It had been 43 years since Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas met on the football field.
Last Friday night – with the rain covering south Florida, the “Football Gods” made sure that the weather wouldn’t interfere with the battle between two schools who are not only recognized statewide, but nationally – where each has been among the best in country.
Playing nearly 30 miles from their respective campuses, the Lions and Raiders battled to the end at Florida International University’s Pitbull Stadium in Miami.
The 29-22 win by Chaminade-Madonna, which had been missing key starters, was satisfying to head coach Dameon Jones, who recognized this matchup as one of the best anywhere in the country.
“Between the two schools you have nine state titles in the past six years, a game like this only enhances what we have to offer high school football,” he pointed out. “The players, coaches and teams deserve games like this. We need to be proud of the hard work that goes on here and with Roger Harriott and his staff.”
Over the past decade, there has been plenty of talk about getting these schools together on the football field, and with both being members of the Broward County Athletic Association now, this will not be the last time.
But to be honest an up front, for most of those 43 years that the two schools hadn’t played, St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2) was dominant – with state and national titles. The Lions made a national splash with Mark Guandolo and then with Jones over the past decade.
Even though the Lions lost their opener to the No. 2 team (St. John Bosco, California) in the nation in the Broward National Football Showcase by a touchdown and were upset by Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, this is a team that has set a record as they look to advance to their ninth consecutive state title game under Jones. They are the favorites in 1A.
It's the same story for St. Thomas, who dropped their Broward County National Showcase contest by a touchdown to the No. 4 team in the country – Las Vegas Bishop Gorman. This team has won five straight state titles and are favorites to return to the championship game in 5A.
GROUND GAME WAS THE KEY
With mid-season transfer Bekkem Kritza still learning the offense, the 6-2 Lions went to a running game that piled up over 300 yards with Camari Hall and nationally rated junior Derrek Cooper leading the way with a defense that kept the high-scoring Raiders in check.
Cooper was the MVP of the game – playing on both sides of the ball and on special teams. The Raiders also came up with some big plays as well.
In addition to that huge matchup, here is a look at the other games in the abbreviated schedule:
Hialeah 52, Hialeah 2
Hialeah Gardens 24, Doral Ronald Reagan 12
Homestead South Dade 49, Miami High 7
Miami Belen Jesuit 36, South Miami 0
Miami Christopher Columbus 33, Coral Gables 0
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 48, Westland Hialeah 6
Miami Gulliver Prep 40, Somerset Silver Palms 7
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 14, Miami Springs 0
Miami Northwestern 50, Key West 14
Miami Westminster Christian 24, North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 8
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..
In what has been two crazy weeks in the state of Florida with two hurricanes, will take center stage this evening (7:00) when for the first time in 43 years two Broward County schools - No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas and No. 3 Chaminade-Madonna - will square off in Miami at the newly named Pitbull Stadium.
These two south Florida and national powers have not played since 1981 when the Raiders rolled to a 71-7 win against the Lions.
While St. Thomas Aquinas has dominated the state landscape for decades, Chaminade-Madonna has left a mark in the past decades with state and national attention.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS (6-1)
Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, L 29-21
@Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, W 51-0
Miami Christopher Columbus, W 42-6
@Davie Western, W 23-15
Hollywood McArthur, W 56-0
@Orlando Bishop Moore, W 50-15
Hollywood Hills, W 64-0
10/11 - @Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
10/18 – Coconut Creek Monarch
10/25 – Plantation American Heritage
CHAMINADE-MADONNA LIONS (5-2)
Bellflower St. John Bosco, California, L 34-27
@Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, L 35-34 (OT)
Plantation American Heritage, W 48-45
Miami Edison, W 56-19
Miami Norland, W 45-20
@Davie Western, W 26-9
@Coconut Creek Monarch, W 37-8
10/11 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
10/18 – Hollywood Avant Garde Academy
10/25 – Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
In addition to the 1981 game, here is a look at the 10 other games played between the two schools:
1980: Aquinas 44, Chaminade-Madonna 13
1976: Chaminade-Madonna 14, Aquinas 7
1975: Chaminade-Madonna 34, Aquinas 14
1974: Chaminade-Madonna 20, Aquinas 13
1973: Aquinas 12, Chaminade-Madonna 0
1972: Chaminade-Madonna 20, Aquinas 6
1968: Chaminade-Madonna 53, Aquinas 7
1964: Chaminade-Madonna 13, Aquinas 0
1963: Aquinas 14, Chaminade-Madonna 0
With the Jewish Holiday (Yom Kippur) being observed today to sundown on Saturday, and the Hurricane hitting west and central Florida, many of the games were shifted. Even though there wasn’t going to be a direct hit on south Florida, there were fears that bands of heavy rain and winds would put lives potentially in danger.
