It was to be the most competitive week of football in the 2022 season.

When the season began, everyone circled Week on their calendars – with as many as four marquee matchups going on in the two counties.

With more and more football fans across the country understanding that this region of the state is NOT just one or two teams grabbing the spotlight.

Florida fans, coaches and players are tired of many of these national powers getting the attention when they are playing a limited schedule. The challenge has always been to have any of those programs that are so well respected nationally play a schedule that Miami Central, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Christopher Columbus and Plantation American Heritage has to play each year and see if they end up unbeaten. The answer is positively NO.

Taking nothing away from some of these national powerhouse, but there is no way they lineup and play marquee teams every week.

Not to spend any more time proving a point, we will instead look back at what happened this past week.

Playing in one of the most heated rivalries in the nation, two PUBLIC schools – Miami Central and Miami Northwestern, met at The Mecca – Traz Powell Stadium – before a capacity crowd as the Rockets and first year head coach Jube Joseph, who have never been afraid to play the best in the country, emerged with a convincing 42-7 win over the Bulls, who are in a rebuild year.

That victory put a stamp on what many have felt all along. There is certainly no public school program in the nation can boast the talent, schedule and support this team has. Eight state titles and too many prospects to name.

Speaking about dominating teams, Chaminade-Madonna and coach Dameon Jones are simply on the verge of doing something no other Florida program has accomplished. Another state title appearance and that will be seven straight – winning four of the past six championships, and next year they will be even better.

The Lions had two crucial games cancelled when Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast and Venice could not find makeup dates to play this team that has been off for two years.

Another program that has more than shown that they can stand toe-to-toe with anyone are head coach Roger Harriott’s Raiders of St. Thomas Aquinas. With more players competing professionally than any other in the country. With three consecutive state titles, this is always going to be a program that is mentioned by everyone at the start and end of each season.

The Raiders were also in action last Friday night in a game that could go a long way in determining the district champion and top seeding in the region. St. Thomas Aquinas beat Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 24-6.

Two programs that are always mentioned in the race for a state title, but were forgotten by many at the start of this season are Christopher Columbus and American Heritage.

All head coach Dave Dunn and his Explorers have done is win, produce talent and shine a rather large spotlight on this team.

While several programs were mentioned in the newly formed Class 4M(etro) at the start of 2022, Christopher Columbus was taken for granted. That was a mistake.

All this program has accomplished so far is a perfect 6-0 start – including a 21-6 win over previously unbeaten Homestead on Friday.

For first year coach Mike Smith and his Patriots of American Heritage this has been a year of showing that this team is indeed for real.

Beating Davie Western, 42-18, this is a team that is trying to stay in the hunt for a 2M state championship appearance.

Other than losing a tough game to Chaminade-Madonna, this program has rolled to six wins with plenty of talent and tremendous coaching.

In addition to those five programs, this past week shined a spotlight on Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Here’s a look at those games:

Coconut Creek 42, Fort Lauderdale 7

Coconut Creek Monarch 42, Hollywood McArthur 13

Cooper City 15, SW Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 13

Coral Springs Charter 60, Oakland Pak Northeast 27

Coral Springs Coral Glades 27, Coral Springs 0

Deerfield Beach 35, Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 0

Doral Academy 48, North Miami 21

Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 47, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 21

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 38, Miami Belen Jesuit 0

Fort Lauderdale NSU University 52, Miami BridgePrep Academy 0

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 35, Jacksonville Bishop Snyder 6

