While so much attention in south Florida – when it comes to athletics – is directly on the high schools, and for good reason. But the area high school programs would never be where they are without the benefit of a strong middle school feeder program.

In Miami-Dade County, the success of so many sports can be traced back to middle school, and today we shine a spotlight on the many boys and girls who are wrapping up the fall schedule.

As many coaches put in long hours to help develop the student/athletes and get them ready to compete at the next level, they are making a huge impact.

SOCCER FINISHES UP EXCITING SEASON

For the third straight year, the girls’ team at George Washington Carver Middle School came out on top with several players stepping up.

It was also a tremendous season for Hialeah Gardens Middle School, who finished second.

SOUTH DADE MIDDLE SWEEPS CROSS COUNTRY

It was an outstanding season for South Dade Middle School boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams as both ended with titles.

FACEBOOK: Miami-Dade County Public Schools

INSTAGRAM: Miami-Dade Schools

YOUTUBE: Miami-Dade County Public Schools

X: @MDCPS

Just a reminder that we will continue to bring you Miami-Dade Middle School Athletics throughout the year. If you have an interesting story about a student/athlete in athletics or in the classroom, please contact Renee Green-McCleod at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 305-275-3722.

As we head toward the last two weeks of the season, there are seven Miami-Dade and Broward County football programs who still have dreams of winning a state title.

From 1A-7A, the programs will play this week in the state semifinals and winners will advance to Florida International University’s Pitbull Stadium next Wednesday-Saturday.

Here is a look at how the Top 20 teams stand heading into Round 4:

1. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (11-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Lions rolled to a 49-6 win against Miami Edison. THIS WEEK: 12/6 – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 49, Miami Edison 6. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Clearwater Central Catholic (11-2) or No. 2 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (10-1), Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.

2. Plantation American Heritage (11-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The No. 1 seed Patriots upended Miami Norland, 35-14. THIS WEEK: 12/6 - No. 4 St. Augustine. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Naples (11-2) or No. 2 Orlando Jones (13-0), Friday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.

3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (10-3, 5A). LAST WEEK: The five-time defending state champions had to come from behind to win in overtime, 49-42, over Delray Beach Atlantic. THIS WEEK: - 12/6 - No. 1 Bradenton Manatee. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Niceville (12-1) or No. 2 Lakeland (12-0), Thursday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.

4. Miami Northwestern (10-2, 3A). LAST WEEK: The Bulls continued their domination in the post season with a 55-0 win over Fort Myers Cypress Lake. THIS WEEK: 12/6 - No. 2 Melbourne Eau Gallie. NEXT GAME: No. 4 Sarasota Booker (10-3) or No. 1 Jacksonville Raines (12-0), Saturday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.

5. Miami Booker T. Washington (10-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes remained red hot with a 41-6 win against Miami Immaculata LaSalle. THIS WEEK: 12/6 – No. 1 Havana Gadsden County. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Cocoa (9-3) or No. 2 Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (12-0), Thursday, Dec. 12, 12:30 p.m.

6. Miami Christopher Columbus (8-3, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Explorers won a thrilling 27-25 game against Davie Western. THIS WEEK: 12/6 – No. 1 Venice. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Orlando Dr. Phillips (12-1) or No. 2 Lake Mary (11-2), Saturday, Dec. 14, 12:30 p.m.

7. Miami Southridge (11-2, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Spartans rolled to a 55-21 win against Pembroke Pines West Broward. THIS WEEK: 12/6 – No. 1 West Boca Raton. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Kissimmee Osceola (11-2) at No. 2 Gainesville Buchholz (10-3), Friday, Dec. 13, 12:30 p.m.

8. Miami Norland (9-3, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Vikings saw their season come to an end with a 35-14 setback to Plantation American Heritage. SEASON OVER

9. Davie Western (6-7, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Wildcats lost a tough 27-25 decision to Miami Christopher Columbus. SEASON OVER.

10. Pembroke Pines West Broward (9-4, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Bobcats saw their productive season come to an end with a 55-21 setback against Miami Southridge.

11. Coconut Creek Monarch (7-4, 6A). SEASON OVER.

12. Sunrise Piper (10-2, 6A). SEASON OVER.

13. Miami Immaculata LaSalle (11-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Royal Lions ended the year with a 41-6 setback against Miami Booker T. Washington. SEASON OVER.

14. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-4, 5A). SEASON OVER.

15. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (9-3, 4A). SEASON OVER.

16. Miami Edison (7-5, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Red Raiders ended their year with a 49-6 loss to Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. SEASON OVER.

17. Miramar (7-5, 5A). SEASON OVER.

18. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (8-3, 2A). SEASON OVER.

19. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-5, 2A). SEASON OVER.

20. Homestead South Dade (6-6, 7A). SEASON OVER.

IN ADDITION: Coconut Creek (4-5, 5A – SEASON OVER), Coral Gables (5-4, 7A – SEASON OVER), Davie Nova (7-3, 6A – SEASON OVER), Doral Academy (5-5, 6A – SEASON OVER), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (7-3, 2A – SEASON OVER), Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (9-2, Independent – SEASON OVER), Fort Lauderdale (4-5, 6A – SEASON OVER), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (5-5, 3A – SEASON OVER), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (5-4, Independent – SEASON OVER), Hialeah (8-3, 4A – SEASON OVER), Hollywood South Broward (4-7, 6A – SEASON OVER), Homestead (4-5, 6A – SEASON OVER), Miami Archbishop Carroll (6-5, 1A – SEASON OVER), Miami Carol City (7-4, 2A – SEASON OVER), Miami Florida Christian (9-1, Independent – SEASON OVER), Miami Jackson (4-7, 3A – SEASON OVER), Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (5-6, 7A – SEASON OVER), Miami Ransom Everglades (6-4, 2A – SEASON OVER), Miami Palmetto (6-4, 7A – SEASON OVER), Miami Springs (3-7, 2A – SEASON OVER), Miami True North Classical Academy (7-4, 1A – SEASON OVER), North Miami (6-5, 5A – SEASON OVER), North Miami Beach (3-7, 2A – SEASON OVER), Pembroke Pines Charter (6-4, 5A – SEASON OVER), Pembroke Pines Flanagan (7-4, 6A – SEASON OVER), Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (7-4, 3A – SEASON OVER), Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (7-4, 4A – SEASON OVER), Plantation (6-5, 4A – SEASON OVER). Weston Cypress Bay (6-4, 7A – SEASON OVER).

WEEKLY RANKINGS

PRE-SEASON. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-pre-season-top-20-st-thomas-begins-at-no-1

Week 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-2-top-20-st-thomas-remains-on-top

Week 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-3-top-20-surprises-shake-things-up

WEEK 4. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-things-are-getting-very-interesting

WEEK 5. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-local-rankings-change-from-week-to-week

WEEK 6. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-district-play-has-started-in-miami-dade-broward

WEEK 7. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-7-st-thomas-aquinas-miami-central-hollywood-chaminade-madonna-remain-at-the-top

WEEK 8. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-8-head-to-head-matchups-are-key

WEEK 9. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-9-chaminade-madonna-moves-back-on-top

WEEK 10. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-10-highlights-some-crucial-miami-dade-broward-games

WEEK 11. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-11-playoff-spots-are-now-filled-for-miami-dade-broward-county-teams

WEEK 12. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-12-local-teams-getting-ready-for-the-state-playoffs

PLAYOFF WEEK 1: https://larryblustein.com/news/playoff-week-1-the-race-begins-this-week

PLAYOFF WEEK 2: https://larryblustein.com/news/playoff-week-2-the-spotlight-shines-on-key-local-matchups-1

PLAYOFF WEEK 3: https://larryblustein.com/news/playoff-week-3-twelve-local-teams-remain-in-the-hunt

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 54 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 - BCAA Writer
DELRAY BEACH – Maybe destiny played a role in the outcome of the Class 5A regional final between St. Thomas Aquinas and Atlantic (Delray Beach) on Friday night.

Maybe it was senior quarterback Andrew Indorf’s leadership and or senior running back Cedric Wyche II having the biggest game of his high school career.

Collectively, everything contributed to the Raiders 49-42 comeback victory in double overtime in taking a step closer to a possible sixth consecutive state title. Head Coach Roger Harriott and the Raiders never led until the winning touchdown in the second overtime period.

“We kept our heads up,” said Indorf. “Coach always says when we face adversity, we get motivated on every single down. We played out hearts out and finished. Yes, we make mistakes, but we finished the job.
We just didn’t want to go home.”

St. Thomas improved to 8-0 all-time in playoff games against Atlantic, while outscoring the Eagles 366-104. The win also extended the Raiders current state record with 28 straight playoff victories.

The Raiders (10-3) will play at top seed Bradenton Manatee (10-1) in a state semifinal game on Friday, Dec. 6. The last time Aquinas played Manatee they defeated them 45-0 in the second round of the 2020 playoffs. They are also 5-1 all-time against next week’s opponent.

“We often talk about prevailing through adversity,” said Harriott. “It showed tonight.

We stumbled throughout the game. Hats off to Atlantic as they did a great job. We just continued to hang in there. We knew there would be opportunities and to play hard until there was no time left on the clock.”

