Taking advantage of a few teams losing and a key field goal, Miami Central takes over the top spot in the weekly South Florida Top 20.
The Rockets and No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas move up – along with No. 3 Chaminade-Madonna after Plantation American Heritage knocked off previously No. 1 Cardinal Gibbons.
For the first time in 11 games, Cardinal Gibbons dropped a three-point game to the Patriots in the closing seconds of the game. The defending 4A state champs kept coming back, but head coach Pat Surtain and his defending 5A state champions prevailed in the end.
In addition, No. 4 kept rolling and is one of six teams who remain unbeaten in this week’s rankings.
Here is the way Week 7 stacks up:
1. Miami Central Rockets (5A, 3-2). In beating heated rival and No. 10 Miami Northwestern on a last second field goal, 24-21, head coach Roland Smith’s team moves into the top spot this week. THIS WEEK: A Thursday district home game on Thursday, Oct. 7 against Hialeah Miami Lakes. NEXT OPPONENT: A Friday home game against No. 11 Miami Edison on Oct. 15.
2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (7A, 5-1). In rolling to a 69-0 win over district foe Cooper City, the best thing that happened on this night was honoring the great George Smith. THIS WEEK: A road district game at South Plantation this Friday night. NEXT OPPONENT: It’s the big one on Saturday, Oct. 16 against No. 6 Cardinal Gibbons.
3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions (3A, 4-1). After a week off, it was back on the road for head coach Dameon Jones and his impressive team as they beat defending 8A state champs, Sanford Seminole, 26-23. THIS WEEK: A Saturday night, Oct. 9 game at Fort Lauderdale (Lockhart Park). NEXT OPPONENT: A huge game against No. 4 Miami Gulliver Prep on Oct. 15.
4. Miami Gulliver Prep Raiders (4A, 5-0). In staying unbeaten at home against two-time defending 2A state champion Champagnat Catholic, head coach Earl Sims and his squad took care of business – handily, 52-27. THIS WEEK: At press time, the program was still searching out an opponent for Oct. 8. NEXT OPPONENT: No. 3 Chaminade-Madonna on Oct. 15 at home.
5. Plantation American Heritage Patriots (5A, 2-2). It wasn’t easy, but last Friday’s 23-20 win over previously unbeaten and defending 4A state champion Cardinal Gibbons was huge as the season is starting to turn back around for head coach Surtain and his team. THIS WEEK: A trip to play 2A Power Jacksonville Trinity Christian on Oct. 8. NEXT OPPONENT: An Oct. 15 game at Jensen Beach.
6. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (4A, 4-1). Tasting defeat for the first time this season, head coach Matt Dubuc and his team will build from that last second 23-20 setback to No. 5 American Heritage.THIS WEEK: A home game on Friday, Oct. 8 against Forty Lauderdale Pine Crest. NEXT OPPONENT: It’s No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas in a rematch of last year on Saturday, Oct. 16.
7. Miami Killian Cougars (5A, 6-0). The 23-14 win over Miami Booker T. Washington was certainly what head coach Derrick Gibson and his team needed. THIS WEEK: A Saturday night home game against Key West on Oct. 9. NEXT OPPONENT: A Friday game at Miami St. Brendan on Oct. 15.
8. Fort Lauderdale Dillard Panthers (7A, 6-0). In outscoring their opponents, 258-7, head coach Tyler Tate’s team recorded their fifth shutout in six games, 62-0 over Nova. THIS WEEK: After a hot start, the Panthers will take the week off. NEXT OPPONENT: A scheduled road trip to Hallandale on Oct. 22.
9. Homestead Broncos (7A, 4-1). Head Coach Philip Simpson and his team continued to roll with a convincing 35-16 win against Miami Southridge. THIS WEEK: A game on the road this Friday at Hialeah. NEXT OPPONENT: A huge Thursday night, Oct. 14th district game at No. 17 Doral Academy.
10. Miami Northwestern Bulls (6A, 4-2). Coach Max Edwards and his football team stood toe-to-toe with No. 1 Miami Central, losing on a field goal, 24-21. THIS WEEK: Will finally enjoy a week off after six weeks of football. NEXT OPPONENT: It’s a district game against South Miami on Oct. 13.
