Here we go.
This is the first Friday of the 2026 high school football season – and we have all looked forward to this day for the past eight months.
As you will find every week, there will be huge games that will involve teams from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and we will spotlight them and bring you the entire schedule.
Tonight, we will have several games that will be worth attending, but we will shine the spotlight on three of them that will truly grab the attention of not only Floridians, but many fans across the country.
Jacksonville Mandarin at Hollywood McArthur, 7. The 2026 Broward National Football Showcase will begin as these two teams will boast rosters that are among the best in the country that will spotlight several elite players on both sides of the ball.
The two “Mustangs” who both have green, orange and white in their uniforms are a perfect match as each team will have a gauntlet to run in Florida this season.
If you are a University of Miami fan you may want to check this game out – with three commitments and a few others who have shown interest.
JACKSONVILLE MANDARIN MUSTANGS 2026 SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Hollywood McArthur
8/28 - @Jacksonville Atlantic Coast
9/11 - @Ponte Vedra Nease
9/18 - @Jacksonville Raines
9/25 – Neptune Beach Fletcher
10/2 – Lake Mary
10/9 - @Ponte Vedra
10/16 - @St. Johns Beachside
10/23 – St. Johns Bartram Trail
10/30 – St. Augustine
HOLLYWOOD MCARTHUR MUSTANGS 2026 SCHEDULE
8/21 – Jacksonville Mandarin
8/28 - @Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
9/4 – Sunrise Piper
9/18 – Fort Lauderdale Dillard
9/26 - @Miami Norland
10/2 - Miramar
10/9 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
10/16 - @Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
10/23 – Plantation American Heritage
10/30 - @Davie Western
Miami Central at Orange Lutheran, California, 10. The Rockets will step up their game on the road in California for a matchup of two elite programs.
Central is perhaps the one team in Florida that started to travel out of state well over a decade ago when it wasn’t the norm that it is today.
After a tuneup last week against two-time defending state finalist Orlando Jones in the kickoff classic, the kinks are out and the new faces have played together.
The nation will be watching this west coast contest for a California-Florida battle.
2026 MIAMI CENTRAL ROCKETS SCHEDULE
8/21 – Orange Lutheran
9/3 – Miami St. Brendan
9/11 - @Buford, Georgia
9/19 – Miami Jackson
9/25 - @Miami Northwestern
10/3 - @Miami Springs
10/8 – Key West
10/22 – North Miami Beach
10/30 - @Miami Carol City
2026 ORANGE LUTHERAN LANCERS SCHEDULE
8/21 – Miami Central
8/28 - @Cathedral Catholic
9/4 – Basha
9/11 - @Sierra
9/18 - @Sierra Canyon
10/2 – Anaheim Servite
10/9 - @Bellflower St. John Bosco
10/16 – JSerra Catholic
10/23 - @Santa Ana Mater Dei
10/30 – Santa Margarita
West Boca Raton at Plantation American Heritage, 7. After last week’s kickoff classic overtime thriller against Miami Carol City, we already know what the two-time defending state champion Bulls will bring to the table.
They are stacked with playmakers and quality talent that has paved the way for the most successful two-year runs in school history. They have a schedule that will prepare them for just about anything.
Speaking of schedule, the Patriots – coming off two consecutive 4A titles against Orlando Jones – continues to raise the bar every season with games against some of the state’s best.
But unlike West Boca Raton, we don’t know a lot about this football team – as they didn’t play a spring or summer kickoff classic.
They added some quality players who will be put to the test for the first time this evening. Another contest where all eyes will be watching to see what direction each state champion will be headed from the start of the season.
