As I stood on the sidelines watching the exciting game between Boyd Anderson and Blanche Ely last Saturday night at Lockhart Stadium, I was amazed at how this time of year is simply like nothing else I experience.

The reason I have been covering high school football for over four decades now is this part of the year. This is when the top football teams see how those sacrifices made during May, June, July and August are starting to pay off.

Those nightly workouts, weekend 7-on-7 events and camps have made so many teams better, and this is the time of year when coaches and the players see how that extra work has paid off.

"What you do in those off months certainly pay huge dividends now," said Ely head coach Rodney Gray, who guided the Tigers to a thrilling double overtime win over the Cobras. "If you slack off or fail to show for workouts and other competition, the story will be told right now!"

Watching the way Ely and Boyd Anderson battled to the finish reminded me just how important these games are to these coaches, players an their many fans.

Ely's victory means the Tigers have the upper hand right now - but the "Soul Bowl" is coming up next week, and Dillard will be more than pleased to send this into a three-way tie, making Boyd Anderson huge Panther fans for a night.

Over the next two weeks, the playoff picture will become clearer when huge showdowns will once again say whether the off season was good or bad for teams.

While there are a few good matchups this week that will make or break the season for one team, the non district games appear to be setting the table for next week - which should be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

There are a couple of games that will be interesting to watch. Back in the day, Hollywood Hills and Hallandale was a game that always provided excitement and entertainment. The game at Hallandale on friday night (7) should be a good one to watch.

Hollywood Hills, which beat Stranahan to take the district lead last week, has been playing very well. Hallandale is very tough to figure out as it goes for its seventh win against the Spartans. The Chargers will find out if they win or lose the district next Friday at home against Archbishop McCarthy.

Another game that should be one that people will want to check out is Cardinal Gibbons at Coral Springs - also a Friday night game at 7.

The Chiefs have really been a huge surprise under veteran head coach Mike Morrill, posting a win over Ely. Cardinal Gibbons is right ion the middle of a district race that will be determined next week against American Heritage.

Coral Springs is still in the midst of a district race that also includes Cooper City and Coconut Creek.

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com. Blustein is the co-host of the High School Gridiron Show each Wednesday night from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) or www.wqam.com.

You can also follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/larryblustein