Go back over the decades when the final week of the regular season is held and the interest level was never anything special.

By the time the last week is held, we already know what the post season is going to be all about, but with the ever-changing “Open Division” and a few other last minute shifting of seeds, the final week provided fans with some last-minute drama.

Nowhere was the spotlight larger that Traz Powell Stadium where the much-anticipated non-district but all-important spot in the inaugural top eight teams was at stake.

It turned out to be a win/lose for the Miami Carol City Chiefs, who would handily win the game against Miami Central, 27-10, only to find out on Sunday that their appeal for post-season suspension was denied.

When the Open Division standings came out, it was Central, a three-loss team, that was in the eight teams who would compete.

While that loss stung at the time, the Rockets will have a chance to compete with the best in the state. Can they beat the elite in Florida? Only time will tell.

In addition to that thrilling matchup, the final week of the season, Weston Cypress Bay finished their first ever undefeated regular season with an overwhelming 55-0 win against Oakland Park Northeast.

McArthur (Hollywood) saved one of their best performances for last as they upset a Western (Davie) squad who had been on a roll, 14-13.

How about the Bulldogs of Miami Archbishop Carroll! With their 29-12 win against Homestead, the district champions finished 9-1 and are ready for the post season.

While they lost two weeks ago in their first year as an independent, Fort Lauderdale finished off the season with a 9-1 record after beating Fort Lauderdale Stranahan in the oldest rivalry in Broward County, 38-34.

In addition to those games, here is a look at the final week of the 2026 regular season:

Braddock (Miami) 35, Varela (Miami) 0

Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) 36, American Heritage (Delray) 32

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 28, Piper (Sunrise) 0

Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) 62, SportsEn Academy (Miami) 0

Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 33, Coconut Creek 7

Cooper City 36, South Plantation 22

Coral Glades (Coral Springs) 43, Stoneman Douglas (Parkland) 0

Deerfield Beach 21, South Broward (Hollywood) 7

Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) 33, Plantation 0

Doral Academy 28, Coral Gables 14

Dr. Krop (Miami) 22, Ronald Reagan (Doral) 20

Ferguson (Miami) 14, Coral Reef (Miami) 7

Florida Christian (Miami) 49, NSU University School (Fort Lauderdale) 14

Goleman (Miami Lakes) 63, Hialeah 6

Gulliver Prep (Miami) 42, St. Brendan (Miami) 6

Hollywood Hills 26, Hallandale 8

Killian (Miami) 68, Edison (Miami) 6

Miami Springs 55, Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale) 6

Miramar 50, Everglades (Miramar) 0

Monarch (Coconut Creek) 56, Flanagan (Pembroke Pines) 6

Monsignor Pace (Miami Gardens) 42, Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 3

New Smyrna Beach 41, Somerset Academy Silver Palms (Homestead) 12

Norland (Miami) 21, Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens) 14

North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek) 38, Avon Park 6

North Miami 18, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 7

North Miami Beach 13, St. John Neumann (Naples) 6

Nova (Davie) 72, Pembroke Pines Charter 41 

Palmetto (Miami) 17, Naples 9    

Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) 21, St. John Paul II (Boca Raton) 20

Pompano Beach 1, Palm Beach Christian 0, Forfeit

Ransom Everglades (Miami) 36, Palmer Trinity (Miami) 7

Sarasota 41, Belen Jesuit (Miami) 8

South Dade (Homestead) 33, American (Hialeah) 6                                                         

Southridge (Miami) 34, Jackson (Miami) 18

Specialty Fit Academy (Dover) 38, NextGen Prep (Pompano Beach) 12

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 49, West Broward (Pembroke Pines) 8

True North Classical Academy (Miami) 38, Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches) 28

Westminster Christian (Miami) 45, Southwest Miami 0

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MIAMI HERALD - https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article317859035.html

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 56 years, we have spent more 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 (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Dave Brousseau

COCONUT CREEK – Chaminade-Madonna football entered Friday’s regular season finale against Coconut Creek as an opportunity to ensure its placement into the Open Division Championship playoffs.

Despite the lengthy inclement weather, the Lions used a dominating run game led by Amos Bradford’s season-high of 17 carries and 142 yards rushing, while equaling a season-high two touchdowns to defeat the Cougars 34-7.

