The stage is set, and whether it’s home here in south Florida or around the state, local football teams are now down to the state semifinals.

Winners of this round will converge on Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University (FIU) next week to crown seven state champions.

Yesterday we broke down the 1A-3A teams from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and today, we will shine the spotlight on defending state champions Plantation American Heritage (4A), six-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A), and first-time state semifinalists West Broward (6A) and Miami Palmetto (7A).

CLASS 4A

STATE SEMIFINAL

No. 3 Plantation American Heritage (7-5) at No. 2 Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (12-1), 7:30 CST. The defending state champions make the longest trip in history for a state semifinal – with several questions that will need to be answered.

Head Coach Mike Smith and his staff have done everything possible to keep this team together this season, playing easily the most challenging schedule in the state with numerous injuries along the way. It will certainly be a lot to ask for them to bring home a win.

The Indians are perhaps the most like a south Florida team the Panhandle has with plenty of size, speed and superior coaching.

AMERICAN HERITAGE PATRIOTS, W 31-28

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 28-24

New Orleans Edna Karr, Louisiana, L 24-17 (OT)

Miami Central, L 31-21

Plantation, W 28-13

Pembroke Pines Flanagan, W 31-0

Miami Norland, W 41-21

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, L 13-10

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 19-12

Fort Pierce John Carroll, W 50-20

Plantation, W 48-7

Archbishop McCarthy, W 25-20

12/5 - @Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee

CHOCTAWHATCHEE INDIANS

Gulf Shores, Alabama, W 21-14

Navarre, W 42-0

Crestview, W 28-0

Pensacola Pine Forest, W 28-0

Niceville, W 42-7

Panama City Beach Arnold, W 40-7

Santa Rosa Beach South Walton, W 38-6

Tallahassee Rickards, W 31-0

Fort Walton Beach, W 42-3

Enterprise, Alabama, L 20-16

Pensacola Booker T. Washington, W 49-6

Lake City Columbia, W 27-20

St. Augustine, W 31-28

12/5 – Plantation American Heritage

CLASS 5A

STATE SEMIFINAL

No. 4 Fort Myers Riverdale (12-1) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1), 7. It’s the same old story every year for the Raiders of St. Thomas Aquanis. It’s just another game on the way to state for head coach Roger Harriott and his football program – while the Raiders of Riverdale will be playing the biggest game in school history.

St. Thomas Aquinas is loaded in every phase of the game and has played an elite schedule once again this season – while Riverdale’s path has not been as tough.

You have to be truthful about this contest. St. Thomas Aquinas can name their own score – anything else would be a major upset!

RIVERDALE RAIDERS

Estero, W 21-16

South Fort Myers, W 43-18

Fort Myers Gateway, W 55-0

Cape Coral Mariner, W 42-3

Fort Myers Cypress Lake, L 14-8

Lehigh Acres East Lee, W 62-6

Fort Myers, 44-21

Cape Coral, W 25-15

North Fort Myers, W 28-7

Lehigh, W 9-6

North Fort Myers, W 47-22

Immokalee, W 21-14

Bradenton Manatee, W 28-26

12/5 - @Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS

Santa Ana Mater Dei, California, L 26-23

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Andeson, W 72-6

Miami Christopher Columbus, W 42-7

Davie Western, W 45-6

Hollywood McArthur, W 31-7

Hollywood Hills, W 63-0

NFL Academy London, W 41-38

Coconut Creek Monarch, W 31-20

Plantation American Heritage, W 19-12

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, W 27-21

Palm Bay Heritage, W 58-7

Coconut Creek, W 45-13

Hollywood McArthur, W 34-7

12/5 – Fort Myers Riverdale

CLASS 6A

STATE SEMIFINAL

No. 4 Pembroke Pines West Broward (11-2) at No. 1 Gainesville Buchholz (12-1), 7:30. This is really a tough game to gauge. We know that Buchholz is tested and very talented with tremendous coaching and has played an amazing schedule, but West Broward has shown over and again that when they don’t self-destruct, they can be a major obstacle.

What head coach Brian McCartney and this team have accomplished this year is truly impressive, but this may be the toughest game they have played since the opener against Corner Canyon, Utah.

