It’s another week of football as the popular and nationally-recognized South Florida High School Sports radio show with Larry Blustein on 104.3 FM WQAM was on Monday this week – brought to you courtesy of University of Miami Health Sports Medicine.

Each week, the 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 rated as one of the top programs 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:

As they get ready to travel to Houston to play the nationally rated Cougars this Saturday, the University of Central Florida is celebrating their Big-12 opening win against TCU. Matt Murschel from the Orlando Sentinel takes a look at the 3-1 Knights.

MATT MURSCHEL ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/matt-murschel-orlando-sentinel-ucf-football-912dc

After winning the first four games of the season, the University of Miami faces their biggest challenge on the road at “Death Valley” on Saturday night as they take on 3-1 Clemson, and Geo Millian stopped by to break the game down.

GEO MILLIAN ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/geo-millian-university-of-miami-football-2d995

After five games, the Fort Lauderdale High football program is 5-0 and looking good. The Flying Ls will be favored the rest of the way and could complete an unbeaten season. Veteran head coach Richard Dunbar talked about the chemistry on this team.

COACH RICHARD DUNBAR ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/coach-richard-dunbar-hc-fort-lauderdale-ac361

After four games this season, Florida Memorial University is 2-2 with some tough conference games coming up. Loaded with local talent, the Lions are improving every year and head coach Mike Jones talked about this year’s team.

COACH MIKE JONES ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/coach-mike-jones-hc-florida-memorial-university-a31a6

The Nat Moore Trophy has become an award that every high school football player in Miami-Dade and Broward County wants to be a part of each year. With the presentation held at Hard Rock Stadium each December, players are being nominated right now – and CBS4 Sports Anchor Mike Cugno talked about the process.

MIKE CUGNO ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/mike-cugno-cbs-4-nat-moore-trophy-8426e

When they beat Miami Westminster Christian last Friday, the Miami Killian Cougars won the district and knocked off an unbeaten team for the second straight week. Head Coach Rudy Trevino talked about the Cougars’ success.

COACH RUDY TREVINO ON MONDAY NIGHT.  https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/coach-rudy-trevino-hc-miami-killian-f1a46

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..

By Dave Brousseau

WESTON – Undefeated though five games into the 2026 high football season, there was uncertainty on how relevant the Cypress Bay team was.

 The Lightning proved they are the real deal with a come from behind 21-18 overtime victory over Western in a District 15-6A game on Friday.

Senior kicker Nicolas Budejen who just narrowly missed a 58-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation, successfully drilled a 32-yard game winning kick in the extra frame for the victory.

The win snapped an 11-game losing streak against Western. In addition, a 45-yard touchdown reception by Zachary McKenzie in the third quarter also ended a 16-quarter touchdown drought against Western.

“I know Cypress Bay and Western have a history,” said first year Cypress Bay coach Darrell Strong, who previously coach at Plantation High. “This is new to me, so this is a new team. I had to instill what I had coming over here. Everything starts with this game here.”

“I asked my kicker are you good, do you got this? and he said yeah. I knew I could put  my trust in him for the game winning field goal,” he added.

The Lightning improved to 6-0 and 2-0 in district play. The six-game winning streak is the team’s longest since winning eight consecutive games in 2012. That season the team advanced to the Class 8A state championship game.

“First, my team is awesome,” said Budejen. “This is what practice is for. I love this sport but really love practicing. This is what I live for. I go over this every time in my head and every kick that I get.”

Dating back to Oct. 29, 2004, Western lead the series 13-10, having won 11 straight meetings by a combined score of 418-56, including four straight shutouts.

Cypress Bay looks to extend its winning streak next Friday against West Broward. Western will play Miami High next week. 

“This game concluded with a win by Cypress Bay on a field goal,” said Western coach Adam Ratkevich. “We had three turnover you can’t have. We stopped ourselves several times on drives. You can’t have turnovers and penalties in key moments. There were a lot of opportunities to win this game, but my hat off to Cypress Bay, they played hard.”

Cypress Bay scored its first touchdown three plays into the second half when quarterback Eumarion Beal connected on a 45-yard pass to McKenzie on the third play of the second half, closing Western lead to 12-10.

The Wildcats answered on a nine-play 96-yard drive on a Jack Spaeder 13-yard pass to Eduard Shmandura with 7:55 left in the third quarter. The two-point conversion failed as the lead stood at 18-10.

Following a lost Western fumble, the Lightning capitalized as Beal 15-yard touchdown pass to Keyondre McClover and two-point conversion tied the score at 18 with 4:47 to play. 

Neither team was particularly sharp offensively in the first half.