11. Miami Edison Red Raiders (3A, 4-1). After being postponed on Thursday, head coach Luther Campbell and his team came back on Monday and took care of Booker T. Washington, 22-3. THIS WEEK: A trip to state 7A power Niceville on Oct. 8. NEXT OPPONENT: Things do not get any easier – as they will travel to No. 1 Miami Central on Oct. 15.
12. Davie Western Wildcats (8A, 4-2). Coach Adam Ratkevich and his football program is back in a groove again, beating previously unbeaten Cypress Bay, 36-3. THIS WEEK: A big non-district home game against No. 18 Coconut Creek. NEXT OPPONENT: A Thursday, Oct. 14 game at Taravella.
13. Deerfield Beach Bucks (8A, 4-2). In rebounding from a tough loss to Rockledge, this team hit the ground running in a 40-6 district win over Monarch. THIS WEEK: The Bucks will enjoy this week off. NEXT OPPONENT: Home district game against Coral Springs on Oct. 14.
14. Miami Palmetto Panthers (8A, 4-1). Coach Mike Manasco and his team continued to roll along with a 42-6 win against Southwest Miami. THIS WEEK: A Thursday, Oct. 7 home game against South Dade. NEXT OPPONENT: A game against Miami Southridge at home on Oct. 15.
15. Miami Christopher Columbus Explorers (8A, 2-3). Coach Dave Dunn’s team shook off that heart-breaker against Palmetto and beat Miami Monsignor Pace, 34-14. THIS WEEK: A home game against Southwest Miami on Oct. 8. NEXT OPPONENT: A home game against Miami Coral Reef on Thursday, Oct. 14.
16. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (2A, 3-2). Tough week for head coach Hector Clavijo and his two-time defending 2A state champions as they were overmatched by No. 4 Miami Gulliver Prep. THIS WEEK: A trip to Naples and a game against Barron Collier. NEXT OPPONENT: A trip to North Palm Beach Benjamin on Thursday, Oct. 14.
17. Doral Academy Firebirds (7A, 6-0). Head Coach Eddie Delgado and his team scored early and often in a 53-12 district win against Hialeah. THIS WEEK: After a tremendous start to the season, they will enjoy the week off. NEXT OPPONENT: The biggest game of the season against No. 9 Homestead at home on Thursday, Oct. 14.
18. Coconut Creek Cougars (6A, 4-1). Coming off a 28-0 win against Blanche Ely gave this team a chance to work on things and look at all the players for the stretch run. THIS WEEK: A huge non district game on Oct. 8 at No. 12 Western. NEXT OPPONENT: The Cougars can move one step closer to a district title with a trip to Hollywood Hills on Oct. 15.
19. Florida Christian Patriots (3A, 5-0). As head coach Joe Burmeister and his team enjoyed this past week off, they now will hit the stretch run with plenty of confidence. THIS WEEK: They will travel to play Miami Westminster Academy on Oct. 8 for a 4:00 game. NEXT OPPONENT: An away game on Thursday, Oct. 14 against Somerset Silver Palms at 4:00.
20. Miami Immaculata LaSalle Royal Lions (4A, 6-0). For the first time, head coach Helder Valle and his football team enter the Top 20 – and it came after a convincing 47-6 win against Somerset Academy South Homestead. In recording their second shutout of the season, they have now outscored the opposition, 229-25. THIS WEEK: A home game against Somerset Academy Pembroke Pines on Friday, Oct. 8. NEXT OPPONENT: After a week off, a home game against Pine Crest on Oct. 22.
ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON: Cypress Bay (8A, 4-1), Hialeah Goleman (Independent, 3-2), Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (2A, 3-0), Hollywood South Broward (7A, 5-1), Miami-Dade Christian (2A, 3-2), Miami Ransom Everglades (Independent, 5-0), Miramar (7A, 2-2), North Miami Beach Chargers (5A, 2-2), Plantation Colonels (6A, 3-1), Somerset Academy Pembroke Pines (4A, 3-1), Somerset Silver Palms (3A, 4-1), Westland Hialeah (Independent, 4-1).
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