The great thing about attending so many events live in the off season is you not only have the opportunity to watch many established football prospects, but also take a look at the future.

With the amount of camps, combines and 7-on-7 events we are fortunate to attend – statewide and locally – getting the opportunity to see these prospects perform at the high school level before many had ever heard of the is something we have done for six decades.

Seeing football talent mature right before your eyes is what has made covering this level for so long a lot of fun and getting to evaluate firsthand – instead of watching a video or listening to what others say about these young men – has set us apart for decades and decades.

While the Classes of 2027 (seniors) and 2028 (juniors) have been on the radar for years, it’s those sophomores (2029) and the freshmen (2030) that are getting the chance to showcase their skills – many at the varsity level.

The Class of 2030 has come in during the first part of the season and started to establish themselves against older and more seasoned talent. This is no longer youth football, and if you are judging these freshmen on what you watched when they were 12-13 and 14, you are NOT seeing the same talent. They have gotten bigger, faster, stronger and learned so much from the coaches at the high school level.

Today, we bring you some of those freshmen we have seen live and bring them to you, the football fan, and to the many college coaches who have followed us for years.

If there are prospects in this Class of 2030 that you believe we should know about, just drop us a note – with video link and social media – to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Naylen Adderly, DB, 5’10, 170, Miami Booker T. Washington – 3.4 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/31235365/Naylen-Adderly

Patrick Allen Jr., QB, 5’10, 180, Homestead South Dade.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

Donte Anderson, WR, 6’1, 160, Miami Northwestern.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

Tyson Baier, QB, 6’2, 150, Pembroke Pines Somerset – 4.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26363180/Tyson-Baier

Colton Barack, DE, 5’11, 185, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30383083/Colton-Barack

James Bush, WR, 5’9, 155, Miami Beach.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/31237383/James-Bush

Jayden Castro, QB, 5’10, 189, Miami Booker T. Washington.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/31233835/Jayden-Castro

Sean Davis, QB, 5’10, 170, Doral Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26659518/Sean-Davis

Carleb Charles, Athlete, South Miami.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

Khaven Craig, DB, 5’7, 155, Pembroke Pines Flanagan.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/31235421/Khaven-Craig

Undrea Dean, DB, 5’11, 145, Plantation.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30993817/Undrea-Dean

Seth Edmond, LB/RB, Davie Western.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

Nehemiah Floyd, DB, 6’0, 165, Miami Florida Christian.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

Gregory “Doodie” Florence, RB, 5’8, 160, Miami Southridge – 3.5 GPA.

TAPE:  https://www.hudl.com/profile/26348153/gregory-florence

Isaiah Garcia, LB, 5’10, 190, Doral Academy – 4.11 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26827809/Isaiah-Garcia

Jakarri Hendrix, OL, 6’2, 280, Miami Central.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30933775/Jakarri-Hendrix

Michael Johnson III, DB, 5’11, 185, Miami Immaculata LaSalle.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30899338/Michael-Johnson-III

Johntavies Jones, WR, 6’1, 175, Pembroke Pines West Broward.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30615802/Johntavies-Jones.

Brandon King, DB, 6’1, 175, Miami Florida Christian.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

Brandon Morgan, OLB, Florida Christian.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

Giovanny Moreira, DL, 5’11, 205, Hialeah Mater Academy – 3.3 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/31053312/Giovanny-Moreira

Calvin Pierce III, DB, 5’8, 130, Pompano Beach.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30936656/Calvin-Pierce-III

Jaziel Polanco, QB, 5’10, 160, Miami Immaculata LaSalle.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30900055/Jaziel-Polanco?

Marcus Rivas, QB/OLB, 5’8, 155, Miami Belen Jesuit.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/29588721/Marcus-Rivas

Jonathan “J-Roc” Sawyer, WR/S, 6’0, 185, Hollywood McArthur.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/29634939/Jonathan-Sawyer

Ashton Smith, RB, Weston Cypress Bay.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/31025579/Ashton-Smith

Jackie Solomon, QB, 5’11, 185, Miami Beach.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23633720/Jackie-Solomon

King Taylor, DE, 5’10, 163, Fort Lauderdale.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30686897/King-Taylor

Aiden Walhoff, QB, 6’0, 165, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/26850590/Aiden-Wallhoff

Willie Williams, QB/WR, 5’8, 145, South Miami.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/31224749/Willie-Williams

Joseph Yearby, RB, 5’11, 169, Miami Central.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/30534940/Joseph-Yearby

Anthony Young III, Edge, 6’1, 195, Weston Cypress Bay.

WAITING ON HIS VIDEO LINK.

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..

As we head toward Week No. 7 here in Florida, district titles, Open Division slots and just post season play will start to define football programs.

While some teams have been eliminated from the playoffs, others will continue to realize their dreams as the Top 30 programs remained the same at the top, but changed quite a bit toward the end of these weekly rankings.

Competition remains fierce as those teams who are not going to be the top eight to compete in the inaugural Open Division to be considered the best in the Sunshine State are looking to still play for a state title in Classes 1A-6A.

There are also independent titles up for grabs in the last few weeks with games becoming very important for those programs who had worked all off season.

Here is a look at the Top 30 programs for Week 7 – with additional teams that have a chance to be special this year:

1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A, 5-0). The nation’s No. 1 team enjoyed the week off after a solid start. THIS WEEK: They will stay on the road for a big matchup with No. 9 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (10/2). NEXT WEEK: It’s a home game against Hollywood McArthur (10/9).

2. Bradenton IMG Academy (Independent, 5-0). The Ascenders rolled to a 56-7 win against Spring Legacy School of Sport Sciences. THIS WEEK: A road contest to Springfield, Virginia to play The St. James Performance Academy (10/3). NEXT WEEK: A road trip to Indiana to play New Palestine (10/9).

3. Venice (6A, 6-0). Easily one of the best teams in the state, the Indians continued to roll along with a 57-33 district win against Sarasota. THIS WEEK: It’s a big one with Open Division on the line at No. 6 Jacksonville Raines (10/2). NEXT WEEK: Another district home game against Bradenton Lakewood Ranch (10/9).

4. Miami Christopher Columbus (6A, 5-1). The Explorers had no problem with Homestead in a district contest, 58-0. THIS WEEK: Another district game at home against Southwest Miami (10/1). NEXT WEEK: They wrap up the district season with a road game against Coral Gables (10/9).

5. Miami Central (3A, 4-1). The Rockets got a little payback with their huge rival, Miami Northwestern, 52-10. THIS WEEK: A district game on the road against Miami Springs (10/3). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Key West (10/8).

6. Jacksonville Raines (3A, 5-0). The defending state champions had the week off to prepare for the stretch run. THIS WEEK: A huge contest at home that will have a direct impact on the Open Division against No. 3 Venice (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A district road trip to play Jacksonville Bishop Kenny (10/9).

7. West Boca Raton (5A, 4-1). The Bulls rebounded from their first loss with a convincing 57-0 district win against Boca Raton Olympic Heights. THIS WEEK: A road game to Belle Glade to play Glades Central (10/2). NEXT WEEK: Another district game on the road against Deerfield Beach (10/8).

8. Gainesville Buchholz (5A, 6-0). While they may not be in the Open Division race currently, they did what they had to against previously unbeaten Ocala Forest, 38-20. THIS WEEK: A road trip to play another unbeaten team, Alachua Santa Fe (10/1). NEXT WEEK: Yet another road game against Palm Coast Matanzas (10/9).

9. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (2A, 4-1). The Lions won their district opener against Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s Academy, 48-3. THIS WEEK: It’s the No. 1 team in the country – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – coming into Hollywood for a big matchup (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A huge district contest on the road with a 1A state championship rematch against No. 17 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (10/9).

10. DeLand (6A, 4-1). The Bulldogs continue to make a case as one of the top eight teams in the state as they rolled over Port Orange Spruce Creek, 42-14. THIS WEEK: A home game against Port St. Lucie Centennial (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A road district contest at Orange City University (10/9).

11. Vero Beach (6A, 5-1). It was a huge district battle and the Indians showed a strong defense once again in a 10-7 win against Fort Pierce Central. THIS WEEK: Yet another home game will take place against Daytona Beach Mainland (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A home non-district contest against 1A Pahokee.

12. Lakeland (5A, 4-1). Keeping their Open Division hopes alive, the Dreadnaughts came up with a convincing 49-14 win against Auburndale. THIS WEEK: Another home game against Dover Specialty Fit Academy (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A road district game at Sebring (10/9).

13. Seffner Armwood (5A, 5-1). The Hawks jumped back in the Open Division picture with 56-0 win against Tampa Plant. THIS WEEK: Off. NEXT WEEK: A huge winner takes all district matchup against No. 14 unbeaten Tampa Bay Tech (10/9).

