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 13^th
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 14^th

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 15^th

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..

Well, we have finally reached another season – with the kickoff classics starting this week across the state of Florida.

As we have had the pleasure again to travel across the state of Florida, we have watched hundreds of football prospects do their thing during the spring and into the summer in games, practices, camps and combines.

While everyone knows that Florida is the epicenter for some of the best talent in the country, you have to understand that these difference makers are not only seniors (2027) and juniors (2028), who are already on the recruiting clock.

The focus in places such as Pensacola, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa/St. Petersburg and here in south Florida and everywhere in between are the younger players.

So many Class of 2029 sophomores, who had the chance to impress last season, have already turned heads – here in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

Whether it was during the spring or at several summer events statewide, the south Florida talent truly stood out – and we were fortunate to be on hand as those rising sophomores made an impact – in front of college coaches.

There were so many impressive young players doing their thing, we have already gotten them plenty of exposure, often before anyone had the chance to watch them perform live in game conditions.

Among the players you will want to keep an eye on this season includes Xavier Baker (DB, Homestead South Dade), Vankino Bethea (DB, Miami Southridge), Evans Branch (Athletes, Miami Westminster Christian), Jamar Brinson (Athlete, Miami Carol City), Javian “Deebo” Butler (Edge, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Aviyon Darien (Athlete, Miami Northwestern), Bobby Doctor (Edge, Miami Southridge), Gabriel “Gabe” Ellis (DT, Miami Gulliver Prep) and Noah Finkelstein (LB, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep).

There are also Richard Guilbaud (RB, Miami Central), Uriah Gomez (Edge, Homestead South Dade), Cameron Green (Athlete, Miami Southridge), Aydin Hall (LB/Athlete, Miami Gulliver Prep), legacy standout Deandre Jasper Jr. (Athlete, Miami Jackson), Tyrell Johnson Jr. (WR, Miami Springs), Antwan Jones (DB, Miami Immaculate LaSalle), Derrick Jones Jr. (DB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), nationally-rated Victor Latimore (LB, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy) and fast-rising Jeramiah Lee (QB, Miami Killian).

The deep 2029 talent goes further with impressive Malik Leonard (QB, Miami Carol City), Darius Little (OL, Davie Western), Jovani Louis (DB, Miami Northwestern), Mason Maduro (OL, Miami Gulliver Prep), Trey’Von Martinez (OL, Miami Central), Ben “BJ” McFadden Jr. (Edge, Miami Carol City), Sidney Milcent (DB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Vincent Mosley Jr. (QB, Fort Lauderdale Dillard), Javian Norwood (WR, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons) and elite Jeffrey O’Neal Jr. (Plantation American Heritage).

Rounding out this Monday watch list are Kedarius Rhaney (WR, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Kenneth Rowell (DB, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy), Lamech Rucker Jr. (QB, Miami Southridge), Chadwic Small (OL, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Maksim Steuber (QB, Sunrise Piper) and Khalil Thomas (DB, Doral Academy) to mention a few.

Remember, we post dozens of prospects daily with film, accurate schools and grade information that goes directly to college coaches nationally, so if there 2029 players that we didn’t list, don’t worry, we will!

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..

It began after a 6-5 season ended with a first-round state playoff loss to Miami Killian.

A 6-5 record for the Miami Carol City football team on top of a number of less than average years, which did not sit well with this longtime successful fanbase.

Years of losing to rivals and early exits in the state playoffs was not something that this program had been used to over the years.

The supporters were quickly growing old of watching programs around them – like Miami Norland, Miami Central and Miami Northwestern reach the state finals, so something had to be done.

Enter head coach Toro Wallace, who had enjoyed state championship success at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, and the dominoes would start to fall. Longtime supporters and graduates were no longer willing to sit around season-after-season and watch this program underachieve and fail to keep up with programs in the area. It left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

Piece by piece, the Chiefs started to put things back together – and by the end of spring, elite prospects were added along with coaches – many with ties to the program.

By the end of summer when they lost a four overtime 7-on-7 event to two-time defending state champion West Boca Raton, the word had spread.

While many of the experts had not watched this team play – in full uniform – they were buying in to the names on the roster and the hype that had been generated.

When Max Preps came out with their pre-season national rankings a few weeks back, the school that had struggled to win games over the past six seasons had been elevated to No. 11 in the nation.

While there are those who are still skeptical that this program could be that good, are playing the waiting game.

No matter what anyone feels, Carol City still has to get it done on the field, and with a challenging schedule, they will get their opportunity.

If you look at the roster on paper, there is no getting around that this is as talented a roster as you will find, and playing in Class 2A, those on this team believe in miracles.

Starting with the senior class (2027), there are some elite names that everyone knows – like Miami Norland transfer Alan Blackshere (CB), two-year Chiefs starter and University of West Georgia commit Santana Blount (Slot), Chaminade-Madonna transfers University of Georgia commit Temorris Campbell Jr. (LB), Appalachian State commit Arwin Jackson (RB), West Virginia commit Lee Prince Jr. (RB) and West Virginia commit Trevoris “T.J.” Finley (DE); UCF commit Debonaire Johnson (LB), elite FSU-bound Zakari Johnson (DB/Athlete), Fort Lauderdale Dillard transfer and Tulane commit Joshua Sylvain (WR), FIU commitment Jaylen Thanis (DL), FAU commitment Danard Frazier (DT), rising standout Andrew Davis Jr. (S), and the center piece five-star University of Miami commit Nicholas Lennear (WR) from Miami Northwestern.

In addition, the Chiefs’ rosters also includes Jakell Brown (OL), Jashon Chaneton (DB), C.J. Dauphin (RB), Tramaine Holland (DE), D’Aniko Hunt (LB), Jerryson Jean-Baptiste (DB), U’Darius Jenkins (DB), Tha’kari Smith (DB), Willie Walker III (OL), former Miami Northwestern kicker/punter Alex Lima and legacy Robert Sanford (LB), who’s father was a star running back for this program.

LOADED FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL

While those who follow this game continue to talk about the seniors, there are also some elite underclassmen who will also impact this team in 2026 and beyond.

Prospects in 2028 such as California defensive secondary transfer Jaîlen Hiłł, Gainesville Buchholz transfer Marquel Brooks Jr. (WR) as well as nationally-rated Aden Johnson (Edge) and one-time Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace prospect Zakhari Johnson (LB).

The junior class will also include Kevin Alexander (OL/DL), Achilles Black (DB) Jimmy Gonzalez (DB), Yakes Jones Jr. (DT), Samir Mobley (DE), Cartier Morrell (DB), Semaj Robinson (OL) and Rashard Vangates (WR).

As good as the 2028 class will be, keep an eye on the 2029 sophomores like elite prospects Ben McFadden Jr. (DE/TE), Michael Williams Jr. (DL), Jamar Brinson (DB), newcomer Jerry Joseph (OL) and quarterback Malik Leonard, who helped lead Chaminade-Madonna to the 1A state title game last year.

The sophomore class will also have Victor Aguilar (OL), Jaelin Coach (DT), Kobe Hinton (OL/DL), Jamell Johnson (WR), Darrell McDonald (WR), Marvin McDonald III (WR), Roshard Williams (OL) and Maurice Wright Jr. (DB).

2026 MIAMI CAROL CITY CHIEFS SCHEDULE

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

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..