With Hurricane Nicole crossing the state of Florida last week, several first round high school football games were shifted to Saturday and even Monday.

With these key games setting the table for the next few weeks, tonight, several Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County programs will battle.

Because of Hurricane Ian, Mondays had become normal for several teams across the state and south Florida was affected by many games that were postponed by lightning.

Tonight, there are five first round state games that will put this area in a direct spotlight.

Class 4-Metro, Region 3

No. 5 Parkland Stoneman Douglas (7-3) at No. 4 Lantana Santaluces (7-2), Monday, 6:30. The Eagles take to the road as one of the hottest teams in south Florida – winning their last five. They are matched against a program that has not had a winning season in nearly a decade and posted just one victory a year ago. By the way, they are coached by former Hialeah High standout and successful Hialeah Champagnat Catholic head coach Hector Clavijo.

No. 7 Boca Raton (6-4) at No. 2 Coconut Creek Monarch (8-2), Monday, 7:00. This is second meeting of the season between the two programs. The Knights won the first game, 38-3, back on August 26. Monarch has won six of the past seven games, dropping a game to state and national powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

Class 3-Metro, Region 3

No. 6 Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (7-3) at No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (9-0), Monday, 7:00. It has been an amazing season for the Tigers as they finished unbeaten during the regular season, and while they come into tonight’s game as a favorite, they better beware of a Panthers’ team that could be very dangerous – also winning six of the past seven games as they look to recapture their past glory.

No. 5 Plantation (7-3) at No. 4 Delray Beach Atlantic (7-3), Monday. Speaking of dangerous football programs, the Eagles of Atlantic have been up and down this season – with some key wins. They are home against head coach Steve Davis and his Colonels who ended the season on a down night in a loss to Davie Wester. Keep in mind that last year as an 8^th seed, Plantation pulled the ultimate surprise by beating a No. 1 and making it three rounds deep.

Class 2-Metro, Region 3

No. 8 Riviera Beach Inlet Grove (7-2) at No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (9-1), Monday, 7:00. One of the programs picked to get to the state finals, the Patriots will be home as they look to get back to a state title game that they missed out on a year ago. Coach Mike Smith and his team has the talent and will be a No. 1 seed throughout. Inlet Grove has had a successful season and is in the post season for the first time and they are searching for respectability – which American Heritage is n this for so much more, dropping their only contest to national powerhouse Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.

FIRST ROUND SOUTH FLORIDA RESULTS

Here is a look at the results from the first week of the 2022 state playoffs:

Class 4-Metro, Region 4

No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus 63, No. 8 Miami High 0

No. 4 Miami Palmetto 37, No. 5 Pembroke Pines West Broward 13

No. 2 Davie Western 38, No. 7 Weston Cypress Bay 17

No. 3 Doral Academy 50, No. 6 Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 25

Class 3-Metro, Region 3

No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 59, No. 8 Coconut Creek 14

No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Dillard 45, No. 7 Fort Lauderdale 20

Class 3-Metro, Region 4

No. 1 Homestead 40, No. 8 North Miami 0

No. 5 Miami Dr. Krop 23, No. 4 Miami Belen Jesuit 17

No. 2 Miramar 48, No. 7 Pembroke Pines Charter 0

No. 3 Miami Southridge 20, No. 6 Hollywood South Broward 14

Class 2-Metro, Region 3

No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 45, No. 7 Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 0

No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 49, No. 6 Boca Raton St. Andrew's 34

Class 2-Metro, Region 4

No. 1 Miami Central 60, No. 8 Miami St. Brendan

No 4 Miami Northwestern 39, No. 5 Miami Gulliver Prep 0

No. 2 Miami Booker T. Washington 27, No. 7 Miami Carol City (5-5) 13

No. 3 Miami Norland 37, No. 6 Miami Jackson 6

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.. 

Well, here we are. The first week of the 2022 state football playoffs – and while Hurricane Nicole did her best to scramble things up for the first week, games will be played.

Every week during the season, and into the state playoffs, we pick out five games to keep an eye on.

With the stake higher than ever – each and every week – each game becomes more important and often brings out the best in football teams.

With that in mind, here are five contests that could really get interesting in Week 1:

Region 3-3M - No. 6 Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (7-3) at No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-0), 7, Monday. After completing an unbeaten season, the Tigers will be at home in the first round against a much-improved Panther squad that worked hard to reach the playoffs. Ely’s defense has really been the story this season, using speed and talent to get the advantage. While we believe that they will win, this could be closer than many think.

Region 3-3M - No. 5 Plantation (7-3) at No. 4 Delray Beach Atlantic (7-3), 6:30, Monday. While the Eagles fly high into this first-round matchup and will be at home, the Colonels are coming off a terrible season-ending loss at Western. Coach Steve Davis and his team need to turn back the clock to last season when they came in as an 8^th seed and pulled off two surprises. Atlantic is a dangerous team, capable of playing at a high level.

