For Miami Palmetto, being on the road for the third consecutive week is not getting old as long as the Panthers continue to win.
Defense has carried this program so far, and against Vero Beach on the road will once again be a huge obstacle in the Panthers making it to the state championships for the first time in school history.
PANTHER FACTS
SCHOOL: Miami Palmetto
HEAD COACH: Mike Manasco
RECORD: 4-1
CLASSIFICATION: 8A
PANTHERS TO CHECK OUT:
2023 - Dwight Bootle, DB
2021 - Clarence Bailey, OL
2021 - Craig Bethel, LB
2021 - Marc Charlemagne, DB
2022 - Marquis Charlemagne
2021 - Corey Collier Jr., DB
2021 - Savion Collins, DL
2021 - Dwight Dassaw, OLB
2021 - Melvin Dean, OLB
2023 - Darryl Doctor, OL
2021 - Corey Ema, LB
2023 - Robert Fulmore, Athlete
2021 - Derrick Edwards, DB
2022 - Bobby Golden, WR
2023 - Gabe Hardman, Athlete
2022 - Mike Jackson, Athlete
2022 - Jacob Jeudy, OL
2021 - Ercell King, LB
2022 - Marlon Hanna, RB
2023 - Steven Jackson, LB
2023 - Kiran Joyner, DB
2022 - Jadien Louis, LB
2021 - Jason Marshall, DB
2022 - Tyrone Maxwell, RB
2021 - Jake McCreary, OL
2021 - Lamond Morrison, OL
2022 - Isaiah Mosley, RB
2021 - Diego Navia, PK
2022 - Octavius Pender, DB
2021 - Cahron Rackley, DB
2021 - Ulish Roland, Athlete
2022 - Jeff Scott, OL
2021 - Brashard Smith, Athlete
2022 - Kevin Smith, QB
2022 - Jamarrion Solomon. DL
2021 - Leonard Taylor, DL
2021 - Gavin Thorpe, DB
2021 - Ralph Williams, RB
2021 - Anthony Marshall, DB
2021 - Octavius Winkfield, DB
2023 - Omari Winkfield, Athlete
HOW THE PANTHERS ARE 4-1
In this Covid-shortened season, this football team dropped just one game – to three-time defending state champion Miami Northwestern, 17-7.
They also beat Homestead (35-7), Orlando Dr. Phillips (10-0), Orlando Lake Nona (9-6) and Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (22-21 OT).
VERO BEACH IS A TOUGH OPPONENT
Despite having a 65-game regular season winning streak broken earlier this season by Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, the Indians are still alive and kicking – and are well coached.
This is a program that lost to Deerfield Beach in this round a year ago – and is looking to make it to the next rough for the first time in a number of years.
INDIAN FACTS
SCHOOL: Vero Beach
HEAD COACH: Lenny Jankowski
RECORD: 8-2
CLASSIFICATION: 8A
INDIANS TO CHECK OUT:
2021 – Ewquan Anderson, OLB
2021 – Elisha Bacon, OT
2021 – Lamone Baskin Jr., OG
2021 – Wendell Bethel, WR
2021 – Tray Brady, P
2021 – Nijah Brown, DB
2023 – Keyshawn Campbell, OLB
2022 – Nehemai Cross, QB
2021 – Jermaine Dawson, WR
2022 – Brandon Deligent, PK
2021 – Jaheim Drisdom, CB
2022 – Regoe Ferguson, RB
2022 – Ephriam Floyd, WR
2021 – Triston Gardner, DB
2021 – Jordan Girton, WR
2021 – Deandre Kelly, CB
2021 – Keanu Koht, DE
2021 – Derek Larralde, WR
2021 – Jimmy McKinney, LB
2021 – Bobby McMillian, RB
2021 - Nick Miller, LB
2021 – Jackson Nairn, QB
2021 – Trevor O’Brien II, QB
2021 – Travonte Oneal, DE
2022 – Tyquante Robinson, DB
2023 – Quincy Rodgers, RB
2022 – James Smith, WR
2021 – Mason Swetz, QB
2021 – Ladarian Williams, WR
2022 – Devin Willis, WR
2021 – Cornell Wilson, DB
2021 – Tyler Wrenn, WR
HOW VERO BEACH IS 8-2
Despite losing a pair of one point games to Treasure Coast (17-16) and Clearwater Academy International (30-29), this team has managed to play well at the right time.
