (7:30) at Traz Powell Stadium against battle-tested Miami Norland (3-4) in the second game of a doubleheader.

In addition to those seniors, look for juniors such as Guyteau Salvador (OT/DE, 6'4, 225), O'Neal Webb (DB, 5'11, 180), Julius Pascal (Athlete, 5’11, 185) and versatile lineman Gustavo Elladen (6’0, 250) to help build this program into the future.

Speaking of the future, the Class of 2024 has looked good – with Roger Adam III (RB, 5'11, 190) and Caleb Turner-Allen (DE/LB 6’2, 230).

EDISON LOOKS TO GET BACK ON THE WINNING TRACK

After losses to a pair of state-rated programs in Niceville and Miami Central, head coach Luther Campbell and his 3-3 Miami Edison Red Raiders will play the first game of today’s doubleheader at Traz Powell Stadium at 3:30.

The Red Raiders will host a 2A Miami-Dade Christian team, like Edison, has been challenged and will come into today’s game with a 4-3 record after losing 35-12 to one of Georgia’s elite programs last week in Bainbridge.

THE REST OF TODAY’S GAMES

In addition to those two games, there are other contests to start Week 9 off with in south Florida.

Here is a look:

Coral Park at Mourning (Ives Park), 3:30

Ferguson at Southwest Miami (Tropical Park), 7

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Somerset South Homestead (Harris Field), 7

North Miami at South Broward, 7

Nova at Cooper City, 7

Piper at Boca Raton Olympic Heights, 6:30

Plantation at Northeast, 7

South Dade at No. 14 Christopher Columbus, 5

South Miami at Coral Reef (Southridge), 7

WEDNESDAY GAME

Goleman (Hialeah) 35, Hialeah-Miami Lakes 0 

PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. MICHAEL KROP FOOTBALL

TRACKING POSITIONS: Keeping An Eye On The Football Talent In Miami-Dade & Broward Counties Year Round. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects

 For the past 51 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..