As we head toward Week 8 of the high school football season, the top programs in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are rising to the top.

With schools that are state-rated making a statement so far this season, you have some others – like Miami Booker T. Washington, Coconut Creek Monarch, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian making a huge push up the rankings.

In addition, schools such as Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (2M, 5-1), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (1M, 5-0), Hollywood South Broward (3M, 4-1), Miami Archbishop Carroll (1M, 5-1), Miami Braddock (Independent, 5-1), Westminster Christian (1M, 6-0) and South Miami (2M, 4-1) all drawing plenty of attention as well.

As we head toward Week 8, here is a look at how programs are doing in this region:

1. Miami Central (2M – 6-0). THIS WEEK: Miami Norland on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and the Rockets will play No. 4 Miami Christopher Columbus on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Rockets rolled over rival Miami Northwestern, 42-7.

2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M – 5-0). THIS WEEK: A Thursday home game against Deerfield Beach Somerset Key. NEXT GAME: A home district game next Friday against Hollywood Avant Garde Academy. LAST WEEK: The Lions were off after the game against Venice was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian.

3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M – 6-0). THIS WEEK: A home district game against Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A home game against a much-improved Coconut Creek Monarch on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Raiders rolled over Fort Lauderdale Dillard in a district game on the road, 24-6.

4. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M, 7-0). THIS WEEK: An away game on Oct. 14 against Doral Academy. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and the Explorers will face off with No. 1 Miami Central. LAST WEEK: The Explorers continued to roll on with a 21-6 win at state-rated Homestead.

5. Plantation American Heritage (2M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: An away game at Fort Lauderdale Stranahan on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A trip to Naples to play the Golden Eagles on Oct. 21.  LAST WEEK: The Patriots rolled over Davie Western, 42-18.

6. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: A Thursday road game at Hallandale on Oct. 13. NEXT GAME: A Friday trip to the west coast to play Bradenton Manatee on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Chiefs bounced back after their first loss of the season with a 38-0 win against Miami Belen Jesuit.

7. Homestead (3M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: An away game on Oct. 14 against Miami Southridge NEXT GAME: A GMAC Week contest with No. 17 Miami Northwestern on Oct. 20. WEEK: The Broncos lost their first game of the season, 21-6, to No. 6 Miami Christopher Columbus.

8. Miami Booker T. Washington (2M – 6-1). THIS WEEK: Saturday night, Oct. 15 showdown with No. 17 Miami Northwestern. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and a contest against Miami Southridge on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes continued to roll along with a 41-23 win over previously unbeaten and No. 16 Miami Norland.

9. Miramar (3M, 4-1). THIS WEEK: A Friday away game against Hialeah American. NEXT GAME: An away game against No. 15 Davie Western on Oct. 21. LAST WEEK: The Patriots extended their scoreless streak to 12 quarters with a 53-0 win at Pembroke Pines Charter.

10. Plantation (3M – 4-1). THIS WEEK: A home game on Oct. 14 against No. 18 Fort Lauderdale Dillard. NEXT GAME: A Thursday home game against Deerfield Beach on Oct. 20. LAST WEEK: The Colonels won for the fourth straight time beating Davie Nova in a district game, 51-32.

11. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3M, 5-0). THIS WEEK: An away game on Oct. 14 against Deerfield Beach. NEXT GAME: An away game on Thursday, Oct. 20 against Sunrise Piper. LAST WEEK: The Tigers, after a solid start, had the week off.

12. Coconut Creek Monarch (4M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: The team will spend the week off. NEXT GAME: An Oct. 21 game at No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. LAST WEEK: The Knights continued their tremendous season with a 42-13 win against Hollywood McArthur.

13. Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (2M, 6-1). THIS WEEK: An Oct. 14 home district game against Coconut Creek North Broward Prep. NEXT GAME: A home contest on Oct. 21 against North Palm Beach Benjamin. LAST WEEK: The Eagles rolled to their fifth straight win, 47-21 over Somerset Academy Pembroke Pines.