In addition to St. Thomas Aquinas and Chaminade-Madonna, here is a look at some of the other Friday games:
Coral Gables at No. 7 Miami Christopher Columbus, 4
Doral Ronald Reagan at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, 6:30
Goulds Palm Glades Prep at Somerset South Homestead (Harris), 3:30
Homestead South Dade vs. Miami High (Curtis), 3:30
Miami Coral Reef at Hialeah Miami Lakes, 3:30
Miami Gardens TRU Prep at Hollywood Avant Garde, 7
Miami Immaculata Lasalle at Miami Springs, 3:30
Miami Jackson at Miami St. Brendan, 4
No. 9 Miami Northwestern at Key West, 7:30
Miami Sunset at Miami Ferguson, 3:30
Pembroke Pines Somerset at Miami Ransom Everglades, 3
Somerset Silver Palms at Miami Gulliver Prep, 4
South Miami at Miami Belen Jesuit, 2:30
Tavernier Coral Shores at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30
Westland Hialeah at No. 19 Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, 3
SATURDAY, October 12
Hialeah American at Hialeah (Milander), 7
Melbourne Central Catholic at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 2
Miami Florida Christian at Homestead Everglades Prep (Harris), 8:30
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Miami Westminster Christian, 1
No. 5 Plantation American Heritage at No. 4 Miami Norland (Traz), 7
Southwest Miami at No. 6 Miami Southridge (Harris), 4
MONDAY, October 14
Coral Springs Coral Glades at Boca Raton, 6:30
Fort Lauderdale Dillard at Lake Worth Joaquin Garcia, 5:30
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miramar, 7
Hollywood South Broward at South Plantation, 5
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Hollywood McArthur, 7
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Davie Western, 7
North Lauderdale Somerset Key at Boca Raton St. Andrew’s, 6
North Miami Mourning at Hialeah Gardens. 1:30
North Miami Beach at Miami Carol City, 7
No. 12 Pembroke Pines West Broward at Miami Beach, 3
No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy at No. 16 Plantation, 7
TUESDAY, October 15
Boca Raton Spanish River at Parkland Stoneman Douglas
Coral Springs Taravella at Weston Cypress Bay, 7
Here is a look at games that have not been scheduled for makeup. If you see a game that has been rescheduled, please let us know (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). College coaches check out when these games are being played:
Boynton Beach at Oakland Park Northeast
Coconut Creek at Delray Beach Atlantic
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy
Coral Springs Charter at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest
Deerfield Beach at No. 14 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Deerfield Beach Somerset Key at Boca Raton St. Andrews
No. 18 Miami Booker T. Washington at No. 17 Homestead
Miami Dr. Krop at Pembroke Pines Flanagan
Miami Palmer Trinity at Miami Country Day
Miami Varela at Miami Braddock
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..
If there was any week where nobody wanted any cancellations, it was Week 8 of the high school football season.
With the Jewish Holiday Yom Kippur being observed Friday to sundown on Saturday, many of the games were shifted to Thursday – with important district contests taking place. But with Hurricane Milton hitting the Tampa Bay area and into Central Florida, Miami-Dade and Broward County schools wanted to make sure that everyone was safe and postpone school and after school activities.
