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Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Here are the top games in Miami-Dade for the 2025 high school football season
Miami-Dade high school football teams will once again take on a challenging road to possible state championships, which will once again include tough opposition both locally and nationally. Here's a look at the best games involving Miami-Dade County teams: NOTE: All games at 7:30 unless noted. Southridge at Columbus (Tropical), 4, Aug. 21: A thriller between state title contenders right off the bat? Why not? Last season, these two provided fans a thriller, which Columbus ended up winning 17-14 thanks to a late turnover. Southridge and Columbus each advanced to the state semifinals a year ago in their respective classes and could use this game as a jump start to their efforts to make it all the way this season. More games to watch - Aug. 23: Orange (Ca.) Lutheran vs. Northwestern (Traz), 7; Central at Jacksonville Raines, 6:30. Venice vs. Northwestern (Traz), Aug. 29: Despite the offseason turmoil after the departure of coach Teddy Bridgewater, Northwestern remains a national title contender. After a tough opener, expect the Bulls to be motivated to make a statement against Venice, everyone's favorite to repeat in Class 7A. More games to watch - Aug. 28: Norland vs. Carol City (Traz), 7; Mater Academy at Doral, 7; Aug. 29: Columbus at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.), 7; South Dade vs. Homestead (Harris); Aug. 30: NMB vs. North Miami (Traz), 7. Southridge vs. Palmetto (Tropical), 7, Sept. 4: A longtime neighborhood rivalry might present its best matchup in some time as both teams enter the season as state title contenders in their respective classes. Palmetto has a different obstacle it needs to conquer (Columbus) if it's to make it to state, but Southridge provides a challenging litmus test early in the season. And the reverse is true as well for the Spartans, who are eyeing a potential rematch down the road with West Boca. St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Columbus (Tropical), 7, Sept. 5: A great name game and a fun atmosphere for sure. But will the Explorers make it a more competitive game this year in the rematch of last year's 42-6 Aquinas victory. More games to watch - Sept. 4: Carol City vs. Northwestern (Traz), 7; Sept. 5: Central vs. Booker T. (Traz); Sept. 6: Monsignor Pace vs. True North (Tropical), 7. Palmetto vs. Columbus (Tropical), 7, Sept. 12: And here's the aforementioned crucial matchup for Palmetto. Columbus has dominated the Panthers in recent years and often the winner of this game is the one which advances the furthest from Dade in the state's largest classification. The same should be true this season. More games to watch - Sept. 11: Miami High vs. Coral Gables, 7; Sept. 12: Miramar at Mater Academy, 7; True North at Archbishop McCarthy, 7; Norland vs. Northwestern (Traz). Central at American Heritage, Sept. 19: Three years after their collision for the state title, these two are still among the state and nation's best. Some wonder if Central is still able to compete at an elite level this season. This game should be another good indication if they can. Northwestern vs. Columbus (Tropical), Sept. 19: Another big challenge for the Explorers and a solid one for Northwestern as it looks to pick up momentum in its bid to repeat as state champions. More games to watch - Sept. 18: Killian vs. Palmetto (Tropical), 7; Doral at Southridge, 7; Monsignor Pace vs. Edison (Traz), 7; Norland at Delray Atlantic, 6:30. True North at Archbishop Carroll, 3:30, Sept. 26: When these two have played in recent years, it's often been a thriller and settled who goes the furthest in Dade in Class 1A. True North might have its deepest roster ever, but Carroll can always find a way to level the playing field. More games to watch - Sept. 26: Carol City at Monsignor Pace; Goleman at Cypress Bay, 7; Braddock vs. Ferguson (Tropical); Jackson vs. Northwestern (Traz); Northwestern vs. Central (Traz), 7, Oct. 4: Miami-Dade premier rivalry will be interesting this season. New head coaches on both sidelines. Northwestern will be favored undoubtedly, but this game is almost always competitive no matter what the records are. More games to watch - Oct. 3: Edison at Southridge, 7; Cocoa vs. Norland (Traz); Norland at American Heritage, Oct. 10: Last season, Norland won the regular season meeting between these two only to have to forfeit the victory days later due to the use of an