Hallandale 8, Hialeah 6

Hialeah Goleman 42, Hialeah Gardens 7

Hollywood Avant Garde Academy 38, Palm Beach Christian Prep 6

Hollywood Hills 7, Pompano Beach 0

Hollywood South Broward 30, Pembroke Pines West Broward 26

Homestead South Dade 42, Southwest Miami 0

Jacksonville Bolles 42, Hialeah TRU Prep Academy 12

Lake Mary 36, North Miami Beach 16

Miami Archbishop Carroll 30, Somerset South Homestead 0

Miami Braddock 48, Miami Coral Park 7

Miami Beach 20, Hialeah American 0

Miami Booker T. Washington 41, Miami Norland 23

Miami Carol City 18, Westland Hialeah 12

Miami Coral Reef 35, Doral Ronald Reagan 14

Miami Country Day 14, SLAM West Palm Beach 8

Miami Ferguson 42, Hialeah Miami-Lakes 14

Miami Gulliver Prep 41, Somerset Silver Palms 0

Miami High 26, Coral Gables 22

Miami Immaculata LaSalle 28, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 18

Miami Palm Glades Prep 40, Miami Palmer Trinity 12

Miami Palmetto 35, Miami Edison 7

Miami St. Brendan 35, Miami Dade Christian 0

Miami Westminster Christian 68, Miami Florida Christian 0

Miramar 53, Pembroke Pines Charter 0

Miramar Everglades 12, Pembroke Pine Flanagan 0

Naples St. John Neumann 45, Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key 0

North Miami Mourning 14, Miami Varela 8

Parkland Douglas 32, Jupiter 0

Plantation 41, Davie Nova 32

South Miami 47, Miami Springs 6

St. Petersburg Lakewood 28, Miami Southridge 22

Sunrise Piper 38, South Plantation 20

Weston Cypress Bay 47, Coral Springs Taravella 0

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..

 SBLive Sports is Florida’s newest high school sports media company.

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Simply download the Sports app today. It’s completely free and you will be amazed at the volume of content they are putting out on a daily basis.

If you want visit SBLive Sports on the web, you can find them at www.scorebooklive.com and then click on the Florida tab for all the news from the Sunshine state.You will be glad you did!

By now, you already know the drill when it comes to this season.

We told you before the year began that this was going to be 11 weeks that you will remember for a long time.

Great matchups every week have all lived up to the hype in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and as we head toward Week 7:

No. 1 Miami Central (5-0) vs. No. 11 Miami Northwestern (3-2), Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30. The annual war has always been one of those games that it makes no difference which program has the best record. Neighborhood rivalry pitting two of the best inner-city public-school programs in the nation every year. Big time talent on both sides of the field. Can the Bulls knock the No. 1 team in Florida off? The Rockets have their eye on a national title, believing that NOBODY in the country can beat them. The “Mecca” will be rocking.

No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6-0) vs. No. 12 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (2-2), 7:00. Last year it came down to a missed field goal by the Panthers, and since that time both schools have been pointing toward this key district game. While the Raiders have rolled this season – at home and away – Dillard is a .500 team, but those two losses came to No. 1 Miami Central and No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Could this be the year where the Panthers put it all together? It would still be a huge upset!

No. 4 Miami Christopher Columbus (6-0) vs. No. 6 Homestead (6-0), 7:30. This is a game that at the start of the season was just another solid matchup between two very good football programs, but as kickoff gets closer, it’s shaping up to be a tremendous contest with two teams who believe that they can compete against anyone. The Explorers are the top 4M schools in the state – while the Broncos are among the best in 3M. Harris Field will be rocking.

No. 8 Davie Western (4-1) vs. No. 5 Plantation American Heritage (5-1), 7:30. You cannot say that the Patriots haven’t played one of the top schedules around, including a huge win against two-time defending state champion Cardinal Gibbons. They are talented and well coached. But the Wildcats feel that they have something to prove after losing big to St. Thomas Aquinas. They can change plenty of perception with a win tonight.

No. 16 Coconut Creek Monarch (5-1) at Hollywood McArthur (3-2), 7:00. This is one of those games that may not look promising on the surface, but both teams are playing very well and will finally get some of the spotlight. The Knights are coming off a dominating performance against Boca Raton Olympic Heights and are loaded on both sides of the ball. The Mustangs are also coming off an impressive game and are at home for a contest that may be competitive!

