MIAMI GARDENS – With the start of the 2026 high school football season next week, the Miami Dolphins will host their annual Media Day on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
With a number of programs starting this past week with kickoff classics, the Dolphins had the World Cup and several other events at their facility, pushing back this year’s media gathering. But that doesn’t mean that anything has changed.
Players and coaches will experience a first class media opportunity with questions and answers, photos and videos highlighting the morning and afternoon as Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach schools will flock to Miami Gardens for this great opportunity.
Among the schools slated for the morning include Miami Beach, Cooper City and Palm Beach Lakes (9:00); Miami Braddock and Fort Lauderdale (9:10), Hialeah American, Parkland Douglas and Boca Raton (9:20), Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, Pembroke Pines West Broward and Boynton Beach (9:30); Miami Sunset and Coconut Creek Monarch (9:40); Miami Palmetto, Deerfield Beach and Miami Palmer Trinity (9:50); Miami True North Classical Academy, Hollywood McArthur and Belle Glade Glades Central (10:00); Doral Academy and Coral Springs Charter (10:10); Miami Killian and Weston Cypress (10:20); North Miami and Coconut Creek North Broward Prep (10:30); Homestead South Dade, Pompano Beach and Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (10:40); Homestead, Hallandale and Boca Raton Saint John Paul II (10:50); Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Jupiter (11:00); Miami Gulliver Prep, Plantation and Lantana Santaluces (11:10); Southwest Miami, Davie Nova and Palm Beach Gardens (11:20); Miami Sunset, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (11:30); Hollywood South Broward (11:40) and Davie Western (11:50).
The afternoon starts at 12 noon with Sunrise Piper and Wellington; Miami Booker T. Washington, Miramar and West Palm Beach Forest Hill (12:10); Coconut Creek and Boca Raton Olympic Heights (12:20); Pembroke Pines Flanagan and Palm Beach Central (12:30); Pembroke Pines Charter and Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge (12:40); Lauderdale Lake Boyd Anderson and Boca Raton Spanish River (12:50); Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, Coral Springs Coral Glades and Delray American Heritage (1:00); Fort Lauderdale Dillard and Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia (1:10); Plantation American Heritage and Royal Palm Beach (1:20); Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy and West Boca Raton (1:30); South Plantation and Delray Beach Atlantic (1:40); Hollywood Hills and Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons (1:50); Miami Carol City, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and Pahokee (2:00); Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (2:10); Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (2:20); Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy and Lake Worth (2:30); West Palm Beach The King’s Academy (2:40); Miramar Everglades (2:50); Miami Palmetto, Coral Springs Taravella and Lake Worth Park Vista (3:00); Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (3:10); Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (3:20); Hialeah Miami-Lakes and Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (3:30); Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (3:40) and Oakland Park Northeast (3:50).
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..
Back in the day, the week before the season began, there were two-quarter jamborees that gave teams a chance to get ready for the 10-plus weeks ahead.
They were usually local teams who would showcase their players who would lead their respective programs into the new season.
While the objective is still the same – and the week before the start of the regular season is very much a tuneup, the stakes have risen a little bit much because of social media and its direct impact on teams and players and their expectations for the year ahead.
These jamborees have become kickoff classics that give these elite teams the opportunity to compete against other highly publicized programs.
Tonight, as we get ready to wrap up the high school version of Week 0, there are several matchups that will be watched closely, and win or lose, there are bragging rights at stake.
Keep in mind that while many will attempt to use these “exhibition games” as a true barometer of what these programs will be like, putting too much into the outcome – either way – could be a huge mistake.
There are two games that many will be paying plenty of attention to in south Florida. One in Miami-Dade County and the other will take place in Palm Beach County, where the #561 had two state champions last season.
Miami Carol City at West Boca Raton, 6:30. Less than a month ago in the finals of the “305 Sports 7-on-7 event”, these two teams went head-to-head for 4 overtimes to win the title.
As head coach Dylan Potts and his two-time defending state champion Bulls prevailed, there was a feeling that when the two would get together in full pads this evening, things would be very much the same.
West Boca Raton is still loaded with talent and is a top 10 program to start the year out once again.
For the Chiefs and first year head coach Toro Wallace, the spotlight has been shining over the past seven months – since several high-profile players and coaches joined the team, creating a ripple effect that reached around the country – as this program went from just above .500 to a pre-season ranking as high as No. 11 nationally.
