We have told you since back in May. It was a topic that pretty much dominated the landscape.
The impressive schedule that would be rolled out every single week in Miami-Dade and Broward County was something that couldn’t be ignored.
It began during the opening week with Miami Central’s win at national power IMG Academy and Miami Northwestern getting some payback at last year’s 8A state champion Venice.
There were the six wins against out of state teams in the inaugural Broward County Football Showcase and last week’s Chaminade-Madonna win at home against Fort Lauderdale Dillard.
With last night’s Chaminade-Madonna and Northwestern’s game called off, the attention now focuses on this evening – with five key games that will take center stage, involving Miami-Dade and Broward programs.
Here is a look at five games that will be in the spotlight tonight:
Cocoa at No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 7:00. The Tigers finished second last season among 4A schools, and with Plantation High graduate Ryan Schneider at the helm, this was a game that certainly made sense, even with Cocoa’s opening-night loss to Orlando Jones. Coach Roger Harriott’s Raiders are passed just making the state championship a priority. They are top five in the country and plan staying that way after two wins to start the year.
Tampa Jesuit at No. 8 Miami Christopher Columbus, 7:00. The 2021 6A state champion Tigers – with head coach Matt Thompson – head south with two fairly close wins already. But if people across the state believe that this is just another game, they better check what head coach Dave Dunn and the Explorers have on this roster. Perhaps more elite 2024 talent than any other school. This is going to be a war – with two of Florida’s best teams. One who continues to shine in the spotlight – while the other is looking to prove them belong.
No. 7 Davie Western at No. 12 Coconut Creek, 7:00. On the surface, head coach Adam Ratkevich and his Wildcats come into this evening’s battle of unbeatens as an overwhelming favorite. They were impressive in an opening-week win against Johns Creek, Georgia in the Broward County Football Showcase. For head coach Johnnie Sloan and the Cougars, this is their opportunity, like last year against Plantation during the regular season, to showcase some quality players who have worked very hard to reach this elite game.
No. 9 Fort Lauderdale Dillard at No. 14 Miramar, 7:00. While you would expect head coach Tyler Tate’s Panthers to come out and be sky high after last week’s loss to Chaminade-Madonna, they are meeting a team that won their opener two weeks ago, has size, athletic ability and plenty of talent. But what head coach A.J. Scott and his Patriots may lack is experience. Both teams have been looking at this big game since the off-season.
No. 10 Homestead at St. Petersburg Lakewood, 7:00. Like Palm Beach Central did last week when they traveled to play head coach Corey Moore’s Spartans, look for the Broncos to do the same. What this team has done over the past two years is make a statement, and with a solid off-season and plenty of talent, head coach Philip Simpson and the Broncos are set to let everyone across the Sunshine State know exactly who they are.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy 28, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 24
American (Hialeah) 14, Goleman 13
Marathon 22, NSU University School 19
North Miami Beach 30, Delray Beach Atlantic 28
Plantation 40, Douglas 26
Pompano Beach 21, Miami Country Day 3
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Belle Glade Glades Central at No. 6 Plantation American Heritage, 7:30
Cooper City at Miramar Everglades, 7:00
Coral Springs Charter at SW Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, 7:00
Davie Nova at Lake Placid, 7:00
Deerfield Beach at Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (Lockhart Park), 7:00
Miami Dr. Krop at Miami Jackson (Curtis), 7:30
Everglades Prep at Miami Sunset, 3:30
No. 17 Fort Lauderdale at Tallahassee Leon, 7:00
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Miami St. Brendan, 7:00
Hialeah at Hialeah Miami-Lakes (Milander), 7:30
No. 16 Hollywood Avant Garde Academy at Delray American Heritage, 7:30
Hollywood Hills at Coral Springs, 7:00
Mater Academy at Doral Academy, 7:00
Miami Archbishop Carroll at Miami Palmer Trinity, 3:30
No. 13 Miami Booker T. Washington at No. 1 Miami Central (Traz Powell Stadium), 7:30
Miami Coral Park at Miami Varela, 3:30
Miami Coral Reef at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30
Miami Edison at North Miami, 7:00
Miami Ferguson at Miami Beach, 3:30
Miami Killian at No. 18 Miami Palmetto (Southridge), 7:30
Miami Gulliver Prep at No. 4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 7:00
Miami Monsignor Pace at Naples Lely, 7:00
Oakland Park Northeast at South Plantation, 7:00
Palm Glades at Tavernier Coral Shores, 7:00
Pembroke Pines Flanagan at Weston Cypress Bay, 7:00
Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at Miami Ransom Everglades, 7:00
Pembroke Pines West Broward at McCallie, Tennessee, 7:30
Pembroke Pines Charter at Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6:00
Riviera Beach Inlet Grove at Miami BridgePrep Village Green, 4:00
Somerset Prep at Somerset Academy South Homestead, 7:00
Southwest Miami at Miami Braddock, 3:30
Sunrise Piper at Hollywood South Broward, 7:00
SATURDAY’S GAME
Miami Southridge at No. 11 Miami Norland (Traz Powell Stadium), 7:00
Miami Westminster Christian at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 7:00
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2023-2026. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects
MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD TRANSFERS. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-continues-in-miami-dade-broward
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAMS. https://larryblustein.com/news/tracking-south-florida-2022
For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..