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..

If you are a football fan in south Florida, you already know the drill.

When Miami Central beat rival Miami Northwestern last Friday night, 24-21, at Traz Powell Stadium, it was an important game, but certainly not the last time these two 3A powers will meet this season.

With a capacity crowd on hand for this “war” between these two powers, there was a feeling that no matter the outcome in this regional contest, there would be a rematch in the state playoffs.

With college coaches from Colorado, Florida, FAU, FIU, USF, Maryland, St. Thomas University, Bethune Cookman, Florida A&M and Georgia State on hand, this was one of those games that tells the story why this area, when it comes to public schools has no rival – anywhere in the country.

With as many as 15 potential Power 4 prospects on both teams, head coach Teddy Bridgewater and his Bulls and Jube Joseph and his Rockets understood the assignment in this battle between 71^st Street and 95^th Street and is indeed a game that the nation watches every year.

In addition to this annual contest there were some other contests this past weekend.

# Miami Southridge moved to 6-1 with a convincing 40-8 win over Miami Edison.

# Davie Western and head coach Adam Ratkevich came up with its second straight win, beating previously unbeaten West Boca Raton, 28 -27.

# Using a running back to play quarterback, national power Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna cruised to a win at once beaten Coconut Creek Monarch, 37-8.

# Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace came back from 22 points down to beat Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, 36-28.

# Cocoa is two-time defending state champions and have battled some of the top teams in the state, but Miami Norland went on the road and took control from the beginning and never let up, beating the Tigers, 33-14.

Here is a look at some other local games from Week 7:

Coconut Creek 36, Deerfield Beach 8

Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 35, Boca Raton St. John Paul II 21

Community School of Naples 35, Miami St. Brendan 7

Coral Gables 39, Miami Braddock 0

Coral Springs Coral Glades 21, Parkland Douglas 14

Delray American Heritage 1, Miami SmartEn Sports 0 (forfeit)

Doral Ronald Reagan 29, Miami Varela 22

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 28, Hallandale 6

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 64, Hollywood Hills 0

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 40, South Plantation 21

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 27, Belle Glade Glades Day 14

Hialeah 56, Hialeah Miami Lakes 6

Hialeah Gardens 40, Westland Hialeah 19

Homestead 33, Doral Academy 6

Jupiter Christian 6, Hollywood Avant Garde 12

Key West 42, Miami Killian 29

Miami Archbishop Carroll 36, Miami Westminster Christian 22

Miami Beach 42, Miami Ferguson 15

Miami Belen Jesuit 45, Southwest Miami 0

Miami Carol City 46, South Miami 0

Miami Christopher Columbus 52, Miami High 6

Miami Country Day 41, Marco Island 0

Miami Dr. Krop 21, Hialeah American 17

Miami Florida Christian 48, Naples Aubrey Rogers 28

Miami Immaculata LaSalle 47, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 16

Miami Palmer Trinity 20, Somerset South Homestead 8

Miami Palmetto 34, Homestead South Dade 6

Miami Ransom Everglades 42, Miami Springs 8

Miami Sunset 14, Miami Coral Park 0

Miami True North 55, Jacksonville University Christian 49

Miramar 21, North Miami 7

Pembroke Pines Charter 29, Davie Nova 28

Pembroke Pines Flanagan 35, Weston Cypress Bay 20

Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 18, Plantation 16

Somerset Silver Palms 29, Homestead Everglades Prep 0

Sunrise Piper 34, Lauderdale Lakes 12

Vero Beach 24, Miami Booker T. Washington 21

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..

No. 3 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (4-2) at No. 8 Coconut Creek Monarch (4-1), Coconut Creek, 7

They have won four of five games, including an impressive Broward National Showcase victory, and lost in the final minute against undefeated Sanford Seminole, but Monarch High is still looking for a respect.

When head coach Calvin Davis and the Knights play host to Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna this evening at Coconut Creek High, this team is looking for validation and searching for the biggest win in school history.

On the other side of the field will be head coach Dameon Jones and his Lions, who have been to eight consecutive state championship appearances and are coming off a No. 2 finishing in the nation in 2023.

While the Lions have lost twice this season, replacing numerous players from last year’s 14-0 team.