WEST BROWARD BOBCATS

Corner Canyon, Utah, L 38-13

Camden County, Georgia, L 32-13

Plantation, W 31-6

Pembroke Pines Flanagan, W 20-8

Miramar Everglades, W 55-0

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, W 49-38

Miami Beach, W 54-0

Miramar, W 52-8

Miami Dr. Krop, W 49-0

Davie Western, W 35-7

South Plantation, W 56-13

Coconut Creek Monarch, W 38-12

Miami Southridge, W 30-27

12/5 - @Gainesville Buchholz

BUCHHOLZ BOBCATS

Ocala Vanguard, W 15-13

Vero Beach, L 28-24

Gainesville Eastside, W 29-19

Bradenton Manatee, W 30-13

Richmond Hill, Georgia, W 21-0

Ponte Vedra Nease, W 27-7

Gainesville, W 44-0

St. Augustine Tocoi Creek, W 42-7

St. Johns Bartram Trail, W 50-16

West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, W 34-30

Oviedo, W 49-41

Ponte Vedra Nease, W 29-17

Jacksonville Mandarin, W 27-20

12/5 – West Broward

CLASS 7A

STATE SEMIFINAL

No. 4 Miami Palmetto (11-2) at No. 1 Vero Beach (13-0), 7. This will be the Panthers first ever opportunity to reach the state finals, and they are indeed proving plenty of people wrong all season. They have talent and great coaching that has kept them in every game this season.

They have proven that the defense can be an asset, and at times, the offense has been really impressive under head coach Mike Manasco and his staff.

Let us once again not hide anything – and while this is the furthest that the Indian have gone since 1981 – they are loaded with talent and by far the toughest team that the Panthers will play this season. The schedule that they played – especially the first three games – matches anyone in the state series this year.

For Palmetto to come back with a win, they will have to play their best game of the season – on both sides of the ball!

PALMETTO PANTHERS

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 35-0

Miami Southridge, L 34-34

Miami Christopher Columbus, W 24-21

Miami Killian, W 42-21

Coral Gables, W 43-0

Homestead South Dade, W 45-7

Miami Northwestern, L 28-0

Miami High, W 43-7

Fort Myers Bishop Verot, W 20-10

Coral Springs Coral Glades, W 42-0

Miami Christopher Columbus, W 27-10

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, W 65-41

12/5 - @Vero Beach

VERO BEACH INDIANS

Melbourne Eau Gallie, W 41-31

Gainesville Buchholz, W 28-24

Cocoa, W 38-3

Port St. Lucie West Centennial, W 37-0

Fort Pierce Central, W 21-13

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 42-13

Rockledge, W 42-7

Pahokee, W 53-14

Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, W 49-0

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, W 43-0

Clermont East Ridge, W 57-10

Orlando Lake Nona, W 56-14

Orlando Dr. Phillips, W 49-23

12/5 – Miami Palmetto

FIT 1A-3A

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Dunnellon 13, North Miami Beach 7

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..

2025 Road To Miami & The Villages Charter.

Once again on Thursday night the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage with seven impressive guests.

Each and every week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.

The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.

The show, which has run for nearly two decades, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on c

Here is a look at the way Thursday went:

On Friday night, all seven classes from south Florida playing in the state semifinal round of the high school football playoffs will be looking to advance to 2025 state championships Dec. 10-13 at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. Bill Daley from the Miami Herald stopped by to break all the classes down.

BILL DALEY ON THURSDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/bill-daley-miami-hearld-d3022

The Florida Gators have a new head coach to move forward with – and while fans have been snake bitten over the past decade with coaches in Gainesville, Jon Sumrall comes to town with some credentials that could put this program back in the spotlight once again. Kevin Brockway from the Gainesville Sun talked about the new hire.

KEVIN BROCKWAY ON THURSDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/kevin-brockway-gainesville-sun-526c9

On Friday evening, the West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman Crusaders will be playing for the chance to compete for a 1A state title in Miami next week. Veteran head coach Jack Daniels looked at his team’s chances against unbeaten Tampa Carrollwood Day.

COACH JACK DANIELS ON THURSDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/jack-daniels-west-palm-beach-cardinal-newman-fa97a

2025 Road To Miami & The Villages Charter. https://larryblustein.com/news/2025-road-to-miami-the-villages-charter

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..

Thursday, December 4^th South Florida High School Sports Radio Show Rewind.

When North Miami Beach takes to the field this afternoon (1 p.m.) at The Villages Charter in the 1A-3A FIT championship game, it will kickoff two days where eight Miami-Dade and Broward teams will be in action.

The Chargers, taking part in this FIT tournament where programs who didn’t make the state championships series had the opportunity to continue playing, will have the chance to end the season with a win under veteran head coach Jeff Bertani, who concludes his 30^th year as head coach at his alma mater.

NMB (6-6) will take on Dunnellon (7-6) in the title game.

