As we head toward Week 8 of the high school football season, the top programs in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are rising to the top.

With schools that are state-rated making a statement so far this season, you have some others – like Miami Booker T. Washington, Coconut Creek Monarch, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian making a huge push up the rankings.

In addition, schools such as Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (2M, 5-1), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (1M, 5-0), Hollywood South Broward (3M, 4-1), Miami Archbishop Carroll (1M, 5-1), Miami Braddock (Independent, 5-1), Westminster Christian (1M, 6-0) and South Miami (2M, 4-1) all drawing plenty of attention as well.

As we head toward Week 8, here is a look at how programs are doing in this region:

1. Miami Central (2M – 6-0). THIS WEEK: Miami Norland on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and the Rockets will play No. 4 Miami Christopher Columbus on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Rockets rolled over rival Miami Northwestern, 42-7.

2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M – 5-0). THIS WEEK: A Thursday home game against Deerfield Beach Somerset Key. NEXT GAME: A home district game next Friday against Hollywood Avant Garde Academy. LAST WEEK: The Lions were off after the game against Venice was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian.

3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M – 6-0). THIS WEEK: A home district game against Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A home game against a much-improved Coconut Creek Monarch on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Raiders rolled over Fort Lauderdale Dillard in a district game on the road, 24-6.

4. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M, 7-0). THIS WEEK: An away game on Oct. 14 against Doral Academy. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and the Explorers will face off with No. 1 Miami Central. LAST WEEK: The Explorers continued to roll on with a 21-6 win at state-rated Homestead.

5. Plantation American Heritage (2M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: An away game at Fort Lauderdale Stranahan on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A trip to Naples to play the Golden Eagles on Oct. 21.  LAST WEEK: The Patriots rolled over Davie Western, 42-18.

6. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: A Thursday road game at Hallandale on Oct. 13. NEXT GAME: A Friday trip to the west coast to play Bradenton Manatee on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Chiefs bounced back after their first loss of the season with a 38-0 win against Miami Belen Jesuit.

7. Homestead (3M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: An away game on Oct. 14 against Miami Southridge NEXT GAME: A GMAC Week contest with No. 17 Miami Northwestern on Oct. 20. WEEK: The Broncos lost their first game of the season, 21-6, to No. 6 Miami Christopher Columbus.

8. Miami Booker T. Washington (2M – 6-1). THIS WEEK: Saturday night, Oct. 15 showdown with No. 17 Miami Northwestern. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and a contest against Miami Southridge on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes continued to roll along with a 41-23 win over previously unbeaten and No. 16 Miami Norland.

9. Miramar (3M, 4-1). THIS WEEK: A Friday away game against Hialeah American. NEXT GAME: An away game against No. 15 Davie Western on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Patriots extended their scoreless streak to 12 quarters with a 53-0 win at Pembroke Pines Charter.

10. Plantation (3M – 4-1). THIS WEEK: A home game on Oct. 14 against No. 18 Fort Lauderdale Dillard. NEXT GAME: A Thursday home game against Deerfield Beach on Oct. 20. LAST WEEK: The Colonels won for the fourth straight time beating Davie Nova in a district game, 51-32.

11. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3M, 5-0). THIS WEEK: An away game on Oct. 14 against Deerfield Beach. NEXT GAME: An away game on Thursday, Oct. 20 against Sunrise Piper. LAST WEEK: The Tigers, after a solid start, had the week off.

12. Coconut Creek Monarch (4M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: The team will spend the week off. NEXT GAME: An Oct. 21 game at No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. LAST WEEK: The Knights continued their tremendous season with a 42-13 win against Hollywood McArthur.

13. Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (2M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: An Oct. 14 home district game against Coconut Creek North Broward Prep. NEXT GAME: A home contest on Oct. 21 against North Palm Beach Benjamin. LAST WEEK: The Eagles rolled to their fifth straight win, 47-21 over Somerset Academy Pembroke Pines.

