Some Hypothetical S FL vs Atlanta Matchups

[OldSchoolLion]

South Florida and Atlanta were both highly represented in the Maxpreps Preseason 100.    Gainesville is about equidistant between Miami and Atlanta.  Imagine these 8 matchups at the Swamp to start the season..nice to dream

Grayson vs St Thomas Aquinas

5. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Georgia AAAAAAA football is one of the best in the business this season. The Rams bring in a loaded team with over 20 future Division I players led by 5-star linebacker and 2019 Auburn commit Owen Pappoe. 2019 Nebraska commit Ronald Thompkins is one of the best playmakers in high school football and watch for 2020 quarterback CJ Dixon to have a big junior campaign. The 6-foot, 5-inch, 210-pound gunslinger already has offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Florida and a few others. 

8. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
The Florida power has won seven state titles since 2007 and has a good chance to make it eight in the last 11 years. They have more than 20 future college players on the roster led by 2019 Ohio State commit Jordan Battle, 2019 Oklahoma commit Jaden Davis, 2019 Miami commit Anthony Solomon and 4-star linebacker Derek Wingo.

Marietta vs Miami Central 

13. Central (Miami)
Miami Central is always one of the most talented teams in the country and that will be the case again in 2018. They added a couple of big-time transfers in 2020 defensive end/linebacker Jesus Machado and 2020 Miami commit Henry Gray. Even with the departure of James Cook and Amari Daniels expect the backfield to still be one of the best in the state with Lexington Joseph and Kejon Owens

15. Marietta (Ga.) AAAAAAA
Marietta is the second of three teams from Georgia in the Top 25 and one of the 10 included in the Top 100. This team is as talented as anyone in the country led by 4-star quarterback Harrison Bailey, 5-star athlete Arik Gilbert, 2019 Tennessee commit Ramel Keyton, 2020 Ohio State commit Jake Wray and 4-star defensive end BJ Ojulari. 

Archer vs Cardinal Gibbons

20. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Cardinal Gibbons was close to beating the eventual 5A state champs American Heritage twice last year. They lost by a combined five points, including a one-point, triple-overtime loss in the quarterfinals. The Chiefs return a ton of talent, while American Heritage lost a ton of big-time players. Matt DuBuc has done an amazing job since being named head coach before the 2016 season. They have gone 20-4 over that span and he led them to their first playoff win since 2011 in his first season. 
25. Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Archer put itself back on the map last year, cruising to a 12-1 record. Expect them to be among the best in AAAAAAA again this season. The Tigers return 2020 quarterback Carter Peevy and 3-star wide receiver Braylen Weems on offense. Defensively, they are one of the best in the country led by 5-star cornerback Andrew Booth, 3-star safety Jalyn Phillips and 3-star defensive end Colby Wooden.

North Gwinnett vs Carol City

38. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)
North Gwinnett won its first state title last year ,beating Colquitt County on a game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired in the AAAAAAA state championship. It will be tough to repeat as state champs, but a lot of people counted them out in 2017 so expect that to fuel Bill Stewart and his team as he enters his second season as head coach. They have to replace some key positions, but leading rusher Tyler Goodson, a 2019 Iowa commit, and 4-star wide receiver Josh Downs are both back.

39. Carol City (Miami)
Carol City is one of three teams selected in the Top 100 that balls in the 6A-District 16. Benedict Hyppolite is building something special down in Miami. Expect the Chiefs to be among the best in Florida. The defense is going to be lights out led by 2019 Miami commit Jarvis Brownlee. On offense, former Booker T. Washington (Miami) quarterback Daniel Richardson takes over under center and expect a huge senior season from their 4-star running back Nay'Quan Wright.

McEachern vs American Heritage

43. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
The back-to-back 5A state champs enter this year having to replace a lot. The Class of 2018 American Heritage was one of the best classes in school history. Patrick Surtain is back for his third season as head coach and still hasn't lost a game. 

72. McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
Kyle Hockman had a very young team that won 10 games last season and made it all the way to the AAAAAAA semifinals. 2021 quarterback Carlos Del Rio is a name to keep tabs on, already landing offers from Florida, Miami, Michigan and N.C. State. Expect Del Rio and 3-star wide receiver Lawrence Shadd III to be a nice combination in 2018. After a 1,000 yard-plus rushing junior season 3-star Paris Brown will again be a factor for the Indians. 4-star defensive tackle Jamil Burroughs is one of the top players overall from the Class of 2020 and will lead a very talented defense in 2018 for Hockman. 
 

Blessed Trinity vs Deerfield Beach

52. Deerfield Beach (Fla.)
The Bucks have been one of Broward County's best teams over the past few years. The 2018 team has some of the flashiest players in all of Florida. 2020 Oklahoma commit Jaylan Knighton is one of the top running backs in the country, 4-star linebacker Ge'mon Eaford is a beast, Deajaun McDougle is a big-time playmaker and Marcus Lafrance is one of the most talented cornerbacks in the state. 

73. Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.)
The Titans put themselves on the map after snapping Trevor Lawrence and Cartersville's 41-game winning streak en route to the 4A state championship. It was the school's first state title. They bring back a ton of key players led by 2019 Ohio State commit Steele Chambers, 2019 Georgia commit JD Bertrand, starting quarterback Jake Smith, 3-star running back Elijah Green, JR Bivens and Ryan Davis. 
 

Walton vs Southridge (or Northwestern)

74. Walton (Marietta, Ga.)
Walton is the seventh and final team representing the AAAAAAA region from Georgia. They went 11-1 last year, with the only loss coming to No. 27 Colquitt County in the second round of the playoffs. The Raiders were the only team to beat the eventual 7A state champs, North Gwinnett, in 2017. They bring back the teams leading passer, rusher, and receiver this year led by 5-star 2019 Georgia commit Dominick Blaylock. 

81. Southridge (Miami)
Despite going 6-4 last year expect the Spartans to be one of the favorites in the 8A region this season. 4-star cornerback Tyrique Stevenson transferred from South Dade (Homestead) and gives Southridge one of the top players in high school football right away. 2019 linebacker Diamante Howard, 2020 Miami commit Marcus Fleming and Roscoe Parrish III all will be impact players for the Spartans this year. 

Buford vs Chaminade-Madonna 

80. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
The Lions won their first state title since 2005 last season and even though they lost a lot of talent they bring back a very good team in 2018. They added 2019 Penn State commit John Dunmore, who transferred from American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.). They also have a trio of 2019 Miami commits Te'cory Couch, Keontra Smith and Cameron Williams coming back. 

89. Buford (Ga.)
The Wolves have won 10 state titles since 2001, but haven't had that taste since 2014. They have a lot of talented players returning in 2018 and a name to keep an eye out for is their 6-5, 225-pound sophomore quarterback Aaron McLaughlin. He has a chance to be one of the most special players in the country over the next three years. Some other notable players include 5-star offensive lineman and 2019 Ohio State commit Harry Miller, 3-star cornerback Jalen Huff, 3-star athlete T Lee and 3-star athlete Elijah Turner.

 

[Pipe Dreams]

Wow I had no idea those teams were all in the Atlanta metro area. That’s some SERIOUS talent.

You’re making me question my analysis that Miami-Dade is a clear outlier... seems you were right.

[OldSchoolLion]

35 minutes ago, Pipe Dreams said:

Wow I had no idea those teams were all in the Atlanta metro area. That’s some SERIOUS talent.

You’re making me question my analysis that Miami-Dade is a clear outlier... seems you were right.

What is even more amazing is that all 8 of those GA teams(plus some other very good ones) are all on the northern side of Atlanta and all within 50 miles of each other in a line going east to west.  And go a little further outside Atlanta and you pick up #31 Rome GA.

 

[OldSchoolLion]

1 hour ago, Pipe Dreams said:

Wow I had no idea those teams were all in the Atlanta metro area. That’s some SERIOUS talent.

You’re making me question my analysis that Miami-Dade is a clear outlier... seems you were right.

Current 5-star players

Atlanta-11

Los Angeles-7

South Florida-3 (Akeem Dent, Frank Ladson, Marcus Rosemy)