Back in the day, the week before the season began, there were two-quarter jamborees that gave teams a chance to get ready for the 10-plus weeks ahead.
They were usually local teams who would showcase their players who would lead their respective programs into the new season.
While the objective is still the same – and the week before the start of the regular season is very much a tuneup, the stakes have risen a little bit much because of social media and its direct impact on teams and players and their expectations for the year ahead.
These jamborees have become kickoff classics that give these elite teams the opportunity to compete against other highly publicized programs.
Tonight, as we get ready to wrap up the high school version of Week 0, there are several matchups that will be watched closely, and win or lose, there are bragging rights at stake.
Keep in mind that while many will attempt to use these “exhibition games” as a true barometer of what these programs will be like, putting too much into the outcome – either way – could be a huge mistake.
There are two games that many will be paying plenty of attention to in south Florida. One in Miami-Dade County and the other will take place in Palm Beach County, where the #561 had two state champions last season.
Miami Carol City at West Boca Raton, 6:30. Less than a month ago in the finals of the “305 Sports 7-on-7 event”, these two teams went head-to-head for 4 overtimes to win the title.
As head coach Dylan Potts and his two-time defending state champion Bulls prevailed, there was a feeling that when the two would get together in full pads this evening, things would be very much the same.
West Boca Raton is still loaded with talent and is a top 10 program to start the year out once again.
For the Chiefs and first year head coach Toro Wallace, the spotlight has been shining over the past seven months – since several high-profile players and coaches joined the team, creating a ripple effect that reached around the country – as this program went from just above .500 to a pre-season ranking as high as No. 11 nationally.
While tonight may not tell the full story, we will at least get a sense of what both teams will bring to the table.
MIAMI CAROL CITY CHIEFS SCHEDULE (6-5 a year ago).
8/21 - @Daytona Beach Mainland
8/28 - @Lee County, Georgia
9/4 – Miami Norland
9/17 – Miami Edison
9/24 – Miami Booker T. Washington
10/2 - @Grayson, Georgia
10/9 – Miami Northwestern
10/16 – GMAC WEEK
10/23 - @Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
10/30 – Miami Central
WEST BOCA RATON BULLS SCHEDULE (13-2 last year).
8/21 - @Plantation American Heritage
9/4 - @Boca Raton Spanish River
9/10 – West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman
9/18 – St. John’s, Washington D.C.
9/24 – Boca Raton Olympic Heights
10/2 - @Belle Glade Glades Day
10/8 - @Deerfield Beach
10/16 - @Orlando The First Academy
10/22 – Coconut Creek Monarch
10/30 – Delray Beach Atlantic
Orlando Jones at Miami Central (Milander), 7:30. For the past two seasons, head coach Elijah Williams and his Fightin’ Tigers played for the 4A state title, coming up just short against Plantation American Heritage.
This program has certainly turned the corner as the best team in Central Florida as they head into the 2026 season.
Loaded with elite prospects, there are indeed some huge holes to fill, but with a productive off season and several quality additions, this is a program that not only has a chance to play for a third consecutive state title, but many have mentioned them as a team that could very well end up playing in the inaugural Open Division – even with a challenging schedule.
For the past two seasons, the Rockets have disappeared from the state championship landscape, and that has not sat well with the fans.
When Derrick Gibson returned to coach last year, his objective was to get this program back on track – and with a productive off season and several key additions – tonight’s matchup moved back to Traz Powell Stadium is important to see how the pieces fit together against a quality opponent that is out to show that they are still a force in Florida football.
ORLANDO JONES SCHEDULE (12-3 a year ago)
8/21 - @Santa Margarita, California
9/5 - @Orlando Evans
9/10 – Orlando Boone
9/18 – Orlando Edgewater
9/25 - @Lakeland Kathleen
10/2 - @Ocoee
10/9 – Lake Wales
10/16 - @Brandon
10/23 – Eagle Lake – Lake Region
10/23 – Winter Garden West Orange
MIAMI CENTRAL SCHEDULE (10-2 in 2025).
8/21 - @Orange Lutheran, California
9/3 – Miami St. Brendan
9/11 - @Buford, Georgia
9/19 – Miami Jackson
9/25 - @Miami Northwestern
10/3 - @Miami Springs
10/8 – Key West
10/16 – GMAC WEEK
10/22 – North Miami Beach
10/30 - @Miami Carol City
In addition to those two games, here is a look at this week’s schedule involving Miami-Dade and Broward schools:
FRIDAY, August 14th
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Titusville, 7
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School at Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7
North Fort Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Hollywood South Broward, 6
Greenacres John I. Leonard at Miami Sunset, 3:30
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 8
Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms at Key West, 7
Marathon at South Miami (Tropical Park), 4
Miami Booker T. Washington at Pembroke Pines Flanagan, 7
Miami Braddock/Homestead at Miramar Everglades, 6
Miami Coral Reef at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7
Miami Killian at Miami Southridge, 7
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Miami Immaculata LaSalle, 7
Miami Northwestern at Wellington Palm Beach Central, 7
North Miami at Royal Palm Beach, 6:30
Weston Cypress Bay at Merritt Island, 7
SATURDAY, August 15th
Miami Norland vs. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (Wellington Palm Beach Central), 7
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..