ineligible player. Heritage won the rematch in a rout in the playoffs en route to a state championship. The teams meet again in Plantation in what should once again settle their district's title. More games to watch - Oct. 10: Western vs. Goleman (Milander); Carol City vs. NMB (Traz). GMAC championship, Oct. 16-18: The Greater Miami Athletic Conference once again puts together a weekend of crosstown matchups for its league teams, culminating with a title game at Traz Powell Stadium that often pits state title contenders against each other in a matchup you won't see in the playoffs. More games to watch - Oct. 16: Gulliver at Belen, 7; Oct. 17: St. Brendan at La Salle. Coral Reef vs. Ferguson (Tropical), Oct. 24: These two met for the GMAC Independent conference championship last season with the Barracudas taking home the trophy. Although there's usually a lot of parity in this league, figure these two well-coached programs to have a chance to be in the mix once again for the league title at this point. More games to watch - Oct. 24: True North at Columbus, 6; NMB vs. Monsignor Pace (Traz); Oct. 25: Norland at Plantation (PAL), 7. Carol City vs. Central (Traz), 7, Oct. 30: Could this rivalry see a boost this season? The Chiefs were much-improved a year ago and hope to be back in the playoff mix while the Rockets are trying to stay among the state's top contenders. More games to watch - Oct. 30: Carol City vs. Central (Traz), 7; Fort Myers Bishop Verot vs. Palmetto (Tropical), 7; Edison at Doral, 7; Oct. 31: Goleman at Monsignor Pace. Nov. 14: Regional quarterfinals; Nov. 21: Regional semifinals; Nov. 28: Regional finals; Dec. 5: State semifinals; Dec. 10-13: State championships at Pitbull Stadium (FIU).
Chicago Tribune
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
After starting for Class 7A state runner-up, Batavia's Bodi Anderson moves from QB to receiver. ‘Looks good.'
So much for a potential quarterback controversy this summer at Batavia. It's not happening. Bodi Anderson, an ultimate team player, saw to that by approaching the coaches one week after leading the Bulldogs to a Class 7A runner-up finish last season and offering to change positions. Anderson, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound speedster, is heading into his senior season. He started every game last fall behind center but is learning the ropes at wide receiver. Michael Vander Luitgaren, a 6-2, 180-pound junior who split time with Anderson in last year's playoff run, now has the helm. Those two had 'a unique dynamic' last season, according to offensive coordinator Sean Anderson. Vander Luitgaren practiced with the varsity despite starting for the sophomore team. 'Bodi was a very good quarterback and Michael was still a sophomore,' Anderson said. 'Bodi was getting the job done and we were winning games. It was a matter of, 'Why fix it if it's not broke?'' It speaks well of the culture coach Dennis Piron has built in his hometown as Batavia (12-2, 6-1) ended up in a three-way tie with Geneva and St. Charles North for the DuKane Conference title. Anderson came down sick during the week of preparation for the final regular-season game at Glenbard North, so Vander Luitgaren came up and split reps with Anderson in a 35-34 win. During the Bulldogs' five-game playoff run, they also split time, but Vander Luitgaren kept getting better and better. 'They worked well together,' Sean Anderson said. 'Bodi still starting kind of took the pressure off Michael, being a young dude. Michael being able to come in took the pressure off Bodi. 'Michael was a gamer. It just happened.' In the state championship game, Batavia had its season closed out by Mount Carmel for the fourth straight year. The Caravan led 28-21, then reeled off 27 straight points for a 55-34 win. Vander Luitgaren threw for 390 yards, a Class 7A championship game record, with three touchdown passes to Brett Berggren. Anderson finished the season completing 54% of his passes (95 of 176) for 1,353 yards with 15 TDs and eight interceptions. Vander Luitgaren completed 63% (73 for 115) for 1,154 yards with 13 TDs and four interceptions. 'I was just thinking about it,' Bodi Anderson said. 'And what came to my mind was, 'What's gonna help the team the most and what's gonna help us win games?' 'I went to coach Anderson and told him, 'Wherever you need me to play, whether it's offense or defense, I will play and do whatever supports the team the most.'' Bodi Anderson's dad, Mark, started at quarterback and safety at Batavia in the mid-1990s. 