14. Tampa Bay Tech (5A, 6-0). The Titans remained unbeaten and in the Open Division conversation with a 41-0 win against Valrico Bloomingdale. THIS WEEK: A huge non district road game against 5-1 No. 30 Ruskin Lennard (10/2). NEXT WEEK: The biggest game of the season at home against No. 13 Seffner Armwood in a huge district contest (10/9).

15. Clearwater Central Catholic (2A, 5-0). It wasn’t easy, but the Marauders held on for a huge 14-10 district win against unranked Tampa Catholic. THIS WEEK: A huge road matchup against defending state champion, No. 18 Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Tampa Berkeley Prep (10/9).

16. Tampa Carrollwood Day (1A, 6-0). The highest scoring team in the state once again made short work over an opponent – Zephyrhills Christian, 56-3. The Patriots outscored their opponents by a 341-24 margin. THIS WEEK: A challenging home game against Jacksonville Trinity Christian (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A well deserved off week.

17. West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (2A, 4-1). The Crusaders enjoyed the week off. THIS WEEK: A big road trip to play the always competitive Delray Beach Atlantic Eagles. NEXT WEEK: A huge district showdown and a 1A state championship showdown from last year when No. 8 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna heads north (10/9).

18. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (3A, 4-1). The Cougars handed Bradenton Braden River their first loss of the season, 62-7. THIS WEEK: A major home game against No. 15 Clearwater Central Catholic (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A home district contest against Bradenton Bayshore (10/9).

19. St. Augustine (4A, 6-0). The Yellow Jackets came up with a district win against Green Cove Springs Clay. THIS WEEK: They will enjoy the week off. NEXT WEEK: Another district game on the road against Orange Park Ridgeview (10/9).

20. Lake Wales (4A, 5-1). The Highlanders rolled to a district win against Brandon, 66-0, and have gone three games without giving up a touchdown. They will enjoy the week off. NEXT WEEK: A major road district game against two-time defending state runner up Orlando Jones (10/8). 

21. Jacksonville Mandarin (5A, 4-1). The Mustangs rebounded from their first loss of the year with a 31-10 wion against Neptune Beach Fletcher. THIS WEEK: A home game against the defending state champion Lake Mary Rams (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A district game on the road against Ponte Vedra (10/9).

22. Orlando The First Academy (2A, 4-1). The Royals enjoyed a much-needed week off. THIS WEEK: A home game against the Cocoa Tigers. NEXT WEEK: Will stay at home for a contest against Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (10/9).

23. Port Charlotte (4A, 3-2). The Pirates won a huge district road game against previously unbeaten South Fort Myers, 35-7. THIS WEEK: A home game against Fort Myers Bishop Verot (10/2). NEXT WEEK: Will have the week off.

24. Lake City Columbia (4A, 6-0). The Tigers stayed unbeaten with a 35-17 win against Jacksonville Riverside. THIS WEEK: A competitive trip to play the always tough Bradenton Manatee Hurricanes (10/2). NEXT WEEK: They will have the week off before a tough stretch run.

25. Lynn Haven Mosley (4A, 6-0). The Dolphins stayed unbeaten with a convincing 35-7 win against Tallahassee Lincoln. THIS WEEK: After a great start, they will have the week off. NEXT WEEK: A home district matchup with Panama City Beach Arnold (10/9).

26. Sanford Seminole (6A, 6-0). The Seminoles continued to roll along without a loss as they beat Apopka in a district game, 43-18. THIS WEEK: A well-deserved off week. NEXT WEEK: A home district contest against defending state champion Lake Mary.

27. Tampa Jesuit (4A, 4-1). The Tigers rebounded from their first loss of the season with a 50-6 district win against Tampa Middleton, 50-6. THIS WEEK: The team will enjoy the week off. NEXT WEEK: Another district game at home against Gibsonton East Bay (10/9).

28. Miami Palmetto (6A, 5-1). The Panthers rolled to a district win against Southwest Miami, 72-0. THIS WEEK: The team will enjoy a much-needed week off. NEXT WEEK: Another district game at home against Homestead (10/9).

29. Miami Carol City (2A, 3-2). The Chiefs continued to gain momentum with a 42-0 win against Miami Booker T. Washington. THIS WEEK: A trip back to Georgia to take on a competitive Grayson (10/2). NEXT WEEK: A return to Miami-Dade County with a home contest against Miami Northwestern (10/9).

30. Ruskin Lennard (6A, 5-1). The Longhorns make their debut in the Top 30 after a 19-14 win district road game against Plant City. THIS WEEK: A major home game against unbeaten No. 14 Tampa Bay Tech, which could define this season. NEXT WEEK: A home district contest against Plant City Durant (10/9).