Even though there wasn’t going to be a direct hit on south Florida, there were fears that bands of heavy rain and winds would put lives potentially in danger.
Now, all those games and the holiday have put many teams in a position to either move to Saturday night or move the schedule to Monday, creating two important games in five days.
While the district games must be played, there are other teams who may need to play those non district contests to improve their region seeding with the playoffs coming up in four weeks.
TUESDAY, October 8
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 17, Miami Ransom Everglades 16 (OT)
Here is a look at the Thursday games that will need to be made up:
Boynton Beach at Oakland Park Northeast
Coconut Creek at Delray Beach Atlantic
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy
Coral Springs Charter at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest
Deerfield Beach at No. 14 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Deerfield Beach Somerset Key at Boca Raton St. Andrews
Fort Lauderdale at No. 8 Sunrise Piper
No. 18 Miami Booker T. Washington at No. 17 Homestead
Miami Dr. Krop at Pembroke Pines Flanagan
No. 9 Miami Northwestern at Key West
Miami Palmer Trinity at Miami Country Day
Miami Varela at Miami Braddock
North Miami Beach at Miami Carol City
No. 12 Pembroke Pines West Broward at Miami Beach
FRIDAY, October 11
Coral Gables at No. 7 Miami Christopher Columbus, 4:15
Doral Ronald Reagan at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30
No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at No. 3 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (FIU), 7
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, 6:30
Goulds Palm Glades Prep at Somerset South Homestead (Harris), 3:30
Homestead South Dade vs. Miami High (Curtis), 3:30
Miami Coral Reef at Hialeah Miami Lakes, 3:30
Miami Gardens TRU Prep at Hollywood Avant Garde, 7
Miami Jackson at Miami St. Brendan, 7
Miami Sunset at Miami Ferguson, 3:30
Pembroke Pines Somerset at Miami Ransom Everglades, 4
Somerset Silver Palms at Miami Gulliver Prep, 4
South Miami at Miami Belen Jesuit, 2:30
Tavernier Coral Shores at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30
Westland Hialeah at No. 19 Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, 7:30
SATURDAY, October 12
Hialeah American at Hialeah (Milander), 7
Melbourne Central Catholic at Miami True North Classical Academy (Tropical), 2
Miami Florida Christian at Homestead Everglades Prep (Harris), 1
North Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Miami Westminster Christian, 1
No. 5 Plantation American Heritage at No. 4 Miami Norland (Traz), 7
Southwest Miami at No. 6 Miami Southridge (Harris), 4
MONDAY, October 14
Coral Springs Coral Glades at Boca Raton, 6:30
Hollywood South Broward at South Plantation, 7
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Hollywood McArthur
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Davie Western, 7
North Miami Mourning at Hialeah Gardens. 1:30
No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy at No. 16 Plantation, 7
TUESDAY, October 15
Boca Raton Spanish River at Parkland Stoneman Douglas
Coral Springs Taravella at Weston Cypress Bay, 7
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..
When it comes to making big plays, usually the offense gets much of the attention, but that is changing.
Even though there are programs who score a lot of points, there are also teams loaded with defensive playmakers.
In south Florida, games are often won and lost by what happens up front in the trenches – and today we shine the spotlight on those Miami-Dade and Broward players who chase down the quarterbacks.
Seniors (2025) such as UCF commit Mandrell Desir (DE, Miami Norland), Jadarien Canton Jr. (DL, Miramar Everglades), Brandon Thomas (DE, OLB, Miami Carol City), Justice Martin (DE, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School), Ashton Jackson (DE, Plantation), Michael Smith (DE, Miami Norland), Georgia State commit Adrian Farrow (DE, MLB, Miami Norland), University of Miami commit Donta Simpson Jr. (DT, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Jefferson Saintcius (OLB, Sunrise Piper), Randy Adirika (DT, Miami Central), and Sharlandin Strange (DT, DE, Miami Carol City).
