When state semifinal play begins today at football fields across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, there are seven area football programs still in the mix for next week’s Florida state football championships in Tallahassee.
Perhaps the most intriguing matchup will take place at Coconut Creek High School when Monarch appears in its first ever state semifinal game.
Coach Calvin Davis and his 11-2 Knights – a second seed – will clash with No. 3 seed Jacksonville Mandarin (10-3).
Mandarin beat Miami Christopher Columbus five years ago for the then 6A title game. They head south loaded with plenty of talent and a schedule that has been more competitive. They are stacked with elite talent that has athletes committed to Miami, FSU and Alabama to mention a few.
Even though the Mustangs are on the road, they are favorites to advance to their second finals.
But before they load the buses for Florida A&M University next week, they still have to take care of the Knights, a program that very few have ever heard about - and frankly are given little or no chance to advance.
All Monarch has done, from the start of the season, is prove the “experts” wrong, using two freshmen quarterbacks to fill in for a record-breaking senior who has now returned. They have elite playmakers and have held their own with gifted prospects.
Despite being a program that many have never heard about, they arrived at tonight’s game with a great coaching staff and a year-round commitment.
Counting a team with 11 wins may not be sound, so they play with a chip on their shoulder, and that is often a great motivator.
JACKSONVILLE MANDARIN MUSTANGS
Neptune Beach Fletcher, W 43-21
Jacksonville Bolles, W 42-35
Jacksonville Riverside, W 50-20
Jacksonville Atlantic Coast, W 30-0
St. John’s Creekside, L 23-22
Lake Mary, L 34-16
Jacksonville Westside, W 49-6
Fleming Island, W 49-6
Jacksonville Sandalwood, W 43-0
St. John’s Bartram Trail, L 24-14
Winter Park, 29-16
Lake Mary, W 36-10
Sanford Seminole, W 28-24
COCONUT CREEK MONARCH KNIGHTS
Cedar Grove, Georgia, W 50-42
Delray Atlantic, L 33-32
Hallandale, W 52-0
Sunrise Piper, W 32-6
Parkland Douglas, W 26-7
Boca Raton Olympic Heights, W 45-0
Hollywood McArthur, W 28-7
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 35-19
Coral Springs, W 48-0
Deerfield Beach, W 14-0
Parkland Douglas, W 40-7
Lantana Santaluces, W 50-27
Wellington Palm Beach Central, W 35-13
The other 4M contest will be in Miami where the defending state champion Christopher Columbus Explorers (11-2) play host to a Tampa Plant program (11-2) that has rekindled the days when the Panthers were in the mix for over a decade.
Head Coach Dave Dunn and the Explorers have played all season on defense and have done enough on the offensive side of the ball win another region title
Plant and head coach Hank Brown come in as an underdog, but a very dangerous one, capable of pulling off the road upset.
1M
No. 3 Miami Archbishop Carroll (11-1) at No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (12-0). After pulling an upset to get to this game last week against Miami True North Classical Academy, head coach Jorge Zagales and his Bulldogs have the toughest assignment in the country on this day.
The vaunted Wing-T offense will have to travel to play the No. 2 team in the country with a lot at stake.
A win tonight will send the Lions to a place where no other team in Florida history has been. A victory sends head coach Dameon Jones and his team to the state finals for the 8th straight year!
Very tough assignment for the Bulldogs.
2M
No. 4 Jacksonville Bolles (8-5) at No. 1 Miami Norland (13-0). On the surface this is a contest that will be just another steppingstone for head coach Daryle Heidelburg and his Vikings on the way to a destination that this team would point toward from the start of the year.
Norland is big, fast, skilled, and tested. They are one of the best programs in the state and have backed that up with wins over Lakeland, Miami Booker T. Washington, and power Miami Central twice.
On the other side of the ball is a program that has a history. They have been to more than their share of state semifinal games. While most of their success has been in the past, the Bulldogs are a feisty, well coached team who take advantage of mistakes.
While Norland is at home and is one of the top programs in the country, they have to be at their very best to avoid the upset.
No. 3 Tampa Berkeley Prep (11-2) at No. 2 Plantation American Heritage (10-1). Like Norland, the defending state runner up Patriots are in the same position. Head Coach Mike Smith and his team must avoid making mistakes.
They have been tested several times this season with a very young program after losing some elite talent from last year.
From a talent standpoint, this game is not even close, but Berkeley Prep leads the state in time of possession and that signals that playing four mistake free quarters is a must.
3M
No. 3 Orlando Jones (10-3) at No. 2 Homestead (11-1). This could easily be the best game of the night with head coach Ronnie Thornton and his defending state runner up Broncos at home against a team that has played one of the toughest schedules in the state, has a revenge factor after losing in this game last year.
