STATE PLAYOFFS: Dr. Phillips & Palmetto Battle In Miami

When Miami Palmetto hosts Orlando Dr. Phillips on Saturday night at The Mecca – Traz Powell Stadium in 8A, it is easily one of the most competitive first round state playoff games.

Larry Blustein November 13, 2020 @ 08:10 AM

There are so many similarities between Saturday night’s (6:00) first round 8A playoff game between Miami Palmetto and Orlando Dr. Phillips. Right off the bat, both share the same nickname PANTHERS and both teams wear basically the same light blue, dark blue and white color combination. Both schools have standout coaching and tremendous athletes. But after that – especially on the football field – things change.

Miami Palmetto is new at this top-flight football stuff – while the Panthers from Orlando have been at this winning thing for decades, showing up at a place that Palmetto has never been (state finals) a few times. While this iconic Traz Powell Showdown should slant in the favor of the higher rated home team, remember, Dr. Phillips is an annual second and third round state playoffs participant, so this really shapes up as one of the best first round games in any class this week. Dr. Phillips arrived in this opening round game with wins over Orlando Boone (48-41), Windermere (50-0), Wekiva (28-19), Orando Olympia (41-9) and Orlando Oak Ridge (37-0). The only setback came at the hands of defending state 8A runner up Apopka, 14-7. The Palmetto Panthers have played Homestead, beating the Broncos, 35-7, and dropped a 17-7 decision to three-time defending state champion Miami Northwestern, 17-7. There are some tremendous games this week – as the state playoffs gear up for the next five weeks. THE PANTHERS FILE SCHOOL: Orlando Dr. Phillips HEAD COACH: Rodney Wells 2020 RECORD: 5-1 CLASSIFICATION: 8A PANTHERS TO WATCH: 2023 – Nathan Burke, OL 2022 – Jean Weldor Charles III, DE 2022 – Jenkins Demosthene, NG 2022 – Joanes Fortlien, WR 2021 – Alberto Guzman, LB 2022 – Kemani Harris, WR 2021 – , WR 2021 – , OC 2021 – Jaelen Jackson, LB 2022 - , RB 2023 – Payton Kirkland, OT 2021 – Kemaal McMillian, DE 2022 – Malakai Merced, OLB 2022 – , S 2023 – Seven Moorehead, RB 2022 - Joe Joe Patti, QB 2021 – Kyjuan Phillips, OT 2022 – Journey Powell, LB 2021 – Austin Purpura, OL 2023 – Khari Rennie, Athlete 2021 - , DB 2023 – Justin Stith, CB 2022 - Jaydan Taylor, WR/SS 2021 – Jalen Thompson, WR 2022 – Zion Trimboli, DB 2021 – Travick Ward, OLB 2021 – Jalen Washington, WR 2022 – ., RB 2021 – Calvin Wesley, CB 2021 – Myles Wiley, S THE PANTHERS FILE SCHOOL: Miami Palmetto Pantherrs HEAD COACH: Mike Manasco 2020 RECORD: 1-1 CLASSIFICATION: 8A PANTHERS TO WATCH 2023 - Dwight Bootle, DB 2021 - Clarence Bailey, OL 2021 - Craig Bethel, LB 2021 - Marc Charlemagne, DB 2022 - Marquis Charlemagne 2021 - Jr., DB 2021 - , DL 2021 - , OLB 2021 - Melvin Dean, OLB 2023 - Darryl Doctor, OL 2021 - Corey Ema, LB 2023 - Robert Fulmore, Athlete 2021 - , 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 - , DB 2022 - Tyrone Maxwell, RB 2021 - , OL 2021 - Lamond Morrison, OL 2022 - Isaiah Mosley, RB 2021 - , PK 2022 - Octavius Pender, DB 2021 - Cahron Rackley, DB 2021 - Ulish Roland, Athlete 2022 - Jeff Scott, OL 2021 - , Athlete 2022 - Kevin Smith, QB 2022 - Jamarrion Solomon. DL 2021 - , DL 2021 - Gavin Thorpe, DB 2021 - Ralph Williams, RB 2021 - Anthony Marshall, DB 2021 - Octavius Winkfield, DB 2023 - Omari Winkfield, Athlete OTHER GAMES THIS WEEK For more statewide games, check out Florida High School Football: https://floridahsfootball.com/2020/11/08/fhsaa-playoff-schedule-for-november-13/#.X617hRZOn5o You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.