On their very first trip ever to play a varsity football game in Hollywood at Chaminade-Madonna, the nation’s No. 1 team had to come from behind and escape.
Trailing 20-7 in the second half, it appeared that everything that head coach Roger Harriott and his football had worked for would come to an end.
A program that came in with 19 consecutive wins and domination of football in the state got much more than they had ever expected from the 2A Lions and head coach Dameon Jones.
A more than standing room only crowd watched the Raiders block a potential game-winning field in the closing minute and come away with a 21-20 win and maintain the top spot nationally – while increasing their chances of being the No. 1 overall seed in the inaugural “Open Division”.
But even in a loss, the Lions, who will travel to state-rated West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman this week with the district championship at stake, also remained as one of the eight teams who will compete for that elite and first ever state title in that newly created classification.
Cypress Bay (Weston) 31, West Broward (Pembroke Pines) 18. The Lightning (7-0) remained unbeaten and wrapped up a district title as they look to get respect from the media across the state. While they aren’t in the race for the Open Division, they are a 6A program that could make some noise when the state playoffs begin as they will be one of the top seeds in the region.
Coconut Creek 38, Coconut Creek Monarch 14. This long-awaited matchup saw the Cougars win the Mayor’s Cup and establish themselves as a team to watch when the state playoffs begin. While they have some tough opponents coming up, they believe that they are putting things together at the right time.
Fort Lauderdale 49, Pembroke Pines Charter 6. The Flying Ls stay perfect as they are on a quest to win all their games this season – without a post season since they are an independent team this season. Coach Richard Dunbar and his staff have done a great job with this program.
Grayson, Georgia 10, Carol City (Miami) 9. While the Chiefs are 3-3 and lost to an average Georgia team, the computers still have a love affair with this football program as they remain one of the eight teams in the running for the inaugural “Open Division” with a GMAC meeting with Miami Palmetto and a season-ending contest against Miami Central. Take nothing away from this team or the process, but a computer should never be the definitive answer for any ranking!
Immaculata LaSalle (Miami) 13, Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens) 7. Undefeated in last year’s regular season and 6-0 this year has the Royal Lions in a position to be a top seed in the 2A region once again – and while they are getting little respect – all they do is win and compete.
Northwestern (Miami) 17, American (Hialeah) 13. Down most of the game, the Bulls hung tough and captured a district title against a quality opponent that had used a strong defense. With a tough stretch of games, this was indeed very important for Northwestern to get out of the contest with a victory.
In addition to those games, here’s a look at some of the other Miami-Dade and Broward action on Week 7:
Archbishop Carroll (Miami) 15, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 14
Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches) 45, Flanagan (Pembroke Pines) 0
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach) 42, Plantation 16
Braddock (Miami) 42, Sunset (Miami) 0
Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) 28, The Benjamin School (North Palm Beach) 24
Central (Miami) 34, Miami Springs 0
Christopher Columbus (Miami) 53, Southwest Miami 0
Cooper City 49, Coral Springs 0
Coral Gables 33, Homestead 6
Coral Reef (Miami) 41, Hialeah-Miami Lakes 0
Doral Academy 42, Barbara Goleman (Miami Lakes) 31
Ferguson (Miami) 43, Ronald Reagan (Doral) 0
Gulliver Prep (Miami) 17, North Broward (Coconut Creek) 14
Jupiter Christian 29, Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 15
Key West 23, North Miami Beach 13
Killian (Miami) 43, Somerset Charter (Homestead) 6
McArthur (Hollywood) 21, Miramar 14
Miami Beach 49, Somerset Academy Silver Palms (Homestead) 29
Monsignor Pace (Miami Gardens) 47, Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale) 0
North Miami 48, Hialeah 0
Nova (Davie) 40, Everglades (Miramar) 0
Palmer Trinity (Miami) 37, Felix Varela (Miami) 22
Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) 34, Inlet Grove (Riviera Beach 30
Piper (Sunrise) 6, Deerfield Beach 4
Ransom Everglades (Miami) 48, Westminster Christian (Miami) 41
South Miami 40, Hialeah Gardens 14
South Plantation 12, Coral Springs Coral Glades 10
Southridge (Miami) 23, South Dade (Homestead) 22
The King’s Academy (West Palm Beach) 51, Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale) 0
True North Classical Academy (Miami) 38, Norland (Miami) 31
Western (Davie) 47, Miami High 0
Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale) 35, Saint John Paul II (Boca Raton) 10
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..