NORTH MIAMI BEACH CHARGERS

Tampa Carrollwood Day, L 28-20

North Miami, L 20-13

Punta Gorda Charlotte, W 20-14 (OT)

Hialeah American, W 46-0

Westland Hialeah, W 42-0

Lake Mary, L 45-13

Miami Carol City, W 14-13

Homestead South Dade, L 25-22

Naples St. John Neumann, L 20-14

Cape Coral Oasis, W 42-0

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 20-6

12/4 - Dunnellon

DUNNELLON TIGERS

Tallahassee Florida High, L 17-14

Starke Bradford County, L 35-0

Ocala West Port, W 28-14

Lakeland Lake Gibson, W 9-7

Ocala Vanguard, L 20-7

Gainesville Eastside, L 16-14

Dover Specialty Fit Academy, W 33-22

Citra North Marion, W 28-6

Hawthorne, L 26-0

Pensacola, W 34-20

Jacksonville Andrew Jackson, W 40-24

Palatka, W 14-12

12/4 – North Miami Beach

CLASS 1A

STATE SEMIFINAL

No. 4 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (9-4) at No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (10-2), Friday, 6:30 p.m. For the second year, these two programs will square off in a game that will send the winner to Pitbull Stadium on the campus of FIU next week.

The Lions and veteran head coach Dameon Jones are looking for an amazing 10^th straight trip to the state finals – and will be have the opportunity to win a fifth straight title. The winner of this game will play either Tampa Carrollwood Day or West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman.

JACKSONVILLE TRINITY CHRISTIAN CONQUERORS

Jacksonville Ed White, L 45-28

Jacksonville Bolles, L 35-12

Jacksonville Raines, L 48-14

Jacksonville North Florida Educational Institute, W 27-6

Lake City Columbia, L 27-20

Jacksonville Riverside, W 22-13

Jacksonville Episcopal, W 49-7

Tallahassee Lincoln, W 32-14

Jacksonville KIPP Bold City, W 48-0

Neptune Beach Fletcher, W 21-7

Jacksonville Providence, W 42-16

Tallahassee Maclay, W 56-28

Jacksonville University Christian, W 27-12

12/5 - @Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna

CHAMINADE-MADONNA LIONS

Baltimore St. Frances Academy, L 42-13

Hollywood McArthur, W 28-14

Plantation American Heritage, W 28-24

Miami Edison, W 56-6

Davie Western, W 56-0

Coconut Creek Monarch, W 28-7

Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, W 60-0

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, W 47-0

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 27-21

Boca Raton St. John Paul II Academy, W 63-0

Miami Edison, W 47-18

Miami True North Classical Academy, W 35-14

12/5 – Jacksonville Trinity Christian

CLASS 2A

STATE SEMIFINAL

No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (10-3) at No. 2 Jacksonville Bolles (12-1), Friday, 7 p.m. After winning his 100^th game as head coach last week, Matt Dubuc and his Chiefs hit the road this week for a 400 plus mile trip to play one of the best teams in the state.

Winners of three state titles under Dubuc, this team definitely has its work cut out against an explosive team that has been able to score nearly 600 points during this 10-game winning streak.

The winner of this game will have to face off against either No. 1 seed Sarasota Cardinal Mooney or three-time defending state champion Cocoa next week in Miami.

 CARDINAL GIBBONS CHIEFS

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, L 42-35

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, W 33-6

Coconut Creek, W 11-6

Hollywood South Broward, W 52-6

Pembroke Pines West Broward, L 49-38

Hallandale, W 51-14

Deerfield Beach, W 45-7

Boca Raton, W 35-13

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 47-0

Miramar, W 35-28

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, W 48-28

Miami Killian, W 38-35

Miami Immaculata LaSalle, W 20-17

12/5 - @Jacksonville Bolles

JACKSONVILLE BOLLES BULLDOGS

Coconut Creek Monarch, W 34-15

Jacksonville Trinity Christian, W 35-12

Saint Augustine, L 40-35

Jacksonville Bishop Kenny, W 36-0

Orange Park Oakleaf, W 38-6

Baldwin, W 73-49

Jacksonville Andrew Jackson, W 48-0

Jacksonville Riverside, W 45-14

Jacksonville Wolfson, W 56-6

Lake City Columbia, W 31-0

DeFuniak Springs Walton, W 63-13

Tallahassee Florida High, W 51-27

Pensacola Catholic, W 44-10

12/5 – Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons

CLASS 3A

STATE SEMIFINAL

No. 4 Orlando Bishop Moore (12-1) at No. 1 Miami Northwestern (12-0), 7 p.m. Coming off an emotional 50-29 Region Final win against national powerhouse Miami Central, the defending 3A state champions will need to come back to earth against a team that can put points on the board and has played a challenging schedule.

