While Week 1 saw several area teams go down, it’s great to see football returning after eight long months.
With several Miami-Dade and Broward programs making an impression with key wins, ESPN treated the country to some amazing football.
Away from some quality local games was the third annual Broward County National Football Showcase.
Already established as the premier event in the country with state and national rated teams coming from as far away as California, Alabama, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, nobody can question the talent that was on display for the first three years.
The brainchild of Dr. Kevin Perry, who gets the teams and treats them all to an experience along with Shawn Cerra and the Broward County Educational Foundation and some loyal sponsors.
No matter who you talk to – this is an event that has caught on so fast that the 2025 game is already starting to fill up – with several teams wanting to return.
This is a bowl game atmosphere – as all the games being televised somewhere.
Speaking about television, nobody – and we mean nobody at ESPN can complain as they got three national games that all went down to the final quarter. Watch many of the contests that the “worldwide leader” puts on and several games are over early and the audience heads to another channel. NOT THIS YEAR!
Starting on Friday when Georgia state champion Milton – with University of Miami 2025 quarterback Luke Nickel went against 2026 University of Texas QB commit Dia Bell and Plantation American Heritage.
While Milton ended up winning the contest, it came down to last in the fourth quarter as a national audience saw Milton wins 37-28.
On Saturday – with four elite programs in action at St. Thomas Aquinas High School – the country once again was treated to a pair of games that lasted until after midnight with football fans glued to their televisions, computers and phones.
The opening contest featured defending national champion Las Vegas Bishop Gorman against five-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and veteran head coach Roger Harriott before a packed stadium.
This was indeed a classic matchup that came down to the final drive as the Gaels held on to win 29-21 and will maintain their No. 2 national ranking while the Raiders have nothing to be angry about as they are still on a path to win a sixth straight state title.
The nightcap saw St. John Bosco of California return for the second year – as the Braves are rebuilding and squared off with a Chaminade-Madonna team that is also trying to replace some elite talent and generational talent.
The game went back and forth for all four quarters as St. John Bosco ended up pulling out a thrilling 34-27 decision sending head coach Dameon Jones and his Lions to their first defeat in the three years they took part in the showcase.
While those three games received the spotlight, the other four games were also quality contests with some impressive talent:
Coconut Creek Monarch 30, Suwannee Peachtree Ridge, Georgia 29. The Knights came from behind to win their second straight showcase under veteran head coach Calvin Davis.
Hoover, Alabama 17, Davie Western 14. Despite changing coaches two weeks ago and coming off a rare losing season, the Buccaneers headed south to beat the Wildcats and head coach Adam Ratkevich who lost their first showcase game in three seasons.
Lake Mary 49, Cardinal Gibbons 20. When the Rams were invited to come and play the Chiefs everyone knew that we heading south with plenty of talent – as veteran head coach Matt Dubuc and his team also suffered their first showcase loss in three seasons.
Miami Northwestern, 45, Coconut Creek 0. While this may not have been a major game, head coach Teddy Bridgewater and his Bulls sent a message that this team will be back and certainly will be a force. Johnny Sloan and his Cougars are rebuilding after losing several key players from a successful 2023 season.
The Broward Showcase wasn’t the only event in south Florida in the first week.
The Miami Central Rockets had hoped to get back on track after a four-loss season, and while head coach Jube Joseph and his team had their chances, they dropped a 16-8 decision to a Lakeland program that has won two straight state titles and will be back in the mix.
Here is the complete local scoreboard:
Auburn, Alabama 49, North Miami Beach 0
Cooper City 16, Coral Glades 7
Coral Gables 19, Miami Ferguson 0
Davie Nova 18, Moore Haven 14
Delray American Heritage 36, Miami Westminster Christian 12
Doral Academy 34, Gulliver Prep 20
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 51, Coral Springs Charter 7
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 28, Tradition Prep 20
Hialeah Gardens 8, Varela 6
Hollywood Hills 40, Taravella 0
Marathon 39, Pompano Beach 30
Miami Archbishop Carroll 14, Florida Christian 7
Miami Booker T. Washington 14, Homestead South Dade 0
Miami Carol City 28, Hialeah 16
Miami Christopher Columbus 17, Miami Southridge 14
Miami Coral Reef 40, South Miami 0
Miami Edison 20, Hialeah American 0
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 40, Miami High 7
Miami Lakes Goleman 22, Flanagan 0
Miami Norland 27, Miramar 0
Miami Palmer Trinity 15, SmartEn Sports 14
Miami Palmetto 14, Homestead 10
Miami Springs 39, Miami Beach 29
Miami St. Brendan 14, Dr. Krop 0
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 53, Deerfield Somerset Key 21
North Miami 32, Miami Jackson 12
Palm Beach Lakes 41, Coral Springs 13
Pembroke Pines Charter 41, Oakland Park Northeast 14
Pembroke Pines Somerset 35, North Broward Prep 0
Pembroke Pines West Broward 57, South Broward 14
Plantation 27, Dillard 21
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 70, Boyd Anderson 7
Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 46, Hollywood Avant Garde 0
Southwest Miami 41, Miami Coral Park 6
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 23, Community School of Naples 6
Sunrise Piper 23, Deerfield Beach 0
Weston Cypress Bay 48, Parkland Douglas 22
West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 46, Monsignor Pace 7
West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 14, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 7
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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..