Western (3-2,  1-1 in district) was the benefactor on a pair of rushing touchdowns for a 12-3 lead at the break.

Spaeder had a 15-yard scamper for a 6-0 lead with 7:55 remaining in the first quarter. Spaeder had four consecutive carries on the Wildcats opening drive for 57 yards.

Following a Cypress Bay punt, Western struck again when senior running back Mason Mora broke free for a 62-yard run with 9:40 left in the second quarter for a 12-0 lead.

Mora finished with a game-high 144 rushing yards on 17 carries. Spaeder added 104 yards on the ground on eight carries.

Those two scoring drives offset both teams’ lack of consistency on offense.

Cypress Bay managed a 27-yard field goal by Budejen with 7:15 left in the half.

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As we closed the book on Week 6 of the high school football season in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, it was all about district play, and of course positioning for the post season.

No matter what class it was, the focus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday was directly on those teams who were looking to put themselves in a position to get those coveted spots for the post season.

While much of the attention statewide was on that inaugural Open Division, the #305 and #954 was all about trying to win or qualify for a post season spot.

Here are some of the games – district and non-district - the fans were keeping an eye on this past week:

Central (Miami) 52, Northwestern (Miami) 10. While this was not a district contest, it was a little payback for the Rockets who were on the losing side of two games last year. This rivalry is always one that carries with it plenty of bragging rights for the next 365 days – as you know there will be changes coming for the Bulls after dominating the past two years and falling off this season. While losing stings, it is something that has been part of this game for decades.

Cypress Bay (Weston) 21, Western (Davie) 18 (OT). Two Class 6A teams that battled into overtime for the district title – and while this was one game – it may very well be the first of two meetings as there will the playoffs and perhaps a rematch. Even though the Lightning could go undefeated, making the Open Division may not be a reality with all the elite programs statewide that will most likely advance.

Fort Lauderdale 27, Cooper City 10. Two teams that were playing as independent programs went into this contest unbeaten for the first time ever this late in the season, and the 5-0 Flying Ls prevail and have a chance to run the table for the first time in many, many decades.

Immaculata LaSalle (Miami) 40, Ransom Everglades (Miami) 20. If you as anyone in the state who is among the winningest programs in Florida over the past three seasons, very few will pick the Royal Lions, but in the past 31 games, they are 28-3 and wrapped up yet another district title. They are hoping this year will be different and they could do something special in 2A.

Killian (Miami) 47, Westminster Christian (Miami) 0. It’s been quite a number of years since the Warriors had started off unbeaten, and while the future looks promising, and their roster is filled with younger players, it is Killian that is making a return as a power after beating two straight unbeaten teams and sits in a position to win a district crown – in 2A. There are a lot of non-believers, but the Cougars have plenty of talent and are loaded up for a stretch run.

Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens) 21, Southridge 20. The Lions and veteran head coach Tim “Ice” Harris wrapped up the district title with a win over the Spartans, and while they are young and inexperienced, they could be a problem come playoff time.

Norland (Miami) 22, McArthur (Hollywood) 21, OT. It has been a disappointing season so far for the Mustangs after dropping this game against a Vikings’ squad that is also in that rebuilding mode. Norland is in a position to win a district title, so the next few weeks will be very important.

In addition to those contests, here is a look at the rest of last week’s results:

American (Hialeah) 50, Edison (Miami) 14

American Heritage (Plantation) 41, Miramar 0

Archbishop Carroll (Miami) 35, Palmer Trinity (Miami) 14

Barbara Goleman (Miami Lakes) 51, Miami High 28

Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach) 66, Northeast (Oakland Park) 0

Braddock (Miami) 21, Ronald Regan (Doral) 20

Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) 26, North Miami 12

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 40, Plantation 0

Carol City (Miami) 42, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 0

Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 48, Saint Andrew’s Academy (Boca Raton) 3

Christopher Columbus (Miami) 58, Homestead 0

Coral Reef (Miami) 37, Sunset (Miami) 0

Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) 50, Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) 0

Felix Varela (Miami) 54, Coral Park (Miami) 14

Flanagan (Pembroke Pines) 55, Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes) 12

Florida Christian (Miami) 41, NextGen Prep (Pompano Beach) 6

Gulliver Prep (Miami) 31, The Benjamin School (North Palm Beach) 14

Hialeah 40, Hialeah Miami-Lakes 8

Hollywood Hills 44, Pompano Beach 3

Kingsland Camden County, Georgia 33, Pembroke Pines West Broward 8

Miami Springs 47, Jackson (Miami) 6

Monarch (Coconut Creek) 26, Deerfield Beach 6

Monsignor Pace (Miami Gardens) 14, Doral Academy 0

North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek) 13, Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 7

