Over the past year, high school football teams in south Florida had goals they set for the 2021 season. This week, three more local teams realize those goals.

As the second week of the Florida high school football state championships take place for the first time at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, three area programs are set to defend their titles.

On Thursday, defending 4A state champion Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons will be in action, and on Friday, two-time defending state champion Miami Central will play for a 5A state title, and two-time defending 7A state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas will take the field.

As we have done throughout the year, we use each and every Tuesday to spotlight the Top 20 programs in south Florida. Here is the way things look going into the 4A-8A Finals:

1. Miami Central (5A, 11-2). Merritt Island this Friday, Dec. 17, 1 p.m. at DRV PNK Stadium Fort Lauderdale.

2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (7A, 13-1). Unbeaten Tampa Bay Tech this Friday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. at DRV PNK Stadium Fort Lauderdale.

3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions (3A, 12-1). Finished the season off with a 21-0 win over Tampa Berkeley Prep and a fourth state title in five years. NEXT OPPONENT: The Lions will play in Las Vegas this Friday night (10:30) against Highland, Arizona in the Geico Bowl.

4. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (4A, 10-2). The streaking Cocoa Tigers on Thursday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. at DRV PNK Stadium Fort Lauderdale.

5. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Lions (2A, 10-3). Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (2A, 10-3). Appearing in their sixth consecutive state title game, the Lions fell short to a very talented Trinity Christian team, 41-23.

6. Miami Northwestern (6A, 10-4). SEASON IS OVER.

7. Miami Christopher Columbus Explorers (8A, 9-4). SEASON IS OVER.

8. Miami Killian Cougars (5A, 12-1). SEASON IS OVER.

9. Homestead Broncos (7A, 10-2). SEASON IS OVER.

10. Miami Gulliver Prep Raiders (4A, 8-2). SEASON IS OVER.

11. Miami Palmetto Panthers (8A, 9-3). SEASON IS OVER.

12. Plantation Colonels (6A, 9-3). SEASON IS OVER.

13. Davie Western Wildcats (8A, 9-3). SEASON IS OVER.

14. Fort Lauderdale Dillard Panthers (7A, 10-3). SEASON IS OVER.

15. Deerfield Beach Bucks (8A, 9-3). SEASON IS OVER.

16. Plantation American Heritage Patriots (5A, 6-4). SEASON IS OVER.

17. Miramar Patriots (7A, 7-4). SEASON IS OVER.

18. Doral Academy Firebirds (7A, 8-2). SEASON IS OVER.

19. Coconut Creek Cougars (6A, 9-3). SEASON IS OVER.

20. Coral Glades Jaguars (8A, 6-3). SEASON IS OVER.

PLAYOFF TEAMS WHO FINISHED THE SEASON:, Fort Lauderdale Flying Ls (7A, 6-3), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Eagles (4A, 4-6) Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy Lions (2A, 7-3), Hollywood Avant Garde Academy Sharks (2A, 8-1), Hollywood South Broward Bulldogs (7A, 8-2), Miami Dr. Krop Lightning (8A, 5-4), Miami Edison Red Raiders (3A, 7-5), Miami LaSalle Royal Lions (4A, 10-1), Miami True North Titans (2A, 6-4), North Miami Beach Chargers (5A, 4-6), Somerset Academy South Homestead Hurricanes (3A, 5-4).

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..