When the news was passed down that 75 percent of the high school football teams in south Florida would not be competing for a state title, there was plenty of sadness and anger.
The athletes had worked so hard to get ready for this season – and because of Covid and the FHSAA making a decision that ended up hurting plenty of programs in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, there were many officials who wouldn’t stand by and let this season become a waste for so many athletes.
The Tri-County Championships was an idea that the three counties came together on and established a playoff format – which included everyone who wanted to compete and gain more exposure.
This event will culminate with playoffs and a championship in all (8A, 7A and 1A-6A) classes.
Over the next six weeks, rankings will be released along with recognition by teams and players who are participating. It is all designed to ensure that this season will be remembered and NOT forgotten.
“We wanted something big time to take place for those teams who just could not ‘opt in’,” said Shawn Cerra, Director, Athletics & Student Activities, Broward County Public Schools. “The most important thing was for all student/athletes and coaches to be safe. That’s why we didn’t get started until the end of October.”
Today, the first Tri-County Poll is released – and will change each week, leading into the playoffs.
Six high school sports writers from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach took are part of the selection process to determine the overall rankings.
By seasons end the top two teams from each county, plus two at-large teams will compete in a Gold and Silver Bracket over three weeks of playoffs to determine the Tri-County South Florida Champion.
The Tri-County championships will be played Dec. 21-22 at a site to be determined.
2020 TRI-COUNTY FOOTBALL TOP 16 POLL
Class 8A
1. Miami Columbus (3-0)
2. Davie Western (1-0)
3. Deerfield Beach (0-0)
4. Homestead South Dade (2-0)
5. Lake Worth Park Vista (2-0)
6. Palm Beach Gardens (1-1)
7. Coconut Creek Monarch (2-0)
8. Parkland Douglas (2-0)
9. Boca Raton (2-0)
10. Coral Gables (2-0)
11. Palm Beach Central (0-1)
12. Jupiter (2-0)
13. West Palm Beach Forest Hill (1-0)
14. Pembroke Pines Flanagan (2-0)
15. Coral Springs (1-1)
16. Miami High (1-2)
Also considered: Coral Springs Coral Glades, Weston Cypress Bay.
Class 7A
1. Plantation (1-1)
2. Delray Beach Atlantic (1-1)
3. Miramar (1-0)
4. Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (2-0)
5. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (2-0)
6. South Plantation (1-1)
7. Royal Palm Beach (1-1)
8. Fort Lauderdale (0-1)
9. Hialeah American (2-1)
10. Palm Beach Lakes (0-1)
11. North Miami (1-1)
12. Hollywood McArthur (0-2)
13. Boca Raton Olympic Heights (1-1)
14. Hollywood South Broward (0-1)
15. Hialeah (0-2)
16. Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge (0-1)
Also considered: Cooper City, West Boca Raton.
Class 6A-1A
1. Miami Killian (2-1)
2. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (1-0)
3. Belle Glade Glades Central (2 -0)
4. North Miami Beach (2-1)
5. Booker T. Washington (0-2)
6. Hallandale (2-0)
7. Miami Norland (1-2)
8. Miami Carol City (1-2)
9. Coconut Creek (2-0)
10. Pahokee (1-1)
11. South Miami (2-0)
12. Riviera Beach Suncoast (1-1)
13. Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (0-1)
14. Miami Jackson (0-2)
15. Boynton Beach (1-1)
16. Miami Southridge (0-2)
Also considered: Coral Springs Charter.
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..