Even though they have dropped one game this season, the past two contests against Miami Southridge and Miramar came down to the final quarter.
The Tigers are holding the hot hand and do not need help in traveling the five hours with a purpose.
No. 4 Tampa Gaither (7-5) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1). This time of year if you are going to compete with head coach Roger Harriott and his Raiders you need to bring something extra to the table.
This is a program that is looking to bring home it’s amazing fifth consecutive state title, and while Gaither has run a gauntlet to get to this game, they just do not have the talent to stay with a complete program who happens to be at home, where they have more than taken care of business.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..
There is no good news, bad news scenario for Miami’s Archbishop Carroll’s football program this year.
When the Bulldogs square off with national power Chaminade-Madonna in the state semifinals on Friday night in Hollywood, it will be the best news that this football program has enjoyed in a long time.
No matter what happens against the unbeaten Lions, just the opportunity to be playing in a game that will produce one of the teams for next week’s 1M title game in Tallahassee is what this sport is all about.
When veteran head coach Jorge Zagales and his team upended favorite Miami True North Classical Academy in the Region Finals, players and coaches were off to a place they had never been before.
As we have said before, while so many south Florida head coaches have the spotlight and reputation in their favor, it would be hard to find coaches and players who have played for him to say anything but positive things.
Zagales is indeed a throwback to the days of hard work and dedication to religion, work in the classroom and what his student/athletes accomplish h on the playing field.
Even down to his “old school” Wing-T offense, Zagales approaches the game with the passion and energy that he has done for over two decades.
Even though they come into Friday’s games as overwhelming underdogs, there will be no losers on this team. The experience of getting out what you put in is all he has ever asked for, and the Bulldogs have gotten so much out of the 2023 season.
MIAMI ARCHBISHOP CARROLL BULLDOGS (11-1)
Somerset Academy Silver Palms, W 42-21
Miami Palmer Trinity, L 23-14
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, W 28-26
Goulds Palm Glades Academy, W 58-6
Homestead Everglades Prep, W 49-0
Somerset Academy South Homestead, W 49-14
Tavernier Coral Shores, W 35-26
Miami Westminster Christian, W 42-14
Miami Ransom Everglades, W 35-13
Miami Palmer Trinity, W 42-7
Miami Palmer Trinity, W 35-6
Miami True North Classical Academy, W 38-35
12/1 – at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
Here is a look at some of the Bulldogs who have stepped up this season:
CLASS OF 2024
Ryan Castro, QB
Ryan Gonzalez, RB
Alejandro Isaza, RB
Jorge Matias, OLB
Carlos Millan, OG
Kenneth Pembleton, FS
Ivan Quesada, OT
Gio Reyes, OL
Jorge Sanchez, QB
Sylus Villanueva, RB
CLASS OF 2025
Jacob Acosta, OL
Sebastian De La Pava, CB
Daniel Diaz, DL
Jesse Hinojosa, DT
Jaden Ledo, OL
Anthony Pazmino, NG
Erick Rodriguez, SS
Jake Santovenia, OT
Ethan Silva, PK
Roger Soca, TE
CLASS OF 2026
Kelcey Parrish, FB
Kendrick Pembleton, DE
Joshua Velez, DE
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MIAMI HERALD
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..
WEST PALM BEACH - When Keiser University started their football program five years ago, head coach Doug Socha knew exactly how he was going to build the program into a power.
Competing at the NAIA level, this was a team that looked at the three gifted counties within an hour of the campus as a starting point.
From the very beginning success came to the Seahawks as they worked hard to build and recruit talent to compete against anyone in the nation.
Coming off a 10-4 season and a second-place national finish, this program has indeed turned heads. Even the national title game loss (35-25) to Northwestern College of Iowa last December only fueled the team in the off season.
With another competitive schedule, the Seahawks looked at 2023 as a year that this program could indeed in a national title, and while there were two setbacks to Division 2 powers during the season, they have reeled off eight consecutive wins as they will play host No. 7 Bethel, Tennessee this Saturday at 1 p.m. They beat Bethel 27-17 last year.
