The game was all set for Saturday night. A huge district showdown between Plantation American Heritage and Miami Norland.

Two of the top 4A schools in the state squaring off at “The Mecca” Traz Powell Stadium.

Mike Smith and his 3-3 Patriots, who have run a gauntlet this season, have been among the best teams nationally, and while they are 3-3, it is indeed misleading.

For the Vikings, who advanced to the state title last year, have made a huge impression under veteran head coach Daryle Heidelberg, beating state-rated Cocoa on the road.

After this game, both have one more district game, so while tonight’s contest will be important, the winner will have that one last game to clinch the title.

Like many top teams throughout the state who are in the same region, this should be the first of two meetings – with the second game sending the loser home for the year!

This is one of several games locally over the next two days.

 PLANTATION AMERICAN HERITAGE (3-3)

Milton, Georgia, L 37-28

Davie Western, W 51-12

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 48-45

Naples, W 23-3

Miami Central, L 35-32

Plantation, W 35-0

10/14 - @Miami Norland

10/18 – Southwest Ranches Archbishop

10/25 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas

MIAMI NORLAND (5-1)

Miramar, W 27-0

Miami Carol City, W 36-10

Miami Northwestern, W 21-17

Hollywood Chaminade, L 45-20

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, W 49-16

Cocoa, W 33-15

10/14 – Plantation American Heritage

10/18 – Miami Central

10/24 - Plantation

OTHER LOCAL GAMES TONIGHT

Coral Springs Coral Glades at Boca Raton

Fort Lauderdale Dillard at Lake Worth Joaquin Garcia

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Miramar

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Hollywood McArthur

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Davie Western

North Miami Mourning at Hialeah Gardens

North Miami Beach at Miami Carol City

Southwest Miami at Miami Southridge

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy at Plantation

TUESDAY, October 15

Boca Raton Spanish River at Parkland Stoneman Douglas

Coral Springs Taravella at Weston Cypress Bay

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..

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..