Last season when the year came to an end and high school football teams who didn’t make the playoffs faced the off-season, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely was one of the first to hit that off-season.

Winning just one game, the Tigers were disappointed and frustrated after ending yet another year with a losing record.

As the team put away their pads and helmets, head coach Mike Bailey and his staff took a step back and searched for answers. There was no way this program was going to settle for mediocrity – not this off-season.

Right there and then, plans were made for hard work and an opportunity to turn things around – and they certainly did.

When they beat longtime rival Fort Lauderdale Dillard in the Class 3M Region Semifinals, this program – looked down on by just about everyone – emerged with a 19-14 win, but more importantly, extended this magical season, setting up a Region Final that NOBODY ever expected.

When they travel to national powerhouse this Friday night, the Tigers will bring in an 11-0 record. It is without question the biggest turnaround in the state of Florida this season, and while they come into the game as huge underdogs, this program is unfazed as they are playing with the house’s money and have far exceeded anyone’s expectations.

NORTHWESTERN GOES DOWN WITH A MAJOR FIGHT

Coming into last Friday night’s Class 2M Region 4 State Semifinal the only thing that nobody knew was how bad Miami Central would beat longtime rival Miami Northwestern.

After all, in the regular season, the unbeaten and No. 1 team in the state had run the clock on the Bulls, so it was a formality – ot was it.

What happened in over three hours at the sold out “Mecca” Traz Powell Stadium, was Northwestern showed why they have been one of the nation’s elite teams, and also proved to the country that this was one of the best and most prospect rich matchups in the country – and it isn’t close.

The Bulls came out and took it to the Rockets, but fell short in this class game, 34-30 on an incomplete pass on fourth down in the endzone.

This game was everything as advertised, and while those who follow national teams have no clue how intense this rival is, the people in south Florida fully understand that, and after all is said and done, isn’t that the only thing that matters!

In addition to those thrilling games, here is a look at the rest of the Region State Semifinal games:

Class 4-Metro, Region 4

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus 28, No. 4 Miami Palmetto 0

No. 3 Doral Academy 32, No. 2 Davie Western 21

Class 3, Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 63, No. 4 Delray Beach Atlantic 14

Class 3-Metro, Region 4

No. 1 Homestead 35, No. 5 Miami Dr. Krop 12

No. 2 Miramar 29, No. 3 Miami Southridge 24

Class 2-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 43, No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy 27

No. 1 Plantation American Heritage 49, No. 4 Boynton Beach 0

REGION SEMIFINALS

Class 2, Metro, Region 4

No. 3 Miami Norland 14, No. 2 Miami Booker T. Washington 7

Class 1-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 48, No. 4 Hollywood Avant Garde 0

No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Newman 14, No. 3 North Palm Beach Benjamin 6

Class 1-Metro, Region 4

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 4 Miami Palmer Trinity 27, No. 1 Miami Archbishop Carroll 24

No. 3 Miami True North Classical Academy 41, No. 2 Miami Westminster Christian 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..

As we move on to the state semifinal round of the playoffs things will continue to get more interesting as the stakes continue to rise.

Key games will mark the schedule in south Florida, setting up Region Finals next week.

What some of these contests will represent are rematches from games earlier in the season – and that truly makes for a revenge scenario, which will elevate the play.

If you haven’t played out your weekend, here are five games that just may be worth checking out:

Class 4-Metro, Region 3

No. 5 Parkland Douglas (8-3) at No. 1 Wellington Palm Beach Central (10-1). Other than one loss this season, things have progressed the way that the Broncos figured they would this after a stellar spring and summer. In the Eagles, they will be facing off against a team that has won six straight and has averaged over 40 points in each game. They got to this round by outscoring Lantana Santaluces, 48-44, but they better be ready for the toughest team they have played this season – on the road!

Class 4-Metro, Region 3

No. 3 Palm Beach Gardens (8-3) at No. 2 Coconut Creek Monarch (9-2), Saturday, Oakland Park Northeast, 7. As the season progressed, the doubters of this Monarch program became fewer, and as they host a state semifinal game this week, all eyes are on this explosive offense and a defense that has been timely. A win here and this will be the furthest that any football program in the history of the school has advanced. Their work will be cutout against a Gators’ team that has improved greatly over the past two seasons and has a chance to advance to the Region Finals as well. A tremendous Saturday thriller that should be well attended – by both fan bases.

Class 3-Metro, Region 3

No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (10-0) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7-3), Saturday. The “Broward Soul Bowl” which was cut short a few weeks ago, will get together for real with so much more at stake. The Panthers were supposed to be in this position, picked as one of the state’s best teams. They lost to the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the state. The Tigers have had one of the biggest turnarounds in the state this season – coming off a losing season in 2021 and bouncing back to go unbeaten. They were leading Dillard a few weeks back when the game was called and have plenty of confidence heading into this huge matchup.

