As the sun comes up and the players make their way out toward the middle of the football field, there is a special feeling that you get. That first day of football practice. The heat. humidity, smell of freshly cut grass and the sweat that pours out of everywhere on your body.

The chance for everyone to proclaim that this year will be different, and for the next few weeks, each and every team across Broward County, cane make the statement that they are undefeated.

Whether you are West Broward, looking for that elusive first varsity victory, or St. Thomas Aquinas, a team that starts right off where they ended up – No. 1, the objective is the same. Make all that hard work in the spring and summer pay off. Show the coaches that what you learned at all those camps, combines, 7-on-7 events and workouts have indeed pay off.

At each and every school, the next two weeks will be a time when getting ready for the 2009 season is almost a formality. In truth, it has been something that every player and coach has been doing since the 2008 season ended.

As I begin my 39th year of covering high school football in this state (I tell everyone I started very, very young – which is true), I approach the season much like I have for the 38 other years. I am pumped, optimistic and looking forward to seeing as many games and players as I can.

I am truly blessed that I have the opportunity to do something that others would love to do, and never once have I taken for granted the opportunity to see some of the best football in the nation every week ­– right in my own backyard.

Today, as we are in the midst of the first week, I will run down the top 10 teams in the BCAA. While I am really not one for predictions, here is a sampling of programs who I have had the pleasure of watching and feel that by the end of the season, could be in the elite group.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders: The defending national champion are loaded at running back and offensive line, but young at receiver and quarterback. They are light in depth on the defensive line, very talented at linebacker, have the best defensive secondary in the state (maybe the entire nation) and have impressive special teams. They open in Ohio, host nationally rated Byrnes, South Carolina, and play Boyd Anderson and Miramar.

2. Boyd Anderson Cobras: All head coach Mark James and his team have been hearing since this team dropped to 5A is St. Thomas, and while the Raiders are imposing, the Cobras have a very talented defense and and offense that has plenty of athletes.

3. Plantation Colonels: Well, it's certainly time that Steve Davis and his football team turn the corner, and with as much talent as any 6A team in the county, this could be the year that things finally fall into place for a coach who knows all about big games and talented teams.

4. Miramar Patriots: After losing standout Eugene Smith and several other key seniors, you would think that head coach Damon Cogdell and his team would take time to rebuild. Maybe not! This is a program, stacked with talent. Maybe enough to make a run deep in the playoffs, again!

5. Taravella Trojans: With two-time county rushing champion Devon Wright coming back, this program could enjoy one of its best years in school history. Everything has fallen into place for head coach Dan Marguriet and his team. University of Connecticut commitment Brandon Steg is a quality two-way (tight end/linebacker) player as well.

6. Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs: Slowly but surely Mike Morrill and this football program have been able to build into a power. Despite a challenging non-district schedule, this could be the year that things fall into place for a team that has worked as hard as any.

7. Cypress Bay Lightning: Most teams that lose two running backs, receivers, linemen, defensive backs and three linebackers would expect a major fall from the top, but coach Mark Guandolo has a system in place, a four-year varsity quarterback and a huge line to ensure this team will be in the mix.

8. Ely Tigers: One of the teams that very few people have talked about, but in the spring and summer, they turned more heads with the way the athletes played and worked hard to get back in the mix. Could be a major surprise this season.

9. Coconut Creek Cougars: Very few people know much about head coach Allen Jackson and his team, but you can guarantee that this is a program that has enough talent – on both sides of the ball – to make another run into the playoffs.

10. McArthur Mustangs: When you happen to play in the same district as the best team in the country, it would be easy to give up and make excuses, but coach Mike Zarra and his team have worked too hard and spent too many hours at camps and 7-on-7 events to give in so easily to the Raiders' dominance!

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).