2026 WEST BOCA RATON BULLS SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Plantation American Heritage
9/4 - @ Boca Raton Spanish River
9/10 – West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman
9/18 – Washington D.C. St. John’s
9/24 – Boca Raton Olympic Heights
10/2 - @Belle Glade Glades Central
10/8 - @Deerfield Beach
10/16 - @Orlando The First Academy
10/22 – Coconut Creek Monarch
10/30 – Delray Beach Atlantic
2026 PLANTATION AMERICN HERITAGE PATRIOTS SCHEDULE
8/21 – West Boca Raton
8/28 – East St. Louis (Broward Showcase)
9/4 - @Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
9/11 - @Jacksonville Trinity Christian
9/18 - @Lakeland
9/25 – Miramar
10/9 – Miami Norland
10/16 – Miami True North Classical Academy
10/23 - @Hollywood McArthur
In addition to those two games this evening, here is a look at the rest of Friday’s schedule and the first week of the 2026 season:
Boca Raton St. John Paul II at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Cooper City, 7
Doral Academy at Naples Golden Gate, 7
Doral Ronald Reagan at Miami Varela, 3:30
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Miramar, 7
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Davie Western (Pembroke Pines Flanagan), 7
Hallandale at Davie Nova, 7
Hialeah American vs. Homestead (Harris), 7
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy vs. Hialeah (Milander), 7:30
Hialeah Miami-Lakes at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30
Homestead Somerset Silver Palms at Miami Ransom Everglades, 7
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Hollywood Hills, 4
Fort Lauderdale NSU University at Mount Dora Christian, 7
Miami Braddock at Miami Florida Christian, 7
Miami Carol City at Daytona Beach Mainland, 7
Miami Coral Park vs. Southwest Miami (Tropical), 7:30
Miami Coral Reef at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30
Miami Edison vs. Miami Springs (Ives Park), 7
Miami Ferguson at Miami Gulliver Prep, 3:30
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace at Naples St. John Neumann, 7
Miami High vs. Coral Gables (Curtis Park), 7:30
Miami Immaculata LaSalle vs. Miami Booker T. Washington (Curtis Park), 3
Miami Northwestern at St. Petersburg Lakewood, 7:30
Miami Palmetto vs. Miami Killian (Southridge), 7:30
Miami SmartEn Sports at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4
Miramar Everglades at Hollywood South Broward, 6:30
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, 7
North Miami at Clearwater Calvary Christian, 7
Plantation at Coconut Creek (Deerfield Beach), 7
Pompano Beach at Coral Springs Parkridge Christian, 7
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7
THURSDAY STATE SCOREBOARD
Boca Ciega 34, Zephyrhills Christian 6
Boca Raton Christian 48, Belle Glade Glades Day 14
Bratt Northview 40, Niceville Rocky Bayou Christian 6
Deerfield Beach 49, Pembroke Pines Charter 7
Delray Beach American Heritage 49, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 12
Dunedin 28, St. Petersburg Northeast 13
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 66, Oakland Park Northeast 0
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 44, Sunrise Piper 21
Heritage, Colorado 38, Orlando East River 13
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 49, Coconut Creek Monarch 21
Immokalee 54, Clewiston 12
Lynn Haven Mosley 15, Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee 13
Miami Christopher Columbus 45, Miami Southridge 7
Miami Norland 20, Homestead South Dade 0
Miami Westminster Christian 49, Miami St. Brendan 7
North Fort Myers 41, Cape Coral Island Coast 6
North Miami Beach 61, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 3
North Port 28, Bradenton IMG Academy (State) 21
Pensacola Catholic 20, Milton 0
Port Orange Spruce Creek 14, Erie, Colorado 10
Sanford Seminole 26, Mountain Vista, Colorado 17
South Miami 12, Miami Sunset 6
Orlando University 47, Magnolia, California 7
Port St. Lucie 53, Lake Worth 14
South Fort Myers 38, Lehigh 0
Tarpon Springs 35, St. Petersburg Hollins 6
Wellington Palm Beach Central 14, Belle Glade Glades Central 9
Weston Cypress Bay 28, South Plantation 21
Winter Garden West Orange 28, Archbishop Hoban, Ohio 24
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For much of the past five decades, we have catered to college coaches and football fans by offering up a weekly scoreboard.
This is a service we have long provided – contacting coaching and athletic directors to bring you the most accurate scoreboard possible.
Because we understand that there is a need to follow teams and players to see how they are doing, we continue to give you scores – in alphabetical order so they are easier to follow.
Remember, we continue to be a source for football prospects and teams YEAR ROUND – unlike other places who take months away from their total coverage.
If you have scores that we may not list – or changes – please contact us via e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Our objective is to get the scores right – and not necessarily first!
