While many view kickoff classic week as no more than the final tune-up for the start of the 2024 season. Others are taking it very seriously.
After competing against each other for the past two plus weeks, these classics are indeed more than a dress rehearsal for next week – when the season officially begins.
Years ago, the week before the season brought together a few teams for a pre-season jamboree, but as we saw on Tuesday night when Miami True North Classical Academy and Miami Belen Jesuit got together, the game turned out to be beneficial to work on situations and facets of the game that will be needed when things start for real.
As we head toward Thursday, there are some interesting Miami-Dade and Broward matchups to keep an eye on:
Miami Beach vs. Palmer Trinity (Miami Beach, 3:30). As Wilkie Perez takes over the Hi Tides, this is a contest that will certainly be the first look at his team in game conditions. Palmer is coming off another successful season and want to show that they will be in the mix again this season.
North Miami vs. North Miami Beach (Traz Powell, 3:30). Since 1971, this had been one of the most competitive rivalries in south Florida, but the size of the schools has changed this matchup and the Chargers and Pioneers very rarely play. Both teams have plenty of hopes for the season, and this will be a chance to players to make a statement. Pride is always on the line when these schools get together in anything.
Thursday, August 15
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, 7). While this is a meaningless tune-up for the Raiders, who are five-time defending state champions, this game means everything to a Vikings team that is regarded as a program to keep an eye on – with a convincing spring victory against two-time defending state champion Miami Christopher Columbus.
Cardinal Gibbons vs. Piper (Cardinal Gibbons, 7). Make no mistake, these are two programs that get respect in Broward County. When you need a strong pre-season game to help set the tone for the upcoming season, this is what you ask for. The Bengals are defending district champions – while the Chiefs didn’t finish the way they had planned. Solid game to see.
Coral Glades vs. Silver Palms (Coral Glades, 7). Two more programs that are looking to use this evening’s classic as a springboard to the upcoming season. Both teams continue to make major strides, and yes, this will be a much-needed test for these two schools.
Western vs. Plantation (Western, 7). Interesting matchup here as Plantation rolls out a new coaching staff and several new faces that had a tremendous off-season, competing against some of the top programs in and out of south Florida. On the other side of the ball, the expectations have never been higher for the Wildcats. They have had very good teams in the past, but never this much talent. A huge test for both teams.
Here are some other games coming up this week:
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Tuesday, August 13th
Miami True North 14, Miami Belen Jesuit 10
Wednesday, August 14th
Coral Gables beat Coral Park
Friday, August 16th
Hialeah Gardens vs. South Miami (Hialeah Gardens, 3:30)
Ferguson vs. HML (Ferguson, 3:30)
Varela vs. Coral Shores (Varela, 3:30)
Coral Reef vs. Ransom Everglades (Ransom Everglades, 7)
Hialeah vs. Flanagan (Milander, 7:30)
Southridge vs. Killian (Southridge, 7:30)
Southwest vs. Florida Christian (Florida Christian, 7)
Sunset vs. St Brendan (St. Brendan, 7)
Monsignor Pace vs. Lehigh (Pace, 7:30)
Miami Edison vs. Miramar (Traz Powell, 5:30)
Central vs. Ocala Vanguard (Traz Powell, 8:30)
Miami Gulliver Prep vs Miami Immaculata LaSalle (LaSalle, 7)
Leesburg vs. Miami Dr. Krop (Ives Park, 7:30)
Saturday, August 17th
Homestead vs. West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (Traz Powell, 10 a.m.)
Norland vs. Armwood (Traz Powell, 1 p.m.)
Jackson vs. Carol City (Traz Powell, 5:30)
Miami Palmetto vs. Northwestern (Traz Powell, 8:30)
Goleman vs. South Broward (Milander Park, 7)
BROWARD COUNTY
Friday, August 16
Miramar Everglades at Naples Golden Gate (7:30)
West Broward vs. South Plantation (West Broward, 5)
Chaminade vs. Archbishop Coleman (Chaminade, 6)
Cypress Bay vs. Doral Academy (Cypress Bay, 7)
Coral Springs vs. Somerset Academy (Coral Springs, 7)
Dillard vs. Booker T. Washington (Dillard, 7)
Coconut Creek vs. Monarch (Coconut Creek, 7)
Avante Garde vs. Archbishop McCarthy (Archbishop McCarthy High School, 7)
Somerset Academy vs. Miami High (Ansin Sports Complex, Miramar – 7)
Coral Springs Charter vs. American Heritage Delray (Coral Glades High School, 7)
PALM BEACH
Thursday, August 15
Jupiter at West Boca Raton, 6:30
Friday, August 16
West Palm Beach The King’s Academy at Park Vista, 6:30
North Palm Beach Benjamin at Dwyer, 6:30
University School at Jupiter Christian, 7
Martin County at Seminole Ridge, 6:30
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
Miami-Dade/Broward Summer Top 20. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-summer-top-20
Are You Keeping Up With Miami-Dade & Broward High School Football Transfers? https://larryblustein.com/news/keeping-up-with-miami-dade-broward-high-school-football-transfers
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South Florida Kickoff Classics Starts 2024 Season. https://larryblustein.com/news/south-florida-kickoff-classics-starts-2024-season