After many camps, combines, and spring and summer practices, the gates will open this coming week to the 2007 season.
While expectations are high for the upcoming season, every BCAA team is 0-0 heading into the first week, and while there are so many new coaches around the county, the objective is still the same. Make the playoffs!
As I made my way across the state of Florida this past spring and summer, it seems that no matter what camp or combine I attended, there were many BCAA players getting ready for the 2007 season, attempting to gain that coveted edge.
This week, I will give you some of the top teams to watch, and just why I believe they are among the best in the area.
As usual, picking the best in the BCAA is never easy. Too many quality programs, players and coaches have worked overtime to get better and prove they are among the best in the state.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas: No doubt here. Coach George Smith has the Raiders poised for yet another run at the state championships, and with senior Jeremiah Harden and sophomore Gio Bernard running the ball, things look very promising for this football team among 5A schools.
2. Boyd Anderson: Was there a team that did more in the off season to get better? Probably not! Coach Mark James and the Cobras are loaded on defense, with players such as Wisconsin commit Kevin Claxton, the offense has been greatly helped with the addition of running back Chris Anderson.
3. Dillard: Make no mistake – Keith Franklin is back and he has put together quite a program over the past seven months. Sparked by the play of senior defensive back Lorenzo White Jr., speedy receiver Harry Adams and junior running back Trabis Ward, the Panthers will be a team to watch.
4. Cypress Bay: Ever since this school opened its doors, the football team has been successful. Coach Billy Hobbs, who built this program from the bottom – up, leaves for Georgia and gives incoming coach Mark Guandolo plenty to work with. Senior linemen Jordan Rae and David Baptiste are back along with some new faces for the Lightning.
Blair Walsh
5. Cardinal Gibbons: The Chiefs may have more overall Division 1A football talent than any other program in the BCAA, and for that reason head coach Mike Morrill and his staff believe players such as Boston College-bound safety Steve Atkinson, quarterback David Blackwell, and University of Georgia commitments Blair Walsh (kicker) and Jeremy Longo (defensive end) will carry them back into the playoffs.
6. Hollywood Hills: The departure of head coach Al Lang wasn't the only loss this football team had to overcome in the off season. Star running back Chris Anderson (Boyd Anderson), junior safety Akevis Anderson (Hallandale) and lineman Jared Wheeler (American Heritage) are gone, but Hollywood Hills graduate Scott Barnwell comes in to find that there are some impressive players on hand such as receiver Amos Wood and defensive stars Calvin Francois and Alex Pattee.
7. Deerfield Beach: Art Taylor continues to raise the bar for the Bucks, and with the return of Rodney Harrell, Matt Whitfield and quarterback Denard Robinson on offense, and defensive back Jerral Stewart, this could be a program that could surprise many this coming season.
8. Coconut Creek: Robbie Owens comes in to maintain what Dan Marguriet started last season. This is a quality football program that returns talented offensive threats Terence Colvin and Shawn Williams to an attack that won the district a year ago.
9. Plantation: Steve Davis has worked his magic before, and coming off a 4-5 season in 2006, things appear to be progressing fine for the talented Colonels. Junior quarterback Brandon McGee gives this team a threat to be in every game. Nine returning starters are back on defense, including Chris Moss and Brandon Smith.
10. South Broward: With the loss of three difference makers (Joe Jones, Linzy Harris and Octavious Hawkins), you would expect head coach Allen Held and the Bulldogs to fold up the tents, but this could be one of the true surprise teams this season. After an 8-2 record and missing the playoffs last year, look for players such as Matt Clark, Kurt Walsh, linemen Danny Liddell, Steven Jacques and Jordan Sessa, and junior receiver Andre Thomas to spark this team. Patrick Joseph will also be a player to keep an eye on.
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Ely, Everglades, Hallandale, Monarch, Piper, South Plantation.
Want to know more about recruiting, check Larry Blustein out on www.floridafb.com as well as reach him via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com where you can give column ideas for the upcoming weeks.