Playing one of the most challenging schedules in Florida, tonight’s game is indeed another hurdle to get back to the 1A title game – with No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas coming up next Friday at FIU’s Pitbull Stadium.

HOLLYWOOD CHAMINADE LIONS

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

10/5 - @Coconut Creek Monarch

10/11 – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas

10/18 – Hollywood Avant Garde Academy

10/25 – Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

COCONUT CREEK MONARCH KNIGHTS

Peachtree Ridge, Georgia, W 30-29

Deerfield Beach, W 8-0

Sanford Seminole, L 30-26

Fort Lauderdale, W 42-8

Coral Springs, W 52-0

10/5 – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

10/18 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas

10/24 – Piper

11/1 - @Pompano Beach Blanche Ely

In addition to that game, here are some other contests to watch today:

No. 18 Homestead at Doral Academy, 6

No. 7 Miami Southridge vs. Miami Edison (Traz Powell Stadium), 7

Marco Island Academy at Miami Country Day, 6

No. 11 Plantation at No. 15 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, 7

FRIDAY’S SCORES

Coconut Creek 36, Deerfield Beach 8

Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 35, Boca Raton St. John Paul II 21

Community School of Naples 35, Miami St. Brendan 7

Coral Springs Coral Glades 21, Parkland Douglas 14

Davie Western 28, West Boca Raton 27

Delray American Heritage 1, Miami SmartEn Sports 0 (forfeit)

Doral Ronald Reagan 29, Miami Varela 22

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 28, Hallandale 6

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 64, Hollywood Hills 0

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 40, South Plantation 21

Hialeah 56, Hialeah Miami Lakes 6

Hialeah Gardens 40, Westland Hialeah 19

Homestead 33, Doral Academy 6

Jupiter Christian 6, Hollywood Avant Garde 12

Key West 42, Miami Killian 29

Miami True North 55, Jacksonville University Christian 49

Miami Archbishop Carroll 36, Miami Westminster Christian 22

Miami Beach 42, Miami Ferguson 15

Miami Belen Jesuit 45, Southwest Miami 0

Miami Carol City 46, South Miami 0

Miami Central 24, Miami Northwestern 21

Miami Florida Christian 48, Naples Aubrey Rogers 28

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 36, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 28

Miami Immaculata LaSalle 47, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 16

Miami Norland 33, Cocoa 14

Miami Palmer Trinity 20, Somerset South Homestead 8

Miami Palmetto 34, Homestead South Dade 6

Miami Ransom Everglades 42, Miami Springs 8

Miramar 21, North Miami 7

Pembroke Pines Charter 29, Davie Nova 28

Pembroke Pines Flanagan 35, Weston Cypress Bay 20

Sunrise Piper 34, Lauderdale Lakes 12

Vero Beach 24, Miami Booker T. Washington 21

THURSDAY GAMES

Coral Gables 39, Miami Braddock 0

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 27, Belle Glade Glades Day 14

Miami Christopher Columbus 52, Miami High 6

Miami Sunset 14, Miami Coral Park 0

Somerset Silver Palms 29, Homestead Everglades Prep 0

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. 

No. 2 Miami Central (4-1, 3A) vs. No. 6. Miami Northwestern (3-2, 3A), 7:30 p.m.

One of the biggest yearly high school football rivalries will unfold this evening at Traz Powell Stadium when Miami Central and head coach Jube Joseph and Miami Northwestern with first year head coach Teddy Bridgewater get together.

Separated by just 24 blocks, this is a game that divides households, has bragging rights and gives the winner something to feel good about.

This year, because both schools are Class 3A, this could very well be the first of two meetings – and while nobody is looking toward a second game, the focus is on tonight where there will be packed house.

This has long been a game where you can throw out the records. It has proven over the years that the “best” team doesn’t always prevail.