Region 3-4M - No. 5 Parkland Stoneman Douglas (7-3) at No. 4 Lantana Santaluces (7-2), 6:30. Monday. Here is the tale of two programs – neither expected to get this far, but they are here and will create a really good matchup. While former Hialeah Champagnat Catholic head coach Hector Clavijo and his Chiefs are solid, they haven’t played well the last two weeks of the season. On the other side, the Eagles are one of the hottest teams in south Florida, winning their last five and averaging over 40 points per outing. Tough road game, but definitely a game that head coach Quentin Short and Douglas can win.

Region 4-4M - No. 7 Weston Cypress Bay (7-3) at No. 2 Davie Western (6-3), 7:30, Friday. This is a rematch of two district teams that are huge rivals. The Wildcats, after playing average football for much of the season, had a wakeup call last week and totally dominated Plantation. They looked great in every phase of the game. The Lightning have been very tough to figure out this season – and while they have been through a lot – they will need to bring their “A” game to Davie for this first round game.

Region 4-3M - No. 6 Miami Jackson (7-3) at No. 3 Miami Norland (7-2), Traz Powell Stadium, 3:30, Friday. This matinee is truly one that could end up being the best game in the first round. The Vikings have been solid and explosive all season, coming up with huge wins – with an explosive offense and a timely defense. The Generals have completely turned things around under veteran head coach John Harris – and come into the game with plenty of confidence and a load of talent. The team that makes the least mistakes will come out on top, and while it’s a cliché, it is a fact!

THURSDAY’S RESULT

Region 4-2M

No. 2 Miami Booker T. Washington 27, No. 7 Miami Carol City 13

WAIT. THERE ARE OTHER GAMES ON TAP

In addition to those five matchups in the first weekend of the state playoffs, there are other contests to check out on Friday, Saturday and because of Hurricane Nicole, even Monday.

FRIDAY

Region 4-4M

No. 8 Miami High (4-6) at No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus (9-1), 7:30

No. 5 Pembroke Pines West Broward (5-5) at No. 4 Miami Palmetto (Tropical Park), 3:30

No. 6 Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at No. 3 Doral Academy, 7:30

Region 4-3M

No. 7 Pembroke Pines Charter (6-3) at No. 2 Miramar (8-1), 7:30

No. 4 Miami Belen Jesuit (5-5) at No. 5 Miami Krop (6-4), Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, 6

Region 3-3M

No. 8 Coconut Creek (6-4) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (9-0), 7:30

No. 7 Fort Lauderdale (6-4) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (6-3), 5

Region 3-2M

No. 7 Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (8-2) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-1), 7:30

No. 6 Boca Raton St. Andrews (7-3) at No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (7-2), 7:30

Region 4-2M

No. 8 Miami St. Brendan (7-3) at No. 1 Miami Central (9-0), Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30

GMAC INDEPENDENT CHAMPIONSHIP

Miami Braddock (8-2) at Miami Coral Reef (8-2), Tropical Park, 7

SATURDAY

Region 4-3M

No. 6 Hollywood South Broward (5-4) at No. 3 Miami Southridge (6-4), 3

Region 4-3M

No. 1 Homestead (7-2) at No. 8 North Miami (5-5), Traz Powell Stadium, 2

Region 4-2M

No. 5 Miami Gulliver Prep (5-3) at No. 4 Miami Northwestern (5-4), Traz Powell Stadium, 6

MONDAY

Region 3-2M

No. 8 Riviera Beach Inlet Grove (7-2) at No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (9-1), 7

Region 3-4

No. 7 Boca Raton (6-4) at No. 2 Coconut Creek Monarch (8-2), Coconut Creek High School 7

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.. 

For the second time this season Mother Nature has impacted the state of Florida.

With heavy rains and sheer size (400 miles wide), Hurricane Nicole pounded the entire state of Florida, closing businesses and sending residents scrambling for shelter.

Once again, among those casualties was the high school football season – as power outages and flooding did the best to hamper the opening weekend of the state football playoffs.

With a number of schools already moved to Saturday – and the Class 1M not starting to November 17 – south Florida caught a little break, but still, several games were moved.

As the Race For Tallahassee’s Gene Cox Stadium and Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium – the two sites for the state title games - is set to begin, we get started tonight (7:00) with a Region 4-2M contest with No. 7 Miami Carol City (5-5) visiting Traz Powell Stadium for a matchup with No. 2 seed Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2).

The Tornadoes won the only meeting between the two teams, 26-6.

MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON TORNADOES (8-2)

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 CHIEFS (5-5)

HOMESTEAD SOUTH DADE, W 28-27

Miami Norland, L 31-12

MIAMI CENTRAL, L 34-0

MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, L 26-6

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, W 12-8

WESTLAND HIALEAH, W 18-12

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, W 28-22

South Miami. W 25-18

Ocala Vanguard, L 28-21

Wellington Palm Beach Central, L 34-28

FRIDAY GAMES WILL BE EXCITING

There are several games scheduled for Friday across the region. Here is a look at the schedule:

Region 4-4M

No. 8 Miami High (4-6) at No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus (9-1), 7:30

No. 5 Pembroke Pines West Broward (5-5) at No. 4 Miami Palmetto (Tropical Park), 3:30

No. 6 Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at No. 3 Doral Academy, 7:30

No. 7 Weston Cypress Bay (7-3) at No. 2 Davie Western (6-3), 7:30

Region 4-3M

No. 7 Pembroke Pines Charter (6-3) at No. 2 Miramar (8-1), 7:30

No. 4 Miami Belen Jesuit (5-5) at No. 5 Miami Krop (6-4), Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, 6

Region 3-3M

No. 8 Coconut Creek (6-4) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (9-0), 7:30

No. 7 Fort Lauderdale (6-4) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (6-3), 5

Region 3-2M

No. 7 Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (8-2) at No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (9-1), 7:30

No. 6 Boca Raton St. Andrews (7-3) at No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (7-2), 7:30

Region 4-2M

No. 6 Miami Jackson (7-3) at No. 3 Miami Norland (7-2), Traz Powell Stadium, 3:30

No. 8 Miami St. Brendan (7-3) at No. 1 Miami Central (9-0), Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30

GMAC INDEPENDENT CHAMPIONSHIP

Miami Braddock (8-2) at Miami Coral Reef (8-2), Tropical Park, 7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Region 4-3M

No. 6 Hollywood South Broward (5-4) at No. 3 Miami Southridge (6-4), 3

Region 4-3M

No. 1 Homestead (7-2) at No. 8 North Miami (5-5), Traz Powell Stadium, 2

Region 4-2M

No. 5 Miami Gulliver Prep (5-3) at No. 4 Miami  Northwestern (5-4), Traz Powell Stadium, 6

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Region 3-2M

No. 8 Riviera Beach Inlet Grove (7-2) at No. 1 Plantation American Heritage (9-1), 7:30

Region 3-4M

No. 5 Parkland Stoneman Douglas (7-3) at No. 4 Lantana Santaluces (7-2), 6:30

No. 7 Boca Raton (6-4) at No. 2 Coconut Creek  Monarch (8-2), Coconut Creek High School 7

Region 3-3M

No. 5 Plantation (7-3) at No. 4 Delray Beach Atlantic (7-3), 6:30

No. 6 Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (7-3) at No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (8-0), 7

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.. 

Even though the state playoffs are under way and teams are vying for a title, we never stop promoting and exposing prospects.

Year round, we make sure that all the football talent in the state of Florida has an opportunity to be recognized. Because so many college coaches check our website and social media out every day, getting this information out is indeed very important.

No matter of the talent is in the playoffs or looking for exposure, we make sure that we are giving these young men a maximum spotlight.

Here is a look at five Miami-Dade and Broward prospects to keep an eye on:

2023 – Dylan Daniel, LB, 5-10, 200, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School. With so much talent in south Florida it is easy to overlook many quality football prospects. Here is a perfect example. This is a gifted student/athlete who not only gets it done as a versatile football player, but also Lacrosse and in the classroom where he holds down a 3.8 GPA. Solid talent who has so much to offer. He is among the top tacklers in Florida.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14362559/Dylan-Daniel

2025 - Deandre Desinor, RB/WR/OLB, 5-9, 170, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep. Here is a talented young man who we had the opportunity to spotlight a few times this season, and now that his sophomore year has come to an end, a number of coaches and fans had the chance to watch his progress. This young man finished the 2022 season with an impressive 1,284 yards and 16 touchdowns. Definitely someone to keep an eye on during the off-season and beyond.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16029752/Deandre-Desinor

2024 – Jamari Howard, CB/FS/WR, 6-2, 180, Westland Hialeah. One of the premier two-way prospects, this impressive talent delivered in 2022 and has set the table for the off-season. No matter what side of the ball he plays on, this track standout showcases his amazing skills. College coaches have been watching him the past two years – and as the 2023 season is on the horizon – keep an eye on this quality football player who makes a difference on the football field.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15275959/Jamari-Howard

2027 - Zachary “Zac” Katz, QB, 6-1, 180, Miami True North Classical Academy. Here is a talent that does not come along too often. A 13-year-old who not only gets it done, but does it against top varsity competition, and that is something that is already turning heads throughout south Florida. His size, athletic ability and mind to pick up this game and play it at a top level. His 2,087 yards and 25 touchdowns were among the best in the state, leading his team to the state playoffs. In addition, his work in the classroom (3.7 GPA) also has colleges taking a way early look. Someone you will want to follow over the next four years!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17908883/Zachary-Katz

2024 - Kenneth Pembleton, FS, 6-0, 155, Miami Archbishop Carroll. Playing for one of the biggest secrets in south Florida, this quality football talent opened some eyes this year for head coach Jorge Zagales and his Bulldogs. A quality defensive back who led this team to a banner season – with a state best 8 interceptions. While smaller schools throughout the country often does not get the respect, it is not the case in Florida – where there are some impressive and big-time players. This is a quality football talent who had two interceptions in three different games. Expect his stock to continue to rise during the off-season as well.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14985426/Kenneth-Pembleton

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..