While things were basically quiet on the top half of the Miami-Dade/Broward Top 20, things were sizzling in the lower half.

With the exception of No. Chaminade-Madonna’s win over Fort Lauderdale Dillard, everything seemed to be cooking in the lower half.

Welcoming into the group for the first time this year are Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and Westland Hialeah as all three programs have looked impressive in the early going.

For Doral Academy, Miami Gulliver Prep and Coconut Creek Monarch, falling out of the Top 20 may be temporary, but it will be up those teams to get things back on track.

As we head toward Week 3, here is a look at how programs are doing in this region:

1. Miami Central (2M – 1-0). THIS WEEK: No. 13 Miami Booker T. Washington, Sept. 9). NEXT GAME: A road game against Miami Carol City on Sept. 15. LAST WEEK: The Rockets were off after beating national power IMG Academy.

2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: At No. 5 Miami Northwestern, Sept. 8). NEXT GAME: Will be at home against No. 6 Plantation American Heritage on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Lions rolled over state-rated Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 49-28.

3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: Cocoa at home, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A big game at No. 7 Davie Western on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Raiders went to Fort Myers and took care of business, 42-0.

4. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: Miami Gulliver Prep, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A home game against St. Petersburg Northeast on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The defense remained very strong in shutting out Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, 30-0.

5. Miami Northwestern (2M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: Against No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Sept. 8. NEXT GAME: A home game against Miami Edison on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Bulls remained unbeaten with a “Soul Bowl” win against Miami Jackson, 44-0.

6. Plantation American Heritage (2M – 3-0: THIS WEEK: Another home game against Belle Glade Glades Central on Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A huge road game against No. 2 Chaminade Madonna in Hollywood on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Patriots continued their climb toward the top with a convincing home opener against Lakeland Lake Gibson, 42-14.

7. Davie Western (4M – 1-0). THIS WEEK: A huge home game against unbeaten No. 12 Coconut Creek, Sept. 9). NEXT GAME: A big home against No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Wildcats were off after an opening week win in the Broward Showcase.

8. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: A major contest at home on Sept. 9 against defending state champion Tampa Jesuit. NEXT GAME: An away game on Sept. 16 against area rival No. 18 Miami Palmetto. LAST WEEK: The Explorers looked sharp for the second straight game against Miami Killian, 44-13.

9. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (3M – 1-1). THIS WEEK: At No. 14 Miramar, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: The Panthers will take the week off before a road trip to play No. 1 Miami Central on Sept. 24. LAST WEEK: Even though they got off to a 14-0 start, it didn’t last against the No. 2 team – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna on the road, 49-28.

10. Homestead (3M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: A road game to play state-rated St. Petersburg Lakewood on Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A home game next Thursday (Sept. 15) against Southwest Miami. LAST WEEK: The Broncos took it to longtime rival South Dade, 47-0.

11. Miami Norland (2M – 1-0). THIS WEEK: A home contest against Miami Southridge, Sept. 10. NEXT GAME: An away game on Friday, Sept. 16 against Miami Monsignor Pace. LAST WEEK: The Vikings took it to longtime rival Miami Carol City in the Miami Gardens Bowl, 31-12.

12. Coconut Creek (3M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: A huge home game on Friday night (Sept. 9) as they welcome state rated and No. 7 Davie Western. NEXT GAME: For the second straight year, they will be on the road at No. 15 Plantation on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Cougars made it two weeks without giving up any points as they shutdown Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, 34-0.

13. Miami Booker T. Washington (2M – 2-0). THIS WEEK: It’s the biggest game of the year on Friday night (Sept. 9) against No. 1 Miami Central at Traz Powell Stadium. NEXT GAME: A home game on Sept. 16 against Miami Immaculata LaSalle. LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes got out to a big lead and then had to hold on against Miami Edison, 28-20.

14. Miramar (3M, 1-0). THIS WEEK: The Patriots will square off at home against No. 9 Fort Lauderdale Dillard. NEXT GAME: A home game against Pembroke Pines Flanagan on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Patriots enjoyed the week off after beating Plantation in the opening week of the season.

15. Plantation (3M – 0-1). THIS WEEK: A Thursday night (Sept. 8) away game at Parkland Douglas. NEXT GAME: It’s back home for a huge showdown against No. 12 Coconut Creek. LAST WEEK: The Colonels got back on the winning track with a convincing 41-19 win against Stranahan.

16. Hollywood Avant Garde (1M, 1-0). THIS WEEK: At Delray American Heritage, Sept. 9. NEXT GAME: A key away game against Miami Dr. Michael Krop on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: Had their game against Roar Academy called off.

17. Fort Lauderdale (3M, 2-0). THIS WEEK: It’s a Friday night (Sept. 9) trip to Tallahassee to play the Leon Lions. NEXT GAME: The team will take a week off. LAST WEEK: The Flying Ls took it to Hallandale, 31-6, having the chance to enter the Top 20 for the first time this year.

18. Miami Palmetto (4M, 0-2). THIS WEEK: A Friday night (Sept. 9) home game against Miami Killian for the Big Cat Trophy. NEXT GAME: It’s the always competitive matchup with No. 8 Miami Christopher Columbus on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: The Panthers were beaten soundly on the road by Clearwater Academy International, 26-0.

19. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3M, 2-0). THIS WEEK: A Thursday night (Sept. 8) game on the road against unbeaten Fort Pierce Westwood. NEXT GAME: Another road game against Coral Springs on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: A convincing 42-7 win against Cypress Bay, giving he Tigers a chance to enter the Top 20 for the first time this year.

20. Westland Hialeah (2M, 2-0). THIS WEEK: The Wildcats will enjoy the week off. NEXT GAME: It’s the rematch of last year’s independent championship game at home against Hialeah Barbara Goleman on Sept. 16. LAST WEEK: Making their debut in the Top 20 came courtesy of a victory against Mater Academy, 22-9.

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

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

MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD TRANSFERS. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-continues-in-miami-dade-broward

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAMS. https://larryblustein.com/news/tracking-south-florida-2022

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 20: Central Shoots Into The Top Spot. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-central-shoots-into-the-top-spot

As we said all pre-season, this would be a season that many will look back on as a year that watched south Florida (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties) jump into the national spotlight by playing each other.

No matter what anyone will tell you, this region of the country has more competition that anywhere else, and when programs are playing one another, it makes it that much more exciting.

The understanding that if you are going to be considered as a national power who wants to win a mythical national championship, your schedule has to be stepped up. Enter Chaminade-Madonna.

What head coach Dameon Jones and the Lions have done this season is play a schedule that is second to none, and if they go through 2022 unbeaten, this program will have every right to claim a title – with several underclassmen leading the way.

When people are ranking teams and never watch them perform, there is always a problem. That’s why the state of Florida does not listen to what the outside is saying, they know the score. Just look at collegiate and NFL rosters and you will see Miami-Dade and Broward County prospects all over.

When the Lions hosted power Fort Lauderdale Dillard last Friday night at home, it was to be a game for the ages, and when the Panthers raced out to a 14-0 lead, many felt that the experts were wrong about this program that has been to five consecutive state championship games – winning four. But things changed, and the Lions proved to everyone why they are underrated nationally.

The 49-28 win was just another step in a huge climb to the top as senior defensive lineman Wayne Peart (5 sacks) and Edwin Joseph lifted this team to yet another win.

One week after a huge game in the Broward County Football Showcase – a thrilling 35-28 win over Washington D.C. national power St. John’s College Prep, last Friday was another major game for this program.

While many programs in the state would kick back and relax after two big games, Chaminade-Madonna is not stopping – with one of the most challenging schedules in the country.

The road continues this Thursday night at unbeaten Miami Northwestern, unbeaten Plantation American Heritage the week after, Miami Gulliver Prep, Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, defending 8A state champion Venice and impressive district opponent Avant Garde Academy.

While the Lions were wrapping things up at home, there were a few other quality matchups taking place – like:

Booker T. Washington (Miami) 28, Miami Edison 20. The Red Raiders fell behind 28-6 and made a furious comeback against Coach Tim “Ice” Harris and his Tornadoes, who moved to 2-0 as they prepare for No. 1 Miami Central.

Miami Norland 31, Carol City 12. Leading just 10-6 at the half, the Vikings exploded in their season-opener in the annual Miami Gardens Bowl. Coach Daryle Heidelburg and his football team has plenty of talent and are well coached.

WEEK 2 WAS ACTION PACKED

In addition to those three games, high school football was very much alive in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties last week. Check these scores out:

American Heritage (Plantation) 42, Lake Gibson 14

Belen Jesuit (Miami) 42, True North 14

Boca Raton Christian 17, Somerset Academy Key 0

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 33, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 0

Clearwater Academy International 26, Miami Palmetto 0

Christopher Columbus (Miami) 42, Killian 0

Coconut Creek 35, Boyd Anderson 0

Coral Gables 20, Coral Park 6

Deerfield Beach 34, Coral Glades 7

Ferguson (Miami) 27, Sunset 14

Fort Lauderdale 31, Hallandale 6

Goleman (Hialeah) 48, Archbishop Carroll 10

Hialeah 21, Miami Springs 14

Hialeah Gardens 14, Reagan 7

Hollywood Hills 24, Spanish River 0

Homestead 47, South Dade 0

Island Coast (Cape Coral) 24, Miramar Everglades 7

LaSalle (Miami) 21, Somerset Pembroke Pines 17

Lowndes County (Valdosta, Georgia) 43, North Miami Beach 18

Marathon 35, Miami Country Day 13

McArthur (Hollywood) 33, Flanagan 6

Miami Coral Reef 56, Varela 0

Miami High 19, Miami Beach 16

Miami Northwestern 44, Jackson 0

Monsignor Pace (Miami) 41, Somerset Silver Palms 0

Nova (Davie) 26, Cooper City 6

Palmer Trinity (Miami) 19, Coral Shores 14

Palm Glades (Miami) 20, Mourning 17

Pembroke Pines Charter 40, Coral Springs Charter 35

Piper 27, Coral Springs 6

Plantation 41, Stranahan 19

Pompano Beach 21, Oakland Park Northeast 14

Somerset Academy South Homestead 44, BridgePrep Village Green 0

South Miami 48, American 0

Southridge (Miami) 40, Dr. Krop 0

South Plantation 35, Taravella 0

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 42, Fort Myers 0

Westland Hialeah 22, Mater Academy 9

Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 23, Bradenton Christian 0

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

MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD TRANSFERS. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-continues-in-miami-dade-broward

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAMS. https://larryblustein.com/news/tracking-south-florida-2022

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 GARDENS - The Miami Dolphins hosted the Junior Dolphins High School Kick-Off in collaboration with NIKE for 475 high school student-athletes from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties to provide youth football players with an enriching gameday experience on Saturday, August 27.

As part of preseason game-day programming before the Miami Dolphins took on the Philadelphia Eagles presented by AmeriSave, ten South Florida high-school football programs participated in pregame activations including educational discussions on technology led by Grover and nutritional programming led by FARE. 

“The Junior Dolphins High School Kick-Off event was an excellent opportunity to partner with NIKE in uniting local student-athletes of our community to enjoy the game of football while preparing them for their own upcoming season,” Miami Dolphins Senior Director of Community Relations & Youth Programs RaShauna Hamilton said. “We appreciate the variety of programming coming together for this event including partners like Grover and FARE to maximize our impact on the youth health and wellness.”

Participating high school football and flag football programs from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties included Charles W. Flanagan High School, Dillard High School, Everglades High School, Fort Lauderdale High School, J.P. Taravella High School, McArthur High School, Miami Carol City Senior High, Miami Norland Senior High School and Santaluces Community High School.

“We’re really enjoying the environment and atmosphere and it’s good to see teams interacting off the field and building that comradery,” said Everglades High School Varsity Football Head Coach Rodney Rumph. “The educational programming is very important because young athletes need to know it’s not just what you do on the field, but also what you do in the classroom.”

“It was an honor for the Miami Dolphins to bring us out. It was cool to learn from Grover because they focused on education, electronics and also having fun. I’m looking forward to doing more events with the Dolphins.” Fort Lauderdale High School WR Travaughn Robbins-Hall said.

The Junior Dolphins program encourages youth players and coaches to teach, learn and play football in a fun and safe environment. As stewards of the game, Junior Dolphins strive to grow participation in the game, impact the football community and build the next generation of Dolphins fans. Through strong community partnership and strategic resource distribution, all aspects of the Junior Dolphins program work to emphasize character building to increase the overall experience in youth football.

After the opening week of the 2021 high school football season, we already see what kind of a year it will be.

From the Inaugural Broward County Showcase to Miami Central and Miami Northwestern winning on the road, the season started off with plenty of enthusiasm.

You will see throughout this year that every week will feature some of the top matchups that you will see anywhere in the nation.

As week 2 is here we have five games to keep an eye on:

No. 7 Dillard (1-0) at No. 2 Chaminade-Madonna (1-0), 7:00. The marquee game of the week – matchup up a pair of programs who have plenty in common – with Panthers’ head coach Tyler Tate being a part of the Lions’ success two years ago. Plenty of big-time talent will be on display in Hollywood as these two south Florida powers look to make a statement as not only one of the best in the region and state, but the entire country – where the state is now taking their spot among the best nationally. Head Coach Dameon Jones and his Lions look to remain unbeaten in this very challenging season.

Calvary Christian Academy (1-0) at No. 4 Cardinal Gibbons (1-0), 7:00. On the surface this may not look like one of the best games this week, but you may not want to sell head coach Kirk Hoza and his Eagles short after soundly beating Miami Belen Jesuit in the opener. For head coach Matt Dubuc and his two-time defending state champions, coming off a win against national power Hyattsville, DeMatha gives this program confidence. The Chiefs have proven that they can stand toe-toe with anyone. Now, they need to step it up on offense.

Lakeland Lake Gibson (1-0) at No. 6 Plantation American Heritage (2-0), 7:30. After two solid road games, scoring 94 points, head coach Mike Smith and his team return home against a team that lost plenty in the off-season, has a new coach and is in the rebuilding stages. But that being said, the Braves did win their opener and have looked good during the summer. That all being said, the Patriots continue to look for national exposure and will be out to do everything possible to maintain that.

No. 14 Miami Palmetto (0-1) at Clearwater Academy International (0-0), 7:00. Another of those games that on the surface may appear to be a lock, but this week’s opponent for head coach Mike Manasco and his football team, but the Knights are coming off a 10-win season, are loaded with elite talent and have a schedule that is second to none. The Panthers are coming off an opening-night loss to Homestead and do not want to start the season out 0-2. This is a bigger test than anyone in south Florida believes.

No. 14 Doral Academy (1-0) at Rockledge (1-0), 7:00. This is a matchup that is one that you may want to watch, as the Raiders welcome their second straight (Gulliver Prep) Miami-Dade County team. Coach Eddie Delgado brings his high-powered offense to play against FIU graduate Wayne Younger and his team that looked sharp on both sides of the ball – and are loaded with talent. This is an intriguing game because the Firebirds are searching for big game respect.

THURSDAY’S SCORBOARD

Atlantic (Delray Beach) 28, Monarch 14’

Booker T. Washington (Miami) 28, Miami Edison 20

Christopher Columbus (Miami) 42, Killian 0

Fort Lauderdale 31, Hallandale 6

Hialeah 21, Miami Springs 14

Hialeah Gardens 14, Reagan 7

Marathon 35, Miami Country Day 13

Miami Coral Reef 56, Varela 0

Miami Norland 31, Carol City 12

Pembroke Pines Charter 40, Coral Springs Charter 35

Plantation 41, Stranahan 19

Pompano Beach 21, Northeast 14

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Boyd Anderson at No. 12 Coconut Creek, 7:00

Bradenton Christian at Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, 7:00

Cooper City at Nova, 7:00

Coral Glades at Deerfield Beach, 7:00

Coral Park at Coral Gables, 4:00

Coral Springs at Piper, 7:00

Cypress Bay at Blanche Ely, 7:00

Hialeah Barbara Goleman at Miami Archbishop Carroll, 3:30

Hollywood Hills at Boca Raton Spanish River, 7:00

Hollywood McArthur at Flanagan, 7:00

Marathon at Miami Country Day, 7:00

Miami High at Miami Beach, 7:30

Miami Jackson at No. 5 Miami Northwestern (Traz Powell), 7:30

Miami Palmer Prep at Coral Shores, 7:00

Miami Southridge at Dr. Krop (Ives Park), 3:30

Miami St. Brendan at Ransom Everglades, 7:30

North Broward Prep at Archbishop McCarthy, 7:00

North Miami Beach at Lowndes County, Georgia, 8:00

Palm Glades Prep at Alonzo Mourning (North Miami Stadium), 3:30

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at LaSalle Immaculata, 7:00

Somerset Academy South Homestead at BridgePrep Village Green, 4:00

Somerset Silver Palms at Miami Monsignor Pace, 7:30

South Dade at No. 10 Homestead (Harris Field), 7:30

South Miami at Hialeah American (Milander), 7:30

South Plantation at Taravella, 4:00

No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas at Fort Myers, 7:00

True North Classical Academy at Belen Jesuit, 7:30

SATURDAY’S GAME

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Westland Hialeah (Milander), 7:00

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

MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD TRANSFERS. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-continues-in-miami-dade-broward

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA FOOTBALL TEAMS. https://larryblustein.com/news/tracking-south-florida-2022

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..