Week 3: Cardinal Gibbons Move To No. 1 In The South Florida Top 25

Week 2 will be remembered for the way that three of the top four programs in south Florida, lost – and in the process – have teams moving up and down and all around the second week of the Top 20.

No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas and No. 2 Miami Central along with No. 4 Chaminade-Madonna went down and changed the entire landscape of this week’s South Florida Top 20.

Defending 4A state champion Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons moved into the top spot with a season-opening win against West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman.

After losing to Venice in the kickoff classic, Miami Northwestern moved into the second position, but the Bulls have a few tests – including rival Miami Central – coming up.

Here is the way Week 2 stacks up:

1.Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (4A, 1-0). In opening up the season, things fell into place on both sides of the ball in a 52-12 win over West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman. THIS WEEK: A home game scheduled for Sept. 10 against Fort Lauderdale Stranahan. NEXT OPPONENT: A trip to Gainesville Buchholz next Friday, Sept. 17.

2. Miami Central Rockets (5A, 0-2). Losing a heart-breaker against national powerhouse Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, 21-20, in Naples, this program is due to start turning things around against area competition. THIS WEEK: Will take on No. 18 Booker T. Washington on Sept. 10. OPPONENT: An away game on Thursday, Sept. 16 against Miami Springs.

3. Plantation American Heritage Patriots (5A, 1-1). The game of football is certainly interesting. Coach Pat Surtain’s team came within a minute of being 0-2, but instead, this crazy stretch of championship teams continues – with a 24-22 win over No. 6 Chaminade-Madonna. THIS WEEK: Things do not get any easier – when they play host to No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: A scheduled trip to New Orleans Edna Karr on Friday, Sept. 17.

4. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (7A, 1-1). After opening the season with a huge national win, head coach Roger Harriott and his went on the road against powerful Tampa Jesuit and dropped a tough 24-21 decision. THIS WEEK: at trip to No. 3 Plantation American Heritage on Sept. 10. OPPONENT: The Raiders play at home on Sept. 17 against Miami Monsignor Pace.

5. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions (3A, 1-1). With easily one of the toughest schedules in the state, the loss to American Heritage was a tough one – especially when the Lions had their chances. THIS WEEK: A very competitive road game against No. 9 Christopher Columbus, Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: It gets no easier on Sept. 17 with a trip to Georgia powerhouse Buford.

6. Miami Northwestern Bulls (6A, 2-0). A thrilling 24-22 decision against No. 18 Miami Booker T. Washington gave this team plenty of confidence moving forward. THIS WEEK: A road trip to nationally rated Bradenton IMG Academy on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: A home district game against Miami Belen Jesuit on Sept. 17.

7. Miami Palmetto Panthers (8A, 1-0). The much-anticipated game against No, 8 Miami Gulliver Prep was reschedule because of rain. THIS WEEK: A very competitive game at No. 13 Miami Killian on Friday, Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: A trip to Miami Coral Reef on Sept. 17.

8. Miami Gulliver Prep Raiders (4A, 1-0). The much-anticipated game against No, 7 Miami Palmetto was re-schedule because of rain. THIS WEEK: A road game against TRU Prep Academy on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: An away game on Sept. 17 at North Palm Beach Benjamin.

9. Miami Christopher Columbus Explorers (8A, 1-1). The defense was strong, but the offense couldn’t get going in a 12-6 loss 8A power St. John’s Bartram Trail. THIS WEEK: A very competitive home game against No. 6 Chaminade-Madonna on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: A trip to Homestead for a Sept. 17 game against South Dade.

10. Davie Western Wildcats (8A, 0-1). All this team wants to do is get back in action – after having last week’s game against Stranahan called off. THIS WEEK: A home game against Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: A home game against much improved Coral Glades on Sept. 17.

11. Fort Lauderdale Dillard Panthers (7A, 2-0). In winning for the 20th time in the last 21 games, this program showcased solid offense and stingy defense in a 21-0 win against No. 12 Deerfield Beach. THIS WEEK: Another home game against Miramar on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: A district home game on Sept. 17 against Cooper City.

12. Deerfield Beach Bucks (8A, 1-1). Everything that could go wrong – did in a 21-0 loss to No. 11 Dillard. THIS WEEK: A Saturday home game against Pompano Beach Blanche Ely on Sept. 11. NEXT OPPONENT: A very competitive district matchup on Sept. 17 at Parkland Douglas.

13. Miami Killian Cougars (5A, 2-0). Things are starting to fall into place for head coach Derrick Gibson and this talented team, beating Miami Norland, 35-27. THIS WEEK: Huge game against No. 7 Miami Palmetto on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: A Sept. 17 game on the road against Miami Jackson.

14. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (2A, 1-1). The two-time defending state champs got into the win column on the road – with a win at Delray American Heritage, 35-14. THIS WEEK: A Sept. 10 game at No. Monsignor Pace. NEXT OPPONENT: A Sept. 24 game at 3A powerhouse and No. 6 Chaminade-Madonna.

15. Plantation Colonels (6A, 1-0). After having ONE player have Covid symptoms, the entire team had to pay by not playing against St. Thomas Aquinas. THIS WEEK: The team will take this week off. NEXT OPPONENT: A Sept. 17 contest against Coconut Creek.

16. Homestead Broncos (7A, 1-1). It hasn’t happened very often through the years, but this team rolled over rival South Dade, 42-14, showcasing plenty of talent. THIS WEEK: An away game against Miami Jackson on Friday, Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: After a week off, the Broncos will host Mater Academy on Sept. 24.

17. Miami Edison Red Raiders (3A, 1-1). Despite coming away from Deerfield Beach with a close loss, this is a program that is optimistic about this season. THIS WEEK: A Thursday game against North Miami Mourning on Sept. 9. NEXT OPPONENT: A Saturday game against Miami High.

18. Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes (4A, 1-1). The Tornadoes showed that they will be a force this season – dropping a heart-breaker to No. 6 Miami Northwestern, 24-22. THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 2 Miami Central on Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: An away game against Coral Gables on Sept. 17.

19. North Miami Beach Chargers (5A, 1-1). The assignment last week was not an easy one. In losing to defending 8A state champion Sanford Seminole on the road, 38-0, it evened things up on the season. THIS WEEK: The Chargers will be off. NEXT OPPONENT: Hialeah-Miami Lakes will play host on Sept. 17.

20. Doral Academy Firebirds (7A, 2-0). After outscoring the first two opponents, 76-26, coach Eddie Delgado and this football team enters the top 20 with a chance to be very special this season. THIS WEEK: A home game against unbeaten Miami High on Friday, Sept. 10. NEXT OPPONENT: An away game on Thursday, Sept. 16 against Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy.

ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON: Coconut Creek (6A, 1-1), Coral Glades (8A, 1-0), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (4A, 2-0), Hollywood South Broward (7A, 2-0), Miami Carol City (4A, 1-1), Miami-Dade Christian (2A, 1-0), Miami Dr. Krop (8A, 1-0), Miami High (8A, 2-0), Miami Monsignor Pace Spartans (4A, 0-1), Miramar (7A, 0-1), Parkland Douglas (8A, 2-0), Somerset Silver Palms (3A, 2-0)

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARDINAL GIBBONS FOOTBALL

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