The final week of the 2021 high school football regular season came and went without anything major happening in south Florida.
With the start of the playoffs this week, this past week was somewhat of a formality – as many programs either had the week off or saw their finale get postponed by bad weather on Friday.
WESTERN AND MIRAMAR LIVED UP TO THE HYPE
With many teams having the final week of the regular season off, south Florida will roll out a few games to keep the interest level high.
With the playoffs starting next week, this is the final tune-up for some – while this is last game of the season for others.
In his time in south Florida, coach Daniel Luque has earned a reputation as being fair, knowledgeable and as someone who gets results – fast!
Along with Roger Harriott and other gifted coaches, Luque helped to start the football program at University School in Davie – and as the program reached new heights, capturing a state title, he was right there teaching, coaching and learning from some outstanding people and influences.
South Florida is home to some of the top football teams, prospects and coaches anywhere in the country – and for that reason – this game is played hard at every level.
In Miami-Dade County there are many levels of talent – and it depends on what side of that talent level whether you get exposure or not.
With the state playoffs on the horizon, football programs in south Florida will bring to a close the 2021 regular season.
With a few slots open for the playoffs that get started next week, this final week will see a majority of the programs with off weeks, getting their teams ready for the next five weeks that will once again produce a state champion in each of the eight classes.
With Miami Central, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Miami Killian all answering some challenges this past week – along with St. Thomas Aquinas, Homestead and Western taking care of business, the playoffs will certainly be very interesting – as we will break down over the next week.
For now, here is the way Week 11 stacks up:
1. Miami Central Rockets (5A, 7-2). Scored early and often in a convincing 49-6 win over No. 13 Miami Northwestern in the GMAC Football Week. Coach Roland Smith’s team is firing on all cylinders. THIS WEEK: After a strong stretch run, they will take the week off. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (7A, 9-1). In winning for the 8th straight time, the team wrapped up another district crown with a 49-7 win against Nova. THIS WEEK: Coach Roger Harriott and his team will enjoy the final week off. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions (3A, 7-1). In beating previously unbeaten St. Petersburg Lakewood, it was all about offense, defense and special teams in a 37-6 win at home. THIS WEEK: After an up and down season – as far as getting opponents to play, head coach Dameon Jones and his team will take the week off. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
4. Miami Killian Cougars (5A, 10-0). The regular season came to an end for head coach Derrick Gibson and his team, beating Booker T. Washington, 21-9, as part of the GMAC Football Week. THIS WEEK: This week will be an off week as this team has worked hard to stay unbeaten. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
5. Homestead Broncos (7A, 8-1). In beating rival South Dade for the second time this season – 55-42 in the GMAC Football Week. THIS WEEK: Head Coach Philip Simpson and his team will enjoy the week off. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
6. Davie Western Wildcats (8A, 7-2). In winning for the fifth straight time – fourth consecutive shutout – Coach Adam Ratkevich and his team rolled to a 63-0 win against West Broward. THIS WEEK: An away game on Friday at much improved No. 18 Miramar. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
7. Fort Lauderdale Dillard Panthers (7A, 8-1). You can call it a letdown after a close game against district champion St. Thomas Aquinas, but the 41-40 decision against Plantation could have gone either way for head coach Tyler Tate and his talented team. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end with the Broward Soul Bowl against Blanche Ely on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Lockhart Park in Fort Lauderdale. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
8. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (4A, 7-2). After upsetting Venice the week before, head coach Matt Dubuc and his team did what it took in a 44-8 win against Flanagan. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end on Friday, Nov. 5 at Boyd Anderson. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
9. Deerfield Beach Bucks (8A, 7-2). In winning for the fourth straight time – third consecutive shutout, interim head coach David Blackwell and his team rolled to a district title, 40-0, against Boca Raton. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end with a Nov. 5 home game against Piper. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
10. Plantation American Heritage Patriots (5A, 5-3). Getting by Stranahan 35-0, head coach Pat Surtain and his team wrapped up yet another district title with a third straight victory. THIS WEEK: Will have the week off to get ready for the competitive playoffs. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
11. Miami Gulliver Prep Raiders (4A, 6-1). Coach Earl Sims and his impressive team continued to roll along with a 49-13 win at West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end on the road against Orlando Bishop Moore on Nov. 5. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
12. Miami Christopher Columbus Explorers (8A, 6-3). Ended the regular season with a thrilling GMAC Football Week 7A/8A title with a 10-7 win over No. 16 Miami Palmetto to even this year’s series at 1-1. THIS WEEK: The regular season is over for head coach Dave Dunn and his team with the week off. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
13. Miami Northwestern Bulls (6A, 7-3). This team is now at a crossroad after last Thursday’s convincing 49-6 setback to No. 1 Miami Central as part of GMAC Football week. They head into the playoffs with plenty to prove during this tough season. THIS WEEK: Head Coach Max Edwards and his football team will have the week off. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
14. Miramar Patriots (7A, 6-2). This team stayed hot, winning for the sixth straight time – against Miramar Everglades, 49-0. Coach A.J. Scott has given up one touchdown in the past 22 quarters. THIS WEEK: A key non-district home game against No. 7 Davie Western on Nov. 5. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
15. Miami Edison Red Raiders (3A, 6-3). Coach Luther Campbell and his football team continued the push for a playoff with a convincing GMAC Week win against Miami Norland, 46-7. They also beat Miami International Academy on Monday, 35-0. THIS WEEK: A Friday regular-season ending contest at No. 19 Miami Palmetto. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
16. Miami Palmetto Panthers (8A, 6-2). The tough 10-7 setback to No. 12 Christopher Columbus did nothing to ruin the No. 1 seed that head coach Mike Manasco and his team will have, heading into the playoffs. The game was part of GMAC Football Week. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end on Thursday, Nov. 4 at home against No. 15 Miami Edison. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
17. Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Lions (2A, 6-2). Head Coach Hector Clavijo and his two-time defending 2A state champions had last week off. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end for the two-time defending state champions with a Friday, Nov. 5 trip to Naples Lely. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
18. Florida Christian Patriots (3A, 8-0). Remained unbeaten with a hard-fought 25-19 setback to previously unbeaten Miami Ransom Everglades. THIS WEEK: Head coach Joe Burmeister and his team looks for a perfect regular season on Friday at home against Somerset Pembroke Pines. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
19. Miami LaSalle Royal Lions (4A, 9-0). After a tough game with Pine Crest the week before, head coach Helder Valle and his team shut down North Broward Prep, 48-0. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end on Friday, Nov. 5 against SW Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
20. Hollywood South Broward Bulldogs (7A, 7-1). In winning for the fourth straight time, 29-7, to Hollywood McArthur, head coach Charles McCrae and his team continued to have a banner season. THIS WEEK: The regular season comes to an end with a Nov. 5 home game against Cooper City. NEXT OPPONENT: The first round of the state playoffs will get started.
ALSO KEEP AN EYE ON: Coconut Creek (6A, 7-2), Doral Academy (7A, 7-1), Hialeah Goleman (Independent, 7-2), Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (2A, 7-0), Miami Dr. Krop Lightning (8A, 5-3), Miami Ransom Everglades (Independent, 7-1), Miami True North (6-2), Plantation Colonels (6A, 5-2), Westland Hialeah (Independent, 7-1).
TRACKING POSITIONS: Keeping An Eye On The Football Talent In Miami-Dade & Broward Counties Year Round. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects
For the past 51 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..