14. Hollywood Avant Garde (1M, 4-1). THIS WEEK: A Thursday home game against West Palm Beach Sports Leadership & Management. NEXT GAME: A tall task awaits on Oct. 21 in a district game at No. 2 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. LAST WEEK: They stopped Palm Beach Christian Prep, 38-6.

15. Davie Western (4M – 4-2). THIS WEEK: A home game against Weston Cypress Bay on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A home game against No. 9 Miramar on Oct. 21.  LAST WEEK: The Wildcats dropped a 42-18 contest to No. 5 Plantation American Heritage.

16. Miami Norland (2M – 4-1). THIS WEEK: It’s an Oct. 14 game against No. 1 Miami Central. NEXT GAME: A Thursday, Oct. 20 contest against Miami Palmetto. LAST WEEK: The Vikings tasted defeat for the first time this year against No. 8 Miami Booker T. Washington.

17. Miami Northwestern (2M – 3-3). THIS WEEK: A Saturday, Oct. 15 showdown with No. 8 Miami Booker T. Washington. NEXT GAME: It’s GMAC Week and a meeting with No. 7 Homestead on Oct. 20. LAST WEEK: The Bulls dropped a 42-7 decision to rival and No. 1 Miami Central.

18. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (3M – 2-3). THIS WEEK:  An away game against No. 10 Plantation on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME:  A Saturday night home district game against No. 19 Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Panthers lost a key district home matchup to No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas, 24-6.

19. Fort Lauderdale (3M, 4-2). THIS WEEK: It’s a district showdown at No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas on Oct. 14. NEXT GAME: A Saturday night away district game against No. 18 Fort Lauderdale Dillard. LAST WEEK: The Flying Ls suffered their second consecutive loss – to Coconut Creek, 42-7.

20. South Plantation (3M, 4-1). THIS WEEK: An Oct. 14 away game against Pompano Beach. NEXT GAME: An Oct. 21 game at home against Miramar Everglades. LAST WEEK: The Paladins tasted defeat for the first time this year against Sunrise Piper, 38-20.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Coconut Creek (3M – 3-3), Coral Gables (4M, 3-2), Doral Academy (4M, 5-2), Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (2M, 5-1), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (2M – (3-3), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (1M, 5-0), Hialeah Barbara Goleman (4M, 3-3), Hialeah (3M, 3-2), Hollywood South Broward (3M, 4-1), Miami Archbishop Carroll (1M, 5-1), Miami Belen Jesuit (3M, 4-3), Miami Braddock (Independent, 5-1), Miami Carol City (2M, 3-3) Miami Dr. Krop (3M, 2-4), Miami Edison (2M, 2-4), Miami Gulliver Prep (2M – (2-3), Miami Immaculata LaSalle (2M, 4-2), Miami Jackson (2M, 3-3), Miami Palmetto (4M, 3-4), Miami Ransom Everglades (Independent, 4-2), Miami Southridge (3M, 3-3), Miami St. Brendan (2M, 4-2), Miami Westminster Christian (1M, 6-0), Miramar Everglades (3M, 4-2), Miami Ferguson (Independent, 4-2), North Miami Beach (2M, 2-4), Pembroke Pines Charter (3M, 3-3), Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (4M, 2-4), Pembroke Pines West Broward (4M, 3-3), Pompano Beach (Independent, 3-2), South Miami (2M, 4-1), Sunrise Piper (3M, 3-2), Westland Hialeah (2M, 4-2). Weston Cypress Bay (4M, 4-2).

WEEK 1 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/south-florida-top-20-it-all-gets-started-this-week

WEEK 2 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-central-shoots-into-the-top-spot

WEEK 3 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-new-teams-enter-this-week-s-rankings

WEEK 4 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-20-more-changes-this-week

WEEK 5 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-5-is-here-already

WEEK 6 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-6-brings-on-new-challenges

WEEK 7 MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD RANKING. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-teams-are-putting-it-together

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..

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD: Top Teams Are Putting It Together. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-top-teams-are-putting-it-together