While tonight may not tell the full story, we will at least get a sense of what both teams will bring to the table.
MIAMI CAROL CITY CHIEFS SCHEDULE (6-5 a year ago).
8/21 - @Daytona Beach Mainland
8/28 - @Lee County, Georgia
9/4 – Miami Norland
9/17 – Miami Edison
9/24 – Miami Booker T. Washington
10/2 - @Grayson, Georgia
10/9 – Miami Northwestern
10/16 – GMAC WEEK
10/23 - @Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
10/30 – Miami Central
WEST BOCA RATON BULLS SCHEDULE (13-2 last year).
8/21 - @Plantation American Heritage
9/4 - @Boca Raton Spanish River
9/10 – West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman
9/18 – St. John’s, Washington D.C.
9/24 – Boca Raton Olympic Heights
10/2 - @Belle Glade Glades Day
10/8 - @Deerfield Beach
10/16 - @Orlando The First Academy
10/22 – Coconut Creek Monarch
10/30 – Delray Beach Atlantic
Orlando Jones at Miami Central (Milander), 7:30. For the past two seasons, head coach Elijah Williams and his Fightin’ Tigers played for the 4A state title, coming up just short against Plantation American Heritage.
This program has certainly turned the corner as the best team in Central Florida as they head into the 2026 season.
Loaded with elite prospects, there are indeed some huge holes to fill, but with a productive off season and several quality additions, this is a program that not only has a chance to play for a third consecutive state title, but many have mentioned them as a team that could very well end up playing in the inaugural Open Division – even with a challenging schedule.
For the past two seasons, the Rockets have disappeared from the state championship landscape, and that has not sat well with the fans.
When Derrick Gibson returned to coach last year, his objective was to get this program back on track – and with a productive off season and several key additions – tonight’s matchup moved back to Traz Powell Stadium is important to see how the pieces fit together against a quality opponent that is out to show that they are still a force in Florida football.
ORLANDO JONES SCHEDULE (12-3 a year ago)
8/21 - @Santa Margarita, California
9/5 - @Orlando Evans
9/10 – Orlando Boone
9/18 – Orlando Edgewater
9/25 - @Lakeland Kathleen
10/2 - @Ocoee
10/9 – Lake Wales
10/16 - @Brandon
10/23 – Eagle Lake – Lake Region
10/23 – Winter Garden West Orange
MIAMI CENTRAL SCHEDULE (10-2 in 2025).
8/21 - @Orange Lutheran, California
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
10/16 – GMAC WEEK
10/22 – North Miami Beach
10/30 - @Miami Carol City
In addition to those two games, here is a look at this week’s schedule involving Miami-Dade and Broward schools:
FRIDAY, August 14th
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Titusville, 7
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School at Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7
North Fort Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Hollywood South Broward, 6
Greenacres John I. Leonard at Miami Sunset, 3:30
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 8
Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms at Key West, 7
Marathon at South Miami (Tropical Park), 4
Miami Booker T. Washington at Pembroke Pines Flanagan, 7
Miami Braddock/Homestead at Miramar Everglades, 6
Miami Coral Reef at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7
Miami Killian at Miami Southridge, 7
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Miami Immaculata LaSalle, 7
Miami Northwestern at Wellington Palm Beach Central, 7
North Miami at Royal Palm Beach, 6:30
Weston Cypress Bay at Merritt Island, 7
SATURDAY, August 15th
Miami Norland vs. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 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..
We are now one week away from the much-anticipated start of the 2026 high school football season here in the state of Florida.
After a long off season and plenty of player and coaching moves, we will be able to get answers to so many burning questions. But before that happens, we have some interesting kickoff classic matchups that will take center stage – involving schools in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
TWO GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON TONIGHT
While several programs will get an opportunity to showcase their talents on Thursday – there two games that will feature four impressive teams who are expected to make an impact this season.
Lakeland vs. Pembroke Pines West Broward (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 7. This game will have the defending 5A and 6A state runner ups as part of the “Sports For Change Kickoff Classic”.
The Dreadnaughts are loaded with talent and are one of the programs that everyone will want to watch.
They saw their season come to an end the past two years in the state title game against national power Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
The Bobcats, playing in their first state championship game last season under the direction of head coach Brian McCartney, saw their dream season come to an end against West Boca Raton.
While they lost plenty of firepower, West Broward will find out tonight what they will need to work on during the season ahead.
LAKELAND DREADNAUGHT (12-4 in 2025)
2026 SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Lakeland Kathleen
9/4 – Venice
9/11 – @Kissimmee Osceola
9/18 – Plantation American Heritage
9/25 – Auburndale
10/2 – Dover Specialty Fit Academy
10/9 - @Sebring
10/16 - @Bartow
10/22 – Lakeland Lake Gibson
10/30 – Orlando The First Academy
PEMBROKE PINES WEST BROWARD BOBCATS (12-3 in 2025)
2026 SCHEDULE
8/27 – McEachern, Georgia
9/4 - @Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
9/10 - @Davie Western
9/17 – Doral Academy
9/25 - @Camden County, Georgia
10/2 – Weston Cypress Bay
10/9 - @Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
10/16 - @West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman
10/22 – Miami Senior High
10/30 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Miami Palmetto at Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, 7. Here are two district champions that are coming off amazing seasons, only to fall short in the race for a state title appearance.
For the Panthers and head coach Mike Manasco, a double overtime loss to Vero Beach in the state semifinals still drives this program who are once again stacked with talent.
While most “experts” are overlooking this team, keep in mind that they return several prospects along with newcomers who can make an impact.
While all the attention is on Miami Christopher Columbus, this could be one of the strongest 6A schools in Florida.
For head coach Jake Pew and the Mavericks, winning a district title was not enough a season ago.
Even though they beat powerhouse Plantation American Heritage during the season, they fell short at home in the state playoffs, ending a year that certainly set the table for the future.
While they are young in some areas, the Mavericks do return several players who are difference makers.
They face a very challenging schedule and will need a tune up like tonight as barometer for the immediate future.
MIAMI PALMETTO PANTHERS (11-3 a year ago).
2026 SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Miami Killian
8/28 – Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
9/4 - @Miami Southridge
9/10 – Miami Christopher Columbus
9/18 – Coral Gables
9/25 – Southwest Miami
10/9 – Homestead
10/16 – GMAC WEEK
10/22 - @Homestead South Dade
10/30 - @Naples
SOUTHWEST RANCHES ARCHBISHOP MCCARTHY MAVERICKS (10-3 a year ago).
2026 SCHEDULE
8/20 - @Royal Palm Beach
8/28 – Jacksonville Bolles
9/4 – Pembroke Pines West Broward
9/11 – Community School of Naples
9/18 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
10/2 – Pembroke Pines Flanagan
10/9 - @Orlando The First Academy
10/16 - @Coconut Creek
10/23 - @Miami Norland
10/30 - @Miami True North Classical Academy
In addition to those two games, here is a look at this week’s schedule involving Miami-Dade and Broward schools:
THURSDAY, August 13th
Coconut Creek Monarch at Boca Raton Spanish River, 6:30
Davie Western vs. Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (Flanagan), 7
Fort Lauderdale at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30
Homestead South Dade at Hollywood McArthur, 7
Miami Edison at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7
Miramar at Miami Christopher Columbus, 6
Sunrise Piper at Doral Academy, 7
Southwest Miami at Miami Springs (Milander), 7
FRIDAY, August 14th
Coconut Creek at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, 3:30
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Titusville, 7
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School at Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7
North Fort Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Hollywood South Broward, 6
Greenacres John I. Leonard at Miami Sunset, 3:30
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 8
Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms at Key West, 7
Marathon at South Miami (Tropical Park), 4
Miami Booker T. Washington at Pembroke Pines Flanagan, 7
Miami Braddock/Homestead at Miramar Everglades, 6
Miami Carol City at West Boca Raton, 6:30
Miami Coral Reef at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7
Miami Killian at Miami Southridge, 7
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Miami Immaculata LaSalle, 7
Miami Northwestern at Wellington Palm Beach Central, 7
North Miami at Royal Palm Beach, 6:30
Orlando Jones at Miami Central (Milander), 7:30
Weston Cypress Bay at Merritt Island, 7
SATURDAY, August 15th
Miami Norland vs. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 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..
Kickoff Classics Start Today In Miami-Dade County. https://larryblustein.com/news/kickoff-classics-start-today-in-miami-dade-county
Over the past eight months, high school football teams in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties have attended camps and combines, went through a month of spring and worked hard to learn and condition in the summer to get ready for the 2026 season.
When Miami Ferguson and Coral Gables get together today at 4 p.m. at Coral Gables High, and Miami Senior visits Hialeah American at 3:30, the long off season will come to an end as Kickoff Classic Week starts in preparation of next week’s season opener across the state.
Because football really never stops – with teams taking part in so many year-round events – the start of the season is purely a formality as prospects continue to their journey to attract a college scholarship – while teams look to play winning football.
Whether it’s during the season or during the months when the prospects and teams get ready for a new season, the spotlight continues to shine as colleges and universities nationally are always keep track.
In addition to today’s games, here is a look at this week’s schedule around the two counties:
THURSDAY, August 13th
Coconut Creek Monarch at Boca Raton Spanish River, 6:30
Davie Western vs. Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (Flanagan), 7
Fort Lauderdale at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30
Homestead South Dade at Hollywood McArthur, 7
Lakeland vs. Pembroke Pines West Broward (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 7
Miami Edison at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7
Miami Palmetto at Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, 7
Miramar at Miami Christopher Columbus, 6
Sunrise Piper at Doral Academy, 7
Southwest Miami at Miami Springs (Milander), 7
FRIDAY, August 14th
Coconut Creek at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, 3:30
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Titusville, 7
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School at Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7
North Fort Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Hollywood South Broward, 6
Greenacres John I. Leonard at Miami Sunset, 3:30
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 8
Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms at Key West, 7
Marathon at South Miami (Tropical Park), 4
Miami Booker T. Washington at Pembroke Pines Flanagan, 7
Miami Braddock/Homestead at Miramar Everglades, 6
Miami Carol City at West Boca Raton, 6:30
Miami Coral Reef at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7
Miami Killian at Miami Southridge, 7
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Miami Immaculata LaSalle, 7
Miami Northwestern at Wellington Palm Beach Central, 7
North Miami at Royal Palm Beach, 6:30
Orlando Jones at Miami Central (Milander), 7:30
Weston Cypress Bay at Merritt Island, 7
SATURDAY, August 15th
Miami Norland vs. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 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..
One of the most popular radio shows of its kind was back on Monday night this week as football is set tpo start with kickoff classics this week in south Florida 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 Monday night went:
Starting this Thursday through Saturday, the Sports For Change Football Kickoff Classic will be held at Palm Beach Central High in Wellington – with defending 5A state runner up Lakeland and 6A state runner up Pembroke Pines West Broward kicking things off on Thursday night. On Friday, the host Palm Beach Central Broncos will take on Miami Northwestern, and on Saturday, 10-time consecutive state finalist Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna will play against Miami Norland. Founder and organizer Ira Reynolds stopped by to talk about it.
IRA REYNOLDS ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/ira-reynolds-of-the-palm-beach-kickoff-classic-7eef9
For several decades, Charles Fishbein from Elite Scouting Services has been evaluating high school football talent and ranking teams. He broke down some of the south Florida programs that you will want to watch this season – as the kickoff classics begin this week across the state of Florida.
CHARLES FISHBEIN ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/charles-fishbein-of-elite-scouting-services-e8b84
For Florida State University football fans, last season was indeed frustrating – with no bowl game and a losing season. Chris Nee from Noles247 talked about the improvement of the Seminoles, coming into the 2026 season. Can this program win seven or eight games or will it be another frustrating year?
CHRIS NEE ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/noles247-football-analyst-chris-nee-398e3
It’s been a very interesting and productive off season around Coral Gables with the Miami Hurricanes performing on the field during spring and now as fall camp is open. The defending national runner ups have also been making a lasting impression on the recruiting trail. Alex Donno, post-game WQAM Hurricane football broadcast host, and podcast host on the daily Locked On Canes broke down what he expects in 2026.
ALEX DONNO ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/locked-on-canes-podcast-host-alex-donno-5433c
After going three rounds deep in the state playoffs last season – one of the most successful years in Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman football history, veteran head coach Ariel Cribeiro and his Gators have shown that this sport has arrived as a contender at a schools known for baseball and soccer through the years.
COACH ARIEL CRIBEIRO ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/miami-lakes-barbara-goleman-head-coach-ariel-cribeiro-0dec4
Winning a district that includes two-time defending state champion Plantation American Heritage, Miami Norland and Plantation last season, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy head football coach Jake Pew and the Mavericks begin the 2026 season in a new class with a very competitive schedule but have the same objective and getting this program into the state playoffs.
COACH JAKE PEW ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/fort-lauderdale-archbishop-mccarthy-head-coach-jake-pew-353fc
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..