Two of Miami-Dade County’s heavyweight programs are set to meet Friday night, and the stakes reach well beyond the city line. Miami Central and Columbus will square off for the Greater Miami Athletic Conference championship at Traz Powell Stadium, with both teams carrying top-tier records and plenty on the line in Florida’s postseason chase.
Central comes in at 6-1, while Columbus enters at 7-1. The winner won’t just leave with a county title; the result could also matter in the race for an Open Division playoff spot after the Florida High School Athletic Association introduced the bracket for some of the state’s best teams.
Miami Central has looked sharp since its lone loss, an 18-7 road defeat to Georgia powerhouse Buford. The Rockets have ripped off four straight wins and have done it in emphatic fashion, outscoring opponents 203-35 over that run. Included in that stretch are a 52-10 win over Miami Northwestern and a 63-7 blowout of Key West last week.
Senior quarterback James Perrone gives Central plenty of flexibility on offense, and senior running back Ninaud Joseph has been piling up production at roughly 130 rushing yards per game. The Rockets also bring heat off the edge and up front, where senior defensive tackle Edwardo Thompson has made life miserable for opposing offenses with 11.5 sacks.
Columbus has matched that kind of momentum. After a 31-24 loss to St.
Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 4, the Explorers have won five straight. They’ve been overwhelming teams in that stretch, including a 51-13 win over Coral Gables last week.
One of their best results came earlier, when they beat Bishop Gorman 33-28.
Senior quarterback Kai Moore has been the steady force behind the offense, throwing 18 touchdown passes. He also has a major weapon in five-star Miami commit A’mir Sears, a standout receiver and defensive back who has caught four touchdown passes and gives Columbus a dangerous big-play option.
This one looks like a battle of strengths. Central will try to lean on its rushing attack and pass rush to dictate the pace, while Columbus brings a balanced offense that can make teams pay in different ways. With a championship at stake and Open Division positioning in the background, Friday night has a real big-game feel.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami.
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