Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens

College football returns this week.A long preseason is almost over for the Dolphins.Yeah, it’s shaping up to be a pretty good week here in South Florida.Our big week of football actually kicks off on Monday as a handful of high school teams get after it a few days late thanks to bad weather.There are some fun matchups in Broward County on Monday including Cooper City-Cypress Bay, McArthur-Flanagan and West Broward-Plantation.Thursday is going to be pretty busy not only with the Dolphins going to Minnesota for their final unofficial tune-up game, but Butch Davis makes his debut on the FIU sideline as the Panthers travel north to face UCF in Orlando.Ohio State also visits Indiana in a pretty nice Thursday college football showdown on ESPN.FIU coach Butch Davis works the sideline during the Panthers’ spring game on April 7. AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com On the high school gridiron, South Florida powers Booker T. Washington and Central square off at Traz Powell while Flanagan heads to Palm Beach to visit Oxbridge Academy.Friday’s prep lineup features Columbus-Northwestern (Traz) and Chaminade-Madonna at Miramar.Saturday is a huge day for college football fans everywhere.3 Days Until Kickoff! #PawsUppic.twitter.com/yqqTOWCRWd— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) August 28, 2017While last weekend’s games served as a nice soft opening for college football, this Saturday is packed with great matchups.Locally, Mark Richt and the Hurricanes kick off their 2017 season at Hard Rock Stadium against Bethune-Cookman — a nice appetizer for next week’s trip to Arkansas State with the Seminoles waiting in Tallahassee on Sept. 16.Once the Canes and Wildcats are done, the Florida Gators and Michigan Wolverines battle it out at the Cowboys’ stadium near Dallas on ABC.Following that is perhaps the biggest opening weekend game in college football history when the Seminoles battle Alabama in Atlanta.FAU coach Lane Kiffin meets the media following a practice in Boca Raton. George Richards/Miami Herald staff grichards@miamiherald.com While many are watching Jimbo Fisher s... (Miami Herald)

St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) vs. Piper (0-1), 7, Friday, Aquinas.Andre’s pick: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Piper 7. Raiders get the offense going this time.2. Plantation American Heritage (1-0) vs. Liberty (Nev.), 7:30, Friday, Heritage.Andre’s pick: American Heritage 20, Liberty 6. The Patriots’ streak reaches 16 as they take down another out-of-state foe.3. Northwestern (1-0) vs. 12. Columbus (1-0), 7:30, Friday, Traz.Andre’s pick: Northwestern 24, Columbus 10. Good early season test for both sides, but Bulls defense too much.4. Deerfield Beach (1-0) at St. Joseph-Montvale (N.J.) (0-0), 1, Saturday.Andre’s pick: Deerfield Beach 10, St. Joseph 7. The Bucks deserve a high national ranking if they pull this one off against a quality out-of-state opponent 5. Central (1-0) vs. 7. Booker T. Washington (1-0), 7, Thursday, Traz.Andre’s pick: Central 30, Booker T. Washington 23. The Rockets resemble the teams prior to last season that won five state titles in six years.6. Carol City (0-1): Idle.8. Cardinal Gibbons (1-0) vs. American Heritage-Delray (0-1), 7, Friday.Andre’s pick: Cardinal Gibbons 35, American Heritage 21. Chiefs are balanced on both sides of the ball and looking to make a state-title run.9. Norland (1-0) at Apopka (1-0), 7, Friday.Andre’s pick: Norland 34, Apopka 33. A win here would show how much Norland is ready to compete with the elite in Class 6A.10. Chaminade-Madonna (0-1) at 19. Miramar (0-0), 7, Friday.Andre’s pick: Chaminade 21, Miramar 14. Big challenge for Chaminade against a team long known for its defensive prowess.11. South Dade (1-0) vs. Southwest (1-0), 7:30, Friday, Harris.Andre’s pick: South Dade 38, Southwest 7. Bucs remain unbeaten ahead of a major showdown next week against Northwestern.13. Southridge (0-1) vs. North Miami (0-1), 7:30, Friday, N. Miami.Andre’s pick: Southridge 24, North Miami 3. Spartans should bounce back from loss to Cardinal Gibbons.14. Palmetto (1-0) at Naples (1-0), 7:30, Friday.Andre’s pick: Naples 28, Palmetto 20. Tough road test for the Panthers that will gauge how much they’ve improved.15. Miam... (Miami Herald)