To say that Steve Davis and his Plantation Colonels were not pleased with last year’s 6-5 finish would be an understatement.

Known for turning programs around in his successful coaching career, Davis, by his own admission,  was behind schedule in bringing Plantation back among the elite.

On Friday night, at Miramar High Stadium, Davis and the unbeaten Colonels can make a statement, take a huge step in winning a district championship and show the state of Florida, one week before heading up to play national powerhouse Lakeland, that this team has finally arrived.

“Before the season began, we told the players to work hard, cut back on the mistakes and take each week one at a time and we would be just fine,” Davis pointed out. “Now, after winning our first two games, our focus is on a very good Miramar team.”

This district matchup will showcase two of the best 6A teams in the state. While the Patriots are no surprise to some across the state who have watched head coach Damon Cogdell’s program make a major statement over the past few years, the Colonels are a team that many across Florida have little knowledge about.

“This is a team that has some of the best athletes we’ve competed against,” said Cypress Bay head coach Mark Guandolo. “They are fast, athletic and well coached.”

Plantation is youthful on offense, but on defense, this could very well be the best this region has to offer - with athletes flying all over the field.

The Colonels will have their hands full against a quality Miramar team that started the year with a win over 2B powerhouse Miami Monsignor Pace and rival Everglades.

The winner of this game will certainly be thrust into a statewide spotlight.

The Miramar-Plantation game is not the only huge contest taking place this week. There are two other games that will have large crowds and have plenty of interest.

TURNING UP THE HEAT
For years, Cardinal Gibbons has been more than pleased to invite the opposition into their home for a 4 p.m. kickoff. This Friday the opponent is not your average team that is not used to the pressure.

It’s the annual “Catholic Bowl”, where the nation’s No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders bring in all kinds of winning streaks to face off with the unbeaten Chiefs, who have beaten 6A Taravella and 4A Hollywood Hills in preparation for this titanic matchup.

The afternoon game at Cardinal Gibbons has always worked out for them. Last year, they battled state-rated power Glades Central before dropping a three-point decision. Two years ago, it took this St. Thomas squad everything it had to win a late thriller.

On the surface, the top team in the nation, which has overwhelmed its first two opponents with a great defense and timely offense, is the huge favorite. But when the heat of the day beams down on the Raiders, it may be the edge Cardinal Gibbons has been searching for in this storied series.

HOWDY NEIGHBOR
When Deerfield Beach and Ely get together on Friday, it will be a meeting that splits friends and families.

This annual contest, which has always been exciting, often has players who have competed with and against each other since their youth football days. Families have ties with both schools, which is always fun.

The Tigers roar into this game unbeaten in three games this season, including last week’s huge win against a tough Taravella squad. They are talented and well coached. A win over the Bucks and Ely could jump back into the state playoff conversation.

Deerfield got off to a huge start this season under first year head coach Adam Ratkevich, before losing a heart-breaker last week at Cypress Bay. This is a huge game for the Bucks. With St. Cloud (Orlando area), Northeast and Taravella coming up, a win could put them right back among the state’s elite.

Here is a look at this week’s games involving BCAA teams:

Thursday
Douglas at Dillard
Flanagan at McArthur

Friday
Northeast at Boyd Anderson
Cooper City at Monarch (Lockhart)
Coral Glades at Taravella (Coral Springs)
Western at Everglades
Fort Lauderdale at Pines Charter (Flanagan)
Hallandale at Boca Raton Olympic Heights
Nova at Pompano Beach
South Plantation at Piper
Stranahan at West Broward (Cooper City)

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).