Coming off a convincing 45-21 win over St. Thomas University, this team is 9-2 and embraces the opportunity to move on in the playoffs.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD TALENT IS PRESENT
Part of the success of this football team is the off-season. Since opening the concentration of talent has come from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
Among those local players who have lifted this team includes Miami-Dade prospects Wendol Philord (DB, Miami Jackson), Seth Rolle (WR, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Jaden Miller (RB, Miami Southridge), Da’Shawn Bostic (DB, Miami Southridge), Denarold Beaucejour (WR, Miami Dr. Krop), Jack Smitherman (TE, Hialeah American/St. Petersburg Lakewood), Rafeno Vangates (WR, Hialeah American), Boaz Ieremia (DL, Homestead South Dade) and Khavon Harris (DL, Miami Killian/ASA Academy)
Broward County talent such as Jertavis Black (DL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Aris Skarecki (OL, Parkland Douglas), Riley Ingram (OL, Coconut Creek Monarch), Damon Jackson (DL, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons), Natrone Baptiste (DB, Hallandale), Ormoni Marshall (WR, Weston Cypress Bay) and Nelson Walker (WR, Davie Western).
Keiser University 2023 Football Roster: https://kuseahawks.com/sports/football/roster
KEISER SEAHAWKS
Mississippi College, L 17-14
Lindsey Wilson, Kentucky, W 30-26
Valdosta State, Georgia, L 49-25
Thomas University, Georgia, W 44-12
Miami Gardens St. Thomas University, W 21-14
Lake Wales Warner University, W 69-6
Lakeland Southeastern University, W 51-21
Ave Maria University, W 54-7
Babson Park Webber International University, W 59-17
Miami Gardens Florida Memorial University, W 44-13
* Miami Gardens St. Thomas University, W 45-21
12/2 - * Bethel, Tennessee, 1 p.m.
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..
Destination Tallahassee continues this week in south Florida with Round 4 of the state football playoffs.
The state playoffs will showcase which programs paid the dues in May, June and July for the fruits that are paying off here in November.
The entire season, we have given you the top teams in Miami-Dade and Broward, and we will continue to bring you rankings right through the state championship games.
Here is a look at how the teams stack up in week four of the state playoffs:
1Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M, 12-0). LAST WEEK: The Lions beat West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman for the fourth shutout in a row, 40-0. THIS WEEK: No. 2 Miami Archbishop Carroll (11-1). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 1 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (10-3) or No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic (13-0) in the state title game.
2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M, 12-1). LAST WEEK: The Raiders shut out Coconut Creek, 28-0. THIS WEEK: Home against No. 6 Tampa Gaither (7-5). NEXT GAME: The winner gets either No. 4 Orlando Jones (10-3) or No. 1 Homestead (11-1) in the state title game.
3. Miami Norland (2M, 13-0). LAST WEEK: The Vikings won a thriller against Miami Central in overtime, 31-28. THIS WEEK: A key home game against No. 4 Jacksonville Bolles (8-5). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 1 Tampa Berkeley Prep (11-2) or No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (10-1) in the state title game.
4. Homestead (3M, 11-1). LAST WEEK: The Broncos got by Miramar, 22-17. THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 4 Orlando Jones (10-3). NEXT GAME: The winner gets either No. 6 Tampa Gaither (7-5) or No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1) in the state title game.
5. Plantation American Heritage (2M, 10-1). LAST WEEK: The Patriots beat Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons for the second time this year, 47-35. THIS WEEK: A home contest with No. 1 Tampa Berkeley Prep (11-2). NEXT GAME: The winner gets either No. 4 Jacksonville Bolles (8-5) or No. 1 Miami Norland (13-0) in the state title game.
6. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M, 11-2). LAST WEEK: The Explorers beat Davie Western, 31-13. THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 2 Tampa Plant (11-2). NEXT GAME: The winner gets either No. 5 Jacksonville Mandarin (10-3) or No. 1 Coconut Creek Monarch (11-2) in the state title game.
7. Miami Central (2M, 8-3). LAST WEEK: The four-time defending state champions lost a tough 31-28 overtime game against Miami Norland. THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 6 Tampa Gaither (7-5). SEASON OVER.
8. Coconut Creek Monarch (11-2). LAST WEEK: The Knights advanced to their first ever state semifinal with a 35-13 win against Wellington Palm Beach Central. THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 5 Jacksonville Mandarin (10-3). NEXT WEEK: The winner gets either No. 2 Tampa Plant (11-2) or No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus (11-2) in the state championship game.
9. Coconut Creek (3M, 10-3). LAST WEEK: The Cougars lost to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 28-0. SEASON OVER.
10. Davie Western (4M, 9-4). LAST WEEK: The Wildcats dropped A Region Final game to Miami Christopher Columbus, 31-13. SEASON OVER.
11. Miami Palmetto (4M, 9-2). SEASON OVER.
12. Miramar (3M, 8-5). LAST WEEK: The Patriots dropped a tough 22-17 contest to Homestead. SEASON OVER.
13. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M, 9-4). LAST WEEK: The Chiefs DROPPED A 47=35 GAME TO Plantation American Heritage. SEASON OVER.