North Miami Beach 41, St. Brendan (Miami) 0

NSU University School (Fort Lauderdale) 37, Somerset Academy Silver Palms (Homestead) 6

Palmetto (Miami) 72, Southwest Miami 0

Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) 52, Palm Beach Christian Prep 6

Royal Palm Beach 16, Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches) 13

Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines) 41, Everglades (Miramar) 6

South Broward (Hollywood) 34, Taravella (Coral Springs) 6

South Dade (Homestead) 44, Coral Gables 20

South Miami 22, Dr. Krop (Miami) 20 (OT)

South Plantation 37, Douglas (Parkland) 14

True North Classical Academy (Miami) 30, Key West 17

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..

From rivalries to key district contests, today in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will be one of the busiest days of the season.

This is the time of year – with the new “Open Division” and other classes – where every week is going to shine a spotlight on several games that will determine what several programs will be doing this off season.

Here is a look at some of the key games that we will all be watching today:

Miami Central (3-1) vs. Miami Northwestern (4-1), Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30. Unlike last year when this was a district matchup, this is one of those play for pride games that will attract a huge crowd.

It is a revenge contest for the Rockets who were beaten twice by the Bulls last year. It is a huge contest for Central who still have slim hopes of making it to the Open Division. They are still one of the teams to beat in 3A.

The Bulls don’t have the talent they have been blessed with over the past two seasons, but they know that you can throw the records away in a game like this. One of the biggest rivalries in the state – and sometimes the country.

MIAMI CENTRAL ROCKETS

Orange Lutheran, California, W 23-22

Miami St. Brendan, W 43-7

Buford, Georgia, L 18-7

Miami Jackson, W 54-18

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

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN BULLS

St. Petersburg Lakewood, W 20-18

Miami Jackson, W 42-0

Hialeah, W 51-0

Hawthorne, L 16-12

North Miami, W 23-7

9/25 – Miami Central

10/1 – Hialeah American

10/9 - @Miami Carol City

10/16 – GMAC Week

10/23 – Miami Christopher Columbus

Davie Western (3-1) at Weston Cypress Bay (5-0), 7. By far the biggest contest in the #954 this week as this district matchup means about everything to both schools.

The Wildcats have held the upper hand recently, but this is a different season and the Lightning are not only after a district crown but have the talent to do much more – as they have shown already this season, dominating the competition, 231-48.

The Wildcats have only lost once to the nation’s No. 1 team, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, so they are tested a ready.

DAVIE WESTERN WILDCATS

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 42-0

Pine Creek, Colorado, W 41-7

Pembroke Pines Flanagan, W 48-12

Pembroke Pines West Broward, W 18-14

9/25 - @Weston Cypress Bay

10/2 - @Miami High

10/8 - @Doral Academy

10/16 – Sunrise Piper

10/23 – Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman

10/30 – Hollywood McArthur

WESTON CYPRESS BAY LIGHTNING

South Plantation, W 28-21

Pembroke Pines Flanagan, W 42-7

Coral Springs Coral Glades, W 52-7

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, W 59-13

Parkland Douglas, W 50-0

9/25 – Davie Western

10/2 - @Pembroke Pines West Broward

10/9 – Miami High

10/23 – Doral Academy

10/29 – Oakland Park Northeast

Fort Lauderdale (4-0) at Cooper City (5-0), 7. While these two programs may be playing at the independent level this year, keep in mind that they are both well coached, have plenty of talent and come into this evening’s game unbeaten.

This is one of those contests – with the Flying Ls and Cowboys (averaging 40 points per game) that will attract plenty of fans and is one of that matchups that could produce an unbeaten team this season.

FORT LAUDERDALE FLYNG LS

Coral Springs Taravella, W 32-12

Hollywood South Broward, W 32-20

Hollywood Hills, W 34-8

West Palm Beach Forest Hill, W 35-0

9/25 - @Cooper City

10/2 – Pembroke Pines Charter

10/8 – Parkland Douglas

10/16 – Coral Springs

10/22 - @South Plantation

10/29 - @Fort Lauderdale Stranahan

COOPER CITY COWBOYS

Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, W 48-21

Parkland Douglas, W 42-6

Coral Springs Taravella, W 41-0

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, W 41-27

Pembroke Pines Charter, W 42-28

9/25 – Fort Lauderdale

10/2 - @Coral Springs

10/16 - @Hollywood South Broward

10/22 – Oakland Park Northeast

10/30 – South Plantation

Miami Killian (4-1) at Miami Westminster Christian (4-0), 4. This may be the biggest game in Miami-Dade County today – and it’s a late afternoon contest that will most likely produce the district champions.

