When the 2025 high school football season began, the No. 17 Miami Norland Vikings and first year head coach Tyronn Johnson were picked as a team that would be a force in 4A.

At the same time, Miami Christopher Columbus and veteran head coach Dave Dunn were a program that would win the district, be a top seed in the region and once again pose a problem for defending state champion Venice in 7A.

Fast forward two months, and as we begin Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) Week, these two state powers will clash at 6 p.m. at Columbus in a game that should be a featured contest.

But instead of this being one of those games that everyone wanted to attend to see two of the best, both programs head into this matchup at 3-4. You heard it right – when the Vikings and Explorers kick things off, it will be a battle to reach the .500 mark in Game 8, which is almost unheard of from these two powers.

But while this has not been the best of seasons for either team, they are both very much alive in the race for a post-season appearance, giving both programs another shot to rebound when it counts.

MIAMI NORLAND VIKINGS

Lake Mary, L 30-29

Miami Carol City, W 42-13

Homestead South Dade, W 49-3

Miami Northwestern, L 49-21

Delray Beach Atlantic, L 43-20

Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, L 21-14

Cocoa, W 28-6

Plantation American Heritage, L 42-21
10/16 - @Miami Christopher Columbus

10/24 - Plantation

MIAMI CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS EXPLORERS

Miami Southridge, L 28-21

Olney Our Lady of Good Counsel, Maryland, L 14-7

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, L 42-7

Miami Palmetto, L 24-21

Miami Northwestern, L 41-6

Homestead South Dade, W 42-34

Miami High, W 50-0

Coral Gables, W 45-7

10/16 - Miami Norland

10/24 – Miami True North Classical Academy

In addition to the Vikings and Explorers, here is a look at other Thursday games in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties:

THURSDAY, October 16

GMAC WEEK

North Miami vs. Booker T. Washington (Traz Powell), 7

Hialeah vs. Miami Killian (Milander), 7

Miami Dr. Krop vs. Miami Ferguson (Ives Park), 7

Coral Gables at Miami Beach (Memorial Stadium), 7

Miami Coral Reef vs. Miami Edison (Tropical), 7

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman at Miami Carol City (Betty T. Ferguson Stadium), 7

Miami Jackson at Doral Ronald Reagan, 3:30

Hialeah American at Homestead, (Harris Field), 3:30

OTHER GAMES

Boca Raton Spanish River at Doral Academy, 7

Coral Springs Coral Glades at Coral Springs Taravella, 6:30

Deerfield Beach at Delray Atlantic, 6:30

No. 11 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons at Boca Raton, 6:30

Miami Archbishop Carroll at Somerset South Homestead, 7

Miami Gulliver Prep at Miami Belen Jesuit, 7

Miami Ransom Everglades at Fort Lauderdale NSU University School, 6

Miramar at No. 9 Pembroke Pines West Broward (Flanagan), 7

Miramar Everglades at Pembroke Pines Charter, 6

North Lauderdale Somerset Prep at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, 7

Oakland Park Northeast at Riviera Beach Suncoast, 6:30

FRIDAY, October 17

GMAC WEEK

Hialeah Gardens at Miami Braddock, 3:30

Miami High at Miami Springs (Milander), 7

No. 2 Miami Northwestern vs. No. 8 Miami Palmetto (Traz Powell), 7:30pm

North Miami Beach at Homestead South Dade (Harris Field), 7

Southwest Miami at Miami Felix Varela, 3:30

OTHER GAMES

Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons vs. No. 14 Miami True North (Tropical), 7:30

Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Coral Springs Charter, 7

Cooper City at South Plantation, 7

Coral Springs at Parkland Douglas, 7

Davie Western at Weston Cypress Bay, 7

Fort Lauderdale at No. 13 Hollywood McArthur, 7

No. 16 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian at Boca Raton St. Andrew’s Academy, 6

No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas at No. 15 Coconut Creek Monarch (Coconut Creek), 7

No. 7 Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy at Lakeland Lake Gibson, 7

