As we have reached Week 9, 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.
When Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna knocked off five-time defending state champion and previously No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 29-22, it opened the door for the Lions to move up to No. 1 – a place where they finished a year ago.
The Lions have easily one of the top schedules in south Florida – with games against No. 3, No. 4, No. 13, No. 14 and No. 15 area teams – along with the No. 2 program in the country.
Here is a look at 20 Miami-Dade Broward Week 9 teams:
1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (6-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Lions, playing No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas for the first time in 43 years, surprised the Raiders, 29-22. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – Hollywood Avant Garde Academy. NEXT GAME: No. 14 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.
2. Miami Central (5-1, 3A). LAST WEEK: The Rockets’ district game with Fort Lauderdale Stranahan will be made up on 10/21. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – It’s GMAC Week and a contest against No. 4 Miami Norland. NEXT GAMES: 10/21 – Fort Lauderdale Stranahan & 10/25 - @Pembroke Pines Somerset.
3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2, 5A). LAST WEEK: The Raiders dropped a tough 29-22 decision to No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (FIU). THIS WEEK: 10/18 – Coconut Creek Monarch. NEXT GAME: 10/25 – No. 9 Plantation American Heritage.
4. Miami Norland (6-1, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Vikings clinched the district title with a 32-27 win against Plantation American Heritage. THIS WEEK: 10/18 - It’s GMAC Week and a date with No. 2 Miami Central. NEXT GAME: 10/24 – Plantation.
5. Southridge (7-1, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Spartans rolled to a 44-7 win against Southwest Miami. THIS WEEK: 10/18 - It’s GMAC Week with a contest against No. 18 Miami Booker T. Washington. NEXT GAME: 11/1 - @Homestead South Dade.
6. Miami Christopher Columbus (5-2, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Explorers won their fourth straight game, beating Coral Gables, 33-0. THIS WEEK: 10/17 - It’s GMAC Week with a game against No. 9 Miami Northwestern. NEXT GAME: 10/24 – Miami Archbishop Carroll.
7. Sunrise Piper (6-0, 6A). LAST WEEK: The game with Fort Lauderdale was postponed until 10/28. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – No. 16 Plantation. NEXT GAME: 10/24 - @ No. 15 Coconut Creek Monarch
8. Miami Northwestern (4-3, 3A). LAST WEEK: The Bulls rebounded with a 50-14 road victory at Key West. THIS WEEK: 10/17 - It’s GMAC Week and that means a matchup with No. 6 Miami Christopher Coumbus. NEXT GAME: 10/25 – Miami St. Brendan.
9. Plantation American Heritage (3-4, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Patriots dropped the district championship game to No. 4 Miami Norland, 31-27. The four losses have come to four schools with a combined 25-4 record. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. NEXT GAME: 10/25 - @ No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
10. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4-1, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Panthers’ game with Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia was postponed. THIS WEEK: 10/19 – It’s the Broward Soul Bowl against No. 13 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. NEXT GAME: 10/24 - @Boynton Beach.
11. Miami Palmetto (4-2, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Panthers were off. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – It’s GMAC Week and the Red Raiders of Miami Edison will be the opponent. NEXT GAME: 10/25 – Miami High.
12. Pembroke Pines West Broward (4-2, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Bobcats’ game with Miami Beach was postponed until 10/21. THIS WEEK: 10/18 - @Naples Gulf Coast. NEXT GAMES: 10/21 - @Miami Beach. 10/25 - @Miami Dr. Krop.
13. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (5-2, 5A). LAST WEEK: The Tigers had the week off. THIS WEEK: 10/19 – The Broward Soul Bowl against No. 10 Fort Lauderdale Dillard. NEXT GAME: 10/25 - @Coconut Creek.
14. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (4-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Chiefs’ game against Deerfield Beach was cancelled. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – Boca Raton. NEXT GAME: 10/25 - @ No.1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.
15. Coconut Creek Monarch (4-2, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Knights had the week off. THIS WEEK: 10/18 - @ No.3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. NEXT GAME: 10/24 – No. 7 Sunrise Piper.
16. Plantation (5-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Colonels rebounded with an 18-3 win against No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. THIS WEEK: 10/18 - @No. 7 Sunrise Piper.
17. Homestead (3-3, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Broncos’ contest against No. 18 Miami Booker T. Washington was cancelled. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – GMAC Week against Miami Carol City. NEXT GAME: 10/24 - @Miami Edison.
18. Miami Booker T. Washington (3-2, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes’ game with No. 17 Homestead was cancelled. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – GMAC Week against No. 5 Miami Southridge. NEXT GAME: 10/25 - @Miami Ransom Everglades.
19. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (5-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Spartans won for the third straight time, 48-6, against Westland Hialeah. THIS WEEK: The team will be off. NEXT GAME: 10/25 – North Miami Beach.
20. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (4-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Mavericks lost for the second straight time, 18-3, to No. 16 Plantation. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – A district matchup against No. 9 Plantation American Heritage. NEXT GAME: 10/25 – Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Coconut Creek (2-3, 5A), Coral Gables (2-2, 7A), Davie Western (3-4, 7A), Doral Academy (3-3, 6A), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (6-2, 2A), Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (6-1, Independent), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (2-3, 3A), Doral Academy (2-2, 6A), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (4-2, Independent), Hialeah (6-2, 4A), Hollywood South Broward (2-4, 6A), Homestead South Dade (3-4, 7A), Miami Archbishop Carroll (6-2, 1A), Miami Carol City (2-4, 2A), Miami Florida Christian (7-1, Independent), Miami Edison (4-3, 1A), Miami Immaculata LaSalle (5-1, 2A), Miami Jackson (4-3, 3A), Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (4-3, 7A), Miami Ransom Everglades (4-1, 2A), Miami Springs (3-4, 2A), Miami True North Classical Academy (3-2, 1A), Miramar (4-3, 5A), North Miami (3-4, 5A), North Miami Beach (2-4, 2A), Pembroke Pines Charter (4-2, 5A), Pembroke Pines Flanagan (3-3, 6A), Weston Cypress Bay (3-3, 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
WEEK 8. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-8-head-to-head-matchups-are-key
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..
This has indeed been a very strange football season, and while games are being made up, it has been tough for players and teams to gain momentum.
With that in mind, judging prospects on statistics alone may not be fair, especially because many teams have had games postponed or cancelled.
In Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, storms have truly cut into the season – and while the state decided on Monday to extend the season by a week – to make up key games – other matchups will never happen and that is not a reflection on the athlete.
Today, we look at some of the running backs in the two counties who have stepped up through eight weeks of the season.
Prospects such as seniors (2025) Joshua Rivera (Miami Archbishop Carroll), Sterling Joseph (Miami Edison), Derrick Ferguson (Athlete, Southwest Miami), Anthony Mestre (Athlete, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep), Tracey Trampellini (Athlete, Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key), Julien Halley (Sunrise Piper), Shawn Paschall (Pompano Beach Blanche Ely), Chance Washington (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Byron Louis (Plantation American Heritage), Kenneth Pierre (Davie Nova), Bre'lan Mareus (Coconut Creek Monarch), and Elijah DeWoskin (Pembroke Pines West Broward).
Juniors (2026) have also made an impact – with two-way prospect Derrek Cooper (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Kelcey Parrish II (Miami Archbishop Carroll), Rashad Wallace (Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Justin Compere (Miami Carol City), Geovanni Tobon (Miami St. Brendan), Zachariah Ray (Plantation), Johnathan Bueno (Davie Western), and Anthony Casseus (Coral Springs Coral Glades).
Even 2027 (sophomores) have made an impact, Players like Amos Bradford (Pembroke Pines West Broward) and Hector Paul (North Miami),
The depth at the position also reaches this freshman (2028) class with Cordell Gibson (Miami Florida Christian).
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..
This has indeed been a very strange football season, and while games are being made up, it has been tough for players and teams to gain momentum.
With that in mind, judging prospects on statistics alone may not be fair, especially because many teams have had games postponed or cancelled.
In Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, storms have truly cut into the season – and while the state decided on Monday to extend the season by a week – to make up key games – other matchups will never happen and that is not a reflection on the athlete.
Today, we look at some of the running backs in the two counties who have stepped up through eight weeks of the season.
Prospects such as seniors (2025) Joshua Rivera (Miami Archbishop Carroll), Sterling Joseph (Miami Edison), Derrick Ferguson (Athlete, Southwest Miami), Anthony Mestre (Athlete, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep), Tracey Trampellini (Athlete, Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key), Julien Halley (Sunrise Piper), Shawn Paschall (Pompano Beach Blanche Ely), Chance Washington (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Byron Louis (Plantation American Heritage), Kenneth Pierre (Davie Nova), Bre'lan Mareus (Coconut Creek Monarch), and Elijah DeWoskin (Pembroke Pines West Broward).
Juniors (2026) have also made an impact – with two-way prospect Derrek Cooper (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), Kelcey Parrish II (Miami Archbishop Carroll), Rashad Wallace (Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace), Justin Compere (Miami Carol City), Geovanni Tobon (Miami St. Brendan), Zachariah Ray (Plantation), Johnathan Bueno (Davie Western), and Anthony Casseus (Coral Springs Coral Glades).
Even 2027 (sophomores) have made an impact, Players like Amos Bradford (Pembroke Pines West Broward) and Hector Paul (North Miami),
The depth at the position also reaches this freshman (2028) class with Cordell Gibson (Miami Florida Christian).
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..
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..