As the extra week of the 2024 high school season will end a very active and headline-grabbing year, some post season playoffs will also take center stage.

In a season that saw two hurricanes devastate parts of the state, the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) decided to extend the year by one week, giving those programs that missed a game an opportunity to make those contests up. I also provided a chance for other programs across the state to make games up that were lost earlier by lightning and bad weather.

Three games highlight today in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties:

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy (5-4) at Pembroke Pines Charter (6-3), 3:30 pm.

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (5-4) at Weston Cypress Bay (5-4), 5 p.m.

Boca Raton Spanish River (5-4) at Parkland Douglas (1-8), 6

THURSDAY HAS SOME QUALITY MATCHUPS TO CHECK OUT

While it may not be the full schedule that we are used to, Thursday will provide fans with an opportunity to see a few games.

Here is a look at those contests:

SSAC semifinal: Cape Coral Oasis (7-1) at Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (8-2), 6

Boynton Beach (4-5) at Oakland Park Northeast (2-7), 6

Coconut Creek (4-4) at Delray Atlantic (8-1), 6:30

Deerfield Beach (1-7) at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (5-4), 6

Goulds Palm Glades Prep (2-7) at Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons (3-6), 6:30

Lake Worth Dr. Joaquin Garcia (7-2) at No. 18 Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7-2), 7

Melbourne Central Catholic (6-3) at Miami True North Classical Academy (7-2), Tropical, 7

Miami Dr. Krop (3-6) at Pembroke Pines Flanagan (6-3), 6

No. 15 Miami Palmetto (6-3) at No. 6 Miami Booker T. Washington (6-2), Traz Powell, 6:30. Game resumes in the third quarter with the Panthers ahead.

Miami Ransom Everglades (6-2) at No 20 Miami Immaculata La Salle (8-1), 7

Pompano Beach (3-6) at Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (6-3), Ansin, 7

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

For the past 54 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..

While many programs on the west coach and in northern Florida will use this extra week to get ready for the state playoffs, playing makeup games, most of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will play the waiting game.

Because of the two devastating hurricanes that hit parts of Florida, the regular season was extended a week to help those schools, and their student/athletes get in games that were missed.

As some schools relished the two weeks off, others weren’t so welcoming, but as the local teams tune up for a run at Pit Bull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University in December, it’s time to get back to work.

Here is a look at 20 Miami-Dade Broward Week 12 teams:

1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (8-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Lions finished off the regular season. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

2. Miami Norland (7-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Vikings were off as they looked to take the tough road to get back to the state title game. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA. 

3. Plantation American Heritage (7-2, 4A). After a regular season-ending upset against Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, the Patriots were off. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

4. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7-3, 5A). LAST WEEK: The Raiders were off. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

5. Miami Northwestern (7-2, 3A). NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA. 

6. Miami Booker T. Washington (6-3, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes were off. THIS WEEK: 11/7 – No. 15 Miami Palmetto in a continuation of a game stopped at halftime. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

7. Miami Southridge (8-2, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Spartans rolled to the district title with a win against Homestead South Dade, 33-7. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA. 

8. Miami Christopher Columbus (6-3, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Explorers were off. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

9. Davie Western (4-6, 7A). LAST WEEK: Despite having to forfeit two win – including the district title, the Wildcats rolled to a 35-10 win against No. 16 Pembroke Pines West Broward. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA. 

10. Coconut Creek Monarch (6-3, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Knights ended the regular season with a convincing 52-42 win against No. 17 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

11. Sunrise Piper (9-1, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Bengals finished the regular season with a 49-14 win against Hollywood South Broward. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

12. Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace (7-2, 1A). LAST WEEK: The Spartans ended the regular season with an exciting 28-27 win against Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

13. Hialeah (8-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Thoroughbreds wrapped up the regular season. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

14. Miami Carol City (7-3, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Chiefs continued their impressive turnaround with a continued to impress with a 35-0 win against North Lauderdale Somerset Prep. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

15. Miami Palmetto (6-3, 7A). LAST WEEK: The Panthers dropped a 19-14 game against Fort Myers Bishop Verot. THIS WEEK: 11/7 - @ No. 6 Miami Booker T. Washington in a continuation of a game stopped at halftime.  NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

16. Pembroke Pines West Broward (7-3, 6A). LAST WEEK: The Bobcats dropped a 35-10 decision to No. 10 Davie Western. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA. 

17. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (7-3, 5A). LAST WEEK: The Tigers dropped a 52-42 decision to No. 10 Coconut Creek Monarch. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA. 

18. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7-2, 4A). LAST WEEK: The Panthers beat Deerfield Beach 39-13 on Friday & Riviera Beach Suncoast on Monday, 56-0 over Riviera Beach Suncoast. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA. 

19. Miramar (6-4, 5A). LAST WEEK: The Patriots won for the fifth time in six games, 42-28, over Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

20. Miami Immaculata LaSalle (8-1, 2A). LAST WEEK: The Royal Lions beat Miami Dr. Krop, 35-6. THIS WEEK: 11/7 – Miami Ransom Everglades. NEXT GAME: State Playoffs, TBA.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Coconut Creek (4-4, 5A), Coral Gables (5-4, 7A), Davie Nova (7-3, 6A), Doral Academy (5-3, 6A), Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (7-3, 2A), Fort Lauderdale NSU University School (8-2, Independent), Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (5-4, 2A), Fort Lauderdale (4-5, 6A), Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (5-4, 3A), Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (5-4, Independent), Hollywood South Broward (4-6, 6A), Homestead (4-4, 6A). Homestead South Dade (5-5, 7A), Miami Archbishop Carroll (6-4, 1A), Miami Florida Christian (9-1, Independent), Miami Edison (5-5, 1A), Miami Jackson (4-6, 3A), Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (4-6, 7A), Miami Ransom Everglades (6-2, 2A), Miami Springs (3-7, 2A), Miami True North Classical Academy (7-2, 1A), North Miami (6-4, 5A), North Miami Beach (3-6, 2A), Pembroke Pines Charter (6-3, 5A), Pembroke Pines Flanagan (6-3, 6A), Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy (6-3, 3A), Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (6-3, 4A), Plantation (6-4, 4A). Weston Cypress Bay (5-4, 7A).

WEEKLY RANKINGS

PRE-SEASON. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-pre-season-top-20-st-thomas-begins-at-no-1

Week 2. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-2-top-20-st-thomas-remains-on-top

Week 3. https://larryblustein.com/news/miami-dade-broward-week-3-top-20-surprises-shake-things-up

WEEK 4. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-things-are-getting-very-interesting

WEEK 5. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-5-local-rankings-change-from-week-to-week

WEEK 6. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-6-district-play-has-started-in-miami-dade-broward

WEEK 7. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-7-st-thomas-aquinas-miami-central-hollywood-chaminade-madonna-remain-at-the-top

WEEK 8. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-8-head-to-head-matchups-are-key

WEEK 9. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-9-chaminade-madonna-moves-back-on-top

WEEK 10. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-10-highlights-some-crucial-miami-dade-broward-games

WEEK 11. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-11-playoff-spots-are-now-filled-for-miami-dade-broward-county-teams

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

For the past 54 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..

A little bit of news for 7A schools who may have felt that their path to the Florida High School state championships at Pitbull Stadium at FIU would be clear to see, you may want to put on your glasses.

While they had games stripped for rules violations, head coach Adam Ratkevich and his Davie Western Wildcats sent a message.

When they beat Pembroke Pines West Broward 35-10 in the regular season finale at Miramar Everglades High School, they finished 4-6 and perhaps a No. 8 seed when the state playoffs begin next week.

Remember that two of those losses came via forfeit after they were found in violation of rules and were stripped of a district title that they won on the field.