14. Miami Booker T. Washington (2M, 9-3). SEASON OVER.
15. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3M, 9-3). SEASON OVER.
16. Homestead South Dade (4M, 6-4). SEASON OVER.
17. Miami Archbishop Carroll (1M, 11-1). LAST WEEK: The Bulldogs won a thriller against Miami True North Classical Academy, 38-35. THIS WEEK: A road trip to play the defending state champion and No. 1 seed Chaminade-Madonna Lions. NEXT WEEK: Either No. 1 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (10-3) or No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic (13-0) in the state championship game.
18. Miami Southridge (3M, 7-5). SEASON OVER.
19. Miami True North Classical Academy (1M, 9-3). LAST WEEK: The Titans lost a tough 38-35 game to Miami Archbishop Carroll. SEASON OVER.
20. Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (1M, 8-4). SEASON OVER.
OTHER PLAYOFF TEAMS
1M
REGION 3
Hollywood Avant Garde (5-7) SEASON OVER.
2M
REGION 3
Coconut Creek North Broward Prep (5-5) SEASON OVER.
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (4-6) SEASON OVER.
REGION 4
Hialeah (9-2) SEASON OVER.
Miami Edison (6-4) SEASON OVER.
Miami Monsignor Pace (7-5) SEASON OVER.
Miami St. Brendan (7-3) SEASON OVER.
North Miami Beach (4-6) SEASON OVER.
Pinecrest Gulliver Prep (7-3) SEASON OVER.
3M
REGION 3
Fort Lauderdale Dillard (5-5) SEASON OVER.
Plantation (6-4) SEASON OVER.
Sunrise Piper (6-4) SEASON OVER.
REGION 4
Hialeah American (6-4) SEASON OVER.
Hollywood McArthur (5-4) SEASON OVER.
Miami Belen Jesuit (4-6). SEASON OVER.
Hollywood South Broward (8-3) SEASON OVER.
4M
REGION 3
Parkland Stoneman Douglas (4-6) SEASON OVER.
REGION 4
Doral Academy (5-4) SEASON OVER.
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (5-4) SEASON OVER.
Pembroke Pines West Broward (7-3) SEASON OVER.
Weston Cypress Bay (8-2) SEASON OVER.
TRACKING WEEKLY RANKINGS:
Week 1. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-south-broward-week-1-top-20
Week 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/here-is-a-look-at-week-2-miami-dade-broward-top-20
Week 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/chaminade-madonna-moves-into-the-top-spot-in-south-florida
Week 4. https://larryblustein.com/news/head-to-head-matchups-highlight-week-4
Week 5. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-district-games-taking-center-stage
Week 6. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-battles-are-starting-to-take-place
Week 8. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-8-plenty-at-stake-once-again-this-week
Week 9. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-9-the-final-three-weeks
Week 10. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-10-exciting-final-two-weeks-in-miami-dade-and-broward
Week 11. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-11-final-week-of-the-regular-season
Week 12 – Playoff Week 1. https://larryblustein.com/news/top-teams-head-to-state-playoffs
Week 13 – Playoff Week 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/important-matchups-in-this-week-s-local-regional-semifinals
Week 14 – Playoff Week 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/region-finals-take-center-stage
TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: November 21, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..
It was a game that everyone had looked forward to since the second week of October when Miami Norland beat four-time defending state champion Miami Central to win the district.
Last Friday – before a packed house at Traz Powell Stadium – the Region Finals took place and nobody expected anything less than a major talent show between the unbeaten Vikings and head coach Daryle Heidelburg and Jube Joseph and his 8-3 Rockets, who had lost the three setbacks by a total of 10 points.
With more upper-level college talent on one field than any other game nationally on this night, Norland raced out to a 28-7 lead, and while many felt this region championship was over, those who know football in Miami-Dade County saw an epic finish coming.
The Rockets rallied to tie the game and send it into overtime – where for the second time this season – the contest fell on the shoulders of sophomore kicker Noah Sidan, who won the first meeting.
After the Rockets failed to score in the overtime period, the Vikings and Sidan came through again, booting a 27-yarder.
In addition to that thriller, south Florida had seven other teams advance to this week’s state semifinals, which will feature a pair of first timers to reach this level of the state playoffs.
CLASS 1M
REGION FINAL
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 40, West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 0
Miami Archbishop Carroll 38, Miami True North Classical Academy 35
CLASS 2M
REGION FINAL
Plantation American Heritage 47, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 35
CLASS 3M
REGION FINAL
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Coconut Creek 0
Homestead 22, Miramar 17
CLASS 4M
REGION FINAL
Coconut Creek Monarch 35, Wellington Palm Beach Central 13
Miami Christopher Columbus 31, Davie Western 13
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For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. 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..