Here is a look at Week 1:
FRIDAY
Abbeville Christian, Alabama 31, Tallahassee FAMU DRS 18
Alachua Santa Fe 30, Newberry 16
Apopka Wekiva 52, Orlando Cypress Creek 0
Avon Park 39, Arcadia DeSoto 0
Bell 28, Hamilton County 26
Belle Isle Cornerstone Charter 28, Winter Garden Foundation Academy 20
Belleview 28, Gainesville 26
Blountstown 49, Ariton, Alabama 14
Boca Raton Olympic Heights 35, West Palm Beach Forest Hill 17
Bonifay Holmes County 49, Greenville Fort Dale, Alabama 10
Bradenton Braden River 34, Dade City Pasco 7
Bradenton Christian 53, Orlando Christian Prep 0
Bradenton IMG Academy 59, Lone Peak, Utah 3
Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 27, Parrish Community 14
Bradenton St. Stephen's 34, Hudson 8
Branford 50, Jacksonville Eagle’s View 0
Bristol Liberty County 22, Chipley 10
Brooksville Hernando Christian 22, Land O’Lakes Academy At The Lakes 19
Brooksville Nature Coast Tech 16, Bartow 6
Bushnell South Sumter 24, Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch 21
Callahan West Nassau 14, Charlton County, Georgia 14 (game ended in tie after regulation due to weather)
Cape Coral Ida Baker 33, Bonita Springs 6
Cape Coral Oasis 18, Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian 14
Clearwater 40, Tarpon Springs East Lake 19
Clearwater Calvary Christian 36, North Miami 9
Clearwater Central Catholic 28, Palmetto 24
Clermont East Ridge 24, Groveland South Lake 7
Coconut Creek 48, Plantation 0
Cocoa Beach 43, Lake Alfred Discovery 0,
Cocoa Space Coast 43, Umatilla 7
Cooper City 48, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 21
Coral Gables 26, Miami Senior 14
Cottondale 30, Panama City North Bay Haven 20
Crawfordville Wakulla 27, Havana Gadsden County 7
Cross City Dixie County 41, Vernon 6
Davenport 38, Lake Wales McLaughlin 6
Davie Nova 49, Hallandale 0
Daytona Beach Seabreeze 30, Daytona Beach Father Lopez 14
DeFuniak Springs Walton 52, Pensacola West Florida 7
DeLand 35, Lake Wales 34
Delray Beach Atlantic 18, Boca Raton Spanish River 7
Deltona 21, Deltona Pine Ridge 0
Destin 53, Port St. Joe 13
Doral Academy 41, Naples Golden Gate 20
Dothan, Alabama 35, Panama City Bay 28
Dunnellon 35, Tavares 6
Eastpoint Franklin County 34, Tallahassee North Florida Christian 14
Englewood Lemon Bay 35, Lake Placid 22
Eustis 40, Leesburg 22
Flagler Palm Coast 42, Palm Coast Matanzas High 7
Fleming Island 33, Jacksonville Atlantic Coast 0
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 14, Miramar 7
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Davie Western 0
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 55, North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 28
Fort Myers Canterbury 41, Sarasota Christian 21
Fort Myers Dunbar 70, Fort Myers Cypress Lake 0
Fort Myers Gateway 48, Lehigh Acres East Lee 8
Fort Myers Riverdale 24, Estero 20
Fort Pierce Central 49, Port St. Lucie Legacy 0
Fort Pierce John Carroll 17, Fort Myers Bishop Verot 0
Fort Walton Beach 41, Pensacola 6
Fort White 28, Gainesville Eastside 13
Frostproof 28, LaBelle 21
Gainesville Buchholz 34, Ocala Vanguard 28 (OT)
Gainesville Countryside Christian 28, Ocala Christian 26
Gainesville Oak Hall 43, Bronson 14
Gibsonton East Bay 43, Riverview 7
Glen St. Mary Baker County 31, Green Cove Springs Clay 19
Harmony 61, Kissimmee Liberty 0
Hawthorne 28, Orlando Bishop Moore 25
Hialeah American 29, Homestead 0
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 66, Hialeah 0
Hilliard 37, Winter Haven All Saints 13
Hudson Fivay 41, Weeki Wachee 0
Interlachen 63, Keystone 0
Inverness Citrus 13, New Port Richey Cypress Creek 10
Jacksonville Andrew Jackson 41, Orange Park 0
Jacksonville Christ’s Church Academy 51, Jacksonville First Coast Christian 0
Jacksonville Ed White 42, Jacksonville Trinity Christian 40 (OT)
Jacksonville Episcopal 42, Jacksonville Providence 6
Jacksonville Mandarin 38, Hollywood McArthur 21
Jacksonville Old Plank Christian 20, Jacksonville Duval Charter 0
Jacksonville Paxon 39, Jacksonville Wolfson 12