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN BULLS

2024 SCHEDULE

@Coconut Creek, W 45-0

@Venice, L 48-42 (OT)

@Miami Carol City, W 42-7

@Miami Norland, L 21-17

Miami Jackson, W 48-6

10/4 – Miami Central

10/11 - @Key West

10/18 – GMAC WEEK

10/25 – Miami St. Brendan

MIAMI CENTRAL ROCKETS

2024 SCHEDULE

Lakeland, L 16-8

Miami Edison, W 54-7

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 55-25

@Pompano Beach, W 67-0

Plantation American Heritage, W 35-32

10/4 - @Miami Northwestern

10/10 – Fort Lauderdale Stranahan

10/18 – GMAC WEEK

10/25 - @Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy

No. 4 Miami Norland at Cocoa (3-2, 3A), 7. When the game was finalized last spring, there was a sense that this would be a marquee matchup between two schools who advanced to the state championship game last December in Tallahassee.

Head Coach Ryan Schneider, a one-time Plantation High standout and successful coach in south Florida, has made the Tigers one of the best teams in the state – winning the past two state titles and advancing to the finals in five of the past six years.

His team is loaded with an explosive offense and a solid defense.

For head coach Daryle Heidelberg and the Vikings, this is a season where plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball has taken a while to come together.

After their first loss of the season to Chaminade-Madonna, they bounced back with a district victory against Archbishop McCarthy. 

MIAMI NORLAND VIKINGS

2024 SCHEDULE

Miramar, W 27-0

Miami Carol City, W 36-10

Miami Northwestern, W 21-17

@Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 45-20

@Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, W 49-16
10/4 - @Cocoa

10/12 – Plantation American Heritage

10/18 – GMAC Week

10/24 – Plantation

COCOA TIGERS

2024 SCHEDULE

Titusville, W 42-10

@Daytona Beach Mainland, W 51-0

@Bradenton IMG Academy, L 34-13

Palm Bay Heritage, W 39-13

@Venice, L 54-51

10/4 – Miami Norland

10/10 - @Apopka

10/18 - @The Villages

10/25 – Titusville Astronaut

11/1 - Rockledge

Here are some other Friday games to check out:

Community School of Naples at Miami St. Brendan, 7

Coral Springs at Key West, 7

Coral Springs Coral Glades at Parkland Stoneman Douglas, 7

Davie Nova at Pembroke Pines Charter, 7

Deerfield Beach at Hollywood McArthur, 7

Doral Reagan at Miami Varela, 3:30

No. 17 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Hallandale, 7

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan at South Plantation, 7

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Belle Glade Glades Day, 7

Hialeah vs. Hialeah Miami Lakes (Milander), 7

Hialeah American vs. Miami Dr. Krop (Ives), 7:30

Hollywood Avant Garde at Jupiter Christian, 7

Hollywood Hills at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 7

Hollywood South Broward at Coconut Creek, 7

Marathon at Tavernier Coral Shores, 7

LaBelle at Goulds Palm Glades Prep, 7

No. 16 Miami Booker T. Washington at Vero Beach, 7

Miami Carol City vs. South Miami (Tropical), 7:30

Miami Ferguson vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7

Miami Florida Christian at Naples Aubrey Rogers, 7

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace at No. 19 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, 7

Miami Killian at Key West, 7

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 7

No. 12 Miami Palmetto vs. Homestead South Dade (Harris), 7:30

Miami True North at Jacksonville University Christian, 7

North Miami at Miramar, 7

Miami Westminster Christian at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30

North Miami Beach at Lake Mary, 7

Pembroke Pines Flanagan at Weston Cypress Bay, 7

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at Miami Immaculata La Salle, 7

Somerset South Homestead at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4

Southwest Miami at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7

No. 10 Sunrise Piper at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, 7

West Boca Raton at Davie Western, 7

Westland Hialeah at Hialeah Gardens, 3:30

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

No. 3 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna at No. 8 Coconut Creek Monarch (Coconut Creek), 7

No. 18 Homestead at Doral Academy, 6

No. 7 Miami Southridge vs. Miami Edison (Traz Powell Stadium), 7

Marco Island Academy at Miami Country Day, 6

No. 11 Plantation at No. 15 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, 7

THURSDAY GAMES

Coral Gables 39, Miami Braddock 0

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 27, Belle Glade Glades Day 14

Miami Christopher Columbus 52, Miami High 6

Miami Sunset 14, Miami Coral Park 0

Somerset Silver Palms 29, Homestead Everglades Prep 0

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..