Broward Top 10: Change at the top
Broward County high school teams have played only one week of football games and already some preconceived notions from the offseason are being challenged.
After only one week, we have a new No. 1 team in Broward. It’s a team that is familiar with the top spot — it ended last year as the top team in the county and won the last two Class 7A state titles.
Yes, St. Thomas Aquinas is No. 1 in Broward again. Let’s see if the Raiders stay there.
All games are Friday at 7 p.m unless otherwise noted.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0)
Well, the Raiders are back again. After some early defensive struggles, St. Thomas bore down and beat visiting St. Frances Academy to open the season. Zion Turner and the passing game looked better than at pretty much any point during the Raiders’ championship run last year. The defense shut down a powerhouse offense for the entire second half. St. Thomas has won nine of its last 10 games and 24 of its last 25. They’re No. 1 again.
Next: at Plantation (1-0) 2. American Heritage (0-1)
Well, well, well. The first surprise of the season came in Naples when Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast beat the Patriots. The Titans pulled it off by running right at Heritage. Eden James, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, gashed the Patriots for 267 yards and two touchdowns. That run defense is not going to work for Heritage. In the next two weeks, the Patriots will face Chaminade-Madonna standout sophomore Davion Gause, who filled in admirably for Thad Franklin last year and rushed for nearly 130 yards in the season opener, and reigning Sun Sentinel large schools offensive player of the year, St. Thomas running back Anthony Hankerson. However, there are other encouraging signs for the Patriots. Quarterback Blake Murphy threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, and receiver Brandon Inniss racked up nearly 200 receiving yards. Heritage will have to fix its issues quickly, as they face a strong Chaminade team this week.
Next: vs. Chaminade-Madonna (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
3. Cardinal Gibbons Cardinal Gibbons did not play last week after its first game had to be moved due to COVID-19. The Chiefs will open their season at home instead, facing Cardinal Newman. The Crusaders were dominant in their season opener against King’s Academy, but Cardinal Gibbons’ defense will be a much tougher test.
Next: vs. Cardinal Newman (1-0)
4. Deerfield Beach (1-0) The Bucks won an emotional contest last week after three players on the team had family members die in the week leading up to Friday’s game. On the field, Deerfield won a close game against Miami Edison, clinching the game with a blocked field goal in the contest’s final seconds. This week, they travel down to Fort Lauderdale to face another one of Broward’s top programs: Dillard. Next: at Dillard (1-0)
5. Chaminade-Madonna (1-0)
The Lions looked solid in their season-opening win against Western. The defense effectively shut down the Wildcats’ potent passing attack, and the offense moved the ball well in the air and on the ground. Chaminade’s pass defense was especially fearsome, racking up 10 sacks in the win. If the offense keeps clicking like it did in Week 1, Chaminade will be an extremely dangerous team. The Lions have a chance to demonstrate that this week against American Heritage.
Next: at American Heritage (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
6. Dillard (1-0)
The Panthers rolled to a blowout victory over Boyd Anderson to start the season last week. Things won’t be so easy this week. Dillard hosts Deerfield in what could be an extraordinary game. Dillard sophomore Antoine Jackson played a big role in the Panthers’ win last week, picking off two passes and returning one for a touchdown. He will have an opportunity to keep that hot streak going this week.
Next: vs. Deerfield Beach (1-0)
7. Plantation (1-0)
Plantation opened its season with a big win on Thursday, traveling to Tropical Park and beating South Miami 44-7. This week’s game will be much tougher, as the Colonels host St. Thomas Aquinas. Fortunately, unlike in years prior, this year’s contest will not have district-title implications.
Next: vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0)
8. Western (0-1)
The Wildcats looked fantastic on their first offensive drive against Chaminade. That did not last, though, as they struggled to move the ball for most of the rest of their eventual loss. However, not every team features multiple future Division I players on the defensive line and in the secondary. Expect Western to rise again after facing teams less loaded than Chaminade.
Bye week.
Next:
9. Stoneman Douglas (1-0)
The Eagles looked good in their season-opening win over Cooper City, rolling to a 33-0 win. Matthew Wilson looked potent in the running game, and sophomore quarterback Ryan Spallina was solid passing the ball. This week’s game will be a bigger test, as Douglas travels to nearby Coconut Creek for a Thursday night game.
Next: at Coconut Creek (1-0), Thursday, 7 p.m.
10. Miramar (0-1) Losing to Miami Killian was not the start to the season that Miramar envisioned. But Killian is a strong team, ranked third in Class 5A by MaxPreps. Miramar will have a chance to rebound with a Saturday game against Stranahan.
Next: at Stranahan, Saturday, 7 p.m.
On the bubble: Calvary Christian (1-0), Coconut Creek (1-0), Coral Glades (1-0), Flanagan (1-0).