Jacksonville Raines 21, Orange Park Oakleaf 7
Jacksonville Ribault 20, Jacksonville First Coast 14
Jacksonville Stanton Prep 54, Jacksonville Harvest Community 0
Jacksonville University Christian 31, Ponte Vedra 29
Jay 35, Baker 6
Jupiter 46, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 0
Key West 30, Boca Raton 7
Kissimmee Poinciana 47, Celebration 7
Lake Butler Union County 35, Panama City Rutherford 34
Lake City Columbia 20, Jacksonville Bolles 19
Lakeland 47, Lakeland Kathleen 0
Lakeland Christian 81 Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic 7
Lakeland George Jenkins 33, Mulberry 7
Lakeland Tenoroc 33, Holiday Anclote 0
Land O’Lakes Sunlake 13, Brooksville Central 6
Lantana Santaluces 38, Boynton Beach 0
Largo 21, Pinellas Park 0
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 33, Hollywood Hills 12
Leesburg First Academy 40, Clearwater Lakeside Christian 34
Lithia Newsome 31, Land O' Lakes 24
Live Oak Suwanee 35, Crystal River 0
Lutz Steinbrenner 35, Tampa Robinson 34
Madison County 38, Lecanto 0
Maitland Orangewood Christian 62, Palm Beach Prep 0
Melbourne Central Catholic 44, Lakeland Victory Christian 12
Melbourne Holy Trinity 20, Bayside 7
Merritt Island 44, Cocoa 19
Miami Archbishop Carroll 14, Miami Coral Reef 0
Miami Beach 47, Tavernier Coral Shores 0
Miami Carol City 38, Daytona Beach Mainland 3
Miami Central 23, Orange Lutheran 22
Miami Florida Christian 42, Miami Braddock 0
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 33, Miami Booker T. Washington 14
Miami Northwestern 20, St. Petersburg Lakewood 18
Miami Palmer Trinity 7, Miami SmartEn Sports Academy 0
Miami Palmetto 35, Miami Killian 0
Miami Ransom Everglades 13, Somerset Charter Silver Palms 7
Miami Springs 47, Miami Edison 0
Middleburg 23, St. Augustine Menendez 6
Milton Central 37, Graceville 6
Monticello Aucilla Christian 19, Sneads 8
Mount Dora Christian Academy 49, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 35
Naples Aubrey Rogers 32, Moore Haven 7
Naples First Baptist 21, Fort Myers Evangelical Christian 20
Naples Gulf Coast 66, Naples Lely 0
Naples St. John Neumann 24, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 14
Neptune Beach Fletcher 49, Jacksonville Sandalwood 21
New Port Richey Mitchell 37, New Port Richey Gulf 0
New Port Richey River Ridge 27, St. Petersburg Northside Christian 7
North Palm Beach Benjamin 44, Jupiter Christian 7
Ocala Forest 15, Citra North Marion 6
Ocala Lake Weir 51, Gainesville P.K. Yonge 0
Okeechobee 44, Riviera Beach Suncoast 0
Orange City University 35, Sebastian River 10
Orange Park Ridgeview 16, Jacksonville Westside 12
Orlando Boone 21, Apopka 14
Orlando Central Florida Christian 40, Winter Park Trinity Prep 17
Orlando Edgewater 34, Ocoee 6
Orlando Innovation 24, Orlando Timber Creek 20
Orlando Lake Highland Prep 20, Vero Beach St. Edward’s 14
Orlando Lake Nona 31, Orlando Evans 27
Orlando Olympia 59, Orlando Colonial 0
Orlando The First Academy 58, Orlando Dr. Phillips 7
Pace 41, Fairhope, Alabama 0
Palm Bay 41, St. Cloud Nova Lakes 7
Palm Beach Lakes 49, Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge 7
Panama City Beach Arnold 27, Freeport 21
Perry Taylor County 47, Panama City Bozeman 13
Pompano Beach 41, Coral Springs Parkside Christian 0
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 38, Coral Springs Coral Glades 10
Pompano Beach Next Gen Prep 19, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 14
Port Charlotte 63, Cape Coral 26
Prattville, Alabama 49, Niceville 7
Punta Gora Charlotte 21, Fort Myers 0
Riverview Spoto 22, Tampa Chamberlain 3
Riverview Sumner 55, Dover Strawberry Crest 0
Santa Margarita, California 27, Orlando Jones 0
Santa Rosa Beach South Walton 50, Gulf Breeze 0
Sarasota 35, Bradenton Bayshore 18
Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 39, Tampa Berkeley Prep 21
Sarasota Classical Academy 44, Riverview Academy 0
Sarasota Out-of-Door 56, Babcock 0
Sarasota Riverview 42, Naples 21
Satellite 52, Daytona Beach Halifax 0
