Cardinal Gibbons tops Broward football rankings following win over St. Thomas

This is a strange football season, no doubt about it.

The coronavirus pandemic threw the whole season into jeopardy, but teams and school districts around the state have found ways to play. Several private schools are weeks into their season, and public-school teams begin play this week.

Many of these public-school teams have not played in almost a year, so this is an early glance at where they may stack up. Many of them lost key players to transfer and graduation, and those players' replacements are cause for more uncertainty.

Here is where the top teams in Broward stack up in our first rankings of the 2020 season. All games this week start at 7 p.m. on Friday unless otherwise noted

1. Cardinal Gibbons (3-0)

If you beat the best, you get to claim the No. 1 spot. St. Thomas Aquinas entered the season as one of the top teams in the nation and likely the best team in Broward. Cardinal Gibbons beat the Raiders 17-10 last week, thanks in large part to a dominant defensive effort. The Chiefs defense has allowed only 25 points through three games and is among the best in the state.

Next: at American Heritage (4-1), 7:30 p.m.

2. American Heritage (4-1)

The Patriots will have a chance to take the throne this week when they face Cardinal Gibbons at home. American Heritage’s defense is up there with Cardinal Gibbons' defense and St. Thomas Aquinas' defense for best in the area, and the Patriots can match anyone star for star. This week’s game against Cardinal Gibbons might be a low-scoring affair, but it should be a good one.

Next: vs. Cardinal Gibbons (3-0), 7:30 p.m.

3. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-1)

Entering the season, the Raiders were the presumptive No. 1 team in the county. How could they not be? St. Thomas is coming off a 15-0 season that ended with a state and national championship, it started the year ranked among the best teams in the nation and many of the key players from last year returned. With a group of transfers headlined by wide receiver Bralon Brown (Ole Miss commit), Jaydon Hood (Michigan commit) and Dallas Turner (Alabama commit), the Raiders were poised to be just as good as last year. Cardinal Gibbons threw a wrench in that plan with a win last week, but the Raiders are unlikely to be deterred. The loss ultimately doesn’t harm their title chances, and they can turn things around versus DeLand this week.

Next: at DeLand (2-1)

4. Chaminade-Madonna (4-1)

The Lions were among the first group of Broward teams to start the season, and with the exception of a close loss to American Heritage, they have looked good. Thad Franklin is still a force at running back, and the offense has diversified a bit with Jaylon Tolbert taking the reins at quarterback. The defense remains dominant. It’s fair to say Chaminade is on course for another state title game appearance.

Next: vs. Orlando Jones (5-0)

5. TRU Prep Academy (3-1)

TRU Prep Academy is technically a small private school in Miami-Dade County, but the team is nearly entirely made up of University School players who elected to play there after U-School had to cancel its season. Because of that, the Sun Sentinel is including the team in its Broward rankings. So far, the Saints have beaten two weaker opponents, won against reigning Class 2A champion Hialeah Champagnat Catholic and lost to St. Thomas. They’ve shown the potential to be great, and they’re back in action this week.

Next: at Monsignor Pace (1-2)

6. Deerfield Beach

The Bucks, who reached the state semifinal last year, are poised to have a strong team again. Deerfield has a solid replacement for star running back Jaylan Knighton, who is now playing for the Hurricanes, in Jaziun Patterson. Their running game should not fall off. The Bucks do have to replace quarterback Michael Pratt, who is now starting at Tulane. That will likely be a game-time decision between returning senior Marquis Pierre and freshman Michael Merdinger. Like usual, Deerfield’s defense — with standouts like senior safety Phillip O’Brien (an Auburn commit), junior linebacker Daterius Lee and junior defensive lineman Alton Tarber — is poised to be very good.

Next: at Stranahan, at Inter Miami CF Stadium facilities

7. Plantation

Plantation had a strong 2019 season, losing only two games: both to eventual state champion St. Thomas Aquinas. Plantation has a big hole to fill at quarterback, with last year’s large schools offensive player of the year Gerard Nesbitt graduating. Cedquan Smith transferred in from Western, and he has one of the best targets in the county to throw to: four-star wide receiver and Miami commit Jacolby George. Smith also had standout offensive tackle Shomari Seymour defending him on the offensive line.

Next: vs. Western

8. Dillard

The Panthers are coming off a special season where they went undefeated in the regular season and won two playoff games before falling to eventual state champion Miami Central in the regional finals. Under new coach Tyler Tate, Dillard has the chance to be strong again. Senior running back Patrick Bowen, junior defensive lineman and FSU commit Nyjalik Kelly and junior wide receiver Devaughn Mortimer are all poised for big seasons.

Next: at Fort Lauderdale, at Inter Miami CF Stadium facilities, Thursday, 7 p.m.

9. Western

Like many other teams, Western returns some promising players but lost others from last year’s team, which made it to the regional finals. Sophomore quarterback Collin Hurst had a breakout freshman year, and he should take another step forward this year. He has a big target in junior wide receiver Julian Lewis, who is committed to Georgia Tech. Omar Simpson Jr., a UAB commit, returns as well to a defense that lost some key players.

Next: at Plantation

10. Stoneman Douglas

The Eagles went 8-2, won a district title and earned a playoff spot last season, which was a big achievement for then-first-year coach Quentin Short. Senior quarterback Matthew O’Dowd and senior offensive lineman Michael McLaughlin, a Miami commit, are key returnees.

Next: at Coral Springs, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Also considered: Calvary Christian (3-0), McArthur, Miramar.

———

©2020 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.