If you’ve followed us through the past six decades, you already know that we play NO favorites and call things as we see them unfold.’
Unlike any other source, we see players and teams LIVE – basically more than any of those so-called experts.
Our objective is to get it right, and while this is just a summer list, it will change from week to week during the season, and while your favorite team may be lower or higher than you believe – this is just the starting point, like we do every single year.
Our advantage of watching football teams across the state gives us a barometer of how our Miami-Dade and Broward teams would do against teams from all over Florida.
Remember, we are just one source. But a source who sees teams play during the spring and summer – live.
Here are some programs to keep an eye on:
1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1A). Loaded once again as the Lions look for an amazing ninth consecutive trip to the state finals with talent everywhere. They have a tough schedule, but nobody in 1A is within three touchdowns of them – still! Big early season games will tell if they are ready for a national run.
2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A). Six-time defending state champions – enough said. May have more talent than anyone not named IMG Academy. Always well coached and loaded with elite talent. Not reaching the state title game this year would be a major upset!
3. Miami Northwestern (3A). Tough to imagine ANYONE in the country with more talent. You have no idea how loaded this program is. NO public school in America has more prospects. Not even up for discussion. Other than Central, the Bulls’ road to state may be the easiest in any classification.
4. Miami Central (3A). Do not feel sorry for the Rockets. They may have been the best team in Florida on the field last year, but having to forfeit the season tainted some elite prospects. New head coach with the same objective. Taking them lightly would be a major mistake!
5. Plantation American Heritage (4A). The defending state champions may have the toughest schedule in the country, but the Patriots like it that way. They have a lot of frontline talent, but depth in certain areas could be a problem.
6. Miami Norland (4A). The Vikings have a tough road but still have amazing talent to compete with anyone on their schedule. The key is beating Plantation American Heritage in district play. They will most likely play them twice.
7. Miami Southridge (6A). Here is a team that feels they should have been in the finals last year, and with one of the most athletic programs in Florida, do not sleep on the Spartans. They can score, dominate on both sides of the line of scrimmage and have a solid defense.
8. Miami Christopher Columbus (7A). Never count the Explorers out. Even in a "down" year, they took state power 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.
9. Miami Palmetto (7A). This could be one of the strongest programs the Panthers have 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.
10. Pembroke Pines West Broward (6A). Here is a team that may be new to the state powerhouses, but the Bobcats have loaded up and could have some the most impressive athletes you will find – with an offensive line that is big and physical.
11. Coconut Creek Monarch (6A). Even though spring is never a true indicator of what lies ahead, the Knights looked mighty impressive on both sides of the ball and need to be taken seriously. They play a tough schedule, but that will prepare them for the playoffs.
12. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2A). After a few years away from the spotlight, the Chiefs return as one of the favorites in this classification with gifted prospects on board. Solid playmakers will make the difference.
13. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4A). There is no getting around the fact that the Panthers were one of the surprise programs down the stretch in 2024, holding an advantage in the playoffs against eventual state champion Plantation American Heritage before losing. Plenty of talent on board.
14. Sunrise Piper (6A). Last year the Bengals were certainly a surprise team with a district title. This time around, every opponent will get up for this program – and they come back with some quality prospects and a few players that could continue to elevate this team.
15. Plantation (4A). Tough district once again for the Colonels – and even though they made the playoffs – plenty of work will be needed to navigate the many obstacles. They always win the off season with hard work and competition.
16. Miramar (5A). The Patriots continued to play winning football a year ago, but this is not the same team they were in the past years. A lot of new faces will try and keep this program in the spotlight in a competitive classification. They lost plenty on a defense, which has long been their trademark.
17. Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (5A). Very few teams enjoyed the success the Lions did this off-season as a new regime is in place to make an impact this coming season and make the playoffs once again. This is a team that is well coached and will prepare their players every week.
18. Miami True North Classical Academy (1A). Talk about having a new look. The Titans went out in the off-season and added some pieces that will keep them in the mix – with a strong spring and summer. The schedule is indeed competitive, but people will be blown away by their young prospects.
19. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (4A). After years as an independent, the Mavericks stepped up last year and were part of one of the most competitive districts in south Florida, making the state playoffs and winning a game. This is one of those program that you will need to keep an eye on.
20. Miami Edison (1A). Like True North did in the off-season, the Red Raiders brought in some impressive and elite prospects, but remember, Chaminade-Madonna is still in the region and will be the overwhelming favorites. Depth may be a problem, but a winning season and a state playoff appearance are the objectives.
(tie) Pembroke Pines Flanagan (6A). Busy off-season has the Falcons making a move toward the state playoffs, but the classification is certainly no joke – with many quality teams.
Hollywood McArthur (5A). New coaching staff and numerous player additions will give the Mustangs a running start in 2025, but the road will be filled with challenges and several impressive teams along the way. The objective is indeed the state playoffs.
MORE TEAMS WILL EMERGE AS THE SEASON GETS STARTED
While everything always plays out when the season gets started, we will continue to add teams and move them around as they start to play.
Here are some programs that you will be hearing from this coming season:
Independent
Fort Lauderdale University School
1A
Miami Archbishop Carroll
2A
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
Miami Booker T. Washington
Miami Carol City
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace
Miami Immaculata LaSalle
3A
Miami St. Brendan
4A
Hialeah
5A
Coconut Creek
North Miami
6A
Doral Academy
7A
Davie Western
Homestead South Dade
Miami High
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman
Weston Cypress Bay
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For the past 55 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, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..