When it comes to producing players and teams, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are now dominating the landscape of football in the state of Florida.

With defending state champions in 1A (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), 3A (Miami Northwestern), 4A (Plantation American Heritage) and 5A (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), this area is certainly one that gets everyone’s attention – quickly.

As the first week of the season is upon us, there are so many tremendous programs with a chance to advance to the state playoffs this year – and that is why the rankings will change just about every week.

With teams within the two counties playing each other throughout the season, the only ranking that will count will be the final one in the last week of December.

Today, we bring you the first of many weekly local rankings. Remember, they will change every Tuesday, and just because your favorite team may not be listed or ranked lower than you expected, the best teams will rise to the top by the end of the year.

1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1A). Loaded once again as the Lions look for an amazing ninth state trip to the state finals with talent everywhere. They have a tough schedule but nobody in 1A has been able to beat them. THIS WEEK: 8/23 – Baltimore St. Frances Academy, Maryland. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @No. 17 Hollywood McArthur.

are within three touchdowns of them – still!

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 and will be challenged. THIS WEEK: Santa Ana, California Mater Dei. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 – Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson.

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 American has more prospects. Not even up for discussion. They start in the fourth position but will find their way to the top – soon. THIS WEEK: 8/23 – Orange, California Orange Lutheran. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 – Venice.

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 coach, but very much the same goals. THIS WEEK: Game Postponed. NEXT WEEK: 8/28 – No. 19 Miami Edison.

5. Plantation American Heritage (4A). The defending state champions may have the toughest schedule in the state, but the Patriots like it that way. There is enough talent to make it back, but depth will be a concern. THIS WEEK: 8/22 – Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Prep, Pennsylvania. NEXT WEEK: Bye.

6. Miami Norland (4A). The Vikings have a tough road but still have amazing talent to compete with anyone on their schedule. New head coach but the same objective with several elite prospects. THIS WEEK: 8/22 - @Lake Mary. NEXT WEEK: 8/28 - @Miami Carol City.

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 had quite a spring and summer and are ready with a huge chip on their shoulders. THIS WEEK: 8/21 - @No. 8 Miami Christopher Columbus. NEXT WEEK: @Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman.

8. Miami Christopher Columbus (7A). Never count the Explorers out. Even in a down year, they took Venice down to the final quarter in the state semifinals. This season there is more to work with and there is a good feeling around this program. THIS WEEK: 8/21 – No. 7 Miami Southridge. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @Our Lady of Good Counsel, Maryland.

9. 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 needed to be taken seriously. But the schedule will test this team each week. THIS WEEK: Jacksonville Bolles. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @Deerfield Beach.

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 of the most impressive athletes you will find – with an offensive line that is big and physical. Schedule is tough early on. THIS WEEK: 8/22 – Corner Canyon, Utah. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @Camden County, Georgia.

11. Miami Palmetto (7A). There is no getting around the fact that the Panthers are loaded and have their best chance to win the district and advance to the post season, but since they haven’t been able to get over the hump, there are doubters. THIS WEEK: 8/22 - @Homestead. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 – Miami Booker T. Washington.

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. This is a team that will be among the best in the state of Florida with several key returners. THIS WEEK: 8/21 – No. 14 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @Hollywood South Broward.

13. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4A). The Panthers finished strong last season, and as things open up here in 2025, keep an eye on what they bring to the table with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and a lot of depth. THIS WEEK: 8/22 – Orlando Dr. Phillips. NEXT WEEK: Bye.

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 program. Class 6A is loaded and will test this team from start to finish. THIS WEEK: 8/21 – Peachtree Ridge, Georgia. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @Coconut Creek.

15. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (4A). New coach, but the same objective as the Mavericks continue to build on their state playoff appearance and win last season in easily the toughest 4A district in the state of Florida. They are talented and should not be taken lightly. THIS WEEK: 8/21 - @No. 12 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 – Community School of Naples.

16. 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. The schedule will be challenging, but very few teams worked as hard as they did this past off-season. THIS WEEK: 8/22 – @No. 20 Davie Western. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @Miramar.

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. Make sure you don’t take this team for granted. Far too talented and well coached! THIS WEEK: 8/21 – Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy. NEXT WEEK: 8/28 - @Doral Academy.

18. 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. After a successful off-season, you cannot sleep on this program. THIS WEEK: Bye. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 – No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.

19. 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. Well coached and loaded with elite playmakers. Another team to keep on your radar. THIS WEEK: 8/22 - @Sarasota Cardinal Mooney. NEXT WEEK: 8/29 - @Fort Myers Bishop Verot.

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. Still, this is a program that has a chance to make a solid run and post another productive season. THIS WEEK: 8/21 - @Hialeah American. NEXT WEEK: 8/28 – No. 4 Miami Central.

(Tie) -  Davie Western (7A). While there were many losses from last year’s region final squad, do not sell the Wildcats short. They are still loaded with big time playmakers who are out to prove that they are one of the top 7A programs in the region. The road will be tough for this program. THIS WEEK: 8/22 – No. 15 Plantation. NEXT WEEK: Bye.

Here are some other programs that you will be hearing from this coming season:

Independent

Fort Lauderdale University School

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy

1A

Miami Archbishop Carroll

2A

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian

Miami Booker T. Washington

Miami Carol City

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace

Miami Gulliver Prep

Miami Immaculata LaSalle

3A

Miami St. Brendan

4A

Hialeah

Miami Belen Jesuit

5A

Coconut Creek

North Miami

Pompano Beach Blanche Ely

6A

Doral Academy

Pembroke Pines Flanagan

7A

Homestead South Dade

Miami High

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman

Weston Cypress Bay

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

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..