Top Games to watch in the Miami-Dade & Keys Region for Week 1

Miami-Dade County will be kicking off the season first to start the 2015 high school football season in Florida and with that will come with a variety of great games for everyone to watch. Here are five games in the Miami-Dade & Keys Region we will be watching this week.

Editor’s Note: Some games in the region have been considered for the Top 10 Statewide Games of the Week feature and will be featured there and not here.

Miami Jackson Generals vs. Columbus Explorers at Tropical Park
When: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
Internet Stream: NFHS Network (http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/christopher-columbus-high-school-miami-fl/a636cbe381) ($9.95 for a day pass)
Comments: Miami-Dade County will start the season off with a bang at least in terms of two quality teams that are always in the playoff hunt every year. Miami Jackson would like to get a win over the Class 8A State Runner-up from last season to start things off on a high note as the schedule will be exceptionally tough this season in District 5A-16. Columbus will also be looking to start the season off on a high note as well as they look to make another run to Orlando this season. The biggest question is who is able to push the other most in this game? That will be the difference in who gets the first victory of the season.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Columbus 10 over Miami Jackson
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Columbus 28, Miami Jackson 14
FHSF Prediction: Columbus

Coral Gables Cavaliers vs. Miami Carol City Chiefs at Traz Powell Stadium
When: Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Comments: Coral Gables comes into the season as a team that has risen to be a strong playoff contender each year, but hasn’t found itself back in the glory days of when the team was dominant in the 1960’s. Miami Carol City enters the season with high expectations after missing out on the playoffs once again last season. The Cavaliers looks like a stronger team on paper compare to Miami Carol City, but the Chiefs are better now than last year when it comes to overall talent. If both teams can play strong, this will be a close game to open the season.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Miami Carol City 11 over Coral Gables
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Miami Carol City 20, Coral Gables 14
FHSF Prediction: Miami Carol City

North Miami Pioneers vs. Miami High Stingarees at Curtis Park
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Comments: Expectations for North Miami have dropped a bit this year, but they can still keep their name in the mix of good teams in the region and that will start right here with this game. The biggest thing for Miami High is showing that they can actually do something with their talent on the field and actually push through to being a playoff contender, something they have not been able to do in a long time. This game would be a start in turning heads for the Stingarees, but we are not sure if it will be enough to overtake a Pioneers team that seems to have found their place with games over the last few seasons.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Miami High 10 over North Miami
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: North Miami 31, Miami High 24
FHSF Prediction: North Miami

Miami Northwestern Bulls vs. American Patriots at Traz Powell Stadium
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Comments: The Miami Northwestern Bulls who reach the playoffs last year through a district tiebreaker, will be looking to improve upon the heritage the team has and once again become a big name in Miami-Dade County. That will start with trying to get a win over the American Patriots. The Patriots are coming off a big preseason loss to Miramar, so there are some questions if American really has it in them to be a contender in their new district, District 8A-13. A win for American here will help quiet things down a bit. Whoever comes out of the gate the fastest in this game and sets the temp will likely win the game here.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Miami Northwestern 1 over American
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Miami Northwestern 21, American 18
FHSF Prediction: American

Mater Academy Lions vs. Miami Killian Cougars at Tropical Park
When: Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
Comments: Mater Academy enters the season with a new head coach who has a state championship winning mentality in Rocco Casullo. The Lions, which have risen up to become a talked about team in Miami-Dade County the last two season would like to start this season on a high note over Miami Killian. The Cougars will enter the game looking to get themselves back in the mix of talked about teams in South Florida as the stock in the team has dropped off during the offseason. A win for either team here will go a long way to setting the tone to how the rest of the season unfolds.
Joe Pinkos’ Prediction: Miami Killian 20 over Mater Academy
USA TODAY HSS Score Predictor: Miami Killian 28, Mater Academy 7
FHSF Predicition: Miami Killian