Miami-Dade follows them out

Most schools won’t play in state series this fall

The majority of MiamiDade County Public Schools sports teams are opting out of the Florida High School Athletic Association state series, but some reigning champions still plan to participate.

Thirty-five of the Greater Miami Athletic Conference football teams intend to opt out of the state series, but five will still participate, according to MDCPS spokeswoman Jaquelyn Calzadilla. The five football teams planning to opt in are Homestead, Miami Central, Miami Edison, Miami Northwestern and Miami Palmetto.

Miami Central and Miami Northwestern won the Class 6A and Class 5A state championships last year, respectively. Miami Edison and Miami Palmetto both made the playoffs last year.

The school district is waiting on confirmation from the FHSAA, Calzadilla said.

Most teams in Broward and Palm Beach counties are opting out, as well, with few caveats. Both the Palm Beach County School District and the Broward County Athletic Association have opted out, including all of the counties’ public schools.

In Broward, two privateschool BCAA members, Cardinal Gibbons and St. Thomas Aquinas, are opting in. Many private schools that are not members of the BCAA or the Palm Beach County School District, including American Heritage,

American Heritage-Delray and Chaminade-Madonna, have opted in, as well.

Broward and Palm Beach public schools were permitted to start workouts on Monday. Miami-Dade public schools were permitted to begin workouts on Sept. 14. None of the three South Florida counties have started practices yet. Games usually do not start until after at least two weeks of practice.

Some schools are choosing to opt in for other sports, as well.

Miami Braddock, Miami

Columbus and Miami Beach are planning to opt in for golf. Columbus and Palmetto are planning to opt in for bowling. Braddock, Miami Central, Columbus, Miami Coral Park, Palmetto, and Miami Southridge are planning to opt in for cross country.

Braddock, Columbus, Miami Coral Reef, Cutler Bay, Hialeah, Miami Beach and Palmetto are planning to opt in for swimming and diving. Hialeah Miami Lakes and Miami Southwest are planning to opt in for girls volleyball.