When the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) announced last year that there would be a week dedicated to the promotion of the teams who participate in this governing body, it was met with skepticism.
After year one, some schools liked it and some frankly talked about not taking part if it was going to move forward.
Because the GMAC wanted to showcase their many teams and athletes, the decision to do it again this year, but instead of many teams playing each other as many as two teams in one season, the format was changed, and it certainly made a difference.
Highlighted by Friday night’s thrilling 35-28 win by nationally-rated Miami Central over unbeaten Miami Christopher Columbus, the objective was met.
Along with several other Thursday, Friday and Saturday matchups, this was not just a local and state thing, but some of the game – including the Rockets and Explorers – drew national attention.
With the playoffs coming up, this infusion of publicity was truly needed and while the No. 1 Rockets and the No. 4 Explorers got much of the attention, it was not the only game.
The thrilling Traz Powell Stadium contest attracted an impressive crowd that saw Central bust out to a 35-7 lead, only to hang on in the final minutes of the game to come away with a great win for the program and the GMAC.
For head coach Jube Joseph and his team, it was a final tune-up for the playoffs that start in three weeks. His team is looking for a fourth consecutive state title, moving to Class 2M this season.
Head Coach Dave Dunn and his team, picked early in the season to represent the south in 4M, certainly proved something to those who didn’t believe this team was at that elite level – even though they knocked off defending state champion Tampa Jesuit and Miami Northwestern.
Speaking of Northwestern, there was a thought that after beating Booker T. Washington they were ready for a stretch run, but No. 18 Homestead had different plans.
The Broncos and head coach Philip Simpson pulled the ultimate surprising, knocking off the No. 12 Bulls, sending head coach Max Edwards and his team 4-4 on the year with a 44-28 decision.
Other GMAC Week games included:
Hialeah 30, Miami Coral Park 13
Hialeah American 36, Miami Ferguson 7
Hialeah Barbara Goleman 35, Miami Beach 8
Hialeah Miami-Lakes 20, Miami Varela 0
No. 14 Miami Booker T. Washington 35, Miami Southridge 14
Miami Carol City 25, South Miami 18
Miami Coral Reef 30, Westland Hialeah 8
Miami Dr. Krop 32, Miami Braddock 14
Miami Edison 21, Homestead South Dade 14
Miami Jackson 27, Coral Gables 7
No. 17 Miami Norland 35, Miami Palmetto 14
Miami Springs 14, Doral Reagan 13
Miami Sunset 40, Hialeah Gardens 10
North Miami 30, Miami High 0
North Miami Mourning 17, Southwest Miami 16
North Miami Beach 32, Miami Killian 8
Here is how the rest of Miami-Dade and Broward County teams did in Week 9:
Coconut Creek 41, Hollywood McArthur 13
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 54, Coral Springs Charter 32
Cypress Bay 39, Cooper City 0
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 31, Bradenton Manatee 20
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 35, Fort Lauderdale 0
Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 55, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 14
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 21, Coral Springs Coral Glades 0
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 37, Coconut Creek Monarch 6
Hallandale 28, Taravella 7
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 63, Hollywood Avant Garde Academy 0
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 8, Coral Springs 0
Marathon 67, Palm Glades Prep 28
Miami Archbishop Carroll 50, Miami Westminster Christian 15
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 25, Miami Immaculata LaSalle 0
Miami Gulliver Prep 17, Miami Belen Jesuit 7
Miami Palmer Trinity 51, Homestead Everglades Prep 0
Miami St. Brendan 42, Somerset Academy South Homestead 14
Miramar 21, Davie Western 0
North Palm Beach Benjamin 28, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 21
Parkland Douglas 54, Hollywood South Broward 28
Pembroke Pines Charter 32, Davie Nova 14
Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 46, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 14
Pembroke Pines West Broward 33, Pembroke Pines Flanagan 0
Plantation 14, Deerfield Beach 7
Plantation American Heritage 35, Naples 17
Pompano Beach 35, West Palm Beach Berean Christian 0
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 38, Sunrise Piper 14
Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 26, Hollywood Hills 14
South Plantation 33, Miramar Everglades 32 (OT)
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 21, Belle Glade Glades Day 14
West Boca Raton 35, Oakland Park Northeast 0
West Palm Beach The King’s Academy 28, Miami True North Classical Academy 23
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2023-2026. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects
For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..