The Cougars are coming off a huge win against previously unbeaten Tampa Catholic as the prepared for this huge matchup. They have plenty of talent and are well coached.

Speaking of coaching, the Warriors are making all this happen with a first-year coach who comes in with plenty of experience and leads a really impressive group of players that would certainly make a splash statewide with a win at home.

MIAMI KILLIAN COUGARS

Miami Palmetto, L 35-0

Homestead South Dade, W 34-29

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 37-0

North Miami, W 40-0

Tampa Catholic, W 27-10

9/25 - @Miami Westminster Christian

10/2 - @Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms

10/16 – GMAC Week

10/22 – Miami Archbishop Carroll

10/29 - @Miami Edison

MIAMI WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN WARRIORS

Miami St. Brendan, W 49-7

Miami Palmer Trinity, W 55-21

Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms, W 28-6

Miami Belen Jesuit, W 35-14

9/25 - Miami Killian

10/2 - @Miami Ransom Everglades

10/9 – South Miami

10/16 - @Naples Palmetto Ridge

10/24 – Miami Beach

10/29 – Southwest Miami

Miami Ransom Everglades (4-0) at Miami Immaculata La Salle (4-0), 7. If Killian and Westminster Christian is a huge district game, this battle of the unbeatens and for district supremacy is no far behind.

Both of these 9-2A teams have reached this contest by playing well on both sides of the ball.

For the Raiders, who have played close games so far this season, they believe that being battle tested will be an advantage, but LaSalle is loaded and are seeing the bigger picture as they continue to their successful ride.

MIAMI RANSOM EVERGLADES RAIDERS

Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms, W 13-7

Miami Gulliver Prep, W 20-7

Doral Academy, W 24-14

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, W 39-14

9/25 - @Miami Immaculata LaSalle

10/2 – Miami Westminster Christian

10/9 – Miami SmartEn Sports Academy

10/16 – Fort Lauderdale NSU University School

10/23 - @Naples St. John Neumann

10/30 - @Miami Palmer Trinity

MIAMI IMMACULATA LASALLE ROYAL LIONS

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 33-14

Naples St. John Neumann, W 34-14

Miami Edison, W 48-6

Miami Gulliver Prep, W 33-13

9/25 – Miami Ransom Everglades

10/1 - @Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy

10/9 – Hialeah

10/16 - @Miami St. Brendan

10/22 - @Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace

In addition to those games, here is a look at the other matchups involving Miami-Dade and Broward County programs:

Boca Raton Spanish River at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7

Boca Raton St. Andrews at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, 6:30

Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, 7

Coral Gables vs. Homestead South Dade (Harris), 7:30

Coral Springs Charter at Davie Nova, 7

Deerfield Beach at Coconut Creek Monarch (Coconut Creek), 4

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miami Southridge, 7:30

Homestead at Miami Christopher Columbus, 6

Miami Archbishop Carroll at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4

Miami Beach at Miramar Everglades, 7

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace at Doral, 7

Miami Jackson vs. Miami Springs (Milander), 7:30

Miami True North Classical Academy at Key West, 7:30

Miramar at Plantation American Heritage, 7

North Miami at Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, 7

North Miami Beach at Miami St. Brendan, 7

North Palm Beach Benjamin at Miami Gulliver Prep, 3:30

Pembroke Pines West Broward at Camden County, Georgia, 7

Plantation at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 7

Pompano Beach at Hollywood Hills, 4

South Plantation at Parkland Douglas, 6

Southwest vs. Miami Palmetto (Tropical), 7:30

THURSDAY SCORES

American (Hialeah) 50, Edison (Miami) 14

Barbara Goleman (Miami Lakes) 51, Miami High 28

Braddock (Miami) 21, Ronald Reagan (Doral) 20

Carol City (Miami) 42, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 0

Christopher Columbus (Miami) 58, Homestead 0

Coral Reef (Miami) 37, Sunset (Miami) 0

Eau Gallie (Melbourne) 38, Astronaut (Titusville) 0

Felix Varela (Miami) 54, Coral Park (Miami) 14

NSU University School (Fort Lauderdale) 37, Somerset Academy Silver Palms (Homestead) 6

Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) 52, Palm Beach Christian Prep 6

South Broward (Hollywood) 34, Taravella (Coral Springs) 6

South Miami 22, Dr. Krop (Miami) 20 (OT)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan at Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 7

Hialeah at Hialeah-Miami Lakes (Milander), 7

Hollywood McArthur at Miami Norland (Traz), 7

Oakland Park Northeast at Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, 7

Pembroke Pines Flanagan at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, 7

TUESDAY

Royal Palm Beach 16, Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches) 13

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..