Seffner Armwood 17, Ruskin Lennard 7
Seffner Christian 62, Ocoee Legacy Charter 0
Seminole 19, Osceola 7
SLAM Tampa 61, Ava Maria Donahue Academy 0
St. Augustine 49, Palatka 0
St. Cloud 18, Kissimmee Osceola 15
St. John Bartram Trail 37, St. Augustine Tocoi Creek 3
St. Johns Beachside 58, Jacksonville KIPP Bold City 0
St. Johns Creekside 21, Ponte Vedra Nease 14
St. Petersburg Catholic 41, St. Petersburg Gibbs 26
Stuart Martin County 17, Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 14
Stuart South Fork 45, Port St. Lucie 0
Tallahassee Florida High 37, Navarre 13
Tallahassee Godby 35, Tallahassee Rickards 13
Tallahassee Leon 42, Fernandina Beach 24
Tallahassee Lincoln 13, Crestview 10
Tallahassee Maclay 38, Mayo Lafayette 0
Tampa Alonso 45, Tampa Middleton 6
Tampa Bay Tech 27, Lakeland Lake Gibson 6
Tampa Carrollwood Day 41, Eau Gallie 7
Tampa Catholic 46, Tampa Jefferson 20
Tampa Jesuit 37, Dover Specialty Fit Academy 0
Tampa Plant 33, Bradenton Manatee 26
Tampa Sickles 39, Tampa Freedom 33
The Villages Charter 31, Zephyrhills 14
Titusville 24, Oviedo 22
Titusville Astronaut 43, Kissimmee Tohopekaliga 39
Trenton 29, South Mation 2
Valrico Bloomingdale 26, Tampa Hillsborough 15
Venice 42, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, Georgia 40
Venice Wellen Park 24, Cape Coral Mariner 21
Vero Beach 34, Jensen Beach 0
Viera 25, Rockledge 20
Wachula Hardee County 32, Fort Meade 0
Wellington 21, Lake Worth Park Vista 13
Wesley Chapel 34, Bradenton Southeast 28
West Boca Raton 24, Plantation American Heritage 7
West Melbourne Calvary Chapel 40, Lakeland Geneva Classical 0
West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 37, Community School of Naples 7
West Palm Beach The King’s Academy 23, Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s 8
Wewahitchka 30, Pataula Charter, Georgia 24
Williston 30, Chiefland 12
Wimauma Morgan 42, Tampa Leto 0
Windermere 29, Winter Park 26
Winter Garden Horizon 71, Orlando Lake Buena Vista 0
Wildwood 50, Marathon 7
Winter Haven 44, Eagle Lake – Lake Region 28
Winter Park Lake Howell 57, Winter Springs 16
THURSDAY
Boca Ciega 34, Zephyrhills Christian 6
Boca Raton Christian 48, Belle Glade Glades Day 14
Bratt Northview 40, Niceville Rocky Bayou Christian 6
Deerfield Beach 49, Pembroke Pines Charter 7
Delray Beach American Heritage 49, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 12
Dunedin 28, St. Petersburg Northeast 13
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 66, Oakland Park Northeast 0
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 44, Sunrise Piper 21
Heritage, Colorado 38, Orlando East River 13
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 49, Coconut Creek Monarch 21
Immokalee 54, Clewiston 12
Lynn Haven Mosley 15, Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee 13
Miami Christopher Columbus 45, Miami Southridge 7
Miami Norland 20, Homestead South Dade 0
Miami Westminster Christian 49, Miami St. Brendan 7
Naples Barron Collier 48, Naples Palmetto Ridge 7
North Fort Myers 41, Cape Coral Island Coast 6
North Miami Beach 61, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 3
North Port 28, Bradenton IMG Academy (State) 21
Pensacola Catholic 20, Milton 0
Port Orange Spruce Creek 14, Erie, Colorado 10
Sanford Seminole 26, Mountain Vista, Colorado 17
South Elgin, Illinois 21, Orlando Oak Ridge 6
South Miami 12, Miami Sunset 6
Orlando University 47, Magnolia, California 7
Port St. Lucie Centennial 53, Lake Worth 14
South Fort Myers 38, Lehigh 0
Tarpon Springs 35, St. Petersburg Hollins 6
Wellington Palm Beach Central 14, Belle Glade Glades Central 9
Weston Cypress Bay 28, South Plantation 21
Winter Garden West Orange 28, Archbishop Hoban, Ohio 24
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
One of the most popular radio shows of its kind moved to Wednesday night this week as the 2026 high school football season will get started this week and we talked about it all from 6-8 p.m. on 104.3 FM – WQAM.
Each week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.
