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 71st Street and 95th 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..
It will be the calm before the storm as it’s tough to believe that Week 7 of the 2024 season is upon us.
With many key games scheduled for Friday and Saturday – featuring locally ranked teams – today will see only four games in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Only one ranked team will be in action as No. 9 Miami Christopher Columbus looks to continue to shake off a rough start with a home game (4:00) against (3-2) Miami High.
The Explorers (3-2) lost two of the first three games to Maryland’s Our Lady of Good Counsel (14-10) and to No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (48-6).
Head Coach Dave Dunn and his team will look to close out the regular season with Miami High, Coral Gables, a GMAC Week contest and Miami Archbishop Carroll.
In addition to that contest, today will also see Homestead Everglades Prep at Somerset Silver Palms, 7, Miami Braddock at Coral Gables, 4, and Miami Sunset at Miami Coral Park, 3:30.
SETTING THE TABLE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
In one of the most competitive weeks of the season, there will be some impressive matchups over the weekend – with 15 ranked teams in action.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
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
No. 2 Miami Central vs. No. 6 Miami Northwestern (Traz), 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. 4 Miami Norland at Cocoa, 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
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..
While much of the focus in football crazy Florida is on many of the major college programs, it may be wise to understand which programs have been nationally recognized in the past five years.
Away from FSU, Miami, Florida, UCF, USF, Florida A&M, FAU, FIU and Bethune Cookman are the state’s smaller programs, and that’s where the titles have been won.
Five years ago, the University of West Florida captured the Division 2 national title, and last year – competing in their sixth season of football, Keiser University of West Palm Beach captured the NAIA national crown.
The National Championship victory capped off the most-successful season in Keiser history as the Seahawks finished the year with a 12-2 record (12-0 in NAIA play). In just the sixth year of the program, the Seahawks improved to 55-15 all-time as Keiser made its second straight NAIA National Championship appearance.
While Keiser and head coach Doug Socha were climbing the ladder, 60 miles to the south, St. Thomas University and head coach Bill Rychel were doing the same thing, playing winning football since the first year and gaining national recognition as well as being a destination for some impressive athletes.
A QUALITY MATCHUP INDEED
This Saturday afternoon, these two programs get together in one of the biggest NAIA games in the country when first year head coach Myles Russ, who took over when Socha went to Lenoir Rhyne University, will head south as the No. 1 team in the nation.
On the other side of the are the Bobcats, who are fresh off a No. 6 ranking.
This is a contest that features many of the south Florida standouts that we have watched since youth football – and are still making an impact.
Keiser University (3-0) at St. Thomas University (3-0)
Saturday, October 5, 12 noon
AutoNation Field
16401 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33054
KEISER SEAHAWKS
HEAD COACH: Myles Russ
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Bam Brima, DL, 6-5, 270, Grad Student (Worcester, Mass/Loyalsock Township, Pennsylvania
Andrew Burnette, RB, 6-2, 225, Jr. (Jensen Beach)
D’Andre Golden, TE, 6-3, 206, Sr. (Norcross, Georgia)
Jude Guerrier, OL, 6-2, 339, Sr. (Boca Raton)
Hunter Hargrave, LB, 5-11, 210, Sr. (Bethalto, Illinois)
Kensly Johnson, DB, 5-11, 184, Jr. (Jacksonville Trinity Christian)
Byron May, DL, 6-3, 250, Fr. (Morehead Rowan County, Kentucky)
Jaden Meizinger, RB, 5-8, 200, Grad Student (Vero Beach)
Shea Spencer, QB, 6-0, 185, Grad Student (Sebastian River)
Refeno Vangates, WR, 6-0, 189, Fr. (Hialeah American)
2024 SCHEDULE
North Greenville, South Carolina, W 23-20 (OT)
Newberry, South Carolina W 42-33
University of Fort Lauderdale, W 45-0
10/5 - @Miami Gardens St. Thomas University
10/12 – Warner University
10/19 - @Lakeland Southeastern University
11/2 - @Webber International
11/9 – Miami Gardens Florida Memorial University
11/16 – Ave Maria
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
HEAD COACH BILL RYCHEL
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Duece Dunbar, DE, 6-3, Sr. (Port St. Lucie West Centennial)
Nick Engler, DE, 6-4, 260, Grad Student (Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast)
Rontavious Farmer, RB, Sr. (Cocoa)
David Hayes, WR, 6-4, Sr. (Tampa King)
Geno Lubin, WR, 5-10, 175, So. (Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman)
Jerome Mitchell Jr., DB/Returner, 5-10, So. (Lantana Santaluces)
Caleb Walker, DB, 5-10, Grad Student (Tampa Jefferson)
Keely Watson, QB, 6-2, Jr. (Neptune Beach Fletcher)
Kendall Wilson II, LB, 5-10, Sr. (Apopka Wekiva)
Khalitri Zow, WR, 6-2, Grad Student (Orlando Oak Ridge)
2024 SCHEDULE
Louisiana Christian University, W 56-10
Saint Xavier University, Illinois, W 33-14
Miami Gardens Florida Memorial University, W 45-17
10/5 – Keiser University
10/12 – University of Fort Lauderdale
10/19 - @Ave Maria
10/26 – Webber International University
11/2 - @Lakeland Southeastern University
11/9 - @Thomas University, Georgia
11/16 – Warner University
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
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..