High School Football
Week 8 Recap: Short-Handed Carol City Beats Northwestern Days After Playoff Ban
Carol City and Northwestern renewed one of Miami-Dade's great high school rivalries on Friday night.
One day after the FHSAA banned Carol City from the playoffs and suspended 15 players, the Chiefs took the field against rival Miami Northwestern with a depleted roster and won. Monsignor Pace kept its winning streak alive, and Norland ran into a state power. Here is how Week 8 played out.
Carol City 17, Miami Northwestern 7. Monsignor Pace 20, Booker T. Washington 12. American Heritage 27, Norland 2.
Carol City 17, Northwestern 7
No one would have blamed Carol City for having a flat night. The Chiefs had just learned their season would end without a playoff run, and they faced Northwestern, a top-10 team in South Florida, without more than a dozen suspended players.
Instead, Carol City came out and set the tone. The Chiefs scored first on a touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead and never gave it back, winning 17-7 at Traz Powell Stadium. They did it without Miami Hurricanes commit Nick Lennear, who was out for the game and was named homecoming king at halftime.
The win moves Carol City to 4-3. The Chiefs cannot play in the postseason unless the FHSAA ruling changes on appeal, but Friday showed the program still has plenty to play for.
Monsignor Pace 20, Booker T. Washington 12
Pace won its third straight game, building a 20-0 lead by the end of the third quarter before Booker T. Washington scored twice late. The Spartans have been rolling since late September, including a shutout of Somerset Prep. Next up is a trip to Lely on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
American Heritage 27, Norland 2
Norland's tough stretch continued at American Heritage in Plantation, one of the top programs in the state. The Vikings' only points came on a safety, and they fall to 3-4.
Why Friday nights matter here
High school football is woven into Miami Gardens' identity. These programs have sent players to college and the NFL for decades, and Carol City and Norland have both won state championships. Games are affordable, community-centered, and some of the best entertainment in the city.
Read what we know about the FHSAA ruling, and catch up on the Grayson game in our Week 7 recap. This weekend, the Dolphins host the Bengals on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. See our weekend roundup.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of the Carol City vs Northwestern game in 2026?
Miami Carol City beat Miami Northwestern 17-7 on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Traz Powell Stadium, playing without more than a dozen suspended players.
What was the score of the Monsignor Pace game on October 9, 2026?
Monsignor Pace beat Booker T. Washington 20-12 for its third straight win.
What was the score of the Norland game on October 9, 2026?
American Heritage beat Miami Norland 27-2 in Plantation. Norland is 3-4.
Can Carol City still make the playoffs?
The FHSAA has banned Carol City from the 2026-27 postseason. The school can appeal the ruling to the FHSAA Board of Directors.
Scores and game details are based on published results and reports as of October 10, 2026. Originally published October 7, 2026, as a Week 8 preview. Updated: October 10, 2026.