With the victory, the Lion’s resume looks inviting to compete for the inaugural “Open Division” title. Their only two losses came to nationally ranked teams in No. 4 Sierra Canyon (Ca.) and No. 1 ranked St. Thomas Aquinas.

Already up 14-0 in the second quarter, Bradford added scoring runs of 9 and 15 yards. It was the senior’s second consecutive game with a pair of touchdowns and fourth overall time on the season.

In addition to Bradford, Clinton Jean-Pierre, Nakia Lambright Jr. and Brady Quinn combined for 154 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions (8-2).

“It’s hard to throw the ball or do anything when it’s coming down rain, but that’s  football,” said Chaminade-Madonna coach Dameon Jones. “We have three top notch running backs that can take it to the house any given time. Bradford’s been killing it all year. He’s dealing with an injury and he fought through it. I asked him to go back in, dealing with pain and hit that long run afterwards.”

Bradford was pleased with his performance against Creek.

“I felt like I played a great game today, coming off strong even though with my injury,” said Bradford, who’s been nursing right shoulder pain. “I put the team on my back and scored for the boys.”

The Cougars (7-2) only touchdown came on a fumble return by Malik Lane in the third quarter that cut the deficit to 27-7.

Coconut Creek had multiple opportunities to cut further into the Chaminade lead with the ball inside the Lions 10 on two occasions but failed to produce any points.

The Lions defense held the Cougars offense to 108 yards total yards.                                                         

“We made some adjustments at the half, but still didn’t do enough,” said Coconut Creek coach Christopher Yeargin. “We’ didn’t come to play in the first half even with the weather. I told the guys to play like it wasn’t storming and we didn’t.

That’s the difference in the game.”

The Cougars will complete a suspended game against Archbishop McCarthy at home this Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game will resume play in the third quarter with Creek leading 27-17.

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. He was recently inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Dave Brousseau

DEERFIELD BEACH – Over the past four football seasons, Deerfield Beach High has struggled to find it identity.

The Bucks had compiled 42 non-losing seasons since the school began playing football in 1970. Through all the years of success and as a consistent playoff contender, the program has fallen on hard times.

A 7-33 losing record is proof.

Following a 21-7 victory over South Broward on Thursday there’s a glimmer of hope that coach JT Thomas is building team confidence for a winning program.

The Bucks will wait and see if they get an invite into the FHSAA Florida Invitational Tournament.

With the regular season now complete, the Bucks are 6-4, snapping a school record four consecutive losing seasons. The team could have easily been 8-2 if not for potential late game winning field goals blocked.

Sophomore quarterback Xavier Henry passed for 150 yards and a pair of touchdown passes in the victory over the Bulldogs.

“This felt great as a sophomore and knowing it wasn’t the prettiest game, but we won and that’s all that matters,” said Henry. “It felt good to win.”

“Minus the penalties, this game shows our potential,” said Deerfield Beach coach J.T. Thomas. “Tonight I really liked the energy from the guys. Other than the penalties we had I was pleased with the way we played. We started fast and ended strong and that’s all I could ask from the kids.”

The Bucks never trailed at any point of the game, scoring on their first possession on a 1-yard run by Meiki Desolomme. They added another score on the final possession of the half as Henry connected on a 44-yard scoring pass to Ramelo Adams for a 14-0 lead.

The Bulldogs (7-3), who struggled offensively throughout the game, got their lone score on a 50-yard fumble return from J-Quan Henry with 7:52 left in the third quarter that cut the deficit to 14-7.

Deerfield iced the game as Henry completed his second scoring pass, this time to senior Colin Dixon for 15-yards early in the fourth quarter.

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. He was recently inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As of right now – at this moment – tonight matchup between Miami Carol City and Miami Central at Traz Powell Stadium (7:30) will be the final time we will see the Chiefs.

With an appeal pending the post season ban that was levied against Carol City for infractions against the program, there are several ways to look at this titanic game with the Rockets.

There are those who believe that if the Chiefs are cleared of the ban, they have a chance to actually win the inaugural “Open Division” – which right now they are the 5^th of eight teams.

