While August is still eight long months away, and there are plenty of off-season for teams to get better and reload, on this first day of the new year, we will take an early look at what teams figure to be in the mix again in 2025.
As Chaminade-Madonna left the season as the No. 1 team in Florida for the Dameon Jones and his Lions have eyes on an amazing 10th straight trip to the state finals.
Class 1A will once again be run by the Lions, but who else in south Florida figures to try and close the gap?
Miami True North Classical Academy (7-4) has added some pieces and will continue to bring in some players, but as head coach Greg Leffere returns, it will be an uphill climb.
Miami Archbishop Carroll (6-5) and Miami Edison (7-5) are both payoff teams with a dream.
Advancing to the 2A state semifinals when very few expected veteran head coach Tim “Ice” Harris and his Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes (10-3) to make it that far, you have to figure that this team will be right back in the spotlight and make another serious run in 2025.
Other teams that will once again build to improve what happened this past year include Miami Immaculata LaSalle (11-2), Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (8-3), Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-5), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (7-3), Miami Carol City (7-4), Miami Ransom Everglades (6-4), Miami Springs (3-7), and North Miami Beach (3-7).
A lot of things fell into place for first year head coach Teddy Bridgewater and his 3A state champion Miami Northwestern Bulls.
Perhaps the biggest thing to happen was archrival Miami Central had to forfeit nine games – including a win early in the season against Northwestern.
The Bulls (12-2) will come in as a favorite to win it all – with numerous returnees but counting head coach Jube Joseph and the Rockets out would be a mistake.
Northwestern are the clear favorites, but programs such as Key West (7-4), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (5-5), Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (7-4), and Miami Jackson (4-7).
This was indeed a special year for head coach Mike Smith and Plantation American Heritage as the Patriots won a thrilling 4A title game over Orlando Jones in a very trying season for this 12-2 program.
While several key pieces have departed there is a feeling that this team can make another serious run.
Before the Patriots order those buses to Pitbull Stadium in the second week of December, realize that Miami Norland (9-3) and Fort Lauderdale Dillard (9-3) remain hungry. So do Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (7-4), Plantation (6-5) and Hialeah (8-3).
After winning six straight state titles, you can never, ever count out veteran head coach Roger Harriott and his Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-3) Raiders who know just when to play their best.
Even though this wasn’t the total domination this program was used to – especially in the playoffs – they put it all together when it counted.
The Raiders will once again come in as huge favorites as they will add the right pieces. Look for Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-4), Miramar (7-5, 5A), Coconut Creek (4-5), North Miami (6-5), and Pembroke Pines Charter (6-4) to continue getting better.
Before the 2024 season began, head coach Pierre Senatus and his Miami Southridge Spartans (11-3) had high hopes of being in the 6A state finals. But a tough loss to eventual state champion West Boca Raton in the state semifinal ended that lofty goal.
While Southridge figures to continue building, there are other programs that are coming on quickly – such as Pembroke Pines West Broward (9-4), Coconut Creek Monarch (7-4), and surprising Sunrise Piper (10-2).
The class also has district champion Hollywood South Broward (4-7), Davie Nova (7-3), Doral Academy (5-5), Fort Lauderdale (4-5), Homestead (4-5), and Pembroke Pines Flanagan (7-4).
When you looked at 7A this year it was supposed to be one of the strongest classes and most competitive in south Florida – with two-time defending state champion Miami Christopher Columbus leading the way.
As things turned out, while veteran head coach Dave Dunn and his Explorers (8-4) didn’t have their best team, they did come within a touchdown of getting back to defend their crown, losing to eventual state champion Venice.
Teams such as Davie Western (6-7) and Miami Palmetto (6-4) were disappointing. So were Homestead South Dade (6-6), Coral Gables (5-4), Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (5-6), and Weston Cypress Bay (6-4).
Other teams also made a splash and will be back – with Greater Miami Athletic Independent champion Miami Coral Reef (9-2) and head coach Tim Wood coming up big. So did Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (9-2), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (5-4), and Miami Florida Christian (9-1).
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