The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.
The program, which has been run for nearly two decades and has been recognized nationally as one of the best of its kind, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high sports and the newsmakers.
Here is a look at the way Wednesday night went:
When the Florida Gators open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at home against FAU, this is a team that is full of confidence and plenty of talent. With a new coaching staff and several new players this will be a different season in Gainesville and Corey Bender from Gators Online talked about it.
COREY BENDER ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/corey-bender-of-gators-online-000c7
Who are some of the best high school football teams in the state of Florida and which programs will end up in the newly formed “Open Division”? Jon Santucci from USA Today answered those questions and much more as the new season is starting.
JON SANTUCCI ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/usa-today-recruiting-analyst-jon-santucci-9ac8a
In two weeks, the University of Miami football program will open up the 2026 season on the road against Stanford in an ACC opener on a Friday night and Geo Millian stopped by to talk about what looks like another banner season.
GEO MILLIAN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/miami-hurricanes-football-reporter-geo-millian-38919
The fifth annual Broward National Football Showcase will get started this Friday night with Jacksonville Mandarin visiting Hollywood McArthur in the battle of the Mustangs. The following week there will be eight more games and Dr. Kevin Perry stopped by to break this elite national event down.
DR. KEVIN PERRY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/co-founder-dr-kevin-perry-of-the-broward-county-national-showcase-c8b23
When Hollywood McArthur plays host to Jacksonville Mandarin on Friday night in the opener of the Broward National Football Showcase, head coach Robert Ortega and his Mustangs will be ready to get his team off to a 1-0 start against a talented, state-rated team.
COACH ROBERT ORTEGA ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/hollywood-mcarthur-head-football-coach-robert-ortega-22863
If you happen to be a high school football fan, you have waited to see what Miami Carol City will do this season under first year head coach Toro Wallace. The Chiefs are loaded with elite talent as they open the season on the road against talented Daytona Beach Mainland.
COACH TORO WALLACE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/miami-carol-city-football-head-coach-toro-wallace-4c58c
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Since Lake Mary upset Vero Beach on the final play of the 7A state title game last December, we have waited over the past eight plus months for the return of high school football.
Through months of conditioning, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events and nearly a month of preparation, we have finally reach the opening night of the regular season.
With teams having dreams of playing for a state title, the state of Florida will open the gates – for real – as programs are anxious to showcase their teams and new players.
Never before has their been such an active off season where players moved schools at a record pace, and while many have questioned the number of transfers, answers will come quickly with two Thursday night contests in south Florida that will feature programs with high hopes and several new faces.
With a number of games taking place on this Thursday, we will spotlight one in Miami-Dade and one in Broward County that features teams that are familiar to championship football.
Miami Columbus at Miami Southridge, 7. This opener will provide a barometer for the visiting Explorers, who had a disappointing season in 2025 under veteran head coach Dave Dunn and a Spartan squad that fell short in the state playoffs for the second straight season.
