Well, the fifth edition of the Broward County National High School Football Showcase is in the books – and never before has this impressive event pegged the national meter like this past week.
Starting with the Hollywood Chaminade contest with Sierra Canyon from California, and Pembroke Pines West Broward and Powder Springs McEachern from Georgia to the doubleheader on Saturday, this quality football gathering made headlines from coast-to-coast.
Along with the second week of the Miami-Dade and Broward County teams that competed against national programs, this was truly a week that will set the tone for the rest of the season.
As we look back at this second week of the 2026 season, the great thing about football is there are many weeks left to set the tone for this year – where a number of area programs will be right in the middle of the pack for the inaugural “Open Division” as well as the 1A-6A state titles.
Here is a look back at some of the games that will be a sign of things to come:
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 38, DeSoto, Texas 14. In this much-anticipated matchup between the No. 2 team in the country and the longtime power from the Lone Star State certainly showed why the Raiders are the seven-time defending state champions, beating a program that many regarded as one of the best teams in the country.
When the game came to an end, it was a running clock and total domination as St. Thomas Aquinas showed an ESPN2 audience that they are the best team in the country – and it may not be close.
Miami Christopher Columbus 33, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman 28. The biggest surprise of this week came as the No. 1 team in the land thought it was a formality to head east for the second time in three years to play an unranked program that had never played a game of this caliber on national television.
All day long – in between some weather delays – th Explorers and University of Miami-bound star A’mir Sears dominated the Gaels for over three quarters and pretty much dashed any chance that this perennial powerhouse had of claiming a national title.
While Bishop Gorman was sent back west with a loss, the always state power Explorers are suddenly thrust into a spotlight after a 4-7 season – one of their worst in recent memory.
By the way, Christopher Columbus will have an opportunity to do something perhaps no team has ever done when they travel back to Fort Lauderdale this coming Friday for another battle with the new No. 1 team in the country!
As those games truly grabbed the spotlight, there were others that also will set the tone for the season ahead:
Coconut Creek 33, Miami True North Classical Academy 32. This one, part of the Broward Showcase was a Miami-Dade vs. Broward contest that came down to the final play of the game when the 5A Cougars, at home, edged the 1A Titans. Two well coached and talented teams that have hopes of playing in the post season.
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 47, Hollywood McArthur 41. When the season began, all eyes were on the Mustangs as they added prospects over the past two years and looked to repeat last season – when they advanced to the third-round of the state playoffs.
On the other side of the ball were the Chiefs who were a Final 4 2A team from last season. This game went three overtimes before Cardinal Gibbons moved to 2-0 at home.
Lee County, Georgia 23, Miami Carol City 20. For the second straight week the Chiefs were on the road against a quality opponent who has enjoyed plenty of success in southern Georgia. While Carol City is much improved over the last few seasons, and held the lead for much of this game, they would fall short and now come back to south Florida hungry to compete for a state title.
Miami Springs 20, Coral Gables 14. How about first-year head coach T.Y. Hilton and his alma mater as the Golden Hawks came from behind to stay perfect (2-0) with a big win as they are aiming at a post season spot in the state playoffs. The Cavaliers are also much improved this season.
North Miami Beach 27, North Miami 7. As head coach Jeff Bertani begins his 30th season as head coach of the Chargers, they got the better of their rivals and took back the annual trophy and bragging rights that go along with winning this game. NMB remained unbeaten with the win against the Pioneers.
Plantation American Heritage 35, East St. Louis, Illinois 28 (OT). After losing in the opening game of the season, the Patriots hosted a national power as they were taking part in their fifth Broward Showcase event. Unlike last season when they came from behind to win, this game they had to hold on after building a large lead. The Flyers battled back and sent the contest into overtime before losing in Plantation.
In addition to those games, here are some of the other results from Week 2:
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 Coral Glades 28, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 24
Coral Springs Parkridge Christian 30, Babcock 15
Coral Springs Taravella 19, Oakland Park Northeast 6
Davie Western 41, Pine Creek, Colorado 7
Deerfield Beach 35, Davie Nova 21
Delray American Heritage 56, Homestead Somerset Silver Palms Charter 12
Fort Lauderdale 32, Hollywood South Broward 20
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 35, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 18
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
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 28, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 12
Miami Beach 42, Miami St. Brendan 7
Miami Belen Jesuit 30, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 22
Miami Braddock 9, Miami Felix Varela 6
Jersey City St. Peter’s Prep 17, Fort Lauderdale Dillard 7
Miami Ferguson 38, Miami Dr. Krop 6
Miami Florida Christian 24, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 17
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 41, Hialeah 0
Miami High 38, Miami Edison 2
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 34, Naples St. John Neumann 14
Miami Killian 34, Homestead South Dade 29
Miami Lakes Goleman 49, Miami Coral Reef 0
Miami Northwestern 42, Miami Jackson 0
Miami Palmetto 42, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 7
Miami Ransom Everglades 20, Miami Gulliver Prep 7
Miami Southridge 24, Homestead 6
Miami Westminster Christian 55, Miami Palmer Trinity 21
Miramar Everglades 30, Hollywood Hills 24
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 40, Pompano Beach 16
Ocala Vanguard 21, Miami Norland 6
Pembroke Pines Charter 53, Coral Springs Charter 35
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 56, Hallandale 0
Pompano Beach NEXTGEN Prep 20, Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 12
Powder Spring McEachern, Georgia 20, Pembroke Pines West Broward 13
Jersey City St. Peter’s Prep 17, Fort Lauderdale Dillard 7
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
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..