Here we go. The race to Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University will wind its way across the state for Miami-Dade and Broward County football teams.
Seven programs will represent each class – from Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna going for a record 10th straight trip in 1A – to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons looking for some of that past magic in 2A.
Miami Northwestern will look for a repeat in 3A – as well Plantation American Heritage in 4A and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A) in search for an unreal seventh consecutive state title.
New faces will join the state semifinal round – with Pembroke Pines West Broward in 6A and Miami Palmetto in 7A.
With all that in mind, we check out the top local teams heading into the second round of the state playoffs:
1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A, 12-1). LAST WEEK: The Raiders moved closer to a chance at seven straight state titles with a 34-7 win against Hollywood McArthur. THIS WEEK: Fort Myers Riverdale (12-1). NEXT WEEK: Ponte Vedra (11-2) or Lakeland (11-2) for the state title.
2. Miami Northwestern (3A, 12-0). LAST WEEK: In beating the second-best team in 3A in the state, rival Miami Central, the Bulls rolled to a 50-29 win. THIS WEEK: Orlando Bishop Moore (12-1). NEXT WEEK: Sarasota Booker (12-1) or Jacksonville Raines (12-0) for the state title.
3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1A, 10-2). LAST WEEK: The Lions moved one step closer to a 10th consecutive state championship appearance with a 35-14 win against Miami True North Classical Academy. THIS WEEK: Jacksonville Trinity Christian (9-4). NEXT WEEK: Tampa Carrollwood Day (12-0) or West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (10-3) for the state title.
4. Pembroke Pines West Broward (6A, 11-2). LAST WEEK: The Bobcats continued their run with a huge road win against Miami Southridge, 30-27. THIS WEEK: Gainesville Buchholz (12-1). NEXT WEEK: West Boca Raton (11-2) or Seffner Armwood (13-0) for the state title.
5. Miami Central (3A, 10-2). LAST WEEK: The Rockets dropped a 50-29 Region Final contest against No. 3 Miami Northwestern. SEASON OVER.
6. Miami Palmetto (7A, 11-2). LAST WEEK: The Panthers rolled along with a convincing 65-41 win against Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman. THIS WEEK: Vero Beach (13-0). NEXT WEEK: Venice (9-3) or Lake Mary (10-3) for the state title.
7. Miami Southridge (6A, 11-2). LAST WEEK: The Spartans dropped a heartbreaker to West Broward, 30-27. SEASON OVER.
8. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2A, 10-3). LAST WEEK: The Chiefs continued to roll along with a 20-17 win against previously unbeaten Miami Immaculata LaSalle. THIS WEEK: No. 3 Venice (9-3) at No. 2 Lake Mary (10-3). NEXT WEEK: Cocoa (8-4) or Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (12-1) for the state title.
9. Plantation American Heritage (4A, 7-5). LAST WEEK: The defending state champions played a four-quarter game in beating Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, 25-20. THIS WEEK: Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (12-1). NEXT WEEK: Port Charlotte (11-2) or Orlando Jones (11-2) for the state title.
10. Hollywood McArthur (5A, 10-3). LAST WEEK: The Mustangs ended an amazing season with a loss to top-rated Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas for the second time this year, 34-7. SEASON OVER.
11. Miami True North Classical Academy (1A, 10-3). LAST WEEK: The Titans ended a tremendous year with a loss to state power Chaminade-Madonna, 35-14. SEASON OVER.
12. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (4A, 10-3). LAST WEEK: The amazing year for the district champion Mavericks came to an end against defending state champion Plantation American Heritage, 25-20. SEASON OVER.
13. Miami Immaculata LaSalle (2A, 12-1). LAST WEEK: The Royal Lions saw this tremendous season come to an end with a 20-17 setback to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. SEASON OVER.
14. Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (8-5). LAST WEEK: What else can you say about the Gators who made a run to a place they had never been before – losing a high-scoring contest to Miami Palmetto, 65-41. SEASON OVER.
