While there were some surprises in Round 1 of the state football playoffs, what happened this past week – in Round 2 was indeed something that was sobering to many.
In a round that saw some outstanding teams lose games, it only showed how much talent there is in south Florida – with impressive programs ending their year – early.
For schools like No. 1 seed Davie Western Wildcats (8A, 9-3), emerging Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7A, 10-3), always talented Deerfield Beach (8A, 9-3), Plantation American Heritage (5A, 6-4), Miramar (7A, 7-4), Miami Edison (3A, 7-5), Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (2A, 8-1) and Coconut Creek (6A, 9-3), this past week brought to an end a year where many started to make a statement.
As we have done since August, we bring you the top programs in south Florida. Here is the way Week 3 of the state playoffs look like:
1. Miami Central Rockets (5A, 9-2). In the much-awaited second round playoff game, head coach Roland Smith and his team rolled to a 41-28 win at No. 2 seed Plantation American Heritage. THIS WEEK: It’s a Saturday night game against unbeaten (12-0) and No. 1 seed Miami Killian at Tropical Park.
2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (7A, 11-1). Coach Roger Harriott’s team shook off a slow start and went on to knock off No. 4 seed Miramar, 42-12. THIS WEEK: No. 2 Homestead (11-1) comes to Fort Lauderdale for a Friday night showdown.
3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions (3A, 8-1). Head Coach Dameon Jones and his team rolled over No. 4 seed Miami Edison at home, 45-0. THIS WEEK: A Friday home game against No. 3 seed West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (8-3).
4. Miami Killian Cougars (5A, 12-0). Coach Derrick Gibson and his team remained unbeaten with a 35-0 win against No. 5 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan. THIS WEEK: It’s two-time defending state champion and No. 3 seed Miami Central (9-2) on Saturday night at Tropical Park.
5. Homestead Broncos (7A, 10-1). In winning for the 10th time this season, head coach Philip Simpson and his talented team beat No. 6 seed Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 28-14. THIS WEEK: A trip to play No. 1 seed Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1) on Friday.
6. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (4A, 8-2). Coach Matt Dubuc and his defending 4A state champions beat No. 6 Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest for the second time this season, 42-0. THIS WEEK: A trip to play No. 1 seed Miami Gulliver Prep (8-1) on Friday night at Tropical Park in Miami.
7. Miami Gulliver Prep Raiders (4A, 8-1). In dominating No. 4 seed Miami Booker T. Washington, 43-0, head coach Earl Sims and his team showed that beating them will not be easy. THIS WEEK: The Payback Tour continues to on Friday night at Tropical Park with a much-anticipated and long-awaited meeting with No. 2 seed Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (8-2).
8. Miami Christopher Columbus Explorers (8A, 8-3). In beating No. 1 see Davie Western, 27-8, head coach Dave Dunn and his team took advantage of mistakes and moved to the next round. THIS WEEK: A third meeting will take place this Friday night at Harris Field against No. 2 seed Miami Palmetto (9-2).
9. Miami Northwestern Bulls (6A, 9-3). Ever since getting the clock run on them by Miami Central in the GMAC Week game, head coach Max Edwards and his team are playing at a different level, knocking off No. 2 seed Naples on the road, 49-35. THIS WEEK: A home game on Friday night at Traz Powell Stadium against No. 8 seed Plantation (8-3).
10. Miami Palmetto Panthers (8A, 9-2). With a convincing 27-14 win over No. 3 Deerfield Beach, head coach Mike Manasco and his team moved on for the second straight year. THIS WEEK: It’s a third meeting this season with No. 4 seed Miami Christopher Columbus on Friday night at Harris Field in Homestead.
11. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Lions (2A, 8-2). Coach Hector Clavijo’s No. 2 seed team rolled along on the road against Belle Glade Glades Day, 35-7. THIS WEEK: The two-time defending state champs will take on competitive No. 5 seed Fort Pierce John Carroll on Friday.
12. Plantation Colonels (6A, 9-2). After beating the No. 1 seed in the opening round and coming back to get revenge on Coconut Creek for an early season loss last week, 42-7, head coach Steve Davis and his team are on a roll. THIS WEEK: Things do not get any easier this Friday as the No. 8 seed gets to visit another red-hot team in No. 3 seed Miami Northwestern at Traz Powell Stadium.
13. Davie Western Wildcats (8A, 9-3). Head Coach Adam Ratkevich and his No. 1 seed went down in Round 2 to Miami Christopher Columbus, 27-8. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
14. Fort Lauderdale Dillard Panthers (7A, 10-3). Great season for head coach Tyler Tate and his football teanms THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
15. Deerfield Beach Bucks (8A, 9-3). Tough loss in the second round of the state playoffs to Miami Palmetto, 27-14, for interim head coach David Blackwell and his team. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
16. Plantation American Heritage Patriots (5A, 6-4). Losing at home to No. 3 seed Miami Central , 41-28, ended a crazy year for head coach Pat Surtain and his team. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
17. Miramar Patriots (7A, 7-4). Coach A.J. Scott and his team gave everything they had against No. 1 seed Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas before losing, 42-12. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
18. Miami Edison Red Raiders (3A, 7-5). Head Coach Luther Campbell and his teams saw ther season end for the second straight year to No. 1 seed Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, 45-0. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
19. Hollywood Avant Garde Academy Sharks (2A, 8-1). It was really a special season for first year head coach Daniel Luque and his team lost for the first time this year to Fort Pierce John Carroll, 35-0. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
20. Coconut Creek Cougars (6A, 9-3). Head Coach Johnny Sloane and his football team watched a very impressive season come to an end against No. 8 seed Plantation, 42-7. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
FINISHED THE SEASON: Coral Glades Jaguars (8A, 6-3), Doral Academy Firebirds (7A, 8-2), Fort Lauderdale Flying Ls (7A, 6-3), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Eagles (4A, 4-6) Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy Lions (2A, 7-3), Hollywood South Broward Bulldogs (7A, 8-2), Miami Dr. Krop Lightning (8A, 5-4), 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..