BY J.T. WILCOX | Senior Writer
Already we’ve played two weeks of high school football.
Like many of the teams in South Florida, I put on a much better performance the second time around. But I’m not settling. I’m not where I want to be yet.
At this point, the coaches have a good idea as to who the players are that are going to step up and make plays. And because of that, the true contenders are starting to show themselves as such; although I will say that I haven’t seen such a wide open field – especially in Miami-Dade County.
With some of the matchups on the docket this week, it’s the perfect opportunity to see what some of the “contenders” are made of – especially with district games kicking off next week.
Record last week: 35-12
Season record: 72-29 (.712 Correct Pick Percentage)
48 games picked this week with four games in the Bald Predictions Spotlight.
(1) Central Rockets (1-1) vs. Jacksonville First Coast Buccaneers (0-1)
Saturday at Traz Powell Stadium, 7pm
The Rockets did a nice job of bouncing back in week two – shutting out Killian. I wasn’t surprised that Central put on that kind of performance. The way their coaching staff is set up, the Rockets worked so hard during the week that game day was probably a treat.
Central’s running game looked a lot better in week two and after talking with coaches, they have a plan in place to shore up play under center. And, obviously, the “Roc Boy” defense is doing just fine.
This week Central welcomes in Jacksonville First Coast.
Here’s one of those classic, “why didn’t this game happen last year?” matchups. Central is still a power, while the Buccaneers are still looking to notch their first win of the season.
It’s not to say that First Coast is a terrible team – it is not – the Bucs have athletes some athletes; namely wide receiver Kevin Stephenson and defensive back Khalil Bryant, but overall they won’t be able to match up with Central.
I expect Central to overwhelm First Coast with its defensive speed and tenacity, slanting the field and creating many short fields for the Rockets’ offensive to work with.
Also, playing against an out-of-town opponent always gives our South Florida teams extra juice, which doesn’t bode well for the visiting Buccaneers.
Bald Prediction = Central wins 35-7
(4) Booker T. Washington Tornadoes (1-1) vs. (10) Jackson Generals (0-1)
Friday at Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30pm
This is a very intriguing game to me.
Booker T. got its first win of the season last week, beating up on Monsignor Pace. The Tornadoes used the week to work out a few more kinks and solidify some points on both the offensive and defensive units.
Jackson has had to stew for the past 12 days, thinking back on its week one loss to Columbus. I know Generals head coach Earl Little has been using that to motivate his guys and get them ready for this tilt.
I’d venture to say that this matchup is a lot more even than people think. Booker T. still has a talented roster with many young playmakers, but man-for-man Jackson is in the top third of teams in terms of talent.
I like Jackson’s Desmond Phillips at quarterback and I think linebacker Shemar Smith is an under-the-radar star.
Just like it did against Columbus, I could see Jackson building a lead early – maybe even holding that lead into the second half. Where I think Booker T. will be able to get back on top is that its defense will string together a couple of stops – maybe even a turnover – that allows the Tornadoes to take the lead.
If the Tornadoes coaching staff has decided to go with freshman Daniel Richardson predominantly at quarterback – which appears to be the best option already – this will be a nice quarterback battle between him and Phillips.
The Generals’ first victory still eludes them.
Bald Prediction = Booker T. Washington wins 28-22
(9) South Dade Buccaneers (1-0) vs. (15) Norland Vikings (2-0)
Friday at Harris Field, 7:30pm *Game of the Week*
This is a sneaky great game.
It’s a perfect test for both of these teams. I think this game will be a battle of wills; Norland’s defense against South Dade’s offensive line and running game.
Having watched Norland’s defense up close and personal, they are a fast and physical bunch that swarms to the ball. Giving credit to defensive coordinator Luther Campbell, he knows how to get his guys ready to play – in terms of motivation and game plan.
South Dade plays football the way I think it should be played. The Bucs are built from the inside-out, using their strong offensive line to set the table for everything else.
Buccaneers running backs Jawon Hamilton and Ivan Smith the best backfield tandem in South Florida and they complement each other very well.
Each team’s strength will be the best that the other has faced so far this season. Because of that, each will make plays on the other. Smith and Hamilton will gain some yards. The Vikings defense will put pressure on the Bucs offensive line and accumulate some tackles for loss.
So here’s the x-factor: the coaching staff that makes the better and/or quicker in-game adjustments will give its team a better chance to win this game.
I truly hate that South Dade wasn’t able to finish its game against Coral Gables, that game would’ve provided an even better litmus test to see what the Buccaneers are really made of.
Playing out the different scenarios, I’m almost certain this game will be a tight contest. Whoever wins, will have truly earned it and will know it had just played a real football game.