This has been a crazy season for this football team that was one of the favorites in the race for a 7A state title. The season started with losses to Hoover, Alabama (8-2), Plantation American Heritage (Florida’s No. 1 overall seed in 4A), five-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and national power Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.

The Wildcats were stripped of a non-district win against 10-0 West Boca Raton and Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman in a district game that they originally won 31-6.

As the final week will unfold, which was added in wake of the two hurricanes that devastated parts of Florida, Western will find out exactly what their path will be.

In addition to that win, here is a look at the way Week 11 went in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties:

Cape Coral Oasis 19, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 7

Coconut Creek 42, Parkland Douglas 7

Coconut Creek Monarch 52, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 42

Coral Springs 40, Coral Springs Taravella 7

Davie Nova 22, Hollywood Hills 14

Deerfield Beach Somerset Academy Key 1, Homestead Everglades Prep 0 (Forfeit)

Fort Lauderdale 17, Fort Lauderdale 0

Fort Lauderdale Dillard 39, Deerfield Beach 7

Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 42, Vero Beach St. Edward’s 6

Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 6, Marathon 3

Fort Myers Bishop Verot 19, Miami Palmetto 14

Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 33, Miami Beach 22

Hollywood Avant Garde 12, Hialeah ABF 8

Miami Carol City 35, North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 0

Miami Coral Reef 35, North Miami Mourning 14

Miami Ferguson 37, Hialeah Gardens 14

Miami Florida Christian 31, Miami Palmer Trinity 0

Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 28, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 27

Miami Immaculata LaSalle 35, Miami Dr. Krop 6

Miami Killian 33, Miami Belen Jesuit 15

Miami Southridge 33, Homestead South Dade 7

Miami St. Brendan 24, Miami Gulliver Prep 21

Miami True North Classical Academy 28, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 17

Miami Westminster Christian 56, Somerset South Homestead 8

Miramar 42, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 28

Miramar Everglades 32, Hollywood McArthur 26

North Miami 40, Hialeah American 22

Oakland Park Northeast 14, Pompano Beach 6

Plantation 38, South Plantation 0

Weston Cypress Bay 37, Hallandale 30

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

For the past 54 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 - BCAA Writer

PLANTATION – In the previous 51 meetings between the Plantation and South Plantation football teams, only 15 times has the outcome been decided fewer than 10 points.

Thursday at the PAL Field this wasn’t one of those competitive results.

Led by running backs Andre Barrington and Rayshawn Cunningham, the Colonels rolled to a 38-0 victory and 11^th straight win over the Paladins.

The shutout was the second consecutive for Plantation (6-4) over its rival and was the first back-to-back shutout since the 1990-91 seasons.

“This definitely a game that you always want to take home,” said Plantation coach Darrell Strong said. “Regardless of the records on each side, both teams want to come out and play.”

While the Plantation defense stymied the South Plantation offense until the final whistle sounded, the Colonels run game proved too much for their opponent.

Barrington rushed for 157 yards on 15 carries three touchdowns, including the final score and play of the game with 2:44 remaining putting the Colonels up 38. With the running clock underway, the was no need for the following kickoff as time expired.

“Cunningham, who has no carries in the opening quarter, had 84 of his 140 yards on the night in the second quarter, that also included a 30-yard scoring run that led to a 19-0 half time lead.

Senior defender Ashton Jackson also added a second half touchdown after recovering a fumble in the endzone late in the third quarter.

“We know we want to keep the trophy at Plantation,” said Strong. “It’s always a game we want to win. It’s always the most important game of the season.”

South Plantation (4-6) had several scoring chances and got within three yards of the goal line in the fourth quarter, but penalties and a pair of sacks ended the threat.  

South Plantation won the inaugural meeting between the teams in 1972 and led the series 13-5 after a 23-21 victory in 1989. Since then, the Colonels have only lost six times and now leads the series 33-19 and having outscored the Paladins 1309-654. The shutout win was only the ninth overall shutout of the series.

Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.