With Columbus getting plenty of off season attention for the elite prospects added to their roster, head coach Pierre Senatus and Southridge were relatively quiet, adding new players but nowhere near what some of the other Miami-Dade and Broward teams have.
Both programs have a challenging schedule – with the Explorers getting nationally rated Las Vegas Bishop Gorman and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas along with rival Miami Palmetto in the coming weeks.
MIAMI CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS EXPLORERS 2026 SCHEDULE
8/20 - @Miami Southridge
8/29 – Las Vegas Bishop Gorman (Broward County National Football Showcase)
9/4 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
9/10 - @Miami Palmetto
9/18 - @Homestead South Dade
9/24 – Homestead
10/1 – Southwest Miami
10/9 - @Coral Gables
10/16 – GMAC Week
10/23 - @Miami Northwestern
MIAMI SOUTHRIDGE SPARTANS 2026 SCHEDULE
8/20 – Miami Christopher Columbus
8/28 - @Homestead
9/4 – Miami Palmetto
9/17 – Miami True North Classical Academy
9/25 – Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
10/1 - @Homestead South Dade
10/9 - @Miramar Everglades
10/16 – GMAC Week
10/23 – Fort Lauderdale Dillard
10/30 – Miami Jackson
Hollywood Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna vs. Coconut Creek Monarch (Deerfield Beach), 7. In their 10th consecutive appearance in the state championship game, veteran head coach Dameon Jones and his Lions were upset by West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman. That loss did not sit well with this program.
While several players graduated and others departed, it was time for this national power to regroup and get things back into focus – and they did just that.
Coming off a convincing kickoff classic win against Miami Norland, this program is not only looking to make a splash in 2A, but also is one of those programs that has the talent and coaching to make it into the newly created “Open Division” with an amazing amount of talent on both sides of the ball.
For the Knights, last year was certainly not what this team wanted to accomplish, so like many other programs, they did something about it in the off season.
With several new faces along with impressive newcomers, they figure to make an impact this season.
Veteran Head Coach Calvin Davis knows that his team can make a statement tonight – with a competitive schedule looming this season.
HOLLYWOOD CHAMINADE-MADONNA LIONS 2026 SCHEDULE
8/20 - @Coconut Creek Monarch
8/27 – Sierra Canyon, California
9/4 – Plantation American Heritage
9/10 – Miami True North Classical Academy
9/18 - @Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
9/25 – Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy
10/2 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
10/9 - @West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman
10/16 – Hollywood McArthur
10/30 - @Coconut Creek
COCONUT CREEK MONARCH KNIGHT 2026 SCHEDULE
8/20 – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
8/27 – Miramar
9/4 - @Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
9/18 – Sunrise Piper
9/25 – Deerfield Beach
10/2 - @Coconut Creek
10/9 – Boca Raton Olympic Heights
10/16 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
10/22 - @West Boca Raton
10/29 - @Pembroke Pines Flanagan
In addition to those two games this evening, here is a look at the rest of Thursday’s schedule and the first week of the 2026 season:
Deerfield Beach at Pembroke Pines Charter, 6
Fort Lauderdale vs. Coral Springs Taravella (Coral Springs), 7
Fort Lauderdale Dillard vs. Sunrise Piper (PAL), 7
Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest at Coral Springs Charter (Coral Glades), 7
Miami Beach at Tavernier Coral Shores, 7
Miami Norland at Homestead South Dade vs. Miami Norland (Harris Field), 6
Miami Westminster Christian at Miami St. Brendan, 7
North Miami Beach vs. Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (Milander), 7
Oakland Park Northeast at Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, 7
Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at Delray American Heritage, 7
South Miami at Miami Sunset, 3:30
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy at Royal Palm Beach, 7
Weston Cypress Bay at South Plantation, 7
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21ST
Boca Raton St. John Paul II at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Cooper City, 7
Doral Academy at Naples Golden Gate, 7
Doral Ronald Reagan at Miami Varela, 3:30
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Miramar, 7
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Davie Western (Pembroke Pines Flanagan), 7
Hallandale at Davie Nova, 7
Hialeah American vs. Homestead (Harris), 7
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy vs. Hialeah (Milander), 7:30
Hialeah Miami-Lakes at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30
Homestead Somerset Silver Palms at Miami Ransom Everglades, 7
Jacksonville Mandarin at Hollywood McArthur, 7 (Broward Showcase Game)
