With the Florida State High School Football Championships getting set to take place, there are still seven south Florida programs still alive as we reach the state semifinal round.
Programs from throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are still making noise as we are at the final step.
With 1A-3A playing next week in Tallahassee – and then remainder (4A-8A) teams getting together at Drive Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, things will get very interesting.
As we have done since the last week of August, we bring you the top teams in the area – following them all from start to finish.
Here is the way Week 4 (state semifinals) of the state playoffs look like:
1. Miami Central (5A, 10-2). The Rockets remained red hot with a win at No. 1 seed Miami Killian, 39-13. THIS WEEK: A home (Traz Powell Stadium) game on Friday against 11-2 Baker County. NEXT OPPONENT: The winner of the Sebring at Merritt Island game on Friday, Dec. 17, 1 p.m. at Drive Pink Stadium Fort Lauderdale.
2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7A, 12-1). The two-time defending state champion Raiders rolled over No. 2 seed Homestead, 56-7 THIS WEEK: A very talented and very dangerous No. 12 Gainesville Buchholz (12-1). NEXT OPPONENT: The winner of the Lakeland Lake Gibson and Tampa Bay Tech game on Friday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. at Drive Pink Stadium Fort Lauderdale.
3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (3A, 9-1). The Lions scored early and often and the defense registered its fourth shutout of the season against West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 48-0. THIS WEEK: No. 14 Tallahassee Florida High makes the 465 mile trip to south Florida for a rematch of the 2019 state title game. NEXT WEEK: The winner of the Lakeland Christian and Tampa Berkeley Prep game on Friday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at Gene Cox Stadium, Tallahassee.
4. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (4A, 9-2). One of the most thrilling games of the round as the defending state champions came from behind to beat Miami Gulliver Prep, 36-33. THIS WEEK: The 9-2 St. Petersburg Lakewood Spartans head to south Florida for the second time this season. NEXT OPPONENT: The winner of the Jacksonville Bolles at Cocoa game on Thursday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. at Drive Pink Stadium Fort Lauderdale.
5. Miami Northwestern (6A, 10-3). The Bulls stayed on a roll with a huge home win against Plantation, 57-14. THIS WEEK: It’s No. 1 in the state and one of the best in the nation – unbeaten Tampa Jesuit. NEXT OPPONENT: The winner of the Orlando Jones at Pensacola Pine Forest game on Saturday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. at Drive Pink Stadium Fort Lauderdale.
6. Miami Christopher Columbus (8A, 9-3). For the second time in three meetings this season, the Explorers got by rival Miami Palmetto, 22-14. THIS WEEK: A trip to play one of the best teams in the state – No. 6 Venice on Friday night. NEXT OPPONENT: The winner of the Apopka and Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast game on Saturday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m. at Drive Pink Stadium Fort Lauderdale.
7. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Lions (2A, 9-2). Coach Hector Clavijo’s team wrapped up another Region championship with a convincing 38-28 decision over Fort Pierce John Carroll. THIS WEEK: It’s a rematch of last year when the Lions travel to 10-1 Naples First Baptist. NEXT OPPONENT: The winner will play the winner of the Orlando Christian Prep and Jacksonville Trinity Christian game on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
8. Miami Killian Cougars (5A, 12-1). The season came to an end with as Region final loss to No. 1 Miami Central, 39-13. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
9. Homestead Broncos (7A, 10-2). This impressive season came to an end in the Region final against No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas, 56-7. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
10. Miami Gulliver Prep Raiders (4A, 8-2). This amazing year came to a heart-breaking end in a loss to No. 4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 36-33. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
11. Miami Palmetto Panthers (8A, 9-3). This exciting season came to an end in the Region final to No. 6 Miami Christopher Columbus, 22-14. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
12. Davie Western Wildcats (8A, 9-3). SEASON IS OVER.
13. Plantation Colonels (6A, 9-3). This impressive season came to an end in the Region finals to No. 5 Miami Northwestern, 57-14. THIS WEEK: SEASON IS OVER.
14. 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: SEASON IS OVER.
15. 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: SEASON IS OVER.
16. 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: SEASON IS OVER.
17. Fort Lauderdale Dillard Panthers (7A, 10-3). SEASON IS OVER.
18. Deerfield Beach Bucks (8A, 9-3). SEASON IS OVER.
19. Plantation American Heritage Patriots (5A, 6-4). SEASON IS OVER.
20. Miramar Patriots (7A, 7-4). SEASON IS OVER.
FINISHED THE SEASON: Coconut Creek Cougars (6A, 9-3), 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 Avant Garde Academy Sharks (2A, 8-1), Hollywood South Broward Bulldogs (7A, 8-2), Miami Dr. Krop Lightning (8A, 5-4), Miami Edison Red Raiders (3A, 7-5), 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
Never Miss Any South Florida High School Football Coverage – Year Round. https://larryblustein.com/
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..