I’m giving the slightest of edges to Vikings.
Bald Prediction = Norland wins 20-18
(11) Coconut Creek Cougars (1-1) vs. Boyd Anderson Cobras (2-0)
Friday at Coconut Creek, 7pm
Here’s another game that I think will be closer than a lot of people are thinking.
Yes, Coconut Creek is still the highly-potent aerial offensive team that can put points up in a hurry – ask Flanagan.
But Boyd Anderson has been the biggest turnaround team thus far, tallying 91 points in two victories and showing the development of the players but also the development of head coach Eddie “Rabbit” Brown.
And an interesting thing to watch is the health of Cougars star receiver Binjimen Victor. He went down holding his left knee early in the week two game against Flanagan, but he returned to action with a light wrap around the knee and ended up catching a touchdown. So he’s more than likely okay, but it’s still something to watch.
Coconut Creek’s defense has improved; my concerns about group have quelled a bit. I still want to see the Cougars offensive line operate more cohesively. After what it experienced last week at Flanagan, I think the matchup this week against a solid Cobras defense will be a good test to see how Creek’s O-Line will respond.
Boyd Anderson will hang around in this game – they have defensive playmakers, namely linebacker Rickey Lewis – but Coconut Creek’s offense will win out.
Bald Prediction = Coconut Creek wins 31-20
Other Games
(2) St. Thomas Aquinas vs. (20) Plantation = St. Thomas Aquinas wins by 19
(5) American Heritage vs. (19) Northwestern = American Heritage wins by 14
(7) Columbus vs. (13) Southridge = Columbus wins by 4
(8) Carol City vs. Lakeland = Carol City wins by 2
(14) Dillard vs. Lakeland Lake Gibson = Dillard wins by 13
(16) Miramar vs. Monarch = Miramar wins by 20
(17) Deerfield Beach at Blanche Ely = Deerfield Beach wins by 13
(18) Coral Gables vs. Homestead = Coral Gables wins by 21
Southwest vs. North Miami Beach = Southwest wins by 24
Calvary Christian vs. LaSalle = Calvary Christian wins by 16
West Broward vs. Pompano Beach = West Broward wins by 1
Killian vs. Coral Reef = Killian wins by 3
Archbishop Curley vs. Miami Country Day = Miami Country Day wins by 10
Pompano Beach Highlands Christian vs. Scheck Hillel = Hillel wins by 21
Coral Park vs. Varela = Varela wins by 18
Braddock vs. Palmetto = Palmetto wins by 14
A&T Mourning vs. Goleman = Goleman wins by 1
Pinecrest Prep vs. Somerset Silver Palms = Somerset Silver Palms wins by 42
Dade Christian vs. Somerset Academy Pines = Dade Christian wins by 16
Miami Community Charter vs. Palmer Trinity = Palmer Trinity wins by 3
Gulliver Prep vs. Belen Jesuit = Gulliver Prep wins by 3
Chaminade-Madonna vs. Cardinal Gibbons = Cardinal Gibbons win by 7
Nova vs. Coral Springs = Nova wins by 3
Archbishop McCarthy vs. University School = University School wins by 7
South Broward vs. Fort Lauderdale = Fort Lauderdale wins by 4
Pine Crest vs. Palm Beach Benjamin = Pine Crest wins by 14
Miami Springs vs. Doral Academy = Miami Springs wins by 3
Coral Shores vs. Coral Springs Charter = Coral Springs Charter wins by 12
Dr. Krop vs. Miami Beach = Miami Beach wins by 4
Florida Christian vs. Palm Beach King’s Academy = King’s Academy wins by 14
Ransom Everglades vs. North Broward Prep = North Broward Prep wins by 21
Westminster Academy vs. Boca Raton Pope John Paul II = Westminster Academy win by 9
Piper vs. Hollywood Hills = Piper wins by 6
McArthur vs. Northeast = McArthur wins by 5
North Miami vs. Punta Gorda Charlotte = Charlotte wins by 21
Monsignor Pace at Naples Gulf Coast = Gulf Coast wins by 19
Pembroke Pines Charter at Orlando Cornerstone Charter = Cornerstone Charter wins by 2
Taravella at South Plantation = South Plantation wins by 10
Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Hialeah = Hialeah-Miami Lakes wins by 7
Sunset vs. South Miami = South Miami wins by 10
Key West vs. Marathon = Key West wins by 35
Ferguson vs. Edison = Edison wins by 13
International School of Broward at Westminster Christian = Westminster Christian wins by 42
Mater Academy vs. Reagan = Mater Academy wins by 14