Hollywood South Broward at Davie Nova, 7

Homestead Everglades Prep at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson at Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (Dillard), 7

Miami Florida Christian at Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, 7

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7

Miami St. Brendan at No. 12 Miami Immaculata La Salle, 7:30

Orlando Lake Highland Prep at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 6

Pembroke Pines Flanagan at Hallandale, 7

No. 10 Plantation American Heritage at No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 7

Pompano Beach Blanche Ely at No. 19 Plantation (PAL), 7

Somerset Silver Palms at St. Petersburg Hollins, 7

Pompano Beach at Hollywood Hills, 4

SATURDAY, October 18

GMAC

No. 5 Miami Southridge vs. No. 4 Miami Central (Traz Powell), 7

WEDNESDAY, October 15

GMAC WEEK

Miami Coral Park 12, South Miami 8

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

For the past 55 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.. 

When his team lost 22-20 in overtime last week to Port St. Lucie Tradition Prep, veteran head coach Chris Haire and his Coral Springs Charter football team saw its three-game winning streak broken.

As the Panthers get ready for this Friday’s matchup with North Broward Prep, they are 5-3.

This has been a season where continuing to set the foundation for a championship-level program is what has driven the players and coaches.

While winning is always important, the objective with this team is to develop talent and get them ready for the next level – on the playing field and in the classroom.

As senior leadership has been vital this season, getting several underclassmen ready for 2025 and beyond has also been important, and with two regular season games left, this is a group that has learned and has put themselves in a position to make this school a destination for student/athletes for years to come.

This group of players has indeed been huge this season – coming up with wins against top-flight competition:

CLASS OF 2026

Vincent Campbell, WR/DB, 5’9, 140 – 3.6 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17290129/Vincent-Campbell

Jacob Golden, OL/DE, 6’0, 190 – 3.1 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17904308/Jacob-Golden

Carter Hayden, WR/DB, 5’8, 140 - 3.8 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17290139/Carter-Hayden

Anthony Lowe, RB/LB, 5’7, 145 – 3.2 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17290116/Anthony-Lowe

Chase Powell, WR/DB, 5’10, 160 – 3.8 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/15688682/Chase-Powell

Will Price, WR/DB, 5’9, 165 – 2.56 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17290200/Will-Price

Michael Streder, OL/DL, 6’0, 215 – 3.8 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17290146/Michael-Streder

Noah Yarbrough, RB/LB, 6’0, 175 – 3.3 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17290165/Noah-Yarbrough

CLASS OF 2027

Christian Clinkscale, DB/WR, 5’7, 155.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19656612/Christian-Clinkscale

Brayden Weiler, LB/OL, 5’10, 200 – 3.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19650742/Brayden-Weiler

Zaid Sh Abdelhafiz, OL/DL, 6’4, 210 – 4.0 GPA.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/19503404/Zaid-Sh-Abdelhafiz

CLASS OF 2028

Santuan Dixon, RB/DE, 5’9, 150.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/23184120/Santuan-Dixon

Shanse Small, S/RB, 5’9, 160.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/21614414/Shanse-Small

Dash Waterman, K, 5’8, 145.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22966852/Dash-Waterman

CLASS OF 2029

Stone Rolle, RB/DB, 5’10, 165.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/25707045/Stone-Rolle

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

For the past 55 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.. 

Once again on Tuesday night the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage with seven impressive guests.

Each and every week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.

The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.

The show, which has run for nearly two decades, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on coaches and players in all sports.

Here is a look at the way Tuesday went:

We are coming down the homestretch in the 2025 high school football season in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties – with the state playoffs on the horizon. Andre Fernandez from the Miami Herald broke down some of the teams to watch.

ANDRE FERNANDEZ ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/andre-fernandez-miami-herald-f374a

The University of Miami will play host to Louisville this Friday night in a key Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. This is not an automatic win for the No. 2 rated ‘Canes against a quality program. David Lake from Inside The U talked about this key game.

