Breaking Down The 5 Biggest Sports Stories Of 2014

  This year was a big one in local sports.

  From state championships in multiple disciplines to realignments and college signings, South Florida had plenty to talk about.

  Here are my top 5 most news-worthy local sports events of 2014.

5. Deep Playoff Runs

  Several sports teams made impressive runs in the postseason, starting with Coral Reef’s softball team.

  A perennial contender, Coral Reef once again won their district title and reached far into the post-season, only to come up short of another state final appearance.

  Westminster Christian’s volleyball team joined Coral Reef in their quest for a state title, but like their Lady Cuda counterparts, were unable to reach the finals.

  Coral Reef volleyball fell in the Regional Finals while Westminster reached the Final Four, falling one game shy of a chance to repeat as state champs.

  Palmer Trinity had an impressive year for volleyball as well, falling short, however, in a thrilling 5-set loss to Westminster in the regional semifinals.

  Colonial Christian softball made school history, making it farther into the postseason than any sports team from the small Homestead school had ever gone before.

  After winning the district tournament, Colonial defeated returning state Final-Four team Princeton Christian in the regional semifinals to make the Lady Patriots’ first appearance in the regional final.

  Southridge track and field teams impressed as well with their playoff runs, having several individuals make it to the state championships.

  In football, CoralShores took third place in the SFC tournament after another strong year.

  Palmer Trinity, coming off of a one-win season, made it to the FIFC ChampionshipGame, only to fall to Hillel.

  Westminster Christian surpassed many people’s expectations with a strong run to the state cross country finals, thanks to the efforts of star senior Victoria Hoppe.

  Hoppe, who won both her district and regional final races, finished 11th overall in the cross country finals in north Florida.

4. New Faces, New Rivalries

  Several new schools arrived on the local sports scene, including a new football rivalry that produced a classic result.

  Palm Glades Prep, Everglades Prep, Somerset Charter, and Miami Community Charter School all entered sports teams into FHSAA competition, with the latter three fielding football teams.

  Somerset and Everglades Prep also began their rivalry series, dubbed the “Academy Cup” for a new traveling trophy, with the Stallions taking the first win between the two teams.

  Additionally, FHSAA issued tentative realignment for football districts starting in 2015, with big changes arriving.

  Once again, Homestead and South Dade are in the same district, now playing in the Centennial Cup for not only bragging rights but also a potential spot in the playoffs.

  Somerset and Everglades Prep will also be placed in a district for the first time when they join Westminster Christian and Chaminade-Madonna in 8-3A competition.

  Keys Gate also got a district spot, but will likely appeal their placement into 16-5A.

3. College Football Grows Local Impact

  Finally, there is a playoff system in college football.

  Even bigger news is the inclusion of the Orange Bowl in the four-team playoff, with its participation in the playoff rotating yearly with five other bowl games.

  Additionally, two more local bowl games arrived in South Florida with the creation of the Miami Beach Bowl at MarlinsPark and the Boca Raton Bowl at FAU stadium.

  Teams also will play in the first ever Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl in the Bahamas.

2. NASCAR Chases History

  NASCAR returned to Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2014 with a new form of drama following in the form of a new Chase format.

  The excitement did not let up as the Ford EcoBoost 400 was sold out for the first time in several years, producing yet another quality finish.

  Kevin Harvick outlasted Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano in a thriller to win both the race and his first ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.

1. South Dade’s Dynasty

  South Dade Senior High had a banner year in 2013, capturing their first ever Class 8A state football championship.

  Little did anyone know, that was just the start of things to come.

  First, the Lady Bucs girls basketball team made history by capturing their first ever district title in the schools 60-plus years of existence.

  Shortly afterwards, the wrestling team won yet another state championship, giving the Bucs another state title in just one year, something many schools only wish they could achieve.

  Then came baseball season and the remarkable run that the Buccaneers had.

  In a dominant push, South Dade won the school’s first baseball championship, making it three state titles in one year for the Bucs, a first in the state of Florida.

  The Bucs’ football team was not as fortunate in 2014, failing to make the playoffs after upset losses to both Killian and Southridge.