Usually when people ask how good a football team is for the upcoming season, there is always a generic answer that follows.

It takes time to watch and see what a team can do, and after the first week of the 2010 season, several BCAA teams can make a claim that they will be a force this coming season.

While much of the talk centers around schools such as defending 6A state champion Miramar or 5A powerhouse, many have to be reminded that there are several other teams who are going to make some noise this season.

REWIND WEEK 1
To me, there has never been a reason why Boyd Anderson shouldn’t be included in the state and national picture every year. They have as much talent as any program in the state, and for that matter, the entire country.

The Cobras, with new head coach James Clyburn, beat Cypress Bay 36-17 and put it out there that they will be a huge force in 5A, a class that St. Thomas Aquinas has dominated for a decade.

While the Raiders were letting people know that they will be a true player in the race to get to Orland this year, Northeast, Hallandale and Coconut Creek also came up with opening night wins that had many across the region doing a double take.

The Hurricanes knocked off 6A potential power Plantation. The Colonels had been a favorite to give Miramar a run in the region this year.

Give head coach Donnell Bennett and his staff credit for starting the year on a high note after making the playoffs a year ago. With Deerfield’s loss, Northeast may find themselves as a favorite to win the district!

The turnaround story for head coach Damien Jones and his Hallandale Chargers began with an 18-16 upset of rival South Broward.

All spring and summer, people have been talking about the improvement of the Chargers after finishing 0-10 last season.

You have to feel that Hallandale, with quickness and talent, will be the team to watch for in 3A this season. Many observers feel that 3A is by far the toughest class in the state, and Hallandale can now be added to the list of emerging programs.

Coconut Creek won the district last year, but beating rival Deerfield Beach to start the season could really propel Alan Jackson’s team.

THIS WEEK
After a very exciting first week of the season, here is a look at the key games to watch in week 2:

Boyd Anderson at Northeast, 7: This is one of those early games that could give one team a 2-0 mark. Both teams came off impressive opening night performances and both have big games next week.

Coach Bennett is hoping that next week’s meeting with Dillard will not get in the way of the focus needed to beat the Cobras.

On the other side of the field, the Cobras have a crucial meeting at home with St. Thomas, which is a game that many locals believe could showcase more college prospects than any other game in the county.

BLU’S PICK: Boyd Anderson 28, Northeast 13

Cypress Bay at Plantation (PAL), 7: Most who follow high school football figured that this meeting would pit a pair of 1-0 teams coming together in the second game of the season. But as we head into week 2, both need this win to turn things around.

The Lightning were upended by Boyd Anderson while Plantation was surprised by Northeast!

BLU’S PICK: Plantation 17, Cypress Bