High School

Armwood football beats Miami Norland in Miami Super Showdown preseason classic: 5 takeaways

The Hawks got a big lift from their defense and Miami Hurricanes commit Girard Pringle

Andy Villamarzo

Armwood soundly defeats Miami Norland Saturday afternoon at Traz Powell Stadium
Armwood soundly defeats Miami Norland Saturday afternoon at Traz Powell Stadium / Marcus Benjamin/Canes County

It's not surprising to hear that the Armwood Hawks were able to walk into the storied Traz Powell Stadium, also known locally as 'The Mecca', and come away with a preseason high school football win over Miami Norland on Saturday afternoon.

It's just the way they went about it that might've been the most astonishing, as the Hawks were in full control for most of the game, taking apart of the Miami Super Showdown.

Armwood leaned upon its defense and the legs of running back Girard Pringle, a Miami (FL) commitment, en route to a 51-20 thrashing of last year's Class 2M runnerup Miami Norland.

Here are five things we learned from this contest:

1. Armwood's Girard Pringle is the real deal, but you probably already knew that

If you're wondering about how good Girard Pringle might be, the future Hurricane gave the Dade County faithful a little sneak peek on Saturday afternoon. Pringle wore down Norland's defense, eventually breaking off several big runs down the stretch, including a dazzling 80-yard sprint down the right sideline for a touchdown. The Miami (FL) commitment led the Hawks’ offense on a weekly basis last season and finished with 1,683 yards on 219 carries and scored 24 touchdowns. Opposing defenses can look forward to a season full of trying to stop the 4-star rated running back out of Seffner, Florida.

2. Miami Norland left to ponder how to bounce back for Week 1

Miami Norland football celebrates a victory over Miami Central on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
Miami Norland football celebrates a victory over Miami Central on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. / Jon Santucci / USA TODAY NETWORK

They say the year after losing in a state championship game can somewhat wear on you mentally and the last time Miami Norland faced a Tampa-area team, it was Berkeley Prep in the Class 2M state final. The Vikings would go on to lose to the Buccaneers, leaving folks to wonder how Miami Norland would respond in 2024. Now we know this game against Armwood didn't count towards either team's record, but best believe both programs were trying to put on a nice showing in respects to state and national rankings. The Hawks are a team many believe have what it takes to win it all in Class 6A and certainly showed why. The Vikings are left to wonder once again how they can bounce back from a kickoff classic loss heading into their opener against Miramar on the road.

3. The Hawks have a state championship-level defense

There wasn't much doubt that Armwood wouldn't have a solid defense, but with some newcomers to the unit, this has become quietly one of the best. A thunderous performance against a very stout Norland offense has to give the Hawks confidence that they can play against anyone around. The front seven is scary, with UCF commitment Cameron White in the middle patrolling the passing lanes and defensive end Greg Lott coming off the edge. If this defense plays like it did Saturday at Traz Powell Stadium, watch out folks.

4. Vikings' offense struggles despite returning quarterback Ennio Yapoor

Berkeley Prep vs Miami Norland FHSAA 2M Final December 9, 2023
Berkeley Prep vs Miami Norland FHSAA 2M Final December 9, 2023 / Matt Christopher

Yes, the Vikings lost some talent on offense, but they do bring back the most important piece to it all: Ennio Yapoor. Which is why it was a little head scratching how Norland struggled mightily to get much going offensively behind Dade County's all-time leading passer. After a season in which the signal caller threw for 4,270 yards, 30 touchdowns and rushed for 793 and 12 scores. Looking at all of the South Florida powerhouse offenses, it felt like this one wouldn't have too many issues right out of the gates. We give credit to Armwood obviously, but it's hard to ignore the absence of Norland's offense for most of the afternoon.

5. Armwood is firmly a Class 6A state championship favorite

If they weren't our favorite heading into the season, Evan Davis and crew have silenced the critics that they don't have ateam built to go ahead and win it all. Having one of the state's best backs in Pringle, a steady hand at quarterback in Rhys Brush and a top-tier wide receiver in Georgia commitment Tyler Williams, the Armwood offense is loaded. The defense brings plenty of heavy hitters and can certainly help the Hawks bring home state championship No. 4. Impressive showing Saturday afternoon indeed has the Hawks trending up the rankings very soon.

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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl

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Andy Villamarzo
ANDY VILLAMARZO

Andy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007, writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Tribune, The Suncoast News, Tampa Beacon, Hernando Sun to name a few. Andy resides out of the Tarpon Springs, FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area. He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports, appearing frequently on podcasts, radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings, recruiting and much more.

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