DAVID LAKE ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/david-lake-from-inside-the-u-podcast-e0ae6

It’s Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) Week for the football programs in the #305 and Kevin E. Lawrence, the Administrative Director for the Division of Athletics and Activities at Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) stopped by to talk about the three days of competition.

KEVIN LAWRENCE ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/kevin-lawrence-gmac-football-week-17b50

We are just a few weeks away from the state high school football playoffs, and while we know who the favorites are, there are seedings to be determined over the next few weeks. Jon Santucci from USA Today covers the Sunshine State and talked about programs to keep an eye on.

JON SANTUCCI ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/jon-santucci-usa-today-football-16409

Miami Westminster Christian is 7-1 and is looking to close strong to get a favorable playoff slotting. The Warriors are loaded with talent and head coach Patrick Wennin talked about his quality players and coaches.

PATRICK WENNIN ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-patrick-wennin-of-miami-westminster-christian-d6fe5

Ehren Wallhoff has been around high school sports for several decades and his Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy football is 6-1 as they head toward the Friday night showdown with Florida Christian. He talked about his Lions and some of the elite performers.

EHREN WALLHOFF ON TUESDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-ehren-walloff-of-westminster-academy-in-fort-lauderdale-fl-e85b0 

While lightning, heavy rains and postponements will define the 2025 high school football season, the next few weeks will certainly tell the entire story.

With district games and playoff slotting at stake, every contest played will have a role in the post season.

While many programs have fallen short of the goals they set at the start of the season, other teams have overachieved and continue to make a serious run at a state title.

Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will heat up with prospects looking to impress college coaches while helping their respective programs achieve.

Here is a look at how the Top 20 teams in the two counties stack up as we head toward Week 9: 

1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A, 6-1). The Raiders had the trip of a lifetime and defeated the NFL Academy in England, 41-38. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – No. 15 Coconut Creek Monarch. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 - @ No. 10 Plantation American Heritage.

2. Miami Northwestern (3A, 6-1). The Bulls wrapped up the district title with a 56-0 win against Key West. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – No. 8 Miami Palmetto (GMAC WEEK). NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – The regular season ends at Miami St. Brendan.

3. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1A, 6-1). The Lions rolled to a 60-0 win against Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – Bye. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 - @ No. 11 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.

4. Miami Central (3A, 6-1). The Rockets bounced back with two wins this past week – 52-0 against Pompano Beach, and 59-6 against Fort Lauderdale Stranahan, officially wrapping up another district title. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – No. 5 Miami Southridge (GMAC WEEK). NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy.

5. Miami Southridge (6A, 8-0). The Spartans took care of business twice last week – 28-21, finishing up a game with Miami Christopher Columbus, and 49-0 against Southwest Miami. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – No. 4 Miami Central (GMAC WEEK). NEXT WEEK: Bye.

6. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (4A, 8-0). One of the highest scoring teams in the state continued to roll along with a district-clinching 38-24 win against Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia. THIS WEEK: Bye. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – Boynton Beach.

7. Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (5A, 7-0). The new kid on the block, the Lions continue to show why they will be a 5A program NOT to ignore as they beat Pembroke Pines Charter, 54-0. THIS WEEK: 10/17 - @Lakeland Lake Gibson. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – No. 12 Miami Immaculata LaSalle.

8. Miami Palmetto (7A, 6-1). The Panthers were off this past week. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – No. 2 Miami Northwestern (GMAC WEEK). NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – Miami High.

9. Pembroke Pines West Broward (6A, 5-2). The Bobcats continued to roll along with a 54-0 district win against Miami Beach. THIS WEEK: 10/16 – Miramar. NEXT WEEK: 10/23 – Miami Dr. Krop.

10. Plantation American Heritage (4A, 4-3). The defending 4A state champion Patriots Made it three straight with a district win against Miami Norland, 42-21. THIS WEEK: 10/17 - @ No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

11. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2A, 5-2). The Chiefs made quick work of Deerfield Beach, 45-7. THIS WEEK: 10/16 - @Boca Raton. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – No. 3 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.

