What started with an eye-opening rout of three-time defending state champion Pahokee, continued with a dominant performance against North Broward Prep last week.

And now Chaminade tries to finish the job of reclaiming its state powerhouse status this week when it takes on perennial small-school contender Tampa Catholic for a chance to play in the state championship for the first time since 2005.

• Class 2B state semifinal -- Tampa Catholic (9-1) vs. Chaminade (12-0) at McArthur High: Tampa Catholic has plenty of experience playing big games against South Florida's top teams the past couple of years. The Crusaders beat Archbishop Carroll two years ago to advance to the Class 2A final and lost to eventual state runner-up Miami Gulliver Prep in this round last season. Their best player is Rivals Top 100 recruit and star quarterback Christian Green, who is considering Florida, Georgia and Florida State. Green is a big-play threat, just like running back Henry McCloud and linebacker Conner Louis.

But if the Lions get another defensive performance like last week's against North Broward Prep, they will make the trip to Orlando. Chaminade's Johnathan Aiken blocked two field goals, and Hans Louis and Ruben Narcisse pressured the Eagles' Brandon Doughty all game, sacking him six times.

The matchup at quarterback between Green and Chaminade's Jerrard Randall is what fans are eager to see. Randall ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 112 yards and two more touchdowns last week.

Prediction: Chaminade 27, Tampa Catholic 20.

• Region 4-5A final -- St. Thomas Aquinas (12-0) at Blanche Ely (11-1): Ely quarterback Michael German called out Aquinas after the Tigers won their district.

His teammates say they aren't afraid of the nation's top-ranked team.

Worried or not, Aquinas doesn't look like anyone can slow down their march to another state and national crown.

Jacob Rudock helped dismantle South Broward for the second time with four touchdown passes to break the school-record for a single season (31), set by Ryan Becker last season.

And at this point, the Raiders might get a touchdown from the majority of the players on its roster by the end of the season.

Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Blanche Ely 14.

• Region 3-6A final -- Krop (8-4) at Miramar (11-1): We know how good both teams' defenses are. Both teams have solid special teams. Whoever helps out their offenses more will move within one win of the state championship.

Krop has only been this far the other time it made the playoffs in 2001. To continue, it will need a solid game from running back Brandon Eldemire, who ran well against Carol City last week. Most importantly, the Lightning cannot afford to turn the ball over against Miramar's ``Dark Side'' defense. Jamal Bass and Dominick Bryant added Plantation to their list of teams kept in check last week even after the Colonels snuck in a score on a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Miramar's offense, led by running back Jeremiah Hicks (two touchdowns last week), has looked a little more potent than Krop's so far.

The Patriots also have more experience in the playoffs having advanced to the state semifinals last season via the ``Eugene Smith'' aerial show. Two of its stars -- wide receivers Dante Chambers and Ivan McCartney -- are playing their best football at the opportune time. If they can drop in more some solid returns from Malcolm Lewis, who had a 98-yarder for a touchdown on a kickoff last week, Miramar should gearing up for another Dade team by this time next week.

Prediction: Miramar 14, Krop 7.

NOTE: All games are Friday at 7:30 p.m.