When football gets under way on this Friday, there will be 10 ranked teams who will be in action.
Because so many programs are playing one another this year, every week we find some matchups that will last until the end of the season.
With much of northern Florida battling Hurricane Helene, south Florida and central Florida will certainly get much of the spotlight.
While we pray for the safety of those in the path of this dangerous storm, here are some games to keep an eye on:
No. 16 Pembroke Pines West Broward at Miramar Everglades, 7. The Bobcats and head coach Brian McCartney hope to stay among the Top 20 teams with a contest against the Gators, who continue to building under veteran head coach Rodney Rumph.
No. 7 Plantation at No. 5 Plantation American Heritage, 7:30. The district opener for both teams, and while the Colonels and first year head coach Darrell Strong come in unbeaten, the Patriots remain one of the top teams in the state, with head coach Mike Smith and his team playing one of the most challenging schedules in the state.
No. 4 Miami Norland at No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, 7. The district opener for these two teams who will find out exactly what kind of program they have. Head Coach Daryle Heidelberg and his Vikings suffered their first loss of the year against Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Mavericks’ head coach Dino Mangiero and his unbeaten team are facing by far their toughest game of the season in the defending state runner up team.
No. 8 Miami Southridge at No. 13 Homestead (Harris Field), 7:30. Perhaps the marquee matchup of Week 6 will take place down south as the winner will emerge as the district champion. It has been an up and down year so far for head coach Ronnie Thornton and his two-time defending state runner-up Broncos – while head coach Pierre Senatus and the Spartans are looking to make a major statement as this program looks to return to its glory days.
No. 15 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian at No. 19 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 7. Are the unbeaten Eagles for real? Even as veteran head coach Kirk Hoza has been recovering, we will see if this team is for real or will they lose once again to a Chief program that needs a win to turn the season around. Veteran head coach Matt Dubuc has a young program, but they have had success against this team.
No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Orlando Bishop Moore, 7. Interesting game here as the No. 2 team in the state travels to play the unbeaten Hornets. Veteran head coach Roger Harriott and his five-time defending state champions have continued to meet every hurdle, losing only to national power Las Vegas Bishop Gorman in the season opener. For head coach Matt Hedrick and his football team it is indeed a win/win all the way around. They will have their largest crowd of the season and are heavy underdogs at home. If they should pull the upset, they will thrust themselves into contention for a state championship appearance.
No. 3 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna at Davie Western, 7. When this game was scheduled, there was a chance that both teams would be unbeaten, but it hasn’t worked out that way. One of the favorites in 7A, veteran head coach Adam Ratkevich and his Wildcats have won just once this season. On the other side of the field, head coach Dameon Jones and his powerhouse 1A Lions dropped a heartbreaker to power St. John Bosco of California and were upset by Pompano Beach Blanche Ely before putting together three straight wins, so they will not take anyone lightly!
In addition to those games, here is a look at some of the other Friday matchups:
Boca Raton Spanish River at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7
Boca Raton St. John Paul II at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 7
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Deerfield Beach Somerset Key, 7
Coral Gables at No. 12 Miami Palmetto (Tropical), 3:30
Coral Shores at Miami Florda Christian
Fort Lauderdale at Cooper City, 7
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Delray American Heritage, 7
Hallandale at Nova, 7
Hollywood McArthur at Hollywood Hills, 4
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Coconut Creek, 7
Miami Beach at Pembroke Pines Flanagan, 7
Miami Belen Jesuit at Hialeah American (Milander), 7:30
Miami Braddock vs. Miami Ferguson (Tropical), 7:30
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace at Miami Carol City (Betty Ferguson Park), 7:30
Miami High at Bradenton Braden River, 7
Miami Jackson vs. No. 6 Miami Northwestern (Traz Powell Stadium), 7:30
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy, 7
Parkland Douglas at Boca Raton, 6:30
Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (Lockhart Stadium), 7
Pompano Beach at Boca Raton Christian, 7
No. 17 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely at Deerfield Beach
Somerset Homestead at Marathon, 7
Somerset Silver Palms at Miami Westminster Christian, 4
No. 11 Sunrise Piper at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, 7
THURSDAY RESULTS
Miami Archbishop Carroll 20, 0=Miami True North Classical Academy 19
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Miami Christopher Columbus at Homestead South Dade (Harris Field), 7
North Miami at Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (Milander), 3
Weston Cypress Bay at Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (Milander), 7
GAMES TO BE RESCHEDULED
No. 9 Coconut Creek Monarch at Coral Springs, 7
Doral Reagan at Miami Coral Park, 3:30
No. 14 Fort Lauderdale Dillard at Riviera Beach Suncoast, 6
Goulds Palm Glades Prep at Miami Palmer, 4
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at North Miami (Milander), 3
Hialeah Miami Lakes at North Miami Mourning, 3:30
Key West at Miami St. Brendan, 7
Miami Dr. Krop at Doral Academy, 7
Miami Edison at Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (Ives Park), 7
Miami Gulliver Prep at Miami Killian (Tropical), 7
Miami Springs at No. 18 Miami Booker T. Washington (Traz Powell Stadium), 7
Miami Varela at Miami Coral Reef (Southridge), 7
Miramar at Pembroke Pines Charter, 7
Oakland Park Northeast at South Plantation, 7
Palm Glades Academy at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4
South Miami at Hialeah (Milander), 7
Westland Hialeah at North Miami Beach (Traz), 3:30
West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy at Fort Lauderdale NSU University School, 6
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 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..