'I think Bodi understood what Michael could do and his potential,' Sean Anderson said. Piron thinks it will be a win-win situation. Bodi is a track sprinter who runs a 4.44-second 40 and was on a pair of relays that set program records. 'He's one of the fastest kids in the county and looks good at receiver,' Piron said. Anderson joins a group that will be headlined by Berggren, second on the team with 660 receiving yards last season, and junior Darin Ashiru, who transferred from Plainfield North in the winter and contributed in track as well. 'Bodi knows all the plays and what everybody is supposed to do,' Sean Anderson said. 'He just has to work developing receiver instincts, getting in and out of breaks and his releases.' Bodi Anderson said Berggren and Ashiru have been mentoring him at the position. He also has to get used to being more physical. 'Wearing a green quarterback jersey in practice, I wasn't touched by my teammates,' Bodi said. 'There's going to be contact on every play. It's been different, but we'll be a very fast offense.' Sean Anderson's mad scientist side can't wait. 'With a former all-conference quarterback in the slot, there's a lot of creative things we can do,' he said. 'It should be another fun year.'
USA Today
21-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama reportedly offers top 2027 in-state quarterback prospect
This past week, the Alabama Crimson Tide officially extended an offer to one of the top in-state quarterbacks in Alabama's 2027 class, Trent Seaborn. Seaborn announced the offer from Alabama via a post on social media. A name that has grown more-and-more across Alabama high school football in recent years, Seaborn has been a starter at quarterback for one of the state's top programs, Thompson High School, since his eighth grade season back in 2022. Since, Seaborn has helped lead Thompson to two Class 7A state championships in 2022 and 2024, which is Alabama's highest classification. According to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings, Seaborn is currently considered as the nation's No. 215 overall player in the 2027 class, as well as the No. 16 quarterback nationally. Seaborn, a four-star prospect, is also considered as the No. 9 prospect in the state of Alabama. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Western softball rallies in seventh to beat West Broward, return to state
Western's four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning stunned West Broward with a 5-4 victory in a Class 7A regional final at Western High. With two outs and the bases loaded, Wildcats starting senior pitcher Ali Solo forced in the winning run when she was hit by a pitch on her right foot to score Katarina Kuma from third. The victory lifted the advanced Wildcats (20-5-1) to the state semifinals at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood where they will look to repeat as state champs. Western will face Oviedo Hagerty on May 23 at either 2 or 4 in a 7A state semifinal. 'We fight to the end,' Western coach John Bradshaw said. 'These girls have been in big games, and they never give up. We preach that day in and day out. A lot of hard work goes into this. Every time we step on the field, we have a chance to win. The opposing pitcher lost control towards the end, and I instructed Ali (Solo) to take advantage of this opportunity. It turned out and we're going to states.' Solo, who wasn't having her best outing, relished in the moment. 'This was probably one of the biggest moments for me,' Solo said. 'I wasn't expecting her to hit me at all. She had been pitching great all night. Honestly, I was going to do anything for my team at that point. I had been struggling at the plate. Taking that pitch obviously got us somewhere.' Up 2-1 entering the top of the sixth inning, the Bobcats added two more runs on an error, allowing Mady Remotigue and Cyara Geronimo to score increasing their lead to three runs. West Broward (18-8) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a two-run double down the left-field line, with Victoria Carmona and Isabella Cruz scoring. Western had managed a pair of meaningless hits through the first three-innings, before a bunt single by Gia Solano pushed Delaney Clair, who was running for Kennedy Butter, home from third. 'She gave it everything she got,' said West Broward coach Kyle Davis of his starting pitcher in sophomore Cheyanne Chaffin. 'Sometimes it just doesn't go your way. Having a 4-1 lead slip away in the last inning with an out is hard to swallow. We just fell short, and it hurts. It's beyond words.'
