Few Florida high school matchups are more intriguing going in than what we will get on Thursday night when Miami Northwestern collides with Chaminade-Madonna in our ITG Next Florida Game of the Week.
One of the top teams in a deep Class 2M, Miami Northwestern is off to a 2-0 start, with wins over defending 8A state champion Venice and Miami Jackson, whom the Bulls shut out 44-0.
The Bulls’ high-powered offense (38 PPG) is led by quarterback Taron Dickens, a three-star prospect who was one of the state’s top passers a year ago. Dickens is complemented by running backs Marlin Cochran and King Davis, along with a talented group of receivers headlined by the trio of Adam Moore, Andy Jean, and Rashad Davis.
On defense, the Bulls are led by the linebacker duo of Kareem Maycock and Felix Ward, while others such as Toddrick Brewton, Eddie Byrd, Matthew Williams, Rayquan Adkins are also prominent names. This Bulls defense has allowed only 26 points, all of which came in week one against Venice.
Chaminade-Madonna (2-0) is arguably the top team in Class 1M at the moment. The Lions have wins over St. John’s (DC) and Dillard, and they bring one of the state’s top offenses into this contest, having outscored opponents 84-56 on the season.
Headlining the Chaminade-Madonna offense are quarterback Cedrick Bailey and one of the best wide receiver groups in the state in Edwin Joseph, Jeremiah Smith, and Joshisa Trader. Davion Gause leads the running game, while Duane Thomas Jr. is a player who makes an impact in both the rushing and receiving games.
On defense, Chaminade-Madonna has multiple players with double-digit tackles on the season. That group is led by Jeno Junius and Denzel Johnson. Other key contributors are Zaquan Patterson, Kaleb Stewart, and D’Angelo Ponds, and Zach Crothers and Wayne Peart lead the Lions pass rush.
Expect this matchup between two elite offensive teams to live up to the hype as one of, if not the, best in the state this week. As for who wins, I’ll say that Chaminade-Madonna pulls away in the second half to beat Miami Northwestern by at least a touchdown.
Prediction: Miami Northwestern 30, Chaminade-Madonna 42