MORE GAMES TO WATCH
In addition to those five games, here is a list of other Miami-Dade and Broward games to watch today:

FRIDAY GAMES

Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons (3-2) at Miami Immaculata LaSalle (3-2), 7:00

Coconut Creek (2-3) at No. 17 Fort Lauderdale (4-1), 7:00

Coral Gables (3-1) at Miami High (2-2), Curtis Park, 7:30

Coral Springs Coral Glades (0-5) at Coral Springs (2-3), 7:00

Coral Springs Taravella (0-4) at Weston Cypress Bay (3-2), 7:00

Deerfield Beach (2-4) at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson (0-4), 7:00

No. 20 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (5-1) at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (2-3), 7:00

Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (3-3) at Miami BridgePrep Village Green (0-5), 4:00

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (4-0) at Jacksonville Bishop Snider (4-1), 7:00

Hialeah (3-1) at Hallandale (0-5), 7:00

Hialeah Barbara Goleman (2-3) at Hialeah Gardens (1-3), 3:30

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (1-5) at Miami Ransom Everglades (3-1), 4:00

Hollywood Hills (2-3) at Pompano Beach (3-1), 7:00

Hollywood South Broward (3-1) at Pembroke Pines West Broward (3-2), Pines Charter, 7:00

Homestead South Dade (0-4) at Southwest Miami (0-5), Tropical, 7:30

Jupiter (3-2) at Parkland Douglas (2-3), 7:00

Miami Dade Christian (0-3) at Miami St. Brendan (3-2), 7:00

Miami Ferguson (3-2) at Hialeah Miami-Lakes (2-3), 7:00

Miami Dr. Krop (2-3) at Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (2-4), 7:30

Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy (1-2) at Jacksonville Bolles (3-3), 7:30

Miami Springs (1-4) at South Miami (3-1), Tropical Park, 7:30

Miami Westminster Christian (5-0) at Miami Florida Christian (1-3), 7:30

Miramar Everglades (3-2) at Pembroke Pines Flanagan (1-5), 7:00

North Lauderdale Somerset Prep (0-4) at Jupiter Christian (3-3), 6:30

North Miami Beach (2-3) at Lake Mary (3-1), 7:00

Oakland Park Northeast (0-5) at Coral Springs Charter (2-3), 7:00

Palm Glades Prep Academy (1-5) at Miami Palmer Trinity (3-2), 4:00

No. 14 Plantation (3-1) at Davie Nova (2-3), 7:00

Somerset Academy South Homestead (2-3) at Miami Archbishop Carroll (4-1), 3:30

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (0-5) at Cooper City (1-5), 7:00 

St. Petersburg Lakewood (3-3) at Miami Southridge (3-2), 7:30

West Palm Beach Sports Leadership & Management (1-4) at Miami Country Day (0-5), 7:00

SATURDAY’S GAME

Somerset Silver Palms (2-3) at Miami Gulliver Prep (1-3), 3:30

THURSDAY’S SCORES

Doral Academy 48, North Miami 21

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 38, Miami Belen Jesuit 0

Palm Beach Christian Prep (3-0) at Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (3-1), 7:00

Miami Beach 20, Hialeah American 0

Miami Booker T. Washington 41, Miami Norland 23

Miami Braddock 48, Miami Coral Park 7

Miami Carol City 18, Westland Hialeah 6

Miami Coral Reef 35, Doral Ronald Reagan 14

Miami Ferguson 42, Hialeah Miami-Lakes 14

Miami Palmetto 35, Miami Edison 7

Miramar 53, Pembroke Pines Charter 0

Miramar Everglades 12, Pembroke Pine Flanagan 0

North Miami Mourning 14, Miami Varela 8

Sunrise Piper 38, South Plantation 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..

Last season, Miami Norland finished 5-5 and Miami Booker T. Washington ended the year 5-7, including 1-1 in the state playoffs.