15. Miami Norland (4A, 6-5). SEASON OVER.
16. Coconut Creek (5A, 9-3). SEASON OVER.
17. Coconut Creek Monarch (6A, 7-5). SEASON OVER.
18. Plantation (4A, 7-5). SEASON OVER.
19. Miami Killian (2A, 8-3). SEASON OVER.
20. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4A, 10-1). SEASON OVER.
Here are some other programs who worked hard this year:
INDEPENDENT
Doral Ronald Reagan (7-2). SEASON OVER
Coral Springs Charter (5-6). SEASON OVER
Fort Lauderdale University School (8-5). SEASON OVER
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (8-3). SEASON OVER
Hialeah Gardens (4-7). SEASON OVER
Miami Braddock (4-6). SEASON OVER
Miami Coral Reef Football (9-2). SEASON OVER
Miami Ferguson (5-3). SEASON OVER
Miami Florida Christian (7-2-1). SEASON OVER
Miami Varela (6-4). SEASON OVER
CLASS 1A
Miami Archbishop Carroll (8-3), SEASON OVER
Miami Edison (6-5). SEASON OVER
Miami Palmer Trinity (7-3). SEASON OVER
Miami Westminster Christian (8-3). SEASON OVER
CLASS 2A
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy (7-4). SEASON OVER
Miami Booker T. Washington (2-9). SEASON OVER
Miami Carol City (6-5). SEASON OVER
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (4-7). SEASON OVER
Miami Gulliver Prep (6-4). SEASON OVER
Miami Ransom Everglades (7-4). SEASON OVER
North Miami Beach (6-6)
CLASS 3A
Miami St. Brendan (4-7). SEASON OVER
Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (4-7). SEASON OVER
CLASS 4A
Hialeah (6-5). SEASON OVER
CLASS 5A
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (8-5). SEASON OVER
Miramar (4-7). SEASON OVER
North Miami (7-4). SEASON OVER
CLASS 6A
Davie Nova (5-6). SEASON OVER
Doral Academy (5-5). SEASON OVER
Miami Christopher Columbus (4-8). SEASON OVER
Pembroke Pines Flanagan (8-3). SEASON OVER
South Plantation (6-5). SEASON OVER
Sunrise Piper (7-5). SEASON OVER
CLASS 7A
Coral Gables (4-5). SEASON OVER
Coral Springs Coral Glades (6-5). SEASON OVER
Davie Western (4-7). SEASON OVER
Homestead South Dade (5-6). SEASON OVER
Weston Cypress Bay (5-5). SEASON OVER
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD TOP 20
WEEK 1. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-1-top-20-miami-dade-broward-loaded-with-talent
WEEK 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-2-top-20-st-thomas-aquinas-moves-to-no-1
WEEK 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-3-local-teams-are-starting-to-emerge
WEEK 4. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-huge-games-will-test-local-teams
WEEK 5. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-new-teams-enter-an-elite-group
WEEK 6. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-district-games-will-put-distance-between-teams
WEEK 7. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-7-things-are-beginning-to-get-interesting-for-area-programs
WEEK 8. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-8-it-s-all-about-the-state-playoffs-now
WEEK 9. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-9-playoff-slots-still-up-for-grabs
WEEK 10. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-10-playoff-spots-up-for-grabs
WEEK 11. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-11-teams-getting-ready-for-the-post-season
WEEK 12. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-12-the-playoff-waiting-game-begins
WEEK 1 PLAYOFFS. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-playoff-week-1-key-opening-round-games
WEEK 2 PLAYOFFS. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-playoff-week-2-local-programs-stay-alive
WEEK 3 PLAYOFFS. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-playoff-week-3-14-teams-remain-in-the-hunt-2
2025 Road To Miami & The Villages Charter. https://larryblustein.com/news/2025-road-to-miami-the-villages-charter
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 55 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..