In between the Covid cases popping up throughout the Sunshine State, football is definitely being played.

Maybe not in ideal circumstances, but it is back – in many form here in south Florida.

This is one of the most fertile recruiting areas in the nation – and it’s really not up for discussion. That’s why this year, as crazy as it has been, every effort has been made that if you want to play – and are healthy and practicing prevention and safety.

Besides the state playoffs – where south Florida just qualified three schools for the Road To Tallahassee next week.

Leading the way in this group is three-time defending state champion Chaminade-Madonna.

The Hollywood based program ran its record to 8-1 win a close win at Tampa Berkeley Prep, 23-21.

Next up for head coach Dameon Jones and his Lions will be Jacksonville Trinity Christian at Doak Campbell Stadium on Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m.

Head Coach Hector Clavijo and his Lions (10-2) rolled to a convincing 56-14 win over Seffner Christian for the second straight year.

When the Lions take on Jacksonville University Christian (8-4) on Wednesday, December 16 at 1 p.m., it will be the fifth consecutive trip to the state finals for the defending champs.

For Matt Dubuc and his Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs, it has been two seasons of doubters since this program won a 5A state title two years ago in Orlando.

All this team has done this season is beat longtime rival and national power St. Thomas Aquinas, Gulliver Prep and this past week – a Cocoa team that had been running through everyone.

What that that convincing 45-15 win over the Tigers did was send this program back to the state 4A title game – against Jacksonville Bolles on Thursday, December 17 at 1 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

FOUR MORE SCHOOLS WAITING TO PUNCH THEIR TICKET.

That Road To Tallahassee – some 650 miles – could be adding four more south Florida programs this Friday night. Miami Palmetto (8A), St. Thomas Aquinas (7A), Miami Central (6A) and Plantation American Heritage (5A) are looking to punch their ticket to the state capital.

8A – MIAMI PALMETTO COMES HOME

After three straight weeks on the road, head coach Mike Manasco and his Panthers will bid for a first ever trip to the state football finals.

The 5-1 Panthers, who have not scored a lot of points, relying on an amazing defense, welcomes in Kissimmee Osceola (8-2) on Friday. The Kowboys, like the Panthers can play defense.

7A – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS GOES ON THE ROAD

After spending one week at home for the state playoffs, the defending champs are on the road this Friday night.

While this just another in a long line of games to qualify for state that head coach Roger Harriott and the Raiders have experienced, this level of football is all new to their opponents east of Tampa.

Valrico Bloomingdale is 12-0 and have played a challenging schedule this year, and in the past seasons, but this is the biggest game in school history. There is no other way to state it! No team with this much history of winning state titles has ever been on this campus. Not for football!!

6A ROCKETS CONTINUE TO SOAR.

You would think that any team that would enter the state playoffs with a total of 6 quarters of football played would never last. That’s where you would be wrong.

Despite losing the opener 21-14 to major rival Northwestern, head coach Roland Smith and this team has not flinched.

The Rockets went through southwest Florida – with wins over Naples Lely (42-16), Naples (31-21) and last week Fort Myers Dunbar (40-0).

This Friday, it’s Palmetto (Bradenton area) once again. The same team that took the defending state champions down to the wire last year.

The Tigers are 9-3 and come in on a five-game winning streak.

5A PLANTATION AMERICAN HERITAGE ONE GAME AWAY.

When Cardinal Gibbons beat them two years ago, and Miami Northwestern last year, head coach Pat Surtain and his American Heritage Patriots were left without a trip to the state title game.

After a convincing win on the road – once again – this team is now one win from getting to Tallahassee next week.

To get there, the 9-2 Patriots will have to hurdle one of the best teams in the state – 12-0 Tampa Jesuit.

TRI-COUNTY PLAYOFFS HEAT UP

While the state championships are taking center stage in most parts of Florida, the topic in south Florida has been the inaugural Tri-County (West Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade) Championships.

While a few games were called off due to Covid concerns, there were some games played.

Here is a look at the first week’s results:

8A Gold Division Quarterfinals

Coconut Creek Monarch 35, Homestead South Dade 0

Deerfield Beach 41, Jupiter 0

8A Silver Division Quarterfinals

Palm Beach Gardens 24, Wellington 10

Miami High 42, Coral Glades 40

Boca Raton 28, Coral Springs 13

Coral Gables 40, Pembroke Pines Flanagan 3

7A Gold Division Quarterfinals

Delray Beach Atlantic 54, North Miami 7

Miramar 41, South Plantation 0

Plantation 45, Hialeah American 8

7A Silver Division Quarterfinals

Fort Lauderdale 34, Royal Palm Beach 7

Miramar Everglades 24, Hialeah 0

Hollywood South Broward 29, Boca Raton Olympic Heights 6

6A-1A Gold Division Quarterfinals

Miami Killian 46, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 14

North Miami Beach 28, Miami Carol City 13

Glades Central 16, Booker T. Washington 13

Fort Lauderdale Dillard 49, Pahokee 6

6A-1A Silver Division Quarterfinals

Hallandale 19, Coral Springs Charter 7

Miami Norland 40, South Miami 15

Coconut Creek 34, Riviera Beach Suncoast 20

Miami Springs 29, Boynton Beach 7

TRU Prep In Sunshine State Independent Association Finals

It’s been quite a year for TRU Prep Academy – AKA – NSU University School.

In winning for the sixth time last Friday, 31-22, against Clearwater Academy International in the Sunshine State Independent Association (SSIA) semifinals.

The Saints and head coach Mario Smith will now take on 7-3 American Collegiate Academy on Saturday.

For the past 50 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, nobody has evaluated more football talent than we have. We will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..