Home of the last two mythical national champions (Miami Northwestern in 2007, St. Thomas Aquinas 2008), Florida's south region has always been rich with high school football talent. This season should be just as competitive with two of the top three teams in the state hailing from Miami-Dade County in Northwestern and Central.
Both are Class 6A foes, the state's largest classification with 29 schools, and headline our look at Miami-Dade County’s top five teams entering the 2009 season.
Photo by Chad Pilster
Teddy Bridgewater, Northwestern
Northwestern Last season: 13-2
The Bulls are one of the most historic football programs in the state and have won 43 of their past 45 games, including two state titles and one mythical national title in 2007.
Northwestern was humbled by a hungrier Sanford Seminole program in last year's state championship game. Despite the heartbreaking end, the Bulls look for redemption and are still viable contenders for another shot at the title.
Junior quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (6-3, 170) leads an offense that averaged 37 points per game last season. Bridgewater finished a sensational sophomore campaign completing 80-of-132 passes for 1,253 yards, 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
Senior receiver Michaelee Harris (6-1, 180) will be one of Bridgewater’s main targets this season. As a junior, Harris led the Bulls catching 20 passes for 426 yards and three scores (averaging 21.3 yards per catch). The addition of 6-foot-5 tight end Charles Fashaw (a transfer from Monsignor Pace) should also provide another reliable weapon for Bridgewater.
Despite losing their entire starting backfield to graduation, seniors Corvin Lamb (5-9, 185) and Israel Linder (5-10, 180) look to lead the stampede for the Bulls. Lamb was one of Miami-Dade County’s top special team’s players a year ago, returning five kickoffs for touchdowns.
Senior defensive lineman Todd Chandler (6-1, 260), a University of Miami verbal, has terrorized opposing offenses since his sophomore year and will look to continue his dominance this season.
Toughest Game: Oct. 8 at Central
Central Last season: 8-4
The Rockets enter the 2009 season with a high-powered offense that boasts five returning All-County selections.
At quarterback, senior Jeffrey Godfrey (6-1, 190) is once again at the controls. Last season, Godfrey threw for 2,126 yards and 26 touchdowns, while also dazzling defense’s with his feet.
Running back Brandon Gainer (6-1, 205) also contributed to the Rockets’ success last year. Gainer, a senior, gained 1,644 yards and 17 touchdowns (averaging 8.9 yards per carry). Receivers Joshua Reese (6-1, 183) and Charles Gaines (5-11, 170) led the Rockets totaling 1,455 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Reese, a senior, caught 45 passes for 793 yards and ten scores, while Gaines, a junior, caught 35 passes for 662 yards and 8 scores.
As if these four weapons weren’t enough, the Rockets also beefed up their offensive line with newly-acquired guard Jose Jose (a Booker T. Washington transfer). Jose (6-3, 335), a senior and University of Tennessee verbal, was also an All-County selection playing both center and guard. Jose will play alongside fellow All-County lineman Derrick Jean who, at center, helped the Rockets gain recognition as the top offense in the county last year.
Senior linebacker Derrick Dansby (6-0, 190) leads the defense for the Rockets. Last season, Dansby posted 63 solo tackles, 41 assists and three sacks.
Toughest Game: Oct. 8 vs. Northwestern
Monsignor Pace Last season: 11-3
The Spartans are coming off a season in which they got two huge wins over defending Class 3A champion Naples (first game and quarterfinals) and against state power Glades Central, but lost to eventual champion, Cocoa in the state semifinals.
Due to budget cuts, the Spartans will play in Class 2B this season. After gaining a reputation as a 3A power, Pace will now have to prove themselves in a small, but competitive, classification featuring teams like Jacksonville Bolles and Pahokee, both nationally-recognized programs.
The Spartans return 13 starters from last year’s team, including senior quarterback Stephen Morris (6-2, 190), a University of Miami verbal. Morris threw for over 2,000 passing yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior.
Senior running back De’Andre Johnson (5-9, 205) will also be a huge asset for the Spartan offense after totaling more than 1,000 rushing yards last season.
Toughest Game: Nov. 6 vs. Gulliver Prep
Booker T. Washington Last season: 10-4
After reaching the state semifinals five times in eight seasons, the Tornadoes will no longer be a Class 4A power as they move down to 3A this season.
BTW shouldn’t have a problem lining up against new competition with the return of running back Eduardo Clements. Clements, a senior, is one of the state’s top running backs who gained national recognition as a sophomore after leading the Tornadoes to the Class 4A state championship.
Senior receiver Quinton Dunbar (6-4, 178) will also help lead BTW back to the state finals. Dunbar, an All-County selection, caught 39 passes for 703 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
The defense will be anchored by defensive lineman Lynden Trail (6-6, 210). Trail, a senior, totaled 77 tackles and 14 sacks last season for the Tornadoes.
Toughest games: Oct. 3 vs. Northwestern, Nov. 14 vs. Central
Carol City Last season: 8-3
Carol City, another historic Miami-Dade County programs, returns 15 starters from last year’s team and could provide challenges for 6A powers Northwestern and Central.
The Chiefs will rely on their defense, which allowed more than 20 points only twice last year. Lockdown cornerback Gareef Glashen (5-11, 180) has 4.4 speed.
Senior receiver Allen Hurns (6-1, 170) will lead the Chiefs offense. Hurns is one of the fastest receivers in the county and will look to make things difficult for opposing defenders.
Toughest Games: Aug. 29 vs. Glades Central, Sept. 4 vs. Miami Northwestern, Oct. 2 vs. Miami Central
Notable Players in Miami-Dade County:
Corey Lemonier, DE (6-4, 230, Sr.) - Hialeah
Willis Wright, WR/S (6-1, 200, Sr.) – Miami Springs
Calvin Smith, DL/OL (6-4, 275, Sr.) – Hialeah
Torrian Wilson, OT (6-5, 280, Sr.) – Northwestern
Jakhari Gore, RB (5-9, 165, Sr.) – Columbus
Gideon Ajagbe, S/LB (6-3, 205, Sr.) – Ransom Everglades
Denzel Perryman, LB (5-11, 200, Jr.) – Coral Gables
Peter Gagliardi, ATH (6-2, 220, Sr.) – Sunset
Jarvis Bridge, RB (5-9, 185, Sr.) – Coral Gables
Delvin Jones, DE (6-4, 235, Sr.) - Palmetto