Indorf completed an 11-yard scoring pass to Ah’mari Stevens in the back of the Atlantic endzone with 32 seconds left in regulation tying the score at 35-35. Aquinas had trailed 35-18 entering the fourth quarter.

The Eagles took a 42-35 lead in their opening half of the first overtime period on an 8-yard scoring pass from senior quarterback Lincoln Graf to oner of Florida’s top receivers in FAU commitment Teddy Hoffmann.
The Raiders sent the game in the second OT as Indorf threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Stevens to send the game into the second overtime.

The Raiders started the second overtime at the five-yard line following an Atlantic unsportsmanlike penalty on the Raiders conversion point in the first OT. Stevens scored on the first play for his fourth touchdown of the night.

“We came out in the second half and dominated,” said Stevens. “We didn’t put our hands up. We finished and got the job done.”

A lost fumble on the Eagles third play of the second overtime ended the game. The 42 points allowed was the most in Aquinas in team history. The Raiders defense sacked Graf five times, including one on the last play of the game.

Indorf finished his night with 270 yards and two touchdowns, with 217 yards coming in the second half. He also surpassed the team record for career passing yards previously held by Zion Turner’s 4,951. Indorf ended the night with 5,216 all-time yards.

Indorf also completed 20 of 25 attempts with the completions also setting the team career record previously held by Turner at 369. Indorf now has 277 career completions.

Atlantic (11-2) jumped to a 20-0 first quarter lead and lead 28-7 despite Stevens first touchdown early in the second quarter. Indorf scored on an eight-yard run just before the half expired cutting the deficit to 28-14.

Graf had passed for 3148 yards and 36 touchdowns entering Friday’s game. He added three more scoring passes against Aquinas. The Eagles first two scoring plays came on a halfback pass and a double-reverse pass on their first two possessions of the first quarter.

Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On a week when the five-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders overcame a three-score deficit, Miami Norland lost by 21 points and Davie Western lost with :4 left on the clock, seven teams now look toward the state semifinals.

This crazy season continues to take some unusual turns as dreams are dashed – while others remain alive in playing a “home” game in the second week of December at Florida International University’s Pitbull Stadium.

With the hopes of getting all seven teams through to the state finals, the reality will see five of the seven teams having to hit the road.

1A

REGION 4

REGION FINAL

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 49, Miami Edison 6. For the second time this season, the Lions (11-2) and head coach Dameon Jones continued their push toward a record ninth consecutive state championship appearance with a convincing win against the Red Raiders. They have overwhelmed the competition in the three games played in the post season.

2A

REGION 4

REGION FINAL

Miami Booker T. Washington 41, Miami Immaculata LaSalle 6. Like Chaminade-Madonna, veteran head coach Ice Harris and the Tornadoes (10-2) took care of its district opponent for the second time and wrapped up a regional title, moving one step closer. This is another team that has dominated down the stretch and into the state playoffs.

3A

REGION 4

REGION FINAL

Miami Northwestern 55, Fort Myers Cypress Lake 0. First year head coach Teddy Bridgewater and his Bulls (10-2) have been untouchable down the stretch and must believe that they can make it to the state title game this season. This team is loaded with elite football talent – young and veteran – and without Miami Central in the mix, things have been much easier.

4A

REGION 4

REGION FINAL

Plantation American Heritage 35, Miami Norland 14. The Patriots (10-2) and head coach Mike Smith lost the first time to the Vikings in a thrilling contest, only to have the game awarded to them – along with the district title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs because Norland used an illegible player. Now, this is a team that has a chance to reach the finals for the first time in three years.

5A

REGION 4

REGION FINAL

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 49, Delray Atlantic 42 (2 OT). This has not been the best year for head coach Roger Harriott and his football program – with three losses to some impressive teams, but not what this program is used to. The Raiders (10-3) had to come from behind, forcing an overtime, only to win it and move on to the next round.

6A

REGION 4

REGION FINAL

Miami Southridge 55, Pembroke Pines West Broward 21. They have turned back the clock in South Miami Heights, and head coach Pierre Senatus and his Spartans (11-2) have been on a roll since a GMAC Week loss to Booker T. Washington. They were very impressive in the Region Final – as they have been throughout the state playoffs.

7A

REGION 4

REGION FINAL

Miami Christopher Columbus 27, Davie Western 25. They have been counting out head coach Dave Dunn and his Explorers (9-3) since the spring when they were soundly beaten by Fort Myers Bishop Verot and Sarasota Riverview, but this program has played defense and use timely offense and big plays like they did last Friday in beating the Wildcats on a 42-yard field goal with time running out.

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 54 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..