But when you put these two teams side-by-side, you see a Northwestern squad with head coach Jaquatin Victrum has mauled the four playoff opponents 225-35 and are hungry for another state title appearance.

The winner of this game will take on either unbeaten Jacksonville Raines or under-the-radar power Sarasota Booker next week in Miami.

BISHOP MOORE HORNETS

Oviedo, W 68-35

Orlando Christian Prep, W 49-7

Bartow, W 34-25

Mount Dora, W 57-21

Melbourne Central Catholic, W 41-13

Tampa Catholic, W 29-20

Eustis, W 48-0

Tavares, W 54-33

Tallahassee Florida High, W 56-35

Lake Mary, L 42-22

Brooksville Hernando, W 61-6

Gainesville Eastside, W 36-8

Melbourne Eau Gallie, W 31-28

12/5 - @Miami Northwestern

NORTHWESTER BULLS

Orange Lutheran, California, W Forfeit

Miami Carol City, W 37-6

Miami Norland, W 49-21

Miami Christopher Columbus, W 41-6

Miami Jackson, W Forfeit

Miami Central, W 30-21

Key West, W 56-0

Miami Palmetto, W 28-0

Miami St. Brendan, W 49-0

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, W 70-0

Key West, W 56-6

Miami Central, W 50-29

12/5 – Orlando Bishop Moore

TOMORROW: We breakdown Classes 4A-7A in the state semifinal round.

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..

MIAMI GARDENS – Growing up in Fort Lauderdale and starring at the youth football level, there were always signs that Derrek Cooper would one day be a different level player.

From his beginning as a freshman and sophomore at Cardinal Gibbons High School right through to last year when he made the move south to Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep and helped lead the Lions to a 1A state championship.

On Tuesday night in front of family, friends and coaches at Hard Rock Stadium, Cooper, who is headed to the University of Texas, was named the winner of the prestigious 2025 Nat Moore Trophy.

Capturing the award over Justice Fitzpatrick (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Calvin Russell III (Miami Northwestern) and Brandon Kinsey (Miami Central), the No. 1 rated Class of 2026 senior in the state by Prep Redzone Florida joins some impressive winners of this award – such as Malachi Toney (University of Miami), Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Rueben Bain Jr. (University of Miami), Kenyatta Jackson (Ohio State) and Henry Parrish, who played at Ole Miss and the University of Miami.

"I would like to just thank God. Thank God, thank God, man, because my high school journey has been a struggle from the start,” he said, with his mother, father and several family members on stage. “My senior year has been a good year. Coach (Dameon) Jones, I appreciate you, and I'd like to thank everybody.”

A 6’1, 200-pounder who has been compared to one-time Chaminade-Madonna star Jon Beason because he also plays linebacker as well as running back, Cooper received 45 Power 4 offers, before committing to Texas over programs like Ohio State, Miami, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

"You know, this award will catapult me forward, you know from all the winners that won in the past have gone on to do so well,” he pointed out. “So, this is my journey to start at the University of Texas.”

THE NIGHT ALSO BELONGED TO THE OTHER PLAYERS

While Cooper was announced as the winner, there were certainly no losers on this night. As Cooper will head to Texas, Fitzpatrick (Georgia), Russell Jr. (Syracuse) and Kinsey (Purdue) were all recognized in this live TV event that resembles the Heisman Trophy presentation for college players in New York.

Fitzpatrick was the only defensive player among this year's four finalists, and has quickly emerged as a standout for the powerhouse Raiders, pairing natural talent with a relentless work ethic shaped in part by his family — including older brother and Miami Dolphins star Minkah Fitzpatrick. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has recorded 65 career tackles and seven interceptions.

Kinsey was a huge addition to the Rockets, who is known for his explosive playmaking ability. He came over from Miami Immaculata LaSalle where he not only made an impact on the football field, but also a tremendous student in the classroom.

Russell III, who was one of the most impressive young prospects in decades, came to play for the Bulls as an elite two-way (football, basketball) prospect and built his reputation on performing under pressure, a mentality he says has fueled him since ninth grade. 

Now a senior and widely regarded as one of the top players in South Florida and the nation, Russell credits his rise to Miami's hyper-competitive football culture, relentless work ethic and the "dog mentality" he grew up with. 

2025 Road To Miami & The Villages Charter. https://larryblustein.com/news/2025-road-to-miami-the-villages-charter

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..