When the season ended, both programs were frustrated, knowing that the year could have gone much differently. Both schools committed to getting better.

While the Vikings looked to veteran head coach Daryle Heidelberg to help them get back on track – the Tornadoes reached into their storied past, once again welcoming back Tim “Ice” Harris.

From the time spring started right until the first game of the 2022 season, you could see a change in both programs. New players and coaches on both sides of the ball certainly helped both programs turn things around.

As they head into tonight’s (7:30) showdown at Traz Powell Stadium, everything has indeed changed. Undefeated in four games, Norland comes in with a load of confidence and plenty of talent on both sides of the ball.

For BTW, the No. 10th rated team in south Florida, a 5-1 record and momentum is on their side for this much-anticipated showdown.

From average programs that many paid little attention to a pair of teams that has everyone’s attention, Week 7 gets going in style!

MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON TORNADOES
MIAMI KILLIAN, W 48-14

At Miami Edison, W 28-20

At Miami Central, L 36-19

MIAMI IMMACULATA LASALLE, W 41-19

At Miami Carol City, W 26-6

MIAMI JACKSON, W 36-15

10/6 – MIAMI NORLAND

10/15 – MIAMI NORTHWESTERN

10/21 – GMAC Week

10/29 – At Westland Hialeah

PROSPECTS TO WATCH:

2023

Cormury Butts (LB, 6-0, 220)

Jamorie Flagg (DL, 6-3, 255)

Jaquentin Ford (DE, 6-0, 230)

Xavier Irvin (WR, 5-11, 175)

Cordell Roberts (DL, 5-9, 233)

Carlton Williams (LB, 5-7, 175)

2024

Jayden Knowles (WR, 6-3, 180)

Gerald Modest (RB, 6-0, 180)

Claudell Sherman (QB, 5-11, 175)

Antwon Smith (RB, 5-11, 218)

2025

Antonio Branch (DB, 6-2, 160)

Ben Hanks Jr. (DB, 6-2, 160)

Eric Henton (WR, 5-8, 145)

Rudolph Jones (QB, 5-11, 165)

2026

Anton Smith (WR, 5-7, 145)

MIAMI NORLAND VIKINGS

CAROL CITY, W 31-12

MIAMI SOUTHRIDGE, W 66-28

At Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace, W 29-12

At Hialeah American, W 49-0

10/6 - At Miami Booker T. Washington

10/14 – At Miami Central

10/21 – GMAC Week

10/27 – NORTH MIAMI BEACH

11/3 – MIAMI KILLIAN

PROSPECTS TO WATCH:

2023

Jermaine Beard (LB/FB, 5-11, 240)

Lemmie Faulk Jr (RB, 5-7, 160)

Caleb Jean (WR, 5-11, 170)

Aidan Martinez (PK/P, 5-11, 165)

Javin Simpkins (RB, 5-8, 170)

2024

Ivory Aikens (WR, 5-8, 140)

Rashard Carter (CB/SS, 5-10, 160)

Jeremiah Marcelin (DE, 6-2, 215)

Jaheim Miller (DB, 6-0, 170)

Joaquin Reid (WR, 5-10, 150)

Isaiah Scott (WR, 5-11, 160)

2025

Daryll Desir (DE/TE, 6-3, 225)

Mandrell Desir (TE/DE, 6-3, 225)

Jack Sawyer, DE/OLB, 6-1, 220)

Ennio Yapoor (QB, 5-11, 205)

2006

Cleveland Gary III (LB, 5-11, 180)

Here is a look at some of the other Thursday games today:

Doral Ronald Reagan (1-2) at Miami Coral Reef (3-2), 7:00

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (1-5) at Miami Ransom Everglades (3-1), 4:00

Miami Beach (1-3) at Hialeah American (1-4), Milander, 7:00

Miami Belen Jesuit (4-2) at No. 7 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (5-1), 7:00

