On November 4 at Tropical Park, Palmetto and Miami Killian Senior High will add another exciting chapter to one of the most sensational high school football rivalries in Miami-Dade County.

The annual meeting of the two teams has always been one of the most popular games of each teams’ seasons. This year’s game should be even more prominent than usual, because it is  Palmetto’s Homecoming game, which always promises to be one of the most attended games of the season.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, since 1976 they have struggled against the Cougars, holding a dismal 13-20 record against Killian. The two schools first met on the gridiron in 1961 and have played every year since then.

“Killian isn’t playing very well this season,” Panthers Head Football Coach Larry Coffey said. “But it’s still a rivalry game along with being a district game and I’m sure Killian will play us well despite their struggling”.

Last year, the Panthers routed the Cougars 34-0 in one of the biggest beat-downs in the rivalry’s history, taking back the coveted Cat trophy, awarded every year to the winner of the big game. This was the Panther’s first victory since the 2003 meeting of the two rivals in which Palmetto was victorious 24-0 over Killian..

“We dominated Killian last year,” senior Alan Salgo said. “I’ve talked to some players on the team and from what I’ve heard we are even better than last year. We are going to win for sure”.

This year the Panthers football team includes key returning stars Wyatt Chickillo, senior quarterback and Anthony Clark, senior wide receiver/kicker. On October 16, in a game against Coral Gables Senior High, Clark made the game winning field goal with only seconds left on the clock. On the ensuing kickoff, Clark made a game-saving open-field tackle.

Up to this point, the Panthers football team has a record of 4-3, defeating Miami Sunset, Coral Gables, Coral Reef and Varela and suffering losses to Columbus and district opponents South Dade and South Ridge. After suffering their district loss to South Dade, the Panthers District Championship hopes look dim but are the team is still confident on being able to finish as this year’s district runner-ups.

“There is nothing to say about the game,” senior defensive end Danny LaRosa said. “I already know we’re going to win.”