Wins over Port St. Lucie (35-0), Port St. Lucie Centennial (34-7), Stuart-Martin County (40-3), Fort Pierce Westwood (49-12), Fort Pierce Central (50-7) and Kissimmee Osceola (34-7) in the regular season.
In the playoffs, the Indians have rolled over Fort Pierce Central (40-3) and a tight one last week against Orlando Boone, 35-34.
Here is a look at the rest of the playoff games:
REGION 4
Osceola (Kissimmee) (7-2) at Lithia Newsome (7-2)
7A
REGION 3
Valrico Bloomingdale (11-0) at Tampa Bay Tech (8-3)
REGION 4
Venice (10-3) at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5-1)
6A
REGION 3
Lake Gibson (11-1) at Palmetto (8-3)
REGION 4
Miami Central (5-1) at Dunbar (8-2)
5A
REGION 3
Orlando Jones (9-0) at Tampa Jesuit (12-0)
REGION 4
Plantation American Heritage (8-2) at Eau Gallie (7-1)
4A
STATE SEMIFINALS
NORTH
Gadsden County (6-1) at Jacksonville Bolles (9-2)
SOUTH
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (6-1) at Cocoa (9-0)
3A
STATE SEMIFINALS
NORTH
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (10-1) at Ocala Trinity Catholic (7-3), 7
SOUTH
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (7-1) at Tampa Berkeley Prep (7-1)
2A
CLASS 2A
STATE SEMIFINALS
NORTH
Foundation Academy (9-1) at University Christian (7-4)
SOUTH
Champagnat Catholic (9-2) at Seffner Christian (8-4)
Sunshine State Independent Association (SSIA) Semifinals
TRU Prep Academy vs. Clearwater Academy International
IMG Academy White vs. American Collegiate
OTHER SOUTH FLORIDA GAMES
Dr. Krop 14 vs. Braddock
Immaculata-LaSalle vs. North Broward Prep
Miami Sunset vs. Hialeah Gardens
Somerset Canyons vs. Cypress Bay
Somerset Pembroke Pines vs. Mater Academy
Taravella vs. Pembroke Pines Charter
True North Classical vs. Somerset South Homestead
South Florida Tri-County Championships
8A Gold Division Quarterfinals
Coconut Creek Monarch at Homestead South Dade (Harris Field)
Jupiter at Deerfield Beach
8A Silver Division Quarterfinals
Wellington at Palm Beach Gardens
Miami High at Coral Glades
Coral Springs at Boca Raton
Pembroke Pines Flanagan at Coral Gables, 3:30
7A Gold Division Quarterfinals
North Miami at Delray Beach Atlantic
South Plantation at Miramar
Hialeah American at Plantation (PAL)
Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge at Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer
7A Silver Division Quarterfinals
Miami Beach at Pompano Beach Banche Ely
Fort Lauderdale at Royal Palm Beach
Hialeah at Miramar Everglades
Boca Raton Olympic Heights at Hollywood South Broward
6A-1A Gold Division Quarterfinals
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan at Miami Killian (Saturday, Traz Powell Stadium - 6)
Miami Carol City at North Miami Beach (Traz Stadium – 7)
Pahokee at Fort Lauderdale Dillard
6A-1A Silver Division Quarterfinals
Coral Springs Charter at Hallandale
South Miami at Miami Norland (Traz Powell Stadium – Thursday)
Riviera Beach Suncoast at Coconut Creek
Boynton Beach at Miami Springs (Traz Powell Stadium, 2, Saturday)
For the past 50 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, nobody has evaluated more football talent than we have. We will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..