MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD: Week 6 Brings On New Challenges

While the rest of the state is preparing and recovering from Hurricane Ian, south Florida may be fortunate to have dodged a major bullet.

If you go back in time, this region of Florida has always been a target when it comes to these storms and has forced cancellations and postponements for decades.

Very few changes this week at the top – but that will certainly change as district season opens and the stakes are really going to rise.

A few new teams get to call themselves a Top 20 squad – and will try to maintain that status, which is recognized by fellow coaches, players and fans.

As we head toward Week 6, here is a look at how programs are doing in this region:

1. Miami Central (2M – 4-0). THIS WEEK: An away game on Sept. 30 against North Miami Beach. NEXT GAME: The annual war against No. 11 Miami Northwestern on Oct. 7 at Traz Powell Stadium. LAST WEEK: The Rockets blasted No. 12 Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 43-7

2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M – 4-0). THIS WEEK: Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M – 5-0). THIS WEEK: A home game on Sept. 30 against Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast. NEXT GAME: Venice has called off next week's much-anticipated matchup without a makeup planned.. LAST WEEK: The Lions remained hot with a convincing 28-0 win against Miami Gulliver in a game that was called at the half due to bad weather.

3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M – 5-0). THIS WEEK: A home game against Miramar on Sept. 30. NEXT GAME: A huge road district matchup with a Fort Lauderdale Dillard team that came close to beating them last year. LAST WEEK: The Raiders went on the road again and took care of business against Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, 21-7.

4. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M – 5-0). THIS WEEK: It’s a huge home game on Sept. 30 against No. 6 Plantation American Heritage. NEXT GAME: A Thursday (Oct. 6) home game against Miami Belen Jesuit schedule for FAU. LAST WEEK: The Chiefs went to Key West, 63-7.

5. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M – 5-0). THIS WEEK: An away game on Friday, Sept. 30 against Miami High. NEXT GAME:  A huge hurdle on Oct. 7 against No. 7 Homestead on the road. LAST WEEK: The Explorers went north and took care of business against No. 25 Miami Northwestern, 23-19.

6. Plantation American Heritage (2M – 4-1). THIS WEEK: A huge road game at No. 4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons on Sept. 30. NEXT GAME: A home game on Ot. 7 against No. 8 Davie Western.  LAST WEEK: The Patriots took the week off.

7. Homestead (3M, 4-0). THIS WEEK: A home game against South Miami on Sept. 30. NEXT GAME: A really big home game on Oct. 7 against No. 5 Miami Christopher Columbus. WEEK: The Broncos took the week off after a solid start.

8. Davie Western (4M – 3-1). THIS WEEK: It’s back on the road on Sept. 30 at Sunrise Piper. NEXT GAME: Another big road game against No. 6 Plantation American Heritage on Oct. 7. LAST WEEK: The Wildcats came back after their first loss with a 51-0 win against Coral Springs Taravella.

9. Miami Norland (2M – 4-0). THIS WEEK: They will take the week off. NEXT GAME: A huge Thursday night (Oct. 6) contest against No. 10 Miami Booker T. Washington. LAST WEEK: The Vikings won for the fourth straight time this season, 49-0, against Hialeah American.

10. Miami Booker T. Washington (2M – 4-1). THIS WEEK: It’s a “neighborhood rivalry” at home against Miami Jackson on Thursday, Sept. 29. NEXT GAME: An Oct. 6 showdown with No. 9 Miami Norland. LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes continued to look impressive on the field with a 26-6 win against Miami Carol City.

11. Miami Northwestern (2M – 3-2). THIS WEEK: The team will take the week off. NEXT GAME:  The much-anticipated annual showdown with No. 1 Miami Central. LAST WEEK: The Bulls, despite missing several starters – including record-setting quarterback Taron Dickens – hung tough before losing to No. 5 Miami Christopher Columbus, 23-19.

12. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (3M – 2-2). THIS WEEK: A home game on Sept. 30 against Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson. NEXT GAME: It’s the Oct. 7 showdown at home against No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. LAST WEEK: The Panthers were soundly beaten by No. 1 Miami Central, 43-7.

13. Fort Lauderdale (3M, 4-0). THIS WEEK: A huge road game on Friday against No. 16 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. NEXT GAME: A home game against a competitive Coconut Creek team on Oct. 7. LAST WEEK: The Flying Ls shut down Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, 27-0.

14. Miramar (3M, 3-1). THIS WEEK: A huge away game against No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 30. NEXT GAME: A Thursday night away game against Pembroke Pines Charter on Oct. 6. LAST WEEK: The Patriots made it two straight shutouts with a 47-0 win against Coral Springs Coral Glades.

15. Plantation (3M – 3-1). THIS WEEK: A rivalry game at home on Sept. 30 against unbeaten and No. 20 South Plantation. NEXT GAME: A Friday night game at Davie Nova on Oct. 7. LAST WEEK: The Colonels enjoyed the week off.

16. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3M, 3-0). THIS WEEK: Yet another key contest at home against No. 13 and unbeaten Fort Lauderdale. NEXT GAME: Will have the week off. LAST WEEK: The Tigers came up with a huge win against Coconut Creek, 28-21.

17. Hollywood Avant Garde (1M, 3-1). THIS WEEK: A home game on Sept. 29 against Ocoee Legacy Charter. NEXT GAME: A Thursday night home game against Palm Beach Christian Prep on Oct. 6. LAST WEEK: Bounced back from a loss to Miami Dr. Krop with a 41-0 win against St. John Paul II.

18. Coconut Creek Monarch (4M, 4-1). THIS WEEK: A home game against Boca Raton Olympic Heights on Oct. 30.  NEXT GAME: An away game on Friday, Oct. 7 against Hollywood McArthur. LAST WEEK: The Knights jumped back into the Top 20 with a 20-14 win against Parkland Douglas.

19. South Miami (2M, 3-0). THIS WEEK. A Major Friday night (Sept. 30) game against No. 7 Homestead. NEXT GAME: A Friday home game against Miami Springs. LAST WEEK: The Cobras – for the second time in this young season – had a game postponed by weather.

20. South Plantation (3M, 4-0). THIS WEEK: One of the biggest games on the schedule against No. 15 and longtime rival, Plantation on Friday at Sept. 30. NEXT GAME: A Thursday home contest against Sunrise Piper. LAST WEEK: Won for the fourth straight time, getting this team off to its best start in nearly two decades, and into the Top 20 for the first time, beating Cooper City, 35-14.

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

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..