Miami Coral Park (3-2) at Miami Braddock (4-1), Tropical, 7:00

Miami Palmetto (2-4) at Miami Edison (2-3), Curtis Park, 7:00

No. 13 Miramar (3-1) at Pembroke Pines Charter (2-2), 7:00

North Miami (1-4) at Doral Academy (4-2), 7:00

North Miami Mourning (1-4) at Miami Varela (0-5)

Palm Beach Christian Prep (3-0) at Hollywood Avant Garde Academy (3-1), 7:00

Piper (3-2) at No. 19 South Plantation (4-0), 7:00 

Westland Hialeah (4-1) at Miami Carol City (2-2), Traz Powell Stadium, 3:30

FRIDAY GAMES

Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons (3-2) at Miami Immaculata LaSalle (3-2), 7:00

Coconut Creek (2-3) at No. 17 Fort Lauderdale (4-1), 7:00

No. 16 Coconut Creek Monarch (5-1) at Hollywood McArthur (3-2), 7:00

Coral Gables (3-1) at Miami High (2-2), Curtis Park, 7:30

Coral Springs Coral Glades (0-5) at Coral Springs (2-3), 7:00

Coral Springs Taravella (0-4) at Weston Cypress Bay (3-2), 7:00

No. 8 Davie Western (3-1) at No. 5 Plantation American Heritage (5-1), 7:30

Deerfield Beach (2-4) at Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson (0-4), 7:00

No. 20 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (5-1) at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (2-3), 7:00

No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5-0) at No. 12 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (2-2), 7:00 

Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (3-3) at Miami BridgePrep Village Green (0-5), 4:00

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (4-0) at Jacksonville Bishop Snider (4-1), 7:00

Hialeah (3-1) at Hallandale (0-5), 7:00

Hialeah Barbara Goleman (2-3) at Hialeah Gardens (1-3), 3:30

Hollywood Hills (2-3) at Pompano Beach (3-1), 7:00

Hollywood South Broward (3-1) at Pembroke Pines West Broward (3-2), Pines Charter, 7:00

Homestead South Dade (0-4) at Southwest Miami (0-5), Tropical, 7:30

Jupiter (3-2) at Parkland Douglas (2-3), 7:00

No. 1 Miami Central (5-0) at No. 11 Miami Northwestern (3-2), Traz Powell Stadium, 7:30

No. 4 Miami Christopher Columbus (6-0) at No. 6 Homestead (6-0), Harris Field, 7:30 

Miami Dade Christian (0-3) at Miami St. Brendan (3-2), 7:00

Miami Ferguson (3-2) at Hialeah Miami-Lakes (2-3), 7:00

Miami Dr. Krop (2-3) at Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (2-4), 7:30

Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy (1-2) at Jacksonville Bolles (3-3), 7:30

Miami Springs (1-4) at South Miami (3-1), Tropical Park, 7:30

Miami Westminster Christian (5-0) at Miami Florida Christian (1-3), 7:30

Miramar Everglades (3-2) at Pembroke Pines Flanagan (1-5), 7:00

North Lauderdale Somerset Prep (0-4) at Jupiter Christian (3-3), 6:30

North Miami Beach (2-3) at Lake Mary (3-1), 7:00

Oakland Park Northeast (0-5) at Coral Springs Charter (2-3), 7:00

Palm Glades Prep Academy (1-5) at Miami Palmer Trinity (3-2), 4:00

No. 14 Plantation (3-1) at Davie Nova (2-3), 7:00

Somerset Academy South Homestead (2-3) at Miami Archbishop Carroll (4-1), 3:30

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (0-5) at Cooper City (1-5), 7:00 

St. Petersburg Lakewood (3-3) at Miami Southridge (3-2), 7:30

West Palm Beach Sports Leadership & Management (1-4) at Miami Country Day (0-5), 7:00

SATURDAY’S GAME

Somerset Silver Palms (2-3) at Miami Gulliver Prep (1-3), 3:30

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..