For much of the past two decades when you talked the largest high school football classification in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, the name Miami Christopher Columbus was front and center.
State titles and plenty of statewide success put the Explorers in a position where they dominated 8A, 4M and now 7A.
As they enter the 2025 season, this is a team that has talent, superior coaching and a bright past, but this is a different year and that gap is closing.
Even though they battled 7A state champion Venice down to the wire last season, it took everything possible just to arrive at that game.
This year the schedule is as tough as it has been in decades – with two state champions and three elite programs in the first five games.
Is this the year that there is a changing of the guard? Only time will tell.
Here are some of the 7A programs to keep an eye on:
@ Not all teams have completed their schedules as of this writing.
Coral Gables. After several years trying to build the Cavaliers back to where they were, veteran head coach Frank Welsh stepped down. Enter energetic and knowledgeable Derick Murdock, who comes in and hit the ground running with quality coaches and some surprising talent. This season his objective is to compete and build.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/21 @Miami Ferguson
9/5 – @Miami Beach
9/11 – Miami High
9/25 – Miami Palmetto
10/3 - @Miami Braddock
10/9 - @Miami Christopher Columbus
10/17 – GMAC WEEK
10/23 – Homestead South Dade
10/31 – Southwest Miami
Davie Western. Over the past five years, this was a program – under veteran head coach– that many were picking as the team that could make it to the state title game. Even last year, when the Wildcats had to forfeit several games, they lost a last-minute region final game to Christopher Columbus. Plenty of holes to fill this season!
2025 SCHEULE
8/22 – Plantation
9/5 – Coconut Creek
9/12 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
9/19 – Coral Springs Taravella
9/26 - @Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
10/3 - @West Boca Raton
10/10 – Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
10/17 - @Weston Cypress Bay
10/24 – Deerfield Beach
10/31 – Pembroke Pines West Broward
Miami Christopher Columbus. Never count the Explorers out. Even in a down year, they took Venice down to the final quarter in the state semifinals. This is a team that will never be out of any game. Competitive schedule again, but head coach Dave Dunn and his staff will always have this team ready.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/21 – Miami Southridge
8/29 - @Our Lady of Good Counsel, Maryland
9/5 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
9/12 – Miami Palmetto
9/19 – Miami Northwestern
9/25 – Homestead South Dade
10/3 – Miami High
10/9 – Coral Gables
10/17 – GMAC WEEK
10/24 – Miami True North Classical Academy
Homestead South Dade. After advancing to the state playoffs the past two years, a change was made at the top for the Bucs as veteran Pat Burrows has entered the picture – and with his experience and ability to teach and get the most out of his players, keep an eye on this team.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 – Miami Booker T. Washington
8/29 – Homestead
9/5 – Miami Norland
9/12 - @Miami Killian
9/25 - @Miami Christopher Columbus
10/3 - @Miami Palmetto
10/10 – Miami High
10/17 – GMAC WEEK
10/23 - @Coral Gables
10/31 - @Miami Southridge
Miami High. Yet another change at the top for the Stingarees as Pat Colon comes aboard to get this program back on track. There is always talent in the area, but as so many have found out, getting these athletes out of the hallways is never an easy job.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 – @Miami Immaculata LaSalle
9/4 - @Miami Coral Reef
9/11 - @Coral Gables
9/19 - @Hialeah
10/3 – Miami Christopher Columbus
10/10 - @Homestead South Dade
10/17 – GMAC WEEK
10/30 – Miami Beach
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman. Last season, veteran head coach Ariel Cribeiro and his Gators won the district after picking up a forfeit win, only to drop their opening state playoff game. This is a program that put in plenty of work in the off-season.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 - @Key West
8/28 – Miami Southridge
9/4 - @Hialeah American
9/17 – Hialeah Gardens
9/26 - @Weston Cypress Bay
10/2 – West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman
10/10 – Davie Western
10/17 – GMAC WEEK
10/23 - @Coral Springs Taravella
10/31 - @Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace
Miami Palmetto. This could be the strongest program the Panthers have ever had. Explosive on offense and fast on the defensive side of the ball. They could be a serious contender this season. Columbus is that major obstacle once again, but veteran head coach Mike Manasco and his program will be ready.
2025 SCHEDULE
8/22 - @Homestead
8/29 – Miami Booker T. Washington
9/4 - Miami Southridge
9/12 - @Miami Christopher Columbus
9/18 – Miami Killian
9/25 - @Coral Gables
10/3 – Homestead South Dade
10/17 – GMAC WEEK
10/30 – Fort Myers Bishop Verot
Weston Cypress Bay. Could this be the year that the Lightning finally strike and break through? After missing the state playoff last season with a winning record, head coach Bret Hood and his team have enjoyed a very productive and successful off-season with plenty of talent and confidence.\
2025 SCHEDULE
8/21 - @Parkland Douglas
8/28 - @Pembroke Pines Flanagan
9/12 – Hollywood McArthur
9/19 – Fort Lauderdale Stranahan
9/26 – Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
10/3 - @Coral Springs
10/10 - @Coral Springs Taravella
10/17 – Davie Western
10/24 - @Cooper City
10/30 - Hallandale
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