4 days ago
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).
