Week 9 features potential Florida HS football Open Division matchups

The FHSAA football playoffs don't officially start for another month, but Week 9 could be a preview.

Miami Central travels to Columbus and West Boca takes on The First Academy in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 16. All four teams are currently in the Open Division.

Week 9 also features a pair of top ranked teams facing off; Central is No. 1 in Class 3A and Columbus is No. 1 in Class 6A.

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The top half of the Open Division — St. Thomas Aquinas, Columbus, West Boca and Chaminade — have created some separation from the rest of the state. But the bottom half is pretty wide open.

Miami Central, Cardinal Newman and Cardinal Mooney are separated by less a rating point in the MaxPreps rankings.

The First Academy, which currently holds the final spot, has six teams — Columbia, Armwood, Lakeland, American Heritage, Raines and Tampa Bay Tech — within a rating point.

Miami Central (No. 1 Class 3A) at Columbus (No. 1 Class 6A)

The GMAC title game pits the No. 2 and No. 5 teams in the Open Division against each other in Miami. Central has won four in a row since losing at Buford (Georgia). The Rockets have scored at least 34 points in every game during the win streak. Senior running back Nino Joseph leads the team with 910 yards and has scored eight touchdowns. Columbus is riding a five-game win streak and has scored at least 51 points in each of its past three games. Explorers senior quarterback Kai Moore has completed 103 of 143 passes (72 percent completion percentage) for 1,485 yards and 20 touchdowns.

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West Boca (No. 2 Class 5A) at The First Academy (No. 3 Class 2A)

West Boca currently is the No. 3 team in the Open Division while First Academy is the No. 8 team. West Boca is undefeated in Florida, losing only to St. John's (Washington D.C.). St. John's also is the only team to score more than seven points against the Bulls this season. Junior CJ Jackson leads West Boca with three takeaways (two interceptions, one fumble recovery). TFA's only loss is to IMG — a game the Royals led at halftime. TFA is coming off a come-from-behind 31-24 win over Archbishop McCarthy. Freshman quarterback Deuce Woods Jr. has accounted for 17 total touchdowns this fall.

True North Classical (No. 3 Class 1A) at American Heritage (No. 3 Class 4A)

True North vaulted up the MaxPreps rankings to No. 20 after Week 8, while American Heritage is less than a point behind The First Academy for the final Open Division spot. True North has won four in a row since dropping its first three games of the season. Senior quarterback Zach Katz (FIU commit) has thrown for 1,606 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 459 yards and 10 touchdowns. American Heritage has won its past two games by a combined score of 68-2. Junior quarterback Neimann Lawrence (Texas commit) has thrown for 1,350 yards and accounted for 19 total touchdowns.

Carol City (No. 2 Class 2A) at Miami Palmetto (No. 4 Class 6A)

This is another high-profile GMAC game. Carol City has won four of its past five games, allowing just 17 total points in those games. The Chiefs are still without 13 players who were suspended for their role in the postgame brawl against Grayson (Georgia) in Week 7. Miami Palmetto has won three in a row since losing to Columbus in Week 4. Columbus is the only team to score more than a touchdown against the Panthers this season.

Bolles (No. 5 Class 2A) at Trinity Christian (No. 4 Class 1A)

Two of Jacksonville's top teams meet late in the season. Bolles has won six in a row since losing to Columbia 20-19 in the season opener. Junior running back Xander Edwards has 82 carries for 756 yards and 10 touchdowns and is second on the team with three touchdown catches this season. Trinity Christian is looking to rebound from a 63-21 loss to Carrollwood Day in Tampa in Week 7. Junior quarterback Terel Dallas has thrown seven touchdown passes and is tied for the team lead with two rushing scores.

Columbia (No. 1 Class 4A) at Ed White (No. 8 Class 4A)

Of Columbia's seven wins this season, just two were decided by seven points or less. The Tigers have been strong on the road this season, beating Bolles, Trinity Christian and Manatee. Senior defensive tackle Jaylen Underwood has 48 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 14 sacks this season. Ed White's lone loss this season was against undefeated Raines in Week 3. That 21-12 loss is the only time the Commanders were held under 21 points this season. Ed White's backfield has rushed for 2,280 yards and 24 touchdowns this season.

Other top games to watch in Week 9

Thursday, Oct. 15

Walton at Jay

Seminole (No. 5 Class 6A) at Spruce Creek

Dunnellon (ARV Class 3A) at Santa Fe (ARV Class 3A)

Friday, Oct. 16

NFL Academy at IMG Academy (No. 2 USA TODAY Florida Super 25)

Palm Beach Central at Jupiter

Berkeley Prep (No. 6 Class 2A) at Clearwater Calvary Christian (ARV Class 2A)

Miami Killian (No. 8 Class 2A) at Miami Beach

Bishop Verot (No. 7 Class 3A) at Fort Pierce Central

Alonso at St. Petersburg Catholic (ARV Class 1A)

Edgewater (No. 10 Class 6A) at Evans

Nease (ARV Class 5A) at Bartram Trail

Creekside (ARV Class 6A) at Flagler Palm Coast

Melbourne Central Catholic (No. 10 Class 1A) at Pahokee (ARV Class 1A)

Eau Gallie (No. 8 Class 3A) at Titusville (No. 10 Class 3A)

Archbishop McCarthy at Coconut Creek (No. 8 Class 5A)

Monarch (ARV Class 5A) at St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 1 Class 5A)

Tampa Catholic (No. 10 Class 2A) at Lakewood (ARV Class 2A)

University Christian (No. 5 Class 1A) at Bradford (No. 9 Class 2A)

American Heritage (Delray Beach) at Lakeland Christian (No. 6 Class 1A)

Hardee at Hawthorne (No. 2 Class 1A)

Armwood (No. 3 Class 5A) at Bloomingdale

South Fort Myers at Dunbar

Fort White (ARV Class 1A) at Baker County

Lakeland (No. 4 Class 5A) at Bartow

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Week 9 features potential Florida HS football Open Division matchups

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