14. Hollywood Avant Garde (1M, 4-1). THIS WEEK: A Thursday home game against West Palm Beach Sports Leadership & Management. NEXT GAME: A tall task awaits on Oct. 21 in a district game at No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. LAST WEEK: They stopped Palm Beach Christian Prep, 38-6.

15. Davie Western (4M – 4-2). THIS WEEK: A home game against Weston Cypress Bay on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A home game against No. 9 Miramar on Oct. 21.  LAST WEEK: The Wildcats dropped a 42-18 contest to No. 5 Plantation American Heritage.

16. Miami Norland (2M – 4-1). THIS WEEK: It’s an Oct. 14 game against No. 1 Miami Central. NEXT GAME: A Thursday, Oct. 20 contest against Miami Palmetto. LAST WEEK: The Vikings tasted defeat for the first time this year against No. 8 Miami Booker T. Washington.

17. Miami Northwestern (2M – 3-3). THIS WEEK: A Saturday, Oct. 15 showdown with No. 8 Miami Booker T. Washington. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and a meeting with No. 7 Homestead on Oct. 20. LAST WEEK: The Bulls dropped a 42-7 decision to rival and No. 1 Miami Central.

18. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (3M – 2-3). THIS WEEK:  An away game against No. 10 Plantation on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME:  A Saturday night home district game against No. 19 Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Panthers lost a key district home matchup to No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas, 24-6.

19. Fort Lauderdale (3M, 4-2). THIS WEEK: It’s a district showdown at No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A Saturday night away district game against No. 18 Fort Lauderdale Dillard. LAST WEEK: The Flying Ls suffered their second consecutive loss – to Coconut Creek, 42-7.

20. South Plantation (3M, 4-1). THIS WEEK: An Oct. 14 away game against Pompano Beach. NEXT GAME: An Oct. 21 game at home against Miramar Everglades. LAST WEEK: The Paladins tasted defeat for the first time this year against Sunrise Piper, 38-20.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Coconut Creek (3M – 3-3), Coral Gables (4M, 3-2), Doral Academy (4M, 5-2), Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (2M, 5-1), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (2M – (3-3), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (1M, 5-0), Hialeah Barbara Goleman (4M, 3-3), Hialeah (3M, 3-2), Hollywood South Broward (3M, 4-1), Miami Archbishop Carroll (1M, 5-1), Miami Belen Jesuit (3M, 4-3), Miami Braddock (Independent, 5-1), Miami Carol City (2M, 3-3) Miami Dr. Krop (3M, 2-4), Miami Edison (2M, 2-4), Miami Gulliver Prep (2M – (2-3), Miami Immaculata LaSalle (2M, 4-2), Miami Jackson (2M, 3-3), Miami Palmetto (4M, 3-4), Miami Ransom Everglades (Independent, 4-2), Miami Southridge (3M, 3-3), Miami St. Brendan (2M, 4-2), Miami Westminster Christian (1M, 6-0), Miramar Everglades (3M, 4-2), Miami Ferguson (Independent, 4-2), North Miami Beach (2M, 2-4), Pembroke Pines Charter (3M, 3-3), Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (4M, 2-4), Pembroke Pines West Broward (4M, 3-3), Pompano Beach (Independent, 3-2), South Miami (2M, 4-1), Sunrise Piper (3M, 3-2), Westland Hialeah (2M, 4-2). Weston Cypress Bay (4M, 4-2).

WEEK 1 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/south-florida-top-20-it-all-gets-started-this-week

WEEK 2 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-central-shoots-into-the-top-spot

WEEK 3 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-new-teams-enter-this-week-s-rankings

WEEK 4 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-more-changes-this-week

WEEK 5 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-5-is-here-already

WEEK 6 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-6-brings-on-new-challenges

WEEK 7 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-teams-are-putting-it-together

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2023-2026. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD: Top Teams Are Putting It Together. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-teams-are-putting-it-together

It was to be the most competitive week of football in the 2022 season.

