With one week in the books, the second round of the 2024 Florida high school football post season playoffs are heading to another exciting round.

With Pitbull Stadium at Florida International University being the destination for this year’s state finals, there are several Miami-Dade and Broward County programs who have a chance to reach the finals.

With that in mind, here is a look at the way things stack up heading into that second round – with 1A power Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna still on top:
1. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (9-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Lions began their quest for a ninth straight state championship appearance with a 63-0 win against Boca Raton Saint John Paul II. THIS WEEK: 11/22 –No. 4 Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Miami Edison (6-5) or No. 2 Miami True North Classical Academy (8-3).

2. Miami Norland (9-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Vikings went on the road and beat Hialeah, 39-7. THIS WEEK: 11/22 – No. 6 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (7-4). NEXT GAME: No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (9-2) or No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (8-2).

3. Plantation American Heritage (8-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The No. 1 seed Patriots beat Jensen Beach, 40-7. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (9-2). NEXT GAME: No. 6 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (7-4) or No. 2 Miami Norland (8-2).

4. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (8-3, 5A). LAST WEEK: The five-time defending state champions opened the playoffs with a 58-0 win against North Miami. THIS WEEK: - 11/22 - No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-3). NEXT GAME: No. 4 Miramar (7-4) or No. 1 Delray Atlantic (10-1).

5. Miami Northwestern (8-2). LAST WEEK: The No. 1 seed Bulls opened the state playoffs with a convincing 69-0 win against Naples Barron Collier. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 4 Naples Lely (7-4). NEXT GAME: No. 6 Fort Myers Cypress Lake (6-5) or No. 2 Key West (8-3).

6. Miami Christopher Columbus (7-3, 7A). LAST WEEK: The two-time defending state champions rolled in their opener against Boca Raton Spanish River, 56-8. THIS WEEK: No. 5 Homestead South Dade (6-5). NEXT GAME: No. 7 Davie Western (5-6) or No. 3 Boca Raton (10-1).

7. Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes opened up – as a No. 1 seed – with a 31-13 win against North Miami Beach. THIS WEEK: 11/14 – No. 4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-4). NEXT GAME: No. 3 Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (8-2) or No. 2 Miami Immaculata LaSalle (10-1).

8. Miami Southridge (9-2, 6A). LAST WEEK: The No. 1 seed Spartans rolled to a 37-6 win against Hollywood South Broward. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 4 Coconut Creek Monarch (7-3). NEXT GAME: No. 3 Pembroke Pines West Broward (8-3) or No. 2 Sunrise Piper (10-1)

9. Davie Western (5-6, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Wildcats – as a No. 7 seed – won a road game against Miami Palmetto, 26-10. THIS WEEK: 11/22 – Another road game against No. 3 Boca Raton (10-1).  NEXT GAME: No. 5 Homestead South Dade (6-5) or No.1 Miami Christopher Columbus (7-3).

10. Coconut Creek Monarch (7-3, 6A). LAST WEEK: The No. 4 seed Knights won a thriller against two-time defending state runners up Homestead, 28-21. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 1 Miami Southridge (9-2). NEXT GAME: No. 3 Pembroke Pines West Broward (8-3) or No. 2 Sunrise Piper (10-1).

11. Sunrise Piper (10-1, 6A). LAST WEEK: The No. 2 seed Bengals continued to roll in this magic season with a 33-14 win against Doral Academy. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 3 Pembroke Pines West Broward (8-3). NEXT GAME: No. 4 Coconut Creek Monarch (7-3) or No. 1 Miami Southridge (9-2).

12. Pembroke Pines West Broward (8-3, 6A). LAST WEEK: The No. 3 seed Bobcats rolled to a 34-7 win against Pembroke Pines Flanagan. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 2 Sunrise Piper (10-1). NEXT GAME: No. 4 Coconut Creek Monarch (7-3) or No. 1 Miami Southridge (9-2).

13. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (8-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The No. 3 seed Spartans came up with a 40-10 win against Miami Ransom Everglades. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 2 Miami Immaculata LaSalle (10-1). NEXT GAME: No. 4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-4) or No. 1 Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2)

14. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-3, 5A). LAST WEEK: The No. 3 seed Tigers beat Coconut Creek, 34-27, in the first round of the state playoffs. THIS WEEK: 11/22 -The No. 2 seed and five-time defending state champions, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (8-3). NEXT GAME: No. 4 Miramar (7-4) or No. 1 Delray Atlantic (10-1).

15. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (9-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The No. seed Panthers upset previously unbeaten Fort Pierce John Carroll, 43-14. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (8-2).  NEXT GAME: No. 6 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (7-4) or No. 2 Miami Norland (8-2)

16. Miramar (7-4, 5A). LAST WEEK: The No. 4 Patriots won at home, 32-10, against Palm Bay Heritage. THIS WEEK: 11/22 - No. 1 Delray Atlantic. NEXT GAME: No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-3) or No. 2 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (8-3)

17. Miami Immaculata LaSalle (10-1, 2A). LAST WEEK: The No. 2 seed Royal Lions got by Miami Gulliver Prep, 27-21. THIS WEEK: 11/22 –No. 3 Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (8-2). NEXT GAME: No. 4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-4) or No. 1 Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2).

18. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-4, 2A). LAST WEEK: The No. 4 seed Chiefs beat Miami Carol City, 17-14. THIS WEEK: 11/14 - No. 1 Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2). NEXT GAME: No. 3 Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (8-2) at No. 2 Miami Immaculata LaSalle (10-1).

19. Homestead South Dade (6-5, 7A). LAST WEEK: The No. 5 seed Bucs beat Lantana Santaluces, 48-13. THIS WEEK: No.1 Miami Christopher Columbus (7-3). NEXT GAME: No. 7 Davie Western (5-6) or No. 3 Boca Raton (10-1).

20. Miami Edison (6-5, 1A). LAST WEEK: The No. 3 Red Raiders beat Deerfield Beach Somerset Key, 42-0. THIS WEEK: No. 2 Miami True North Classical Academy (8-3). NEXT GAME: No. 4 Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy (6-5) or No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (9-2).

KEEP AN EYE ON: 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 (7-3, 1A), 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 (7-3, 4A), 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

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

COCONUT CREEK – The Monarch football team used a punishing run game in their Class 6A regional quarterfinal against Homestead on Friday and was rewarded with a 28-21 victory at Coconut Creek High.

Florentino Lopez, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior quarterback had a big night with 149 yards on 21 carries and a pair of touchdowns but is was sophomore quarterback Jack Spaeder who came up big late in the fourth quarter.

Spaeder, who came into the game late with his team trailing 21-20 after Lopez suffered a left shoulder injury helped the Knights to the go-ahead touchdown. He completed a pair of passes to Antwaun Parham for first downs.

Spaeder scored the winning touchdown on a six-yard run over left tackle with 1:22 left to play. Samari Reed, who also scored on a 23-yard run early in the fourth quarter, added a two-point conversion to give Monarch a seven-point lead.

Monarch (7-3) advances to a regional semifinal game on Nov. 22 against Southridge. Homestead (4-5), who lost to St. Thomas Aquinas each of the last two years for the Class 3M state title, lost for the first time this season when scoring more than 14 points.

“Our quarterbacks being able to run gives us an advantage because of the great wide receivers that we gave,” said Monarch coach Calvin Davis. “We’re trying to catch our stride.

I made some coaching mistakes that led to turnovers and that was on me. We won’t do that again.”

Monarch’s running attack ended the night with 295 yards on 38 carries and all four touchdowns scored.

Trailing 20-14 midway through the fourth quarter, the Broncos took advantage of two interceptions by senior defensive back Cordae Gamble that led to touchdowns.

The first gave Homestead a 7-6 lead late in the first half on a Malachi Lewis two-yard scoring run. The other gave the Broncos a 21-20 lead with 3:39  left in regulation on a 21-yard scoring pass from Lewis to Cortez Mills.

Lewis also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Cascudo that cut the Knights lead to 20-14 with 9:13 left in regulation.

“It was a tough loss, but that’s playoff football.” said Homestead coach Ronnie Thornton. “We didn’t get enough stops to win the game. They wanted it more than us  and that was the outcome of the game.” 

Spaeder, who led the Knights passing game with 1,726 yards and 14 touchdowns entering Friday’s game, used his legs for winning score.

“I knew I had to step up when Tino went down,” said Spaeder. “I had to go in there and win the game for us. We went down and scored, and it was a great game.”

REGIONAL QUARTERFINAL RESULTS

Class 7A:

Western 28, Miami Palmetto 10.

Class 6A:

Miami Southridge 37, South Broward 6

Monarch 28, Homestead 21

West Broward 34, Flanagan 7

Piper 33, Doral Academy 14

Class 5A:

Miramar 32, Palm Bay Heritage 10

Blanch Ely 34, Coconut Creek 27

St. Thomas Aquinas 58, North Miami 0

Class 4A:

Dillard 43, John Carroll 20

Archbishop McCarthy 7, Plantation 0

Class 2A:

Cardinal Gibbons 17, Carol City 14

Class 1A:

Chaminade-Madonna 63, St. John Paul II 0

FRIDAY’S REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(Games Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

CLASS 7A: Western (5-6) at Boca Raton (10-1)

CLASS 6A: Monarch (7-3) at Miami Southridge (10-2); West Broward (8-3) at Piper  (10-1).

CLASS 5A: Miramar (7-4) at Atlantic (10-1); Blanche Ely (8-3) at St. Thomas Aquinas (8-3).

CLASS  4A: Dillard (9-2) at American Heritage (9-2).

CLASS 2A: Cardinal Gibbons (7-4) at Booker T. Washington (8-2).

CLASS 1A: St. Andrew’s (6-5) at Chaminade-Madonna (9-2).

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.

By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

PLANTATION – Plantation junior receiver Naijah Arnasalam sat at the Archbishop McCarthy two-yard line with a clear look of dejection as time expired in the Class 4A Regional Quarterfinal football game at PAL Field on Thursday.