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Hollywood Hills, 4
Fort Lauderdale NSU University at Mount Dora Christian, 7
Miami Braddock at Miami Florida Christian, 7
Miami Carol City at Daytona Beach Mainland, 7
Miami Central at Orange Lutheran, California, 10
Miami Coral Park vs. Southwest Miami (Tropical), 7:30
Miami Coral Reef at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30
Miami Edison vs. Miami Springs (Ives Park), 7
Miami Ferguson at Miami Gulliver Prep, 3:30
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace at Naples St. John Neumann, 7
Miami High vs. Coral Gables (Curtis Park), 7:30
Miami Immaculata LaSalle vs. Miami Booker T. Washington (Curtis Park), 3
Miami Northwestern at St. Petersburg Lakewood, 7:30
Miami Palmetto vs. Miami Killian (Southridge), 7:30
Miami SmartEn Sports at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4
Miramar Everglades at Hollywood South Broward, 6:30
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, 7
North Miami at Clearwater Calvary Christian, 7
Plantation at Coconut Creek (Deerfield Beach), 7
Pompano Beach at Coral Springs Parkridge Christian, 7
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7
West Boca Raton at Plantation American Heritage, 7
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
After months of camps, combines, 7-on-7 events, conditioning and spring games, the 2026 high school football season is set to open tomorrow night across the state of Florida.
No matter where you go in the Sunshine State, there are impressive prospects just waiting for the opportunity to showcase their talents – and college coaches are waiting.
In a time when getting a college scholarship or financial assistance is getting tougher with the transfer portal and NIL deals taking place, student/athletes are doing everything possible to enhance their chances.
In Miami-Dade and Broward County, where the spotlight is always shining brightly, there are several talented players just waiting for the opportunity to make an impact.
During the summer and into the first week of kickoff classics, several prospects from the #305 and #954 had the chance to let those who follow high school football know that they have arrived – and we were fortunate to be on hand to see the action unfold.
Today, on the eve of the 2026 season, we have five prospects that you will want to keep an eye on:
2027 – Jayden Johnson, RB, 5’7, 160, Miami Central – 3.2 GPA. From Hollywood South Broward to taking his place in the Rockets’ backfield, this quality runner is going to be special as this program is returning to the offense that made them special for so many years. Fast, elusive and the ability to catch the ball will help give this elite program plenty of firepower.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19588383/Jayden-Johnson
2027 – Jamison Larsen, QB, 6’4, 225, Miami Palmetto – 3.8 GPA. While many were skeptical about making a move from Wisconsin to south Florida and fitting in, they are no longer questioning this young man after a strong spring, summer and the kickoff classic where he dazzled several who had been wondering if he would be able to make an impact. The Panthers have an offensive leader who has already turned heads for a team that has once again set the bar high.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18993826/Jamison-Larsen
2028 – Jordan Murray, OL, 6’3, 300, Coconut Creek Monarch – 3.0 GPA. You know how important the line position at this school which has been able to develop some quality big men, and this underclassman has the chance to be another prospect that will help guide the Knights back into the state playoffs. He is big, strong and agile – and only getting better with off season work.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23518672/Jordan-Murray
2027 - Phoenix Taylor, Slot/Athlete, 5’11, 170, Coral Gables. After spending three years at Lantana Santaluces and Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons in Palm Beach County, this versatile receiver now brings his talents to south Florida with the Cavaliers – and after watching his first live appearance – this is someone who has the chance to be very special for a team that has the opportunity to be much improved this season. Has the speed and toughness to play in the slot, which is something that will be needed this year.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22391162/6972afda82317f1e1497b39e
2027 - Jason Thomas, WR/DB, 6’0, 180, Sunrise Piper. Track & Field. While he was seldom used a year ago at Plantation, this is a speedy, gifted football player who started to blow up in the spring – as colleges started to take notice of his quickness, athletic ability, skill and size. This is one of those talented young men who could be a breakout performer for the Bengals this coming season!
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20390204/Jason-Thomas
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..