10 Matchups To Watch In Week 7
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A little more than a week after Hurricane Ira ravaged southwest Florida, many teams will be back in action this week. While we must not forget what happened to thousands during the recent disaster, and we pray for them every…
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Continue ReadingA little more than a week after Hurricane Ira ravaged southwest Florida, many teams will be back in action this week.
While we must not forget what happened to thousands during the recent disaster, and we pray for them every day, hoping that everyone gets back to some kind of normalcy very soon.
With that said, this week will showcase some quality games as district contests are taking center stage.
With some games played on Thursday night, we concentrate on today and bring you 10 of the best games to check out today and tonight.
No. 1 Miami Central (5-0) vs. Miami Northwestern (3-2), Traz Powell Stadium. The annual war has always been one of those games that it makes no difference which program has the best record. Neighborhood rivalry pitting two of the best inner-city public-school programs in the nation every year. Big time talent on both sides of the field. Can the Bulls knock the No. 1 team in Florida off? The Rockets have their eye on a national title, believing that NOBODY in the country can beat them. The “Mecca” will be rocking.
No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6-0) vs. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (2-2). Last year it came down to a missed field goal by the Panthers, and since that time both schools have been pointing toward this key district game. While the Raiders have rolled this season – at home and away – Dillard is a .500 team, but those two losses came to No. 1 Miami Central and No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Could this be the year where the Panthers put it all together? It would still be a huge upset!
No. 6 Miami Christopher Columbus (6-0) vs. No. 16 Homestead (6-0). This is a game that at the start of the season was just another solid matchup between two very good football programs, but as kickoff gets closer, it’s shaping up to be a tremendous contest with two teams who believe that they can compete against anyone. The Explorers are the top 4M schools in the state – while the Broncos are among the best in 3M. Harris Field will be rocking.
No. 15 Niceville (6-0) vs. No. 12 Pensacola Pine Forest (6-0). This will be the toughest test for both programs as two of the Panhandle’s best and most consistent football programs will square off in a game that will tell plenty about the Eagles – both of them. The defending 6A state champion Pine Forest Eagles are hungry and remember losing in the state finals – while the Niceville Eagles want to wipe away years of frustration in coming close.
Cocoa (2-2) vs. Sanford Seminole (4-1). This is not the type of start that the Cocoa Tigers had hoped to get off to this season after reaching the 4A state finals last year, but they still remain one of the elite programs in Florida and can more than show it against a Seminole team that lost on the road against Venice in a game that they feel could have gone either way. Two solid coaching staff and talent all over the field.
Eau Gallie (5-1) vs. Flagler Palm Coast (4-2). The Commodores are another team that felt that they would come into this game unbeaten, but lost a tough 14-13 decision to a Merritt Island program that pulled the ultimate surprise. They are looking to get back on track as they still remain a team to watch in 3S. After starting the season pout 3-0, the Bulldogs suffered two losses by eight points. They can turn things around tonight with a huge home game. One that could send them down the homestretch with plenty of confidence.
Naples (4-1) vs. Naples Barron Collier (4-0). After going through the fringes of Hurricane Ian last week, these two traditional Collier County powers will meet in a game that is perhaps the Game of the Year in the area. The Golden Eagles are loaded and well coached, losing by a point on the road against Venice. The Cougars have been impressive in the first four games and hope to keep things going. This is a contest that is for southwest Florida pride as Barron Collier will collect non-perishable items instead of a parking fee, doing their part to help hurricane victims.
Fleming Island (3-1) vs. No. 14 St. John’s Bartram Trail (5-0). This was a game at the start of the season that both teams circled. Athletes and coaches who know each other very well getting the chance to make a statement. The Bears have run through their schedule with outstanding play on both sides of the ball. The Golden Eagles, who had planned on coming into this matchup, dropped a close game to rival Oakleaf, but still feels that they belong on the field against anyone. This has the potential of being one of the best games this week.
Wildwood (4-1) vs. Chiefland (4-0). One of the more underrated games this week, featuring two teams who are impressive, well coached and will make a legitimate run at a state championship appearance. While Chiefland has yielded just four scores all season, the Indians’ offense has averaged over 30 points. The Wildcats are also a program that has many ways to beat you with quality a tested talent and tremendous coaching.
Tampa Wharton (4-1) vs. Lithia Newsome (4-1). After beating Armwood on Monday, Wharton is feeling pretty confident moving forward and realizes that they have the talent and coaching to compete with anyone left on the schedule. As for Newsome, this is a program that has worked very hard in the off-season and if you take them lightly, it could be a huge mistake. They are extremely talent.
THURSDAY’S SCORES
Apopka 38, Orlando Olympia 23
Apopka Wekiva 41, Windermere 0
Doral Academy 48, North Miami 21
Bell 1, Trenton Riverside Christian 0 (forfeit)
Davenport Four Corners Charter 32, West Melbourne Calvary Chapel 8
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 38, Miami Belen Jesuit 0
Gainesville Buchholz 49, Gainesville 0
Lake Worth Park Vista 33, Boca Raton Olympic Heights 7
Longwood Lyman 43, Clermont East Ridge 14
Merritt Island 46, Eustis 35
Miami Beach 20, Hialeah American 0
Miami Booker T. Washington 41, Miami Norland 23
Miami Braddock 48, Miami Coral Park 7
Miami Carol City 18, Westland Hialeah 6
Miami Coral Reef 35, Doral Ronald Reagan 14
Miami Ferguson 42, Hialeah Miami-Lakes 14
Miami Palmetto 35, Miami Edison 7
Miramar 53, Pembroke Pines Charter 0
Miramar Everglades 12, Pembroke Pine Flanagan 0
Moore Haven 55, Belle Glade Glades Day 0
Naples Golden Gate 42, Bradenton IMG Academy Blue 21
Navarre 38, Lynn Haven Mosley 35
New Port Richey Mitchell 20, New Port Richey River Ridge 0
North Miami Mourning 14, Miami Varela 8
Ocoee 31, Winter Park 28
Orlando Dr. Phillips 27, Orlando Lake Nona 14
Orlando East River 43, Orlando Colonial 0
Orlando Edgewater 40, Orlando Timber Creek 0
Orlando Evans 47, Orlando Oak Ridge 6
Orlando Jones 62, Orlando University 0
Pensacola Catholic 38, Gulf Breeze 17
St. John’s Beachside 65, Jacksonville Impact Christian 0
St. John’s Creekside 49, Orange Park Oakleaf 48
Sunrise Piper 38, South Plantation 20
Winter Garden Horizon 27, Orlando Cypress Creek 20 (OT)
Winter Haven All Saints 40, Oviedo The Master’s Academy 0
TUESDAY GAMES
Dunnellon 38, Brooksville Hernando 6
Hawthorne 21, St. Petersburg Gibbs 12
Jacksonville Andre Jackson 21, Jacksonville Ribault 6
Jacksonville Sandalwood 51, Ponte Vedra Nease 31
Leesburg 46, Tavares 20
Mount Dora 45, Umatilla 36
New Port Richey River Ridge 34, Lecanto 0
Orlando Faith Christian 22, Riverview Bell Creek 6
Palatka 26, St. Petersburg Tacoi Creek 21
Tarpon Springs 47, Holiday Anclote 12
UPDATED CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.