Miami High School Soccer Kicks-Off

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By Brian Corey - Being a former South Florida high school soccer player, I can tell you that the high school soccer scene in Miami is passionate and competitive. Right now this is the only active soccer league and we should be proud of the quality high school soccer Miami produces. Rankings have come out for Miami-Dade Boys’ Soccer and it’s looking vaguely familiar to when I played six-years-ago. Many of our local South Florida teams receive national acclaim for their talented players and for years Miami-Dade teams have been winning state championships on a regular basis.

Powerhouse Varela is a runaway favorite to win district, regional and the state championship this year which would make it their third state championship in four years. Their last year’s record of 16-6-3 along with a state final appearance and six starting seniors is going to make this one of the more formidable teams in the country.

Ferguson is ranked second after an impressive season which saw them only conceding three defeats in a season with nineteen games. Third place in the Miami-Dade High School league was my Alma mater Columbus High School which shocked the league last year with an 18-6-3 season. Other teams to look out for this year are sixth-ranked Sunset High School, a team that is loaded with talent, a good coach and a history of winning. Also look out for Palmetto High School headed by veteran coach Hart Baur that had a breakout season last year.

Sorry that I did not mention the Broward or girls’ league. If you’re knowledgeable of these subjects, submit an article to MSF.

KEY DATES

Jan. 20-22: GMAC championship.

Jan. 25-29: Districts.

Feb. 4: Regional quarterfinals.

Feb. 9: Regional semifinals.

Feb. 12: Regional finals.

Feb. 17-20: State final four at Pepin Stadium in Tampa.

LAST YEAR'S CHAMPS

Class 6A: Melbourne; 5A: Palm Harbor University; 4A: Merritt Island; 3A: Jacksonville Bolles; 2A: Delray American Heritage.

OUTLOOKS

CLASS 6A