When it comes to the state football playoffs, south Florida is always in the middle of the conversation.
With the exception of 1A, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties have all the classes covered, and beginning this evening – with two games, the spotlight will shine brightly.
LET ROUND 2 BEGIN…
No. 3 Deerfield Beach (9-2) at No. 2 Miami Palmetto (8-2), Tropical Park. Two very impressive football programs will square off this evening – and the talent will be on display.
For the Panthers and head coach Mike Manasco, this is a game that his team is ready for after a challenging season. There are weapons on both sides of the ball.
For interim head coach David Blackwell and the Bucks, this is a team that has had an up and down year, but over the past month, this is a program that has proven that it has the talent to compete with anyone.
No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (7-4) at No. 1 Miami Killian (11-0), Harris Field. Here are two programs that have traveled much different paths to arrive at this evening’s matchup.
Head Coach Travis Harden and the Dragons have come up with some key wins down the stretch, and while they are underdogs against the Cougars, it is a position they’ve been in plenty this season.
Speaking about the Cougars, head coach Derrick Gibson and his team were not the talk of Region 4 when the season started – that belonged to defending 5A state champion Plantation American Heritage and two-time defending 6A state champion Miami Central, but those two schools fell to No. 2 and No. 3 seeds respectively.
Can the Dragons pull another surprise – or does Killian continue its dream season? We will find out Thursday night.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
In addition to those games that got this round started, there are other games that will certainly take the spotlight this week:
8A
REGION 4
Davie Western 43, Parkland Douglas 7
Miami Christopher Columbus 54, Miami Dr. Krop 0
Deerfield Beach 21, Boca Raton 7
Miami Palmetto 56, Coral Springs Coral Glades 21
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
No. 5 Miami Christopher Columbus (7-3) at No. 1 Davie Western (9-2)
7A
REGION 4
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 43, Delray Atlantic 7
Miramar 28, Doral Academy 20
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 42, Fort Lauderdale 0
Homestead 55, Hollywood South Broward 3
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
No. 4 Miramar (7-2) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (10-1)
No. 6 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (10-1) at No. 2 Homestead (9-1), Harris Field
6A
REGION 4
Plantation 44, Fort Myers Dunbar 20
Coconut Creek 36, South Fort Myers 12
Miami Northwestern 71, Fort Myers 19
Naples 37, Punta Gorda Charlotte 0
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
No. 8 Plantation (8-2) at No. 4 Coconut Creek (9-2)
No. 3 Miami Northwestern (8-3) at No. 2 Naples (10-0)
5A
REGION 4
Miami Killian 66, Fort Myers Cypress Lake 0
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 22, Estero 7
Miami Central 49, North Miami Beach 6
Plantation American Heritage 42, Boynton Beach 14
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
No. 3 Miami Central (8-2) at No. 2 American Heritage (6-3)
4A
REGION 4
Miami Booker T. Washington 30, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 6
Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 10, Miami Immaculata-LaSalle 7
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
No. 4 Miami Booker T. Washington (5-6) at No. 1 Miami Gulliver Prep (7-1), Tropical Park
No. 6 Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (4-6) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (7-2)
3A
REGION 4
Miami Edison 51, Somerset Academy South Homestead 0
West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 41, Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy 6
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
No. 4 Miami Edison (7-4) at No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (7-1)
No. 3 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (7-3) at No. 2 Miami Florida Christian (8-1)
2A
REGION 4
Fort Pierce John Carroll 41, Miami True North Classical 20
Belle Glade Glades Day 38, Lauderdale Westminster Academy 0
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS
No. 5 Fort Pierce John Carroll (6-2) at No. 1 Hollywood Avant Garde (8-0). Lockhart Park
No. 3 Belle Glade Glades Day (9-1) at No. 2 Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (7-2), Traz Powell Stadium
TRACKING POSITIONS: Keeping An Eye On The Football Talent In Miami-Dade & Broward Counties Year Round. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects
For the past 51 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..