Columbus High School Celebrates Champions in College Football Playoff Final

Tuesday’s classes at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami are canceled, and there’s a pretty good reason for it. The College Football Playoff title game between Indiana and Miami is happening right in South Florida, and the whole school can’t stop talking about it.

No matter who wins, Columbus High is set to celebrate seeing its alumni hoist that national championship trophy. The game pits Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, this year’s Heisman winner, against Miami coach Mario Cristobal—both with deep roots at Columbus.

Columbus High: A House Divided

Christopher Columbus High School is a Catholic all-boys school, just five miles from the University of Miami campus and about 25 miles from Hard Rock Stadium. Right now, the school feels split—alumni are on both sides of the big College Football Playoff title game.

Indiana’s got Fernando Mendoza, their star quarterback, while Miami’s led by head coach Mario Cristobal. Both men grew up in the Columbus High community, and that connection runs deep.

The kids here, that’s all they’re talking about this week, said Herb Baker, the school’s longtime athletic trainer—everyone just calls him Brother Herb. The excitement is real, and the buzz around campus is impossible to ignore.

Alumni on Both Sides

The list of Columbus grads in this game is honestly impressive. Indiana leans on Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, with his brother Alberto backing him up.

On the Miami side, you’ve got head coach Mario Cristobal, associate head coach Alex Mirabal, defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald, offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez, and backup QB Vinny Gonzalez. It’s a little wild how many Columbus connections there are.

• Fernando Mendoza – Indiana quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner.
• Alberto Mendoza – Indiana backup QB, former Columbus state champ.
• Mario Cristobal – Miami head coach, Columbus alum.
• Alex Mirabal – Miami associate head coach, Columbus alum.
• Bryce Fitzgerald – Miami defensive back, former teammate of Alberto Mendoza at Columbus.
• Ryan Rodriguez – Miami offensive lineman.
• Vinny Gonzalez – Miami backup quarterback.

The Mendoza family has a long history at Columbus. Fernando and Alberto’s dad, also named Fernando, played alongside Cristobal and Mirabal back in the late ’80s.

Their mom, Elsa Mendoza, played tennis for the Hurricanes in college. Small world, right?

A Community Torn

Westchester, the mostly Cuban-American suburb where Columbus High sits, is feeling the split loyalties. Along the fence by SW 87th Avenue, a long blue banner reads *Fernando Mendoza Class of 2022 He15man Winner*.

The *15* in *He15man* is a nod to Mendoza’s Indiana jersey number, painted in Hoosiers crimson. It’s a clever little detail that shows how much the community is paying attention.

Fernando Mendoza says he’s fired up for the game. I think playing a national championship would get anybody fired up and definitely stir up some emotions, he said.

He knows Miami well, but he’s focused on the job ahead. The Hurricanes are a great team, and Cristobal’s a great coach—he’s not taking anything for granted.

The Local Favorite

Even Arbetter’s, a famous local hot dog joint, is in on the hype. Inside, you’ll spot photos of old Hurricanes stars like Ray Lewis and Donna Shalala, plus a menu item called the *Mendoza Dog* in honor of the Heisman winner.

This quarter-pound grilled sausage comes with sauerkraut, spicy brown mustard, and potato sticks. People seem to love it—it might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely a conversation starter.

Herb Baker, the school’s athletic trainer, gets the whole dilemma. I’m going through it myself, he admitted. I like Mendoza, but you know, I’m a diehard Miami fan. So, I’m conflicted, but I made up my mind. I’m going to root for Miami.

Honestly, a lot of people around here feel the same way. Torn between school pride and their favorite team—it’s not an easy call.

The Bigger Picture

There’s something special about seeing Columbus High alums succeed like this. The game isn’t just about football—it’s a chance to celebrate their stories on a national stage.

Columbus football coach Dave Dunn is proud. You’re really kind of celebrating the success of all of our alums. And to do it on this type of stage is just amazing, he said.

South Florida football has its own reputation. Cristobal—whose sons go to Columbus and whose nephew coaches there—knows what it means to play here.

At the end of the day, your preparation doesn’t change. Your intensity is always driven up the closer and closer you get to game time and as you go deeper into the season. We all know the brand of football played down here in South Florida is special, he said.

The Anticipation Builds

As the game gets closer, excitement just keeps ramping up. The whole community is buzzing, waiting to see how things shake out.

Everyone knows Columbus High will have something to celebrate, no matter which way it goes. This matchup is more than just another game—it’s a nod to the school’s long history and knack for turning out serious football talent.

Curious for all the details? You can check out the full article on CBS News [here](https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miamis-columbus-high-will-have-some-cfp-champions-on-monday-night-no-matter-what-happens/).