KEEP AN EYE ON:
1A

Blountstown (4-1)

Fort Pierce John Carroll (4-1)

Hawthorne (6-0)

Jacksonville Trinity Christian (3-3)

Jacksonville University Christian (4-2)

Lakeland Christian (6-0)

Madison County (3-3)

Melbourne Central Catholic (4-1)

Miami Westminster Christian (4-1)

Naples First Baptist (6-0)

Naples St. John Neumann (5-1)

Pahokee (4-2)

St. Petersburg Catholic (2-3)

Wildwood (4-1)

2A

Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s (4-3)

DeFuniak Springs Walton (5-0)

Jacksonville Bolles (4-1)

Miami Immaculata LaSalle (5-0)

Miami Killian (5-1)

Pensacola Catholic (5-1)

Starke Bradford County (5-0)

Tallahassee Florida High (5-0)

Tampa Berkeley Prep (3-2)

Tampa Catholic (4-2)

3A

Alachua Santa Fe (3A, 5-0)

Bradenton Braden River (4-1)

Brooksville Nature Coast Tech (4-1)

Bushnell South Sumter (5-1)

Crawfordville Wakulla (5-1)

Eau Gallie (4-2)

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (3-2)

Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4-2)

Merritt Island (6-0)

Miami Springs (5-1)

North Miami Beach (5-1)

Santa Rosa Beach South Walton (5-1)

The Villages Charter (5-0)

Titusville (4-2)

4A

Plantation American Heritage (3-3)

Clearwater (6-0)

Delray Beach Atlantic (3-1)

Fort Myers Dunbar (4-2)

Fort Pierce Westwood (3-2)

Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (3-2)

Hialeah American (5-1)

Jacksonville Ed White (3-1)

Jensen Beach (4-2)

Miami Norland (3-2)

Miami Northwestern (4-2)

Middleburg (4-2)

New Smyrna Beach (4-1)

Ocala Vanguard (3-2)

Orlando Bishop Moore (4-2)

Orlando Jones (3-1)

Pensacola Washington (5-0)

Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (4-2)

South Fort Myers (4-1)

Tallahassee Godby (4-2)

Zephyrhills (4-2) 

5A

Auburndale (3-2)

Bradenton Manatee (4-2)

Clermont East Ridge (4-2)

Coconut Creek (4-1)

Coconut Creek Monarch (3-2)

Fort Myers Riverdale (4-2)

Immokalee (4-1)

Melbourne (3-2)  

Niceville (3-3)

Ocala Forest (5-1)

Orange Park Oakleaf (3-2)

Orlando Evans (3-3)

Oviedo (4-2)

Pace (3-2)

Palmetto (4-2)

Riverview Sumner (3-3)

Royal Palm Beach (4-1)

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (2-3)

St. John Bartram Trail (5-1)

Stuart Martin County (3-2)

Tampa Gaither (4-2)

Trinity Mitchell (4-1)    

Viera (3-2)

6A

Daytona Beach Mainland (2-2)

Flagler Palm Coast (4-1)

Fort Pierce Central (4-1)   

Jupiter (5-0)

Kissimmee Gateway (5-0)

Lake Mary (1-4)

Lantana Santaluces (3-2)

Orlando Edgewater (3-2)

Orlando Lake Nona (5-1)

Palm Beach Lakes (3-2)

Port Orange Spruce Creek (4-2)

Sarasota Riverview (5-1)

St. Cloud (3-2)

Tampa Alonso (5-0)

Wellington (3-2)

Wellington Palm Beach Central (5-0) 

Weston Cypress Bay (6-0)

Winter Garden West Orange (5-1)    

Week 1 State Football Rankings: St. Thomas Aquinas Is The One. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-1-state-football-rankings-st-thomas-aquinas-is-the-one

Week 2 State Football Rankings: Top Teams Get Off To A Fast Start. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-2-state-football-rankings-top-teams-get-off-to-a-fast-start

Week 3 Florida State High School Football Rankings: The Nation Was Watching. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-3-state-football-rankings-the-nation-was-watching

Week 4 Florida State Football Rankings: Elite Teams Stay On Top. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-florida-state-football-rankings-elite-teams-stay-on-top

Week 5 Florida State Football Rankings: Things Are Getting Very Exciting. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-florida-state-football-rankings-things-are-getting-very-exciting

Week 6 Florida State Football Rankings: Every Game Will Have Meaning. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-florida-state-football-rankings-every-game-will-have-meaning

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’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.