ANALYSIS: Dade County is the deepest county/area in the state, the most pure athletic talent resides here, and there are 29 6A schools(Florida's largest class). They were shutout of State Championships in 2008 with Northwestern and Gulliver losing State Championship games. Look for that to change in 2009.
TOP 5 TEAMS
1. Northwestern: After back to back State Titles in 2006 and 2007, the Bulls lost a heart-breaker last year to Seminole on a tremendous play by Andre Debose. It was still a remarkable season for a team that had lost eight players to the University of Miami the year before. This year they are the favorites in the 6A class, but will have to deal with Miami Central who is considered a top 3 team in the state, and is a District foe. The teams split games last season.
Offensively, the Bulls are loaded with QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB's Israel Linder and Corvin Lamb, and WR's Michaelee Harris, Eli Rogers, Trey Nelson, and Lorenzo Shinholster. The OL will be led by Torrian Wilson, Donald Senat, and Terrence Carey. New TE Charles Fashaw(a transfer from Pace) is yet another weapon to work into the offense. It is hard to believe that a program can re-load this quickly with so much upper tier talent, but this group has amazing potential. Bridgewater should be better than he was down the stretch last year which is downright frightening. Harris is poised for a huge season and has been uncoverable at times this off-season. The OL should be a strength.
Defensively, DT Todd Chandler is as good as they come and he will set the tone with his intensity. Another DT, Ricky Joseph, really came on late last year. Hallandale transfer Rashard Gaitor should solidify the LB core and a couple of 2011 prospects, Lyndon Edwards(LB) and Jermaine Reve(S) are ready to take the next step. An injury to two year starting CB Khalid Marshall in the Spring was some bad news, but Jerome Thomas and Khambrel McGee are big time athletes. 2012 DE Eric Kinsey should make his presence felt coming off the edge.
Top to bottom this is the most talented team in the state. The District match-up with Central is the game of the year in Florida. They could meet a second time in the second round of the playoffs.
2. MIAMI CENTRAL After a rough start in 2008, the Rockets were playing as well as anyone down the stretch until losing to Northwestern in a close, hard fought second round playoff game. This is a program that has knocked on the door many times in the past and they probably have never had as talented of team as this one. Is this the year they break through?
QB Jeff Godfrey is as good as they come at the high school level. Very experienced with a rocket arm, he is the top thrower in the state. He is a great, natural athlete and has a host of weapons around him. RB Brandon Gainer is a bruising inside runner who had a great junior season. He is very tough to bring down and ultra consistent. In the match-up with MNW, he is the biggest advantage they have. Godfrey will have plenty of weapons at WR with Josh Reese, Charles Gaines, and Derrick Knowles. Reese flat catches everything and Gaines is a burner. With Jose Jose, Stanley Jean, and Marquis Lewis on the OL, this team has every piece in place offensively.
Defensively, they will need to be better than last year, but they did have a great Spring Game vs. Glades Central. A logjam of talented LB's include Derrick Dansby, Miles Pace, Marcus Fairley, Oliver Vigille, and Dwight Jackson. Safety Thomas Finnie can be a special player down the road. They need someone to step up on the DL and give them an elite force up front, perhaps that is Shawn Brown.
The Rockets know what they have to do, beat Northwestern. While the District game is important (and with Hialeah and Miami Springs lurking nothing is certain), the expected playoff game will feel like the State Championship. With Godfrey, anything is possible as they should light up the scoreboard with points.
3. MONSIGNOR PACE: Pace got two big wins over defending 3A champion Naples(first game and quarterfinals) and beat state power Glades Central, but fell short vs. eventual champion Cocoa on a long FG as time expired in the semi-finals.
Offensively, QB Stephen Morris returns and he has looked great this entire off-season. The strong armed athlete will be expected to carry more of the load after losing his top 3 WR's to USF. Plenty of talent returns in RB DeAndre Johnson, a fast player with some power. Transfer WR Isaiah Williams provides a big target to go with Jabari Gorman. Kendall Montgomery has made the switch to TE and big things are expected of him this season. Jon Ragoo and Zachary Soto will headline an always formidable OL.
Defensively, the versatile Gorman, LB's Isaac Dixon and Martin Maycock, and DB's Normando Harris and DeAndre Brown are upper tier players who should provide a solid foundation. This unit had a great Spring Game in a win vs. Booker T. Washington.
While they drop from 3A to 2B which typically is good news, they pick up a potential playoff game with ultra talented Pahokee. Gulliver figures to be their toughest District rival.
4. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON: After five straight trips to the state semi-finals, the Tornadoes lost to Dwyer in the quarterfinals in 2008. The 2007 champs drop from 4A to 3A in 2009 and are perhaps the most talented team in that class.
Offensively, RB Eduardo Clements is the state's top RB, his versatility, speed, and hands can be used in a variety of ways. He had a great sophomore campaign. The issue is at QB where a number of players are competing for playing time. If one steps up, there are big time targets waiting at WR including Quinton Dunbar, Jayvon Wrentz, and Ted Meline.
DE Lynden Trail headlines the defense. The 6'6 athlete is expected to be a constant presence in the backfield. Elkino Watson is another DLmen to watch. 2011 CB Scottie Mcleary should continue a rich tradition of outstanding DB's to come through the program. This defense will be very fast.
A rising Jackson program is a District foe to keep an eye on, but the Tornadoes figure to have too much for them this year. Down the road, teams like Naples, Southeast, Booker, and South Ft. Myers could present a challenge.
5. CAROL CITY: Once the premier program in Dade, the Chiefs appear to be on their way back with a new spread offense. They went 8-3 last year and return 15 starters.
Offensively, there are plenty of weapons including WR's Allen Hurns, Ruben Lawhorne, Ranell Hall, and Anton Jackson. Chris Scott and Robert Hollin will provide the protection up front. A consistent QB is the missing piece to the puzzle.
Defensively, CB Gareef Glashen has the ability to lock down the elite talent that resides in Dade. Kenyatta Marion will join him in the secondary and should be ready to step up. The defense only allowed more than 20 points twice last year and it was to prolific offenses Northwestern and Miramar.
Residing in District 12, the Chiefs can avoid Northwestern/Central until the State semi-finals. With Miramar, North Miami Beach, Deerfield Beach, and Cypress Bay suffering heavy losses due to graduation, the road is considerably easier.
TEAMS TO WATCH: Christopher Columbus, Hialeah, Gulliver, Miami Springs, Jackson, Coral Gables.
ALL AREA PRESEASON:
QB Jeff Godfrey, RB Eduardo Clements, RB Brandon Gainer, WR Michaelee Harris, WR Josh Reese, TE Charles Fashaw, OL Torrian Wilson, OL Zachary Soto, OL Jose Jose, OL Jordan McCray, OL Donald Senat.
DE Corey Lemonier, DE Lynden Trail, DT Todd Chandler, DT Calvin Smith, LB Denzel Perryman(jr), LB Miles Pace(jr), CB Richard Leonard, CB Gareef Glashen, CB Dion Hanks, S Korey Jackson, S Demetrius Pettway
GAME OF THE YEAR: October 8th. Northwestern at Central