The Colonels, poised to potentially send the game into overtime, had one final play on third-down at the McCarthy nine. Junior quarterback Jayden Chico found Arnasalam open over the middle fighting to reach the goal line for the tying touchdown.

No such luck as disappointment began to settle in from the 7-0 loss to the Mavericks.

“We needed a big play,” said Plantation coach Darrell Strong. “But in the end, we also needed a touchdown. It’s something we haven’t done all year.”

Chico completed passes of 43 and 32 yards that put his team in scoring position to tie the game. On his final attempt, time ran out.

“I’m not going to put that on him, it was all me,” said Chico. “I took a sack before, so I put that on me. I put that loss on me. I was frustrated during the game, and we had to keep fighting and find a way. That just didn’t happen.”

Archbishop McCarthy (7-4) lost to Plantation 19-3 earlier in the season as part of three-game losing streak that included losses to Miami Norland and American Heritage.

Early on it looked as if the Colonels (6-5)  would have the ingredients to pull off a win against McCarthy.

They stopped the Mavericks on their opening drive after a fumble recovery by Taurus Damon Jr. The Plantation run game  got the ball moving down field as running back Andre Barrington repeatedly got big chunks of yardage.

The Colonels’ drive was cut short by a Chico interception and McCarthy answered with a six-play scoring drive for the game’s only touchdown, Quarterback Kendall Brown connected for a 43-yard touchdown pass as the opening quarter expired for a 7-0 lead.

Barrington, who finished with 75 rushing yards, saw only a few touches in the second half and that proved costly.

After the McCarthy touchdown, Plantation drove to the Mavericks 17, settling a for a 35-yard field goal attempt that missed wide right

Damon Jr. had another fumble recovery and an interception, but his team failed to capitalize on each opportunity.

“At this point you would have through we could have cashed in on one of those turnovers. Tonight, we were just unlucky. I told my kids it’s tough to beat a team twice in the same year.”

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.

Whether you advance to the post-season or just play from late August until early November, the exposure you receive is always valuable.

While many recruiting websites concentrate on the “star-rated” football players, we make sure that we attend every event and provide the spotlight for every player who competes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

Every week, while we continue to bring you the race for a state title, you will also see us bring you talent along with their video and other information.

Here are some more talented young men to keep an eye on:

CLASS OF 2025

Jesse Hinojosa, DT, 6-0, 270, Miami Palmetto – 2.8 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16522046/673024919e15beea10b4bd20

Isaiah Rock, DB/WR, 5-11, 170, Miami Norland.  Track & Field.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16694103/Isaiah-Rock

John Wooden, SS, 5-9, 170, Coral Springs Coral Glades – 3.5 GPA. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22379477/John-Wooden

CLASS OF 2026 

Kendall Brown, WR, 6-2, 180, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19402855/Kendall-Brown

Robert Donald, WR/DE, 6-2. 185, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19383115/6732490b4907b00f822358ba

Daniel Fernandez, OLB/DE, 6-2, 205, Miami Westminster Academy. 

TAPE:  https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18138208/672e7d340f500401a95c7fe3

Bryan Labardy, DB, 5-11, 160, North Miami.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19740329/Bryan-Labardy

Christopher McDonald, WR, 6-1, 190, Coral Springs Coral Glades.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19387855/6705670f075ebd41cca8933f

Jamari Ritter, Athlete, 5-9, 175, Hialeah ABF Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19406870/Jamari-Ritter

Kendall Smith, LB, 5-10, 180, Plantation – 3.2 GPA. Track & Field.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23842699/672d5b324147fd1b55553263

Nicolas Varela, OL/DL, 6-1, 245, Miami St. Brendan. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22775405/Nicolas-Varela

CLASS OF 2027

Logan Clason, OL, 6-5, 310, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy – 3.2 GPA.   

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/20311728/Logan-Clason

Abraham Gray, OL, 6-2, 278, Coral Springs Coral Glades.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22491877/Abraham-Gray

Julian Madero, LB, 5-11, 180, Coral Springs Coral Glades.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19682048/672032a05c4caf2e6f44a9c2

T’ari Miller, DB, 6-4, 175, Homestead. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22397046/6728338af44e3ae67e54034c

Remy Morgan, DB, 5-11, 160, Hialeah ABF Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22766541/66fd3733de337b60b151c44c

Jayden O’Connell, OL, 5-10, 225, Coral Springs Coral Glades - 3.0 GPA. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22875712/670d2935e91e1f998e131a64

Aiden Prywitowski, QB, 5-11, 165, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest – 4.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22873748/Aiden-Prywitowski

CLASS OF 2028

Jimmy Rodriguez, DL, 6-1, 225, Miami True North Classical Academy.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22074223/67219c59e94ad52ac6c5496b

Quzion Warner, DL, 6-0, 250, Hollywood South Broward.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23099464/quzion-Warner

Arshton Vixamar, DL, 6-3, 250, Coral Springs Coral Glades – 2.7 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23251506/672e38860c37e89ce4df81ce

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..