Carol City has lost twice to Georgia powers on the road by a combined four points. They were stripped of a win against Daytona Beach Mainland (38-3) for using an illegible player.

Head Coach Toro Wallace and this team has as much talent as ANYONE in the state, and since that loss to Grayson, they have taken care of business – short-handed with the suspensions due to an on-field altercation in Georgia – but never-the-less, they have shown that they have the talent to compete.

As they head into this evening’s huge game, there is a chance it will be their last – so this EVERYTHING rolled into one.

On the other side of the field are the Rockets, who have also met challenges during a 7-2 season.

Head Coach Derrick Gibson and his football team believe that even though they were soundly beaten by Miami Christopher Columbus in less than three quarters in the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) championship game that they are a team that could make so noise as a member of the Open Division.

While Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Christopher Columbus come into the inaugural division as huge favorites, the Rockets are still talented.

No matter what the post-season holds for both teams, tonight’s contest is one that everyone has looked forward to since the start of the season, and while the Chiefs cannot control what their post season future may be, they have everything to gain when these two Miami-Dade longtime powers kick things off.

With several games going on around the state tonight, this is one you can guarantee that every team and fan will be checking in on from all over the country!

MIAMI CENTRAL ROCKETS

Orange Lutheran, California, W 23-22

Miami St. Brendan, W 43-7

Buford, Georgia, L 18-7

Miami Jackson, W 54-18

Miami Northwestern, W 52-10

Miami Springs, W 34-0

Key West, W 63-7

Miami Christopher Columbus, L 28-3

North Miami Beach, W 55-0

10/30 - @Miami Carol City

MIAMI CAROL CITY CHIEFS

Daytona Beach Mainland, L Forfeit, 38-3

Lee County, Georgia, L 23-20

Miami Norland, W 43-0

Miami Edison, W 58-0

Miami Booker T. Washington, W 42-0

Grayson, Georgia, L 10-9

Miami Northwestern, W 17-7

Miami Palmetto, W 41-21

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, W 40-7

10/30 – Miami Central

Besides the big showdown at Traz Powell Stadium, here is a look at the rest of the games for Friday:

Boca Raton St. John Paul II at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 7

Coral Gables at Doral, 7

Fort Lauderdale Dillard vs. Plantation (PAL), 7

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at Pembroke Pines West Broward (Cypress Bay), 7

Hialeah American at Homestead South Dade (Harris), 7:30                                                         

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna at Coconut Creek, 7

Hollywood McArthur at Davie Western, 7

Homestead Somerset Silver Palms at New Smyrna Beach, 7

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, 7

Miami Gulliver Prep at Miami St. Brendan, 7:30

Miami High vs. Miami Beach (Memorial), 7

Miami Lakes Goleman vs. Hialeah (Milander), 7:30

Miami Palmetto at Naples, 7:30

Miami Ransom Everglades at Palmer Trinity, 4

Miami Southridge at Miami Jackson (Curtis), 7:30

Miramar at Miramar Everglades, 7

North Miami Beach at Naples St. John Neumann, 7:30

Palm Beach Christian at Pompano Beach, 7

Parkland Stoneman Douglas at Coral Springs Coral Glades, 7

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at Fort Myers Evangelical Christian, 7

South Plantation at Cooper City, 7

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy at Miami True North (Tropical), 7:30

Sunrise Piper at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 7

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29

Archbishop Carroll (Miami) 29, Homestead 12

Bayside (Palm Bay) 41, Coral Springs Charter 21

Braddock (Miami) 35, Varela (Miami) 0

Cypress Bay (Weston) 55, Northeast (Oakland Park) 0  

Deerfield Beach 21, South Broward (Hollywood) 7

Fort Lauderdale 38, Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) 34

Hollywood Hills 26, Hallandale 8

Killian (Miami) 68, Edison (Miami) 6

Miami Springs 55, Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale) 6

Monarch (Coconut Creek) 56, Flanagan (Pembroke Pines) 6

North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek) 38, Avon Park 6

North Miami 18, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 7

Nova (Davie) 72, Pembroke Pines Charter 41  

Westminster Christian (Miami) 45, Southwest Miami 0

Saturday, Oct. 31

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy vs. Miami Norland (Traz), 7

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 56 years, we have spent more 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 (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..