By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
Should St. Thomas Aquinas and Deerfield Beach hold serve against Cooper City and Douglas, respectively, this weekend, the Oct. 17 meeting between the Raiders and Bucks is shaping up as one of Florida’s biggest games of the year.
George Smith’s St. Thomas Aquinas program and the Denard Robinson-led Deerfield Beach head our look at South Florida’s top 10 teams heading into the mid-point of the 2008 season.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (4-0)
The Raiders, No. 1 in this week’s MaxPreps National Rankings, have not looked back since winning the Class 5A championship in 2007. Led by quarterback Ryan Becker and the duo of tailbacks Giovanni Bernard and James White, the Raiders have outscored their opponents 157-44. Becker, a senior, has thrown for 787 yards with eight touchdowns and only three interceptions. His favorite target has been senior receiver Duron Carter. Carter, an Ohio State commit, has caught 15 passes for 335 yards with three touchdowns. Despite Carter and Becker's efforts, the tandem of tailbacks Bernard and White have been the centerpiece of the offense. Bernard, a junior, has rushed for 449 yards on 52 carries (8.6 yards per carry) with five scores, while White, also a junior, rushed for 259 yards on 31 carries (8.4 yards per carry) and four touchdowns.
Big game: Oct. 17 vs. Deerfield Beach
2. Deerfield Beach (4-0)
Deerfield Beach, the top-ranked team in Class 6A, has continued its dominance throughout Broward County outscoring its opponents 100-35. Quarterback Denard Robinson leads the way for the Bucks. Robinson, a senior, has completed 30-of-63 passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns. Despite Robinson’s leadership, junior running back Cassius McDowell has also played a prominent role. Coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he gained 889 yards and 15 touchdowns, McDowell has carried the ball 46 times for 492 yards (10.7 yards per carry) with six touchdowns.
Big game: Oct. 17 at St. Thomas
3. Miami Northwestern (4-0)
The Bulls, who hold the longest win-streak (34 games) in Miami-Dade County history, are led by a rushing attack that has piled up nearly 600 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Senior running back Daquan Hargrett, a West Virginia commit, leads the group with 330 yards rushing on 39 carries and three touchdowns. Despite losing many of its starters from last year’s championship team to graduation, Northwestern displayed its potential in a thrilling 31-29 win over 4A champion Booker T. Washington in week 3.
Big game: Oct. 17 at Hialeah Miami Lakes
4. Miramar (4-0)
The Patriots, led by quarterback Eugene Smith, dominated the first four games outscoring their opponents 147-28. Smith, a senior, continues to show why he is regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, completing 55-of-86 passes for 938 yards with 10 touchdowns and only one interception. Receivers Stedman Bailey and Ivan McCartney have been Smith’s main targets all season. Bailey, a senior and one of Broward County’s top recruits, caught 17 passes for 312 yards (18.4 yards per catch) and five touchdowns, while McCartney, a junior, has 12 catches for 256 yards (21.3 yards per catch) and four scores.
Big games: Oct. 11 vs. Cypress Bay, Nov. 14 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
5. Columbus (3-0)
The Explorers are a surprise team in Miami-Dade this season. Junior tailback Jakhari Gore, cousin of former University of Miami star and Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore, leads the team with 367 yards rushing on 47 carries and three touchdowns. Quarterback Garrett Colao, a junior, has also contributed completing 26-of-42 passes for 488 yards and six touchdowns. Columbus’s defense made its claim as one of the best in the county after holding highly-touted running back Jaamal Berry to only 58 yards rushing in a 49-0 win over Palmetto in week 1.
Big game: Nov. 14 vs. Killian
6. Everglades (4-0)
The Gators, led by tailback Damian Fortner, have become a surprise team in Broward County this season, outscoring their opponents 111-21. Fortner, a senior, leads the team with 538 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Despite the early success, Everglades still has to get past powerhouses Miramar and Cypress Bay for the top spot in the district.
Big games: Oct. 23 at Miramar, No. 7 vs. Cypress Bay, Nov. 14 at Boyd Anderson
7. Cypress Bay (3-1)
Led by head coach Mark Guandolo, the Lightning have made their claim as a viable contender for the 6A championship. Guandolo installed a ground game that’s among the best in the county. Senior running back Jason Douglas leads a rushing attack that totaled 902 yards and 11 touchdowns in four games. Douglas has contributed nicely gaining 336 yards on 40 carries with four touchdowns. Fellow backs Craig Dee, Vincent Mantuo, Shane Gordon and David McKnight have amassed 512 yards with 7 scores and each average over 5 yards per carry. Look for Cypress Bay’s giant ground game to run over opposing teams throughout the rest of the season.
Big games: Oct. 11 at Miramar
8. Killian (4-1)
The Cougars, led by senior tailback Lamar Miller, have emerged as a top team in Miami-Dade County. An early upset of North Miami Beach is Killian’s signature win. Miller, the county’s top-rated tailback, leads the team with 742 yards rushing on 95 carries (7.8 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. The defense, who has only allowed 155 yards per game, also made its statement as one of the best in the county.
Big games: Nov. 7 vs. Palmetto, Nov. 14 at Columbus
9. Booker T. Washington (2-2)
The Tornadoes, led by quarterback Torrance Moise, are without many starters from last year’s championship team but still have a chance to defend their title. Moise, a senior, leads the offense completing 43-of-65 passes for 644 yards and eight touchdowns. The standout signal caller has also stifled defenses with his feet rushing for three scores.
Big games: Oct. 31 vs. Hallandale
10. Dillard (3-2)
Senior running back Trabis Ward leads the way for Dillard with 625 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Panthers look to rebound from missing the playoffs last year and make a claim as a viable 5A contender.
Big games: Oct. 10 vs. Stranahan, Nov. 7 vs. Ely