For those who have continued to say that south Florida football is not one of the hotbeds of talent in this country, maybe you need to go back and see what has happened so far this season.
Forget the fact that Miami Central traveled to California and knocked off a very good Orange Lutheran team, what about the Broward County National High School Showcase where Miami Christopher Columbus beat the then No. 1 team in the country while the then No. 2 team in the nation was running the clock a one of the best from Texas?
Say what you want about the #305 and #954, but the proof is not only on Thursday and Friday nights, but also Saturday and soon with the NFL on Sunday and Monday where plenty of local talent is making their way into the national spotlight.
Perhaps the biggest game in the country last week took place right here in Fort Lauderdale the new No. 1 team in the nation, St. Thomas Aquinas played the No. 6 program in the country, Christopher Columbus.
While the seven-time defending state champion Raiders held on to beat the Explorers, the bog winner was south Florida as the nation watched an admired the high level football that is being played.
In addition to that 31-24 win by St. Thomas Aquinas, Week 3 had some other interesting games that shared the spotlight:
Coconut Creek Monarch 20, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 13. The Knights and veteran head coach Calvin Davis have come a long way in the past few years as one of the top teams in south Florida. Beating a solid team on the road proved that this is a program ready to make a legitimate state playoff run.
Cooper City 41, Coral Springs Taravella 0. For the first in many years, the Cowboys and longtime head coach Art Taylor are off to a 3-0 start. This is a solid program that has built with local talent and not actively recruiting like many others continue to do.
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 25, Coconut Creek 20. Are the Panthers and head coach Demetris Mincey the top public school in Broward County? After knocking off one of the solid programs in the region, there is a valid claim to be made. The schedule continues to be challenging, but there are some impressive players on this well coached team.
Hialeah American 33, North Miami 25. How about it for longtime football coach Tim Neal who has guided his alma mater to a 3-0 start for the first time in well over a decade. The Patriots are loaded up with under-the-radar talent that will battle power Miami Northwestern for the district title.
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 46, Plantation American Heritage 27. The Lions rebounded after losing to national power Sierra Canyon in the Broward Showcase by getting by the Patriots for the fifth straight time. While head coach Dameon Jones and this team that has reached the state title game 10 consecutive years, there is still a long road to travel to reach the goal they set every season.
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 21, North Miami Beach 7. Even though the Spartans and head coach Anthony Walker Sr. went independent this season, the victory over a very good Charger squad proved to this team that they still have the talent and coaching to accomplish some big things this year.
Miami Westminster Christian 28, Homestead Somerset Silver Palms 6. Please keep an eye on the Warriors because they are setting the table for a very bright future with first-year head coach Josh Kirkland bringing his collegiate experience to southern Miami-Dade County as the Warriors have gotten off to a 3-0 start.
Weston Cypress Bay 52, Coral Springs Coral Glades 7. With numerous changes being made is western Broward County, the Lightning are a program that are on the verge of being an elite program and more than capable of being a district champion and a state playoff team under head coach Darrell Strong. They are also off to a perfect 3-0 start!
As those teams are ready to make a statement, here are some of the other programs from Week 3 that continue to turn heads:
Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s 35, Miami Palmer Trinity 21
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 28, Pembroke Pines Charter 20
Davie Western 48, Pembroke Pines Flanagan 12
Deerfield Beach 28, Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 14
Delray Atlantic 9, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 6
Fort Lauderdale 34, Hollywood Hills 8
Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 21, Tavernier Coral Shores 14
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 44, Belle Glade Glades Day 10
Hallandale 18, Oakland Park Northeast 12
Hollywood McArthur 19, Sunrise Piper 13
Jupiter Christian 40, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 32
Miami Belen Jesuit 33, Bronx Fordham Prep, New York 28
Miami Carol City 43, Miami Norland 0
Miami Central 43, Miami St. Brendan 7
Miami Coral Reef 26, Miami Dr. Krop 14
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 40, Miami Edison 6
Miami Ferguson 34, Miami Varela 0
Miami High 14, Southwest Miami 7
Miami Killian 37, Miami Booker T. Washington 0
Miami Northwestern 51, Hialeah 0
Miami Palmetto 28, Miami Southridge 6
Miami Ransom Everglades 24, Doral Academy 14
Miramar 25, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 0
Miramar Everglades 8, Pompano Beach 0
Naples First Baptist 46, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 7
Naples St. John Neumann 56, Miami Gulliver Prep 26
Parkland Douglas 52, Coral Springs 3
Plantation 35, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 0
Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 56, Miami True North Classical Academy 34
South Miami 36, Coral Springs Parkridge Christian 0
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 41, Pembroke Pines West Broward 13
Tallahassee FAMU DRS 32, Miami SmartEn Academy 22
West Palm Beach Forest Hill 22, Coral Springs Charter 21
West Palm Beach The King’s Academy 35, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 12
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For the past 56 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..