The junior class (2026) is also loaded with standouts like Otis Guyton, OLB/DE, Miami Central), Daniel Fernandez Jr. (DE/OLB, Miami Westminster Christian), Charlie Becker (LB, Miami St. Brendan), R.J. Alphonse (Edge, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Ethan Barosela (OLB, Miami Christopher Columbus), Jonas Taylor (DT/NG, Miami Archbishop Carroll), and Liam Marley (DL, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian).
There are also big-time underclassmen such as sophomores (2027) Phillip Jones Jr. (OLB, Miami Immaculata LaSalle), and Ji'koi Highsmith (DE, OLB, Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy).
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..
As we have reached Week 8, things are starting to take shape in district play, and the post season is getting clearer.
With so many top programs playing each other, the Top 20 list is perhaps the most valid it has ever been – with more head-to-head games than ever before.
If you follow what we do over the course of a season, each week we adjust the rankings, and while many want to see their teams in the spotlight, the only ranking that truly counts is the one that comes out in late December.
Keep in mind that while many schools may be unbeaten or have one loss doesn’t mean that they necessarily should be ahead of schools who have schedules that are head and shoulders above everyone in the state.
Here is a look at 20 Miami-Dade Broward Week 8 teams:
1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6-1, 5A). LAST WEEK: The Raiders poured it on early and beat Hollywood Hills, 64-0. THIS WEEK: @No. 3 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (FIU). NEXT GAME: 10/18 – No. 15 Coconut Creek Monarch.
2. Miami Central (4-1, 3A). LAST WEEK: The Rockets won a competitive 24-21 win against rival No. 9 Miami Northwestern. THIS WEEK: 10/10 – Fort Lauderdale Stranahan. NEXT GAME: 10/18 – It’s GMAC Week and a contest against No. 4 Miami Norland.
3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (5-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Lions rolled to a 37-8 win at No. 15 Coconut Creek Monarch. THIS WEEK: 10/11 – A home game at FIU against No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. It is the first time the two teams have played since 1981. NEXT GAME: 10/18 – Hollywood Avant Garde Academy.
4. Miami Norland (5-1, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Vikings stunned Cocoa, 33-14. THIS WEEK: 10/12 – No. 5 Plantation American Heritage in a key district game. NEXT GAME: 10/18 - It’s GMAC Week and date with No. 2 Miami Central.
5. Plantation American Heritage (3-3, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Patriots had the week off. THIS WEEK: 10/12 - @ No. 4 Miami Norland. NEXT GAME: 10/18 – No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy.
6. Southridge (6-1, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Spartans kept it going with a 40-8 win against Miami Edison. THIS WEEK: 10/10 – Miami Southwest. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week with a contest against No. 18 Miami Booker T. Washington.
7. Miami Christopher Columbus (4-2, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Explorers blasted Miami High, 52-6. THIS WEEK: 10/10 – Coral Gables. NEXT GAME: 10/17 - It’s GMAC Week with a game against No. 9 Miami Northwestern.
8. Sunrise Piper (6-0, 6A). LAST WEEK: It wasn’t pretty, but the Bengals remained unbeaten with a 34-12 win against Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson. THIS WEEK: 10/10 – Fort Lauderdale. NEXT GAME: 10/18 – Plantation.
9. Miami Northwestern (3-3, 3A). LAST WEEK: The Bulls dropped a tough 24-21 decision to No. 2 Miami Central. THIS WEEK: 10/11 @Key West. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and that means a matchup with No. 7 Miami Christopher Coumbus.
10. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4-1, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Panthers took the week off. THIS WEEK: 10/10 - Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia. NEXT GAME: 10/19 – It’s the Broward Soul Bowl against No. 13 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely.
