When Miami Central and Miami Christopher Columbus squared off on Friday in the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) football title game at Traz Powell Stadium, fans and the teams were looking for some answers.
After over two quarters and plenty of rain and lightning, the Explorers stood tall with a convincing 28-3 win, and in the process showed why they will be one very tough program to beat when the state playoffs begin in less than a month.
With the inaugural “Open Division” which will be played and end with the top eight programs in the state, competing against each other, veteran head coach Dave Dunn and his Christopher Columbus team will be one of the programs, along with the Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas team that beat them at the beginning of the season, that could be in the finals in the second week of December at Florida International University.
The Explorers have gotten string every week since upsetting Las Vegas Bishop Gorman and then dropping a 31-24 decision to the Raiders.
As we get closer to the start of the state playoffs, Christopher Columbus and St. Thomas Aquinas are becoming favorites to play for a state title.
While there are detractors of the computer formula that chooses the eight teams, there is no getting around what was decided on before the start of the season by the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) and Max Preps, which is the computer that is used.
In addition to the Christopher Columbus and Central game, this past week saw some competitive matchups between Miami-Dade and Broward County schools:
American Heritage (Plantation) 52, True North Classical Academy (Miami) 42. When the dust had settled in this game between one of the top 1A teams and the two-time defending 4A state champs and you had ab explosion of offense as the Patriots are holding on to slim hopes of making the Open Division – with the Titans, who have had a tough schedule – are looking at a 1A title.
Carol City (Miami) 41, Palmetto (Miami) 21. While the post season will not exist for the Chiefs due to the ban by the state, this is a program that is still very talented and will spend the remainder of the season trying to spoil things for those with post season plans. They are stacked with elite talent – and while their exposure will stop after their game on October 30th against Miami Central, they continue to get the job done like they did against a Panther team that had big plans in 6A, and even though they won’t play in the Open Division, their own classification will be loaded around the state.
Fort Lauderdale 42, Coral Springs 0. Say what you want about this program, but the Flying Ls remained unbeaten with another shutout and complete game. Head coach Richard Dunbar and his team, playing as an independent, have two games left to finish off a season to remember.
In addition to those games, here is a look back at Week 9 in Miami-Dade and Broward:
Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 51, Flanagan (Fort Lauderdale) 18
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 47, McArthur (Hollywood) 12
Christopher Columbus (Miami) 28, Central (Miami) 3
Coconut Creek 27, Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches) 17
Coral Gables 13, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 12
Coral Park (Miami) 16, Sunset (Miami) 12
Florida Christian (Miami) 35, Cambridge Christian (Tampa) 7
Gulliver Prep (Miami) 28, Belen Jesuit (Miami) 7
Hialeah 30, Varela (Miami) 28
Hialeah Gardens 38, Edison (Miami) 0
Hollywood Hills 34, Taravella (Coral Springs) 14
Homestead 24, Braddock (Miami) 13
Jackson (Miami) 35, Ronald Reagan (Doral) 7
Killian (Miami) 46, Miami Beach 7
Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens) 41, Doral Academy 6
Miami High 28, Coral Reef (Miami) 13
Miami Springs 42, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 0
North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek) 41, Coral Springs Charter 26
North Miami 39, Ferguson (Miami) 12
North Miami Beach 14, American (Hialeah) 7
Miami Northwestern 30, Homestead South Dade 17
Miramar 27, Plantation 7
North Palm Beach Benjamin 7, Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale) 0
Pembroke Pines Charter 36, Everglades (Miramar) 8
Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) 35, Parkridge Christian 0
Pompano Beach 23, Northeast (Oakland Park) 6
Ransom Everglades (Miami) 38, NSU University School (Fort Lauderdale) 15
South Broward (Hollywood) 28, Cooper City 21
Southridge (Miami) 38, Norland (Miami) 10
Southwest Miami 25, South Miami 12
St. Andrews (Boca Raton) 27, Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) 7
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 71, Monarch (Coconut Creek) 20
Western (Davie) 30, Piper (Sunrise) 20
Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 35, SmartEn Sports Academy (Miami) 12
Westminster Christian (Miami) 51, Palmetto Ridge (Naples) 21
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCUS BENJAMIN - https://dontforgetaboutdre.substack.com/p/columbus-crushes-central-in-rain?r=96ad7j&utm_medium=ios
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..