While things were basically quiet on the top half of the Miami-Dade/Broward Top 20, things were sizzling in the lower half.

With the exception of No. Chaminade-Madonna’s win over Fort Lauderdale Dillard, everything seemed to be cooking in the lower half.

Welcoming into the group for the first time this year are Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and Westland Hialeah as all three programs have looked impressive in the early going.

For Doral Academy, Miami Gulliver Prep and Coconut Creek Monarch, falling out of the Top 20 may be temporary, but it will be up those teams to get things back on track.

As we head toward Week 3, here is a look at how programs are doing in this region:

1. Miami Central (2M – 1-0). THIS WEEK: No. 13 Miami Booker T. Washington, Sept. 9). NEXT GAME: A road game against Miami Carol City on Sept. 15. LAST WEEK: The Rockets were off after beating national power IMG Academy.

2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: At No. 5 Miami Northwestern, Sept. 8). NEXT GAME: Will be at home against No. 6 Plantation American Heritage on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Lions rolled over state-rated Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 49-28.

3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: Cocoa at home, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A big game at No. 7 Davie Western on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Raiders went to Fort Myers and took care of business, 42-0.

4. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: Miami Gulliver Prep, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A home game against St. Petersburg Northeast on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The defense remained very strong in shutting out Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, 30-0.

5. Miami Northwestern (2M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: Against No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Sept. 8. NEXT GAME: A home game against Miami Edison on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Bulls remained unbeaten with a “Soul Bowl” win against Miami Jackson, 44-0.

6. Plantation American Heritage (2M – 3-0: THIS WEEK: Another home game against Belle Glade Glades Central on Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A huge road game against No. 2 Chaminade Madonna in Hollywood on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Patriots continued their climb toward the top with a convincing home opener against Lakeland Lake Gibson, 42-14.

7. Davie Western (4M – 1-0). THIS WEEK: A huge home game against unbeaten No. 12 Coconut Creek, Sept. 9). NEXT GAME: A big home against No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Wildcats were off after an opening week win in the Broward Showcase.

8. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: A major contest at home on Sept. 9 against defending state champion Tampa Jesuit. NEXT GAME: An away game on Sept. 16 against area rival No. 18 Miami Palmetto. LAST WEEK: The Explorers looked sharp for the second straight game against Miami Killian, 44-13.

9. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (3M – 1-1). THIS WEEK: At No. 14 Miramar, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: The Panthers will take the week off before a road trip to play No. 1 Miami Central on Sept. 24. LAST WEEK: Even though they got off to a 14-0 start, it didn’t last against the No. 2 team – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna on the road, 49-28.

10. Homestead (3M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: A road game to play state-rated St. Petersburg Lakewood on Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A home game next Thursday (Sept. 15) against Southwest Miami. LAST WEEK: The Broncos took it to longtime rival South Dade, 47-0.

11. Miami Norland (2M – 1-0). THIS WEEK: A home contest against Miami Southridge, Sept. 10. NEXT GAME: An away game on Friday, Sept. 16 against Miami Monsignor Pace. LAST WEEK: The Vikings took it to longtime rival Miami Carol City in the Miami Gardens Bowl, 31-12.

12. Coconut Creek (3M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: A huge home game on Friday night (Sept. 9) as they welcome state rated and No. 7 Davie Western. NEXT GAME: For the second straight year, they will be on the road at No. 15 Plantation on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Cougars made it two weeks without giving up any points as they shutdown Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, 34-0.

13. Miami Booker T. Washington (2M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: It’s the biggest game of the year on Friday night (Sept. 9) against No. 1 Miami Central at Traz Powell Stadium. NEXT GAME: A home game on Sept. 16 against Miami Immaculata LaSalle. LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes got out to a big lead and then had to hold on against Miami Edison, 28-20.

14. Miramar (3M, 1-0). THIS WEEK: The Patriots will square off at home against No. 9 Fort Lauderdale Dillard. NEXT GAME: A home game against Pembroke Pines Flanagan on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Patriots enjoyed the week off after beating Plantation in the opening week of the season.

15. Plantation (3M – 0-1). THIS WEEK: A Thursday night (Sept. 8) away game at Parkland Douglas. NEXT GAME: It’s back home for a huge showdown against No. 12 Coconut Creek. LAST WEEK: The Colonels got back on the winning track with a convincing 41-19 win against Stranahan.

16. Hollywood Avant Garde (1M, 1-0). THIS WEEK: At Delray American Heritage, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A key away game against Miami Dr. Michael Krop on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: Had their game against Roar Academy called off.

17. Fort Lauderdale (3M, 2-0). THIS WEEK: It’s a Friday night (Sept. 9) trip to Tallahassee to play the Leon Lions. NEXT GAME: The team will take a week off. LAST WEEK: The Flying Ls took it to Hallandale, 31-6, having the chance to enter the Top 20 for the first time this year.

18. Miami Palmetto (4M, 0-2). THIS WEEK: A Friday night (Sept. 9) home game against Miami Killian for the Big Cat Trophy. NEXT GAME: It’s the always competitive matchup with No. 8 Miami Christopher Columbus on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Panthers were beaten soundly on the road by Clearwater Academy International, 26-0.

19. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3M, 2-0). THIS WEEK: A Thursday night (Sept. 8) game on the road against unbeaten Fort Pierce Westwood. NEXT GAME: Another road game against Coral Springs on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: A convincing 42-7 win against Cypress Bay, giving he Tigers a chance to enter the Top 20 for the first time this year.

20. Westland Hialeah (2M, 2-0). THIS WEEK: The Wildcats will enjoy the week off. NEXT GAME: It’s the rematch of last year’s independent championship game at home against Hialeah Barbara Goleman on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: Making their debut in the Top 20 came courtesy of a victory against Mater Academy, 22-9.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Coconut Creek Monarch (4M – (1-1), Coral Gables (4M, 2-0),Deerfield Beach (3M, 1-1), Doral Academy (4M, 1-1), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (2M, 1-1), Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (2M, 2-0), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (2M – (0-2), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (1M, 1-0), Hialeah Barbara Goleman (4M, 1-1), Hollywood South Broward (3M, 0-1), Miami Archbishop Carroll (1M, 2-0), Miami Braddock (Independent, 1-0), Miami Carol City (2M, 0-1) Miami Dr. Krop (3M, 1-1), Miami Edison (2M, 0-1), Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (2M, 1-1), Miami Gulliver Prep (2M – (0-2), Miami Immaculata LaSalle (2M, 2-0), Miami Jackson (2M, 0-1), Miami Southridge (3M, 1-0), Miami St. Brendan (2M, 1-1), Miami Westminster Christian (1M, 1-0), Miramar Everglades (3M, 1-1), Miami Ferguson (Independent, 2-0), North Miami Beach (2M – (0-2), Parkland Douglas (4M, 1-0), Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (4M, 1-1), Pembroke Pines West Broward (4M, 1-0), Pompano Beach (Independent, 2-0), South Miami (2M, 2-0), South Plantation (3M, 2-0), Sunrise Piper (3M, 2-0), Weston Cypress Bay (4M – (0-2).

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2023-2026. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects

MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD TRANSFERS. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-continues-in-miami-dade-broward

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MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD TOP 20: Central Shoots Into The Top Spot. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-central-shoots-into-the-top-spot