No other weekend illustrated how impressive and deep the talent level is in south Florida like this past weekend.
Several teams from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties were involved in games this past weekend that everyone across the state kept an eye on.
While the always talent-filled and competitive Miami Central and Miami Northwestern game at Traz Powell Stadium pegs the national meter, no matter what the records may be, and last Friday night was no different.
In a game that came down to the wire, the 3-2 Central Rockets used a game-winning field goal in a 24-21 decision – and bragging rights once again.
While the game did nothing as far as the playoffs are concerned for either program, both still looking strong for another run – with Miami Killian and Plantation American Heritage being major obstacles in 5A for head coach Roland Smith and his Rockets.
For head coach Max Edwards and his 4-2 Bulls, the hurdles in 6A are unbeaten Naples, Fort Myers Dunbar and the No. 1 team in 6A, Tampa Jesuit.
HERITAGE FINALLY GETS TO PLAY
It was over three weeks since head coach Pat Surtain and his American Heritage Patriots had played a game, and right out of the gate, the assignment was the top team in the area, defending 4A state champion Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and head coach Matt Dubuc. From the start of the game, it had all the signs of being a battle – and in the end- a field goal with time running down by Julian Ramirez, the Patriots had escaped the previously unbeaten Chiefs at home, 23-20.
For the 2-2 Patriots, it was a big win as they move ahead and battle Miami Central and Miami Killian in 5A – as they are looking to get back to defend their state title.
CHAMINADE-MADONNA KNOCKS OFF ANOTHER GIANT
It has come to the point where head coach Dameon Jones and his football program should be the headliners and not a team that is playing against the heavyweights.
After beating No. 1 Buford, Georgia on the road, the assignment last Friday night was just as daunting – with a trip to play at Sanford Seminole.
What the Lions did was go up and beat a team that had not lost in the regular season in nearly three years, and hadn’t lost in 17 games, which included an 8A state title.
The exciting 26-23 win against the Seminoles gave this team a 4-1 start, with only a loss to Plantation American Heritage that has kept this program from being higher nationally.
AVANT GARDE STAYS UNBEATEN
We all know that Coach Daniel Luque has always been able to put together a solid coaching staff and teach his players. He did it for so many years at University School – and now this year – in Hollywood at Avant Garde Academy.
While this program is not new, what Luque, the coaches, players and administration have done in such a short period of time is indeed impressive – and last Saturday’s home game against Immokalee at Lockhart Park in Fort Lauderdale showcased a program that will be tough to beat as they showed in a 48-0 win, staying unbeaten.
WESTERN IS STILL ALIVE AND READY
When head coach Adam Ratkevich and his Western Wildcats lost on opening night to 3A powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna, last week to national power St. Thomas Aquinas, many chalked it up to a team that was playing state championship pedigree and the climb would be tough – and they may be right.
What the Wildcats have learned in those losses will go a long way as they look to make a statement ion 8A.
In last Friday’s convincing 36-3 district win over previously unbeaten Cypress Bay and head coach Rocco Casullo, this team showed exactly why they will be a force the rest of the way.
THE REST OF WEEK 6
While those games were the marquee matchups for the week, they were not alone. Here is a look at the rest of south Florida teams did:
American (Hialeah) 14, Hialeah Gardens 0
Belen Jesuit (Miami) 13, South Miami 0
Boca Raton 40, Douglas 3
Carol City (Miami) 20, Glades Central 18
Christopher Columbus (Miami) 34, Monsignor Pace 14
Coconut Creek 28, Blanche Ely 0
Coral Glades (Coral Springs) 38, Taravella 6
Coral Springs Charter 27, Pompano Beach 0
Dade Christian (Miami) 27, Somerset Silver Palms 0
Deerfield Beach 40, Monarch 6
Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) 62, Nova 0
Doral Academy 53, Hialeah 12
Dr. Krop (Miami) 28, Miami Springs 6
Ferguson (Miami) 21, Varela 7
Flanagan (Pembroke Pines) 14, West Broward 6
Fort Lauderdale 20, Piper 14
Goleman (Hialeah) 24, Westland Hialeah 12
Gulliver Prep (Miami) 57, Champagnat Catholic 27
Homestead 35, Southridge 16
Immaculata LaSalle (Miami) 47, Somerset South Homestead 6
Killian (Miami) 23, Booker T. Washington 14
Lee County, Georgia 68, North Miami Beach 49
Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens) 22, Miami Beach 21
McArthur (Hollywood) 24, Everglades 0
Miami International Academy 22, Northside Christian 21
Miramar 27, North Miami 0
Palmer Trinity (Miami) 21, St. Brendan 0
Palmetto (Miami) 42, Southwest Miami 6
Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) 19, Archbishop McCarthy 13
Plantation 40, Hollywood Hills 0
South Broward (Hollywood) 43, South Plantation 6
South Dade (Homestead) 49, Coral Reef 0
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 69, Cooper City 0
Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) 20, Jensen Beach 6
True North Academy (Miami) 24, Archbishop Carroll 19
Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 28, Somerset Canyons 14
Westminster Christian (Miami) 49, Marathon 0
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..