When the season began, everyone circled Week on their calendars – with as many as four marquee matchups going on in the two counties.

With more and more football fans across the country understanding that this region of the state is NOT just one or two teams grabbing the spotlight.

Florida fans, coaches and players are tired of many of these national powers getting the attention when they are playing a limited schedule. The challenge has always been to have any of those programs that are so well respected nationally play a schedule that Miami Central, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Christopher Columbus and Plantation American Heritage has to play each year and see if they end up unbeaten. The answer is positively NO.

Taking nothing away from some of these national powerhouse, but there is no way they lineup and play marquee teams every week.

Not to spend any more time proving a point, we will instead look back at what happened this past week.

Playing in one of the most heated rivalries in the nation, two PUBLIC schools – Miami Central and Miami Northwestern, met at The Mecca – Traz Powell Stadium – before a capacity crowd as the Rockets and first year head coach Jube Joseph, who have never been afraid to play the best in the country, emerged with a convincing 42-7 win over the Bulls, who are in a rebuild year.

That victory put a stamp on what many have felt all along. There is certainly no public school program in the nation can boast the talent, schedule and support this team has. Eight state titles and too many prospects to name.

Speaking about dominating teams, Chaminade-Madonna and coach Dameon Jones are simply on the verge of doing something no other Florida program has accomplished. Another state title appearance and that will be seven straight – winning four of the past six championships, and next year they will be even better.

The Lions had two crucial games cancelled when Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast and Venice could not find makeup dates to play this team that has been off for two years.

Another program that has more than shown that they can stand toe-to-toe with anyone are head coach Roger Harriott’s Raiders of St. Thomas Aquinas. With more players competing professionally than any other in the country. With three consecutive state titles, this is always going to be a program that is mentioned by everyone at the start and end of each season.

The Raiders were also in action last Friday night in a game that could go a long way in determining the district champion and top seeding in the region. St. Thomas Aquinas beat Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 24-6.

Two programs that are always mentioned in the race for a state title, but were forgotten by many at the start of this season are Christopher Columbus and American Heritage.

All head coach Dave Dunn and his Explorers have done is win, produce talent and shine a rather large spotlight on this team.

While several programs were mentioned in the newly formed Class 4M(etro) at the start of 2022, Christopher Columbus was taken for granted. That was a mistake.

All this program has accomplished so far is a perfect 6-0 start – including a 21-6 win over previously unbeaten Homestead on Friday.

For first year coach Mike Smith and his Patriots of American Heritage this has been a year of showing that this team is indeed for real.

Beating Davie Western, 42-18, this is a team that is trying to stay in the hunt for a 2M state championship appearance.

Other than losing a tough game to Chaminade-Madonna, this program has rolled to six wins with plenty of talent and tremendous coaching.

In addition to those five programs, this past week shined a spotlight on Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Here’s a look at those games:

Coconut Creek 42, Fort Lauderdale 7

Coconut Creek Monarch 42, Hollywood McArthur 13

Cooper City 15, SW Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 13

Coral Springs Charter 60, Oakland Pak Northeast 27

Coral Springs Coral Glades 27, Coral Springs 0

Deerfield Beach 35, Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 0

Doral Academy 48, North Miami 21

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 47, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 21

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 38, Miami Belen Jesuit 0

Fort Lauderdale NSU University 52, Miami BridgePrep Academy 0

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 35, Jacksonville Bishop Snyder 6

Hallandale 8, Hialeah 6

Hialeah Goleman 42, Hialeah Gardens 7

Hollywood Avant Garde Academy 38, Palm Beach Christian Prep 6

Hollywood Hills 7, Pompano Beach 0

Hollywood South Broward 30, Pembroke Pines West Broward 26

Homestead South Dade 42, Southwest Miami 0

Jacksonville Bolles 42, Hialeah TRU Prep Academy 12

Lake Mary 36, North Miami Beach 16

Miami Archbishop Carroll 30, Somerset South Homestead 0

Miami Braddock 48, Miami Coral Park 7

Miami Beach 20, Hialeah American 0

Miami Booker T. Washington 41, Miami Norland 23

Miami Carol City 18, Westland Hialeah 12

Miami Coral Reef 35, Doral Ronald Reagan 14

Miami Country Day 14, SLAM West Palm Beach 8

Miami Ferguson 42, Hialeah Miami-Lakes 14

Miami Gulliver Prep 41, Somerset Silver Palms 0

Miami High 26, Coral Gables 22

Miami Immaculata LaSalle 28, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 18

Miami Palm Glades Prep 40, Miami Palmer Trinity 12

Miami Palmetto 35, Miami Edison 7

Miami St. Brendan 35, Miami Dade Christian 0

Miami Westminster Christian 68, Miami Florida Christian 0

Miramar 53, Pembroke Pines Charter 0

Miramar Everglades 12, Pembroke Pine Flanagan 0

Naples St. John Neumann 45, Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key 0

North Miami Mourning 14, Miami Varela 8

Parkland Douglas 32, Jupiter 0

Plantation 41, Davie Nova 32

South Miami 47, Miami Springs 6

St. Petersburg Lakewood 28, Miami Southridge 22

Sunrise Piper 38, South Plantation 20

Weston Cypress Bay 47, Coral Springs Taravella 0

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2023-2026. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 SBLive Sports is Florida’s newest high school sports media company.

SBLive Sports has built a team of top-notch sports writers, photographers and videographers and spreads them out across the state to provide comprehensive coverage of all the big games.

SBLive Sports also writes feature stories and profiles, publishes breaking news and provides the latest updates on recruiting. In addition, SBLive Sports has become a leader in tracking and publishing scores, including live updates.

Simply download the Sports app today. It’s completely free and you will be amazed at the volume of content they are putting out on a daily basis.

If you want visit SBLive Sports on the web, you can find them at www.scorebooklive.com and then click on the Florida tab for all the news from the Sunshine state.You will be glad you did!

By now, you already know the drill when it comes to this season.

We told you before the year began that this was going to be 11 weeks that you will remember for a long time.

Great matchups every week have all lived up to the hype in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and as we head toward Week 7:

No. 1 Miami Central (5-0) vs. No. 11 Miami Northwestern (3-2), Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30. The annual war has always been one of those games that it makes no difference which program has the best record. Neighborhood rivalry pitting two of the best inner-city public-school programs in the nation every year. Big time talent on both sides of the field. Can the Bulls knock the No. 1 team in Florida off? The Rockets have their eye on a national title, believing that NOBODY in the country can beat them. The “Mecca” will be rocking.

No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6-0) vs. No. 12 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (2-2), 7:00. Last year it came down to a missed field goal by the Panthers, and since that time both schools have been pointing toward this key district game. While the Raiders have rolled this season – at home and away – Dillard is a .500 team, but those two losses came to No. 1 Miami Central and No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Could this be the year where the Panthers put it all together? It would still be a huge upset!

No. 4 Miami Christopher Columbus (6-0) vs. No. 6 Homestead (6-0), 7:30. This is a game that at the start of the season was just another solid matchup between two very good football programs, but as kickoff gets closer, it’s shaping up to be a tremendous contest with two teams who believe that they can compete against anyone. The Explorers are the top 4M schools in the state – while the Broncos are among the best in 3M. Harris Field will be rocking.

No. 8 Davie Western (4-1) vs. No. 5 Plantation American Heritage (5-1), 7:30. You cannot say that the Patriots haven’t played one of the top schedules around, including a huge win against two-time defending state champion Cardinal Gibbons. They are talented and well coached. But the Wildcats feel that they have something to prove after losing big to St. Thomas Aquinas. They can change plenty of perception with a win tonight.

No. 16 Coconut Creek Monarch (5-1) at Hollywood McArthur (3-2), 7:00. This is one of those games that may not look promising on the surface, but both teams are playing very well and will finally get some of the spotlight. The Knights are coming off a dominating performance against Boca Raton Olympic Heights and are loaded on both sides of the ball. The Mustangs are also coming off an impressive game and are at home for a contest that may be competitive!

