By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
The recurring theme in playoff baseball 2023 held true to form in the D-Backs /Phillies series. After taking a 3-2 series lead on the road, setting themselves up to close out the series in Philadelphia, win the pennant and punch their ticket to the World Series, the Phillies were soundly defeated by the Arizona Diamondbacks in games 6 and 7, clinching their first trip to the World Series since winning it all in 2001.
The Rangers and D-Backs split the first 2 games in Arlington and just last Monday night the Rangers took a 2-1 series lead, defeating the D-Backs in Arizona. So much for the home field advantage.
In the SIAC, which is garnering attention because of the Florida Beach Bowl to be played at Drive Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, featuring teams from the CIAA and SIAC, the dominant team again this year is undefeated Benedict. Contenders are Miles, Ft. Valley, and Tuskegee. If Benedict goes to the Division II playoffs, one of the aforementioned will probably play in the much anticipated Beach Bowl. However, on field results have me baffled. Miles lost to Benedict in a close one, 27-24, but were recently blown out by Albany State 48-7, who lost to Edward Waters as did Tuskegee. So it bears following to see which team, based on Beach Bowl committee’s qualifying standards, will represent the SIAC in the Beach Bowl. Stay tuned.
As I have often stated and emphasized, the Dolphins’ ability or potential to make a deep playoff run depends on the health, availability and cohesion of its offensive line, an area of grave concern. Back to back injuries to Rob Hunt and Kendall Lamm in game against Patriots didn’t force a panic mode though only Lamm was able to return to game. And despite Conner Williams being dressed for game, they didn’t really want to play him unless it was an emergency. We are a more efficient, cohesive unit with Willams at center and Liam Eichenberg at tackle. The bye week following the trip to Germany couldn’t come at a better time.
Chaminade MaDonna has risen to number 2 nationally. Following are the top 10 ranked schools in Broward/Miami-Dade according to the Miami Herald: Hollywood Chaminade (9-0); 2. Miami Norland (9-0); 3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1); 4. Plantation American Heritage (7-1); 5. Miami Central (6-3); 6. Homestead (8-1); 7. Coconut Creek (8-2); 8. Miami Columbus (8-2); 9. Miami Palmetto (7-1); 10. Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2). What’s so overt and disheartening about this ranking is the gradual decline of public school impact with only #2 Norland and #7 Coconut Creek in top 10 along with Palmetto and BTW. Wake up America!
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