It is perhaps the most exciting five weeks on the high school football calendar, and it all begins tonight.

The state championship series starts across Florida – and Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will have an opportunity to grab the early spotlight.

With Veteran’s Day being observed by both counties on Friday, the action will begin with nine games as dreams will have the chance to come true.

PATRIOT BOWL 2 HIGHLIGHTS THE OPENING ROUND

When Miramar and Hialeah American got together back on Oct. 13, the game was very important in the district. While Miramar won 27-8, American felt that they had their chances.

Tonight, the “Patriot Bowl” comes to Miramar for the second meeting of the season, but this contest is super important as the state championship series will kick things off – with the destination being Florida A&M in Tallahassee in the second week of the season.

For American, this has been an up and down season as they come into tonight’s game at 6-4.

Head Coach Tim Neal and his team lost a key season-ending contest to North Miami Beach in overtime. The Patriots have been a streaky team and understands that anything but their best effort will not be enough to be a very impressive program.

HIALEAH AMERICAN PATRIOTS

Coral Gables, W 25-6

South Miami, W 47-0

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, L 18-14

Miami Norland, L 57-12

Miramar Everglades, W 20-10

Miami Beach, W 41-0

Miramar, L 27-8

Miami Springs, W 34-12

Pembroke Pines Charter, W 60-13

North Miami Beach, L 24-18 (OT)

MIRAMAR HAS FOUGHT THROUGH A CHALLENGING SCHEDULE

To get to this evening’s contest, coach A.J. Scott and his Patriots have faced six playoff teams, including Virginia powerhouse Highland Springs and four-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

They have won four of the past five games, including outscoring their final two opponents (Miramar Everglades and Hollywood South Broward), 94-24.

MIRAMAR PATRIOTS

Highland Springs, Virginia, L 20-14

Coral Springs Coral Glades, W 61-0

Pembroke Pines Flanagan, W 50-0

Fort Lauderdale Dillard, L 14-7

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 38-6

Pembroke Pines Charter, W 61-0

Hialeah American, W 27-8

Davie Western, L 14-6

Miramar Everglades, W 41-6

Hollywood South Broward, W 53-18

Here is a look at the other area playoff games taking place today:
Region 3-4M quarterfinal: No. 8 Parkland Stoneman Douglas (4-6) at No. 1 Coconut Creek Monarch (8-2), Coconut Creek, 7

Region 4-4M quarterfinal: No. 8 Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (5-4) at No. 1 Miami Columbus (8-2), 4:30.

Region 4-4M quarterfinal: No. 7 Doral Academy (5-4) at No. 2 Miami Palmetto (8-1), (Tropical), 7

Region 4-4M quarterfinal: No. 6 Weston Cypress Bay (8-2) at No. 3 Davie Western (7-3), 7

Region 4-3M quarterfinal: No. 8 Hollywood McArthur (5-4) at No. 1 Homestead (8-1), Harris, 7

Region 4-3M quarterfinal: No. 7 Belen Jesuit (4-6) at No. 2 Hollywood South Broward (8-2), 7

Region 4-2M quarterfinal: No. 6 North Miami Beach (4-6) at No. 3 Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2), Curtis Park, 7

Region 4-2M quarterfinal: No. 8 Miami St. Brendan (7-3) at No. 1 Miami Norland (10-0), Traz Powell, 7

In addition to Thursday’s games, here is a look at Friday’s first round matchup:

FRIDAY

Region 4-4M quarterfinal: No. 4 Homestead South Dade (7-3) at No. 5 Pembroke Pines West Broward (7-3), Flanagan, 7

Region 3-3M quarterfinal: No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Dilliard (5-5) at No. 4 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-2), 7

Region 3-3M quarterfinal: No. 8 Plantation (6-4) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1), 7

Region 4-3M quarterfinal: No. 4 Miami Southridge (6-4) at No. 5 Hialeah (9-1), Milander, 7

Region 4-2M quarterfinal: No. 7 Miami Edison (6-4) at No. 2 Miami Central (6-3), Traz Powell, 7

Region 3-2M quarterfinal: No. 8 Coconut Creek North Broward Prep (5-5) at No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (7-1), 7:30

Region 3-2M quarterfinal: No. 7 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (4-6) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-3), 7

Region 3-2M quarterfinal: No. 6 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (7-3) at No. 3 Boca Raton St. Andrew’s (9-1), 7

Region 4-2M quarterfinal: No. 4 Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (6-4) at No. 5 Pinecrest Gulliver Prep (7-3), 3:30

SATURDAY

Sunshine State Athletic Conference - state championship: Westminster Academy (9-1) vs. Oviedo Masters Academy (8-2), Bryant Stadium, Lakeland, 7

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