MORE GAMES TO WATCH
In addition to those five games, here is a list of other Miami-Dade and Broward games to watch today:

FRIDAY GAMES

Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons (3-2) at Miami Immaculata LaSalle (3-2), 7:00

Coconut Creek (2-3) at No. 17 Fort Lauderdale (4-1), 7:00

Coral Gables (3-1) at Miami High (2-2), Curtis Park, 7:30

Coral Springs Coral Glades (0-5) at Coral Springs (2-3), 7:00

Coral Springs Taravella (0-4) at Weston Cypress Bay (3-2), 7:00

Deerfield Beach (2-4) at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson (0-4), 7:00

No. 20 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (5-1) at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (2-3), 7:00

Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (3-3) at Miami BridgePrep Village Green (0-5), 4:00

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (4-0) at Jacksonville Bishop Snider (4-1), 7:00

Hialeah (3-1) at Hallandale (0-5), 7:00

Hialeah Barbara Goleman (2-3) at Hialeah Gardens (1-3), 3:30

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (1-5) at Miami Ransom Everglades (3-1), 4:00

Hollywood Hills (2-3) at Pompano Beach (3-1), 7:00

Hollywood South Broward (3-1) at Pembroke Pines West Broward (3-2), Pines Charter, 7:00

Homestead South Dade (0-4) at Southwest Miami (0-5), Tropical, 7:30

Jupiter (3-2) at Parkland Douglas (2-3), 7:00

Miami Dade Christian (0-3) at Miami St. Brendan (3-2), 7:00

Miami Ferguson (3-2) at Hialeah Miami-Lakes (2-3), 7:00

Miami Dr. Krop (2-3) at Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (2-4), 7:30

Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy (1-2) at Jacksonville Bolles (3-3), 7:30

Miami Springs (1-4) at South Miami (3-1), Tropical Park, 7:30

Miami Westminster Christian (5-0) at Miami Florida Christian (1-3), 7:30

Miramar Everglades (3-2) at Pembroke Pines Flanagan (1-5), 7:00

North Lauderdale Somerset Prep (0-4) at Jupiter Christian (3-3), 6:30

North Miami Beach (2-3) at Lake Mary (3-1), 7:00

Oakland Park Northeast (0-5) at Coral Springs Charter (2-3), 7:00

Palm Glades Prep Academy (1-5) at Miami Palmer Trinity (3-2), 4:00

No. 14 Plantation (3-1) at Davie Nova (2-3), 7:00

Somerset Academy South Homestead (2-3) at Miami Archbishop Carroll (4-1), 3:30

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (0-5) at Cooper City (1-5), 7:00 

St. Petersburg Lakewood (3-3) at Miami Southridge (3-2), 7:30

West Palm Beach Sports Leadership & Management (1-4) at Miami Country Day (0-5), 7:00

SATURDAY’S GAME

Somerset Silver Palms (2-3) at Miami Gulliver Prep (1-3), 3:30

THURSDAY’S SCORES

Doral Academy 48, North Miami 21

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 38, Miami Belen Jesuit 0

Palm Beach Christian Prep (3-0) at Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (3-1), 7:00

Miami Beach 20, Hialeah American 0

Miami Booker T. Washington 41, Miami Norland 23

Miami Braddock 48, Miami Coral Park 7

Miami Carol City 18, Westland Hialeah 6

Miami Coral Reef 35, Doral Ronald Reagan 14

Miami Ferguson 42, Hialeah Miami-Lakes 14

Miami Palmetto 35, Miami Edison 7

Miramar 53, Pembroke Pines Charter 0

Miramar Everglades 12, Pembroke Pine Flanagan 0

North Miami Mourning 14, Miami Varela 8

Sunrise Piper 38, South Plantation 20

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2023-2026. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of 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 (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..