We are now heading into the third week of the state football playoffs – Region Finals week.
This is the week where practicing on Thanksgiving is indeed a badge of honor, and teams throughout Miami-Dade and Broward are anxious to move one step close to playing for a state title – either at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University or at The Villages Charter School – where the FIT Division will host their state championship games.
From 1A through 7A, there are 14 teams from the two counties who are still alive and set to move on.
REGION 4-1A
REGION SEMIFINALS
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 47, Miami Edison 18
Miami True North Classical Academy 62, Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy 28
REGIONAL FINAL
Miami True North Classical Academy (10-2) at No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (9-2). These two schools have been on a collision course since the brackets were revealed. The Lions are going for a 10th straight trip to the finals – while the Titans are hoping to pull a major upset and move on to the state semifinals.
REGION 4-2A
Miami La Salle 42, Miami Ransom Everglades 16
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 38, Miami Killian 35
REGION FINAL
No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-3) at No. 1 Miami La Salle (12-0). Both programs advanced to this game and a first ever matchup in the state playoffs. With Sarasota Cardinal Mooney and Jacksonville Bolles looming as huge favorites in the class, a win will put the Royal Lions or the Chiefs within one win of a state final game.
REGION 4-3A
REGION SEMIFINALS
Northwestern 56, Key West 6
Miami Central 70, Naples Lely 30
REGION FINAL
No. 2 Miami Central (10-1) at No. 1 Northwestern (11-0). This rematch was talked about from Day 1 of the season. The defending state champion Bulls beat the Rockets in their first meeting this season and breezed through their first opponents. While Sarasota Booker, Orlando Bishop Moore, Melbourne Eau Gallie and defending state runner up Jacksonville Raines loom as possible contenders, this Saturday night contest is truthfully the state title game!!!!
REGION 4-4A
REGION SEMIFINAL
Plantation American Heritage 48, Plantation 7
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 24, Miami Norland 14
REGION FINAL
No. 2 Plantation American Heritage (6-5) at No. 1 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (10-2). The defending state champion Patriots have run through a major gauntlet to get to this contest – with a tremendous schedule, but this rematch promises to be one that you will want to check out. This class is loaded with elite teams such as defending state runner up Orlando Jones, St. Augustine and Tampa Jesuit.
REGION 4-5A
REGION SEMIFINAL
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 45, Coconut Creek 13
Hollywood McArthur 17, Delray Beach Atlantic 16
REGION FINAL
No. 6 Hollywood McArthur (10-2) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1). If you had the Mustangs on your bingo card to reach this game at the start of the season, you are certainly in the minority. They lost the first game this season between two district foes, and with the six-time defending state champs loaded up again, it will be a major hurdle. Defending state runner up Lakeland, unbeaten Orlando Edgewater and Fort Myers Riverdale are other teams to watch.
REGION 4-6A
Miami Southridge 42, Sunrise Piper 6
Pembroke Pines West Broward 38, Coconut Creek Monarch 12
REGION FINAL
No. 2 Pembroke Pines West Broward (10-2) at No. 1 Miami Southridge (11-1). Ever since the Spartans lost to eventual state champion West Boca Raton in the state semifinals last season, they have been driven to get to the state title game – 20 minutes from their campus. But to get there they have a hungry and talented group of Bobcats, West Boca Raton, unbeaten Seffner Armwood, Jacksonville Mandarin, Gainesville Buchholz ready to make a statement as well.
REGION 4-7A
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 56, Boca Raton Spanish River 42
Miami Palmetto 27, Miami Christopher Columbus 10
REGION FINAL
No. 3 Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (8-4) at No. 1 Miami Palmetto (10-2). When the season started, there were some who felt that the Panthers had the talent to be in this position, but they still had to conquer longtime obstacle Miami Christopher Columbus. One the other side, there was NOBODY that had the Gators, who reach this game for the first time in school history. Unbeaten DeLand and Vero Beach, defending state champion Venice and state runner up Lake Mary are still alive and kicking.
FIT 1A-3A
REGION SEMIFINALS
Miami Booker T. Washington 33, Hallandale 22
North Miami Beach 42, Oasis 0
REGION FINAL
No. 3 Miami Booker T. Washington (3-8) at No. 1 North Miami Beach (5-6). In the first year of college basketball’s version of the NIT, this tournament is giving programs who didn’t reach the state playoffs a chance to continue playing. Both teams have a legitimate chance to reach The Villages Charter in north Florida for the title game in two weeks.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 55 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..