Miami Herald
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Doral softball wins battle of top teams. South Florida dominates state hoops honors. Plus more
In a battle of top unbeaten teams, the visiting Doral Academy Miami softball team shut out FHSAA defending 2A state champ Monteverde Academy 10-0. Prior to the game, Doral was ranked fourth nationally by MaxPreps. Monteverde ranked second. Winning pitcher Meagan Villazon dominated on the mound, striking out 12 while allowing no runs, five hits and two walks in a complete game 7-inning shutout effort. After four scoreless innings, the Firebirds (14-0) erupted with six runs in the top of the fifth and four more in the seventh. Anabela Abdullah hit a grand slam home run in the fifth to ignite the offensive outburst. Zoey Abdullah went 3-for-3 with a double and scored twice. Doral Academy 10, Monteverde Academy 0: Anabela Abdullah 1-3, HR, BB, 2 R, 4 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 3-3, 2B, BB, 2 R; Ashley Tremont 2-4, 2 R; Leyani Viruet 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI; Sarah Breaux 1-3, 2B, BB, R, RBI; Anely Gonzalez 1-3, R, RBI; Meagan Villazon 0-1, 3 BB, RBI. Dor 14-0, Mont 9-1. State basketball honors The eight individual class finalists for the 2025 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Basketball and Boys' Basketball Coach of the Year were announced following balloting by a statewide panel of high school boys' basketball coaches and prep media members. And South Florida is very well represented with these honors, after an outstanding season in the state in boys' hoops. Every finalist was the leading vote-getter in their classification, making each the Player of the Year or Coach of the Year in their class. The two overall winners will be announced following a final round of balloting by coaches and media. Six of the state's eight classification winners (now eligible for Mr. Basketball honors) are from South Florida. They are: Cameron Boozer, Columbus, Senior, Forward, Class 7A Player of the Year: The McDonald's All-America led his team to a 27-3 record and a fourth straight Class 7A state championship by averaging 22.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Signed with Duke University. Dwayne Wimbley, St. Thomas Aquinas, Senior, Forward, Class 6A Player of the Year: Led his team to a 30-2 record and the Class 6A state championship by averaging 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Signed with Florida State University. Dylon Hanna, Blanche Ely, Senior, Guard, Class 5A Player of the Year: Led his team to a 20-9 record and the Class 5A state championship by averaging 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Shon Abaev, Calvary Christian, Senior, Forward, Class 3A Player-of-the-Year: The McDonald's All-America led his team to a 22-1 record and the Class 3A state title by averaging 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Signed with the University of Cincinnati. Alex Lloyd, Westminster Academy, Senior, Guard, Class 2A Player of the Year: Led his team to a spot in the regional semifinal before losing 76-75 to eventual state champion Riviera Prep. Averaged 27.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Signed with the University of Florida. Matt Able, Sagemont, Senior, Guard, Class 1A Player of the Year: Led his team to a 22-8 record and the Class 1A state title by averaging 20.