The Main Event is finally here for the Broward National High School Football Showcase.

After last week’s opening-night game with Jacksonville Mandarin and Hollywood McArthur, Thursday’s Powder Springs, Georgia and Pembroke Pines West Broward, and the Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna- Chatsworth Sierra Canyon, California contest on Thursday, and the four games last night, the focus will be directly on Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

While the scores in all four Friday night games meant so much to south Florida, and of course, Illinois, Colorado and north Florida, it was also very important to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, which benefited from the amazing national exposure. But today,  ESPN2 cameras will give the country a glimpse of the best that high school has to offer as the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in this talented land will be on display at one venue for over six hours of football.

Miami Christopher Columbus (1-0) vs. Las Vegas Bishop Gorman (2-0). After a disappointing 4-7 season a year ago, head coach Dave Dunn and the Explorers went out and did something about it.

With the addition of several players and new coaches, this program got back to doing what they have done for decades – play winning football and developing talent.

As they get ready for best team in the nation, the focus has to be on not making mistakes and understanding that the team across the line of scrimmage has been there – and more than done that at a national level for decades.

The Gaels come into the 2 p.m. kickoff as huge favorites, having plenty of success against the entire country – Florida included.

While Nevada is not a great football state, having very few teams rated nationally, Bishop Gorman is the standard that continues to get better every year – and as the country watched last week – the knocked off previous No. 1 in California power St. John Bosco.

LAS VEGAS BISHOP GORMAN GAELS

Las Vegas Somerset Academy Losee, W 41-0

Bellflower St. John Bosco, W 38-28

8/29 - @Miami Christopher Columbus

9/4 - @Lone Peak, Utah

9/18 - @Santa Ana Mater Dei

9/25 – Las Vegas Faith Lutheran

10/9 – Henderson Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon

10/16 – Henderson Sports Leadership & Management Football

10/29 – East Las Vegas Mater Academy

11/6 – North Las Vegas Civica

MIAMI CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS EXPLORERS

Miami Southridge, W 45-7
8/29 – Las Vegas Bishop Gorman

9/4 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas

9/10 - @Miami Palmetto

9/18 - @Homestead South Dade

9/24 – Homestead

10/1 – Southwest Miami

10/9 - @Coral Gables

10/16 – GMAC Week

10/23 - @Miami Northwestern

DeSoto, Texas (0-0) vs. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0). For years, the state of Texas has produced elite teams, talent and football coaches.

While several Florida programs have traveled to the Lone Star State, coming east has never been a reality – until 6:00 tonight.

With a national television audience watching, the best of Texas will come into place that has not been very friendly to visitors over the years, and they believe they have what it takes to leave the #954 with a win.

On the other side of the ball are the Raiders. The seven-time defending state champions who are No. 2 in the country – and after a few setbacks to open the season the past couple of years – head coach Roger Harriott and his team believe that this could be the most complete and deepest team they have had.

Loaded with elite prospects, this team has a chance to make a legitimate run at a national title – and it all begins tonight!

DESOTO FIGHTING EAGLES

8/29 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas

9/4 - @Allen

9/12 – Duncanville

9/18 - @Burleson Centennial

9/25 – Midlothian

10/9 - @Lancaster

10/16 – Mansfield Summit

10/23 - @Cedar Hill

10/30 - @Mansfield Legacy

11/5 – Cleburne

FORT LAUDERDALE ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERSW

Davie Western, W 42-0

8/29 – DeSoto

9/4 – Miami Christopher Columbus

9/10 - @Fort Lauderdale Dillard

9/18 - @Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy

10/2 - @Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

10/9 – Hollywood McArthur

10/16 – Coconut Creek Monarch

10/23 – Pembroke Pines Flanagan

10/30 - @Pembroke Pines West Broward

DILLARD GETS A HUGE TEST TONIGHT AS WELL

Jersey City St. Peter’s Prep (0-0) at Fort Lauderdale Dillard (1-0), 6. While St. Thomas Aquinas is going to be the hub for all the activity on Saturday, a few miles to the northeast – Fort Lauderdale Dillard – will also be a place you may want to check out as well.

The Panthers, who opened the season with a win last week, will welcome northeast power St. Peter’s Prep, who headed south last year to take part in the Broward Showcase.

JERSEY CITY ST. PETER’S PREP MARAUDERS

8/29 - @Fort Lauderdale Dillard

9/11 - @Melville St. Anthony’s

9/18 – Bergen Catholic

10/1 – Seton Hall Prep

10/10 - @Montvale St. Joseph’s

10/16 – Paramus Catholic

10/23 - @Ramsey Don Bosco Prep

10/30 - @Red Bank Catholic

FORT LAUDERDALE DILLARD PANTHERS

Sunrise Piper, W 44-21

8/29 – Jersey City St. Peter’s Prep

9/4 – Coconut Creek

9/10 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas

9/18 - @Hollywood McArthur

9/26 – Fort Lauderdale Stranahan

10/1 - @Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

10/10 – Pompano Beach Blanche Ely

10/23 - @Miami Southridge

10/30 - Plantation

FRIDAY SCOREBOARD

Coconut Creek 33, Miami True North Classical Academy 32

Coral Springs Coral Glades 28, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 24

Davie Western 41, Pine Creek, Colorado 7

Delray American Heritage 56, Homestead Somerset Silver Palms Charter 12

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 47, Hollywood McArthur 41

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 42, Tavernier Coral Shores 20

Hialeah American 24, Miami Booker T. Washington 6

Hialeah Gardens 26, Miami Sunset 0

Jacksonville Bolles 21, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 14

Miami Braddock 9, Miami Felix Varela 6

Miami Ferguson 38, Miami Dr. Krop 6

Miami Florida Christian 24, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 17

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 41, Hialeah 0

Miami Immaculata LaSalle 34, Naples St. John Neumann 14

Miami Palmetto 42, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 7

Miami Ransom Everglades 20, Miami Gulliver Prep 7

Miami Southridge 24, Homestead 6

Miami Springs 20, Coral Gables 14

Miami Westminster Christian 55, Miami Palmer Trinity 21

Miramar Everglades 30, Hollywood Hills 24

North Miami Beach 27, North Miami 7

Ocala Vanguard 21, Miami Norland 6

Plantation American Heritage 35, East St. Louis, Illinois 28 (OT)

Sunrise Piper 28, Plantation 0

Tampa Berkeley Prep 23, Miami Archbishop Carroll 14

Venice 64, Miami SmartEn Sports Academy 8

Weston Cypress Bay 42, Pembroke Pines Flanagan 7

THURSDAY

Boca Raton Spanish River 43, South Plantation 0

Chatsworth Sierra Canyon, California 24, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 7

Coconut Creek Monarch 48, Miramar 41

Cooper City 42, Parkland Douglas 6

Coral Springs Taravella 19, Oakland Park Northeast 6

Deerfield Beach 35, Davie Nova 21

Fort Lauderdale 32, Hollywood South Broward 20

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 35, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 18

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 28, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 12

Miami Killian 34, Homestead South Dade 29

Miami Lakes Goleman 49, Miami Coral Reef 0

Miami Northwestern 42, Miami Jackson 0

North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 40, Pompano Beach 16

Pembroke Pines Charter 53, Coral Springs Charter 35

Pompano Beach NEXTGEN Prep 20, Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 12

Powder Spring McEachern, Georgia 20, Pembroke Pines West Broward 13

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..