12. Miami Immaculata LaSalle (2A, 7-0). The Royal Lions continued to roll along with a 49-12 win against Miami Springs. THIS WEEK: 10/18 – Miami St. Brendan. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – No. 7 Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy.

13. Hollywood McArthur (5A, 5-2). The Mustangs came up with their third consecutive shutout, 44-0, against Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – Fort Lauderdale. NEXT WEEK: 10/23 – South Plantation.

14. Miami True North Classical Academy (1A, 4-2). The Titans won for the fourth straight time, 42-0, over Miami Jackson. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – Boynton Somerset Canyons. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 - @No. 17 Miami Christopher Columbus.

15. Coconut Creek Monarch (6A, 4-3). The Knights rebounded with a 46-0 district win against Coral Springs. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 - @Sunrise Piper.

16. Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy (2A, 6-1). The Eagles soared to their fourth straight win, 28-7, against Coconut Creek North Broward Prep. THIS WEEK: 10/17 - @Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s Academy. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 - No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy.

17 Miami Christopher Columbus (7A, 3-5). The Explorers won their third straight, 45-7, against Coral Gables. THIS WEEK: 10/16 - Miami Norland (GMAC Week). NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – No. 14 Miami True North Classical Academy.

18. Coconut Creek (5A, 6-2). The Cougars dropped the district title game against state-rated Delray Beach Atlantic, 33-30. THIS WEEK: Bye. NEXT WEEK: 10/23 - Pompano Blanche Ely.

19. Plantation (4A, 4-3). The Colonels thrust themselves back in the district race with a thrilling 28-27 win against No. 20 Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 – Miami Norland.

20. Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (4A, 5-2). The Mavericks dropped a tpough 28-27 district decision to No. 19 Plantation. THIS WEEK: 10/17 – No. 10 Plantation American Heritage. NEXT WEEK: 10/24 - @No. 16 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy.

Here are some other programs that are still in the hunt:

Independent

Doral Ronald Reagan (5-1)

Fort Lauderdale University School (5-3)

Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (6-1)

Miami Braddock (3-4)

Miami Coral Reef Football (6-1)

Miami Ferguson (4-1)

Miami Florida Christian (5-1-1)

Miami Varela (4-3)

1A

Miami Archbishop Carroll (5-0-1)

Miami Edison (2-4)

Miami Palmer Trinity (5-1)

Miami Westminster Christian (6-1)

2A

Miami Booker T. Washington (2-6)

Miami Carol City (5-3)

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 3-4)

Miami Gulliver Prep (4-2)

Miami Killian (4-2)

Miami Ransom Everglades (3-4)

North Miami Beach (4-3)

3A

Miami Springs (2-5)

Miami St. Brendan (4-3)

4A

Hialeah (6-2)

Miami Belen Jesuit (3-5)

Miami Norland (3-5)

5A

Homestead (1-6)

Miramar (3-4)

North Miami (5-3)

Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3-4)

6A

Davie Nova (3-4)

Doral Academy (3-3)

Pembroke Pines Flanagan (5-2)

Miami Beach (1-5)

Miami Dr. Krop (1-5)

South Plantation (6-1)

Sunrise Piper (5-3)

7A

Coral Gables (3-2)

Coral Springs Coral Glades (4-2)

Davie Western (2-5)

Homestead South Dade (3-5)

Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (4-3)

Weston Cypress Bay (4-3)

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD TOP 20

WEEK 1. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-1-top-20-miami-dade-broward-loaded-with-talent

WEEK 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-2-top-20-st-thomas-aquinas-moves-to-no-1

WEEK 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-3-local-teams-are-starting-to-emerge

WEEK 4. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-huge-games-will-test-local-teams

WEEK 5. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-new-teams-enter-an-elite-group

WEEK 6. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-district-games-will-put-distance-between-teams

WEEK 7. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-7-things-are-beginning-to-get-interesting-for-area-programs

WEEK 8. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-8-it-s-all-about-the-state-playoffs-now

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

For the past 55 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..