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.7 steals per game. For the upcoming state's overall coach of the year honors, five of the eligible eight classification winners are from South Florida. They are: Julius Sandi, St. Thomas Aquinas, Class 6A Coach of the Year: Led his squad to a 30-2 record and the Class 6A state championship, the school's first state title since 2001. In five seasons at Aquinas, Sandi has compiled a 109-25 record. J.R. McNabb, Blanche Ely, Class 5A Coach of the Year: In his first year as head of the Ely boys' program, McNabb led his squad to a 20-9 record and the Class 5A state championship, the school's ninth boys' state title and first since 2019. McNabb also won girls' state titles with Ely in 2020 and Somerset Academy in 2018 and 2019. Edward Schuler, Stranahan, Class 4A Coach of the Year: Led his squad to a 25-7 record and the Class 4A state title. It was the school's fourth state title in the past seven years (2019-20-22-25). In five years at Stranahan, Schuler has posted a 92-30 record. Anthony Shahbaz, Riviera Prep, Class 2A Coach of the Year: Led his squad to a 25-6 record and a third straight state title. In six years, Shahbaz has compiled a 160-60 record at Riviera Prep, including a state runner-up finish in 2022. David Roe, Sagemont, Class 1A Coach of the Year: Led his squad to a 22-8 record and a third straight state title. In eight years, Roe has a 157-64 record at Sagemont, including a state runner-up finish in 2022. Other locals who placed in each classification: 7A: 2. Cayden Boozer (Columbus); 2. Coach Andrew Moran (Columbus). 4A: 3. Christian Yeargin (Stranahan). 3A: 2. Coach Cilk McSweeney (Calvary Christian). 2A: 3. Jasen Lopez (Chaminade-Madonna). State soccer honors The Florida Dairy Farmers state classification honors for boys' soccer were announced. Locals placing in the Top 3 in the state of their respective classification balloting (as voted by boys' soccer coaches and preps media) are: 5A: 3. Logan Hall (Pembroke Pines Charter). 4A: 2. Coach Davide Favaro (Mater Lakes Academy). 3A: 3. Coach Scott Davdson (Gulliver Prep). 1A: 3. Daniel Yanes (Pinecrest Prep). Baseball Doral Academy Miami baseball is also having a stellar season with two more wins to improve to 14-2-1. Between baseball and softball at Doral, they are 28-2-1 combined. Doral Academy 13, Springstead Spring Hill 3: Gabriel Milano 2-3, 3 RBI; Dylan Prince 2-3, HR, 2 RBI; Tyler Rodriguez 1-2, 2 RBI; Caleb Hernandez 2-3, 2 RBI; Bryan Mesa 2-4, RBI; Marcelo Rodriguez (winning pitcher in relief) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB; Anthony Leon 1.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K. Dor 14-2-1. Doral Academy 19, Gulliver Prep 6: Gabriel Milano 2-2, HR, 2 RBI; Dylan Prince 2-2, HR, 2 RBI; Jadyn Nunez 1-2, HR, 3 RBI; Leandro Hernandez 2-4, HR, 4 RBI; Winning Pitcher Arron Elissalt 3 IP, 0 ER, 2 K. Dor 13-2-1. Boys' volleyball Going into the break, the American Heritage Plantation boys' volleyball team won again to even its mark at 3-3. American Heritage Plantation d. Don Soffer Aventura 25-7, 25-21, 25-9: Amare Stoudimare 15 kills, 5 service points, 3 blocks; Aiden Itzkowitz 14 digs, 2.15 reception rating, 11 service points, 3 aces; Sean Kanji 30 assists, 5 digs, 2 blocks. AHP 3-3. Water polo In a tight contest of two solid teams, Gulliver Prep Miami boys' water polo edged Columbus Miami 10-9 with Sebastian Peidra scoring the winner. BOYS: Gulliver Prep 10, Columbus 9: Sebastian Piedra (junior) 2 goals, 5 earned exclusions, 2 steals, 2 assists; Juan Sebastian Ibarra (junior) 9 blocks, 1 steal, 1 assist; Alberto Escobedo (senior) 2 goals, 3 assists, 3 steals; Alejandro Altman (freshman) 1 goal, 2 steals. GP 13-7. Send high school sports results For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@ They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online. --- Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone jvarsallone@