11. Miami Palmetto (4-2, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Panthers beat Homestead South Dade, 34-6. THIS WEEK: 10/11. This will be an off week. NEXT GAME: 10/17 – It’s GMAC Week and the Red Raiders of Miami Edison will be the opponent.
12. Pembroke Pines West Broward (4-2, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Bobcats had the week off. THIS WEEK: 10/11 - @Miami Beach. NEXT GAME: 10/18 - @Naples Gulf Coast.
13. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (5-2, 5A). LAST WEEK: The Tigers are back on track as they beat No. 16 Plantation, 18-16. THIS WEEK: The team will be off. NEXT GAME: 10/19 – The Broward Soul Bowl against No. 10 Fort Lauderdale Dillard.
14. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (4-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Chiefs took care of Hallandale, 28-6. THIS WEEK: 10/10 – Deerfield Beach. NEXT GAME: 10/18 – Boca Raton.
15. Coconut Creek Monarch (4-2, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Knights dropped a home game to No. 3 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, 37-8. THIS WEEK: They will take the week off. NEXT GAME: 10/18 - @ No.1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
16. Plantation (4-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Colonels lost for the second straight week, 18-16, to No. 13 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. THIS WEEK: 10/10 – No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. NEXT GAME: 10/18 - @No. 8 Sunrise Piper.
17. Homestead (2-3, 6A). LAST WEEK: The two-time defending state runner up Broncos fell below the .500 mark with a 17-14 loss to district foe No. 7 Miami Southridge. THIS WEEK: 10/10 – No. 16 Miami Booker T. Washington. NEXT GAME: GMAC Week against Miami Carol City.
18. Miami Booker T. Washington (3-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes rebounded from their loss to Lakeland with a 62-7 win against Miami Springs. THIS WEEK: 10/10 - @ No. 18 Homestead. NEXT GAME: 10/18 – GMAC Week against No. 6 Miami Southridge.
19. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (4-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Spartans came from behind in a 36-28 win against Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian. THIS WEEK: 10/11 – Westland Hialeah. NEXT GAME: 10/25 – North Miami Beach.
20. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (4-1, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Mavericks lost for the first time in a year in a half to No. 4 Miami Norland, 49-16. THIS WEEK: The team will take off after a successful start. NEXT GAME: 10/10 @ No. 11 Plantation.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Coconut Creek (1-3, 5A), Coral Gables (2-1, 7A), Davie Western (2-4, 7A), Deerfield Beach (1-4, 5A), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (5-2, 2A), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (1-3, 3A), Doral Academy (2-2, 6A), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (3-2, Independent), Hialeah (4-2, 4A), Hollywood South Broward (1-4, 6A), Homestead South Dade (2-3, 7A), Miami Archbishop Carroll (5-1, 1A), Miami Carol City (1-4, 2A), Miami High (3-2, 7A), Miami Edison (2-2, 1A), Miami Immaculata LaSalle (3-1, 2A), Miami Jackson (2-3, 3A), Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (4-2, 7A), Miami Ransom Everglades (3-0, 2A), Miami Springs (3-2, 2A), Miami True North Classical Academy (3-2, 1A), Miramar (1-3, 5A), North Miami (3-3, 5A), North Miami Beach (2-3, 2A), Pembroke Pines Charter (3-1, 5A), Pembroke Pines Flanagan (2-3, 6A), Weston Cypress Bay (2-3, 7A).
WEEKLY RANKINGS
PRE-SEASON. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-pre-season-top-20-st-thomas-begins-at-no-1
Week 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-2-top-20-st-thomas-remains-on-top
Week 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-3-top-20-surprises-shake-things-up
WEEK 4. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-things-are-getting-very-interesting
WEEK 5. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-local-rankings-change-from-week-to-week
WEEK 6. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-district-play-has-started-in-miami-dade-broward
WEEK 7. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-7-st-thomas-aquinas-miami-central-hollywood-chaminade-madonna-remain-at-the-top
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..