Class 3-Metro, Region 4

No. 3 Miami Southridge (7-4) at No. 2 Miramar (9-1). Is there any team in the state that has been more overlooked than the Patriots? While they have had some impressive performances on the offensive side of the ball, “The Dark Side Defense” has been lights out and are rated as one of the best in the state this season. Across the ball are the Spartans, who have had an up and down year, but under first year head coach Pierre Senatus have started to revive the old days when this program dominated south Florida. It could be one of the best games for a number of reasons. Coach Senatus was a one-time head coach at Miramar, so the plot thickens.

Class 2-Metro, Region 4

No 4 Miami Northwestern (6-4) at No. 1 Miami Central (10-0). While the Bulls had the clock run on them the last time these two huge rivals got together, many promise that things will be different this time around. They have cruised down the homestretch but have not played anyone like the Rockets. Central is one of the nation’s best teams with very few flaws, and other than Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, they would be major favorites against anyone else in the state. They believe that what happened in the first meeting will repeat itself as the region semifinals is a drop in the bucket to what they are after.

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..

After a first round that saw several programs run away from their opponents, the belt will tighten this week when the State Region Semifinals will take place.

From Pensacola to Homestead, the second round of the state playoffs will take place as several programs get their chance to step up to the plate.

As the first round (state quarterfinals) unfolded there were a number of games that got out of hand as clocks ran early. But starting tonight, things begin to get tougher as the bar is raised – and will continue right through the weekend.

Here is a look at tonight’s two matchups:

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 3 Miami Norland (8-2) at No. 2 Miami Booker T. Washington (9-2), Traz Powell Stadium, 7. Both teams are coming off big wins in their openers as they face off for the second time this season. Booker T. Washington won the first contest back on Oct. 6.

Both programs are explosive and well coaches as they are out to showcase two teams who completely turned things around in 2022.

MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON TORNADOES. HEAD COACH: Tim “Ice” Harris.

KILLIAN, W 48-14

Miami Edison, W 28-20

Miami Central, L 36-19

MIAMI IMMACULATA LASALLE, W 41-19

Miami Carol City, W 26-6

MIAMI JACKSON, W 36-15

MIAMI NORLAND, W 41-23

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN, L 26-7

Miami Southridge, W 35-21

Westland Hialeah, W 35-8

MIAMI CAROL CITY, W 27-13

MIAMI NORLAND VIKINGS. HEAD COACH: Daryle Heidelburg.

MIAMI CAROL CITY, W 31-12

MIAMI SOUTHRIDGE, W 66-28

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, W 29-12

Hialeah American, W 49-0

Miami Booker T. Washington, L 41-23

Miami Central, L 53-7

Miami Palmetto, W 35-14

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, W 55-42

MIAMI KILLIAN, W 42-12

MIAMI JACKSON, W 37-6

Class 1-Metro, Region 4

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 3 Miami True North Classical Academy (7-3) at No. 2 Miami Westminster Christian (7-2), Tropical, 7. Yet another rematch of a game played on Sept. 10 when Westminster Christian won the contest 40-28.

Two programs who are well coaches and stacked with some quality players and very young quarterbacks who produced in a major way. Both teams continued to mature and get better throughout the season – and are well rested after having the first round off last week.

MIAMI TRUE NORTH CLASSICAL ACADEMY TITANS. HEAD COACH: Greg Laffere

MIAMI PALM GLADES ACADEMY. W 48-0

Miami Belen Jesuit. L 42-12

MIAMI WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN, L 40-28

MIAMI FLORIDA CHRISTIAN, W 68-0

MIAMI DADE CHRISTIAN, W 63-0

Miami Archbishop Carroll, W 33-28

SOMERSET ACADEMY SILVER PALMS, W 34-33

West Palm Beach King’s Academy. L 28-23

MIAMI PALM GLADES ACADEMY, FORFEIT

MIAMI ST. BRENDAN, W 28-14

MIAMI WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN WARRIORS. HEAD COACH: James Callier

HOMESTEAD EVERGLADES PREP, W 50-6

Miami True North Classical Academy, W 40-28

Somerset Academy South Homestead, W 32-7

MIAMI BRIDGEPREP VILLAGE GREEEN, W 54-0

MIAMI PALM GLADES PREP, W 51-6

Miami Florida Christian, W 68-0

MIAMI PALMER TRINITY, W 30-21

Miami Archbishop Carroll, L 50-15

MIAMI ST. BRENDAN, L 34-14

THE SHOW CONTINUES ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

In addition to the Thursday matchups, Friday and Saturday will also feature some quality games as well.

FRIDAY

Class 4-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 5 Parkland Douglas (8-3) at No. 1 Wellington Palm Beach Central (10-1), 6:30

Class 4-Metro, Region 4

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 4 Miami Palmetto (6-5) at No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus (10-1), Tropical, 7

No. 3 Doral Academy (7-4) at No. 2 Davie Western (7-3)

Class 3-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 4 Delray Beach Atlantic (8-3) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (10-0), 7

Class 3-Metro, Region 4

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 5 Miami Dr. Krop (7-4) at No. 1 Homestead (8-2), Harris Field, 7:30

No. 3 Miami Southridge (7-4) at No. 2 Miramar (9-1), 7:30

Class 2-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINAL

No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy (8-2) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (10-1), 7:30

Class 2-Metro, Region 4

REGION SEMIFINALS

No 4 Miami Northwestern (6-4) at No. 1 Miami Central (10-0), Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30

Class 1-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 4 Hollywood Avant Garde (6-3) at No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (8-0), 7

Class 1-Metro, Region 4

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 4 Miami Palmer Trinity (5-5) at No. 1 Miami Archbishop Carroll (8-2), 3

SATURDAY

Class 4-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 3 Palm Beach Gardens (8-3) at No. 2 Coconut Creek Monarch (9-2), Northeast, 7

Class 3-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (10-0) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7-3), 5

Class 2-Metro, Region 3

REGION SEMIFINALS

No. 4 Boynton Beach (9-2) at No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (10-1), 1

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..

As you know by now, when it comes to promotion and getting football prospects out to colleges, there are very few sources that can make the same claim.

Camps, combines, 7-on-7 events, practices and games year-round has given us the opportunity to watch some of the best talent in the nation – live.

The opportunity to see these young men from five feet away has always been the reason that college coaches from all over the nation follow the content and evaluations we put out throughout the year.

College coaches know what sources actually see these young men and which ones rely on film and high school parents sending them information. They have been able to separate those who see limited prospects and those who can go beyond the actual football and talk about character and grades in the classroom.

As we do each and every Wednesday, we bring you five football players to keep your eye on in every class, and with the playoffs in full swing, we bring you players who have taken part in this year’s post season.

2023 – Jason Bourciquot, WR, 6-0, 175, Pembroke Pines Charter. While many recruiting services still continue to buy into the hype that many tag these football prospects, we have always subscribed to production, which wins out all the time. Here is a standout who produced this year – and while his name is not mentioned with players who have all the major offers, he did his job on the football field. Over 900 yards and 10 touchdowns put this program in the spotlight this past season, and as we are now in the middle of November, college coaches will start to follow all-star games and watch film, and with this quality talent, they will have a lot to see. 

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12991644/Jason-Bourciquot

2023 – Asante Daniel, QB, 6-1, 165, Coconut Creek. If you have followed this game long enough you already understand that statistics are often misleading. In this quality student/athlete you have someone who may not have put up the eye-catching numbers, but watching him perform, you see a gifted performer who was a leader and ran the offense to the tune of 333 points and six wins against tough competition.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15280111/614154e042102d0aac7e49a7

2026 – Bryce Fitzgerald, DB/WR, 6-1, 175, Miami Belen Jesuit. On a team loaded with impressive underclassmen, here is yet another amazing talent you are going to need to keep an eye on over the next few years. Related to former Belen Jesuit standout running Back Imani Davis, this season was one that showed off his many skills. Not only was he the leading pass catcher on the offensive side of the ball but was one of south Florida’s top defensive backs – coming away with six interceptions. This is a future Power 5 football player who college coaches will need to get on now – and stay on him over the next few years. The real deal!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15274454/Bryce-Fitzgerald

2024 – Chance Robinson, WR, 6-2, 180, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Once again, this year, the underclass was loaded with difference makers, especially at the wide receiver position. With all the talent that there is nationwide for this class and this position, this is one who has to figure in as easily one of the best you will find. It’s not only about being gifted, but his ability to put up huge numbers has proven to college coaches that his 11 touchdowns and over 400 receiving yards on an unbeaten team, loaded with talent, is the reason that college coaches all over the nation are looking to get him on their campus in two years. 
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15300614/Chance-J-Robinson

2025 – Kenny Williams, WR, 5-10, 165, Miami Gulliver Prep. Speaking of underclassmen, here is yet another emerging star that is a player that head coach Earl Sims and his staff have been talking about all season. A gifted playmaker who was instrumental in helping this team reach the playoffs. The great thing about this talent is he has only scratched the surface and we will have the chance to see it during the off-season.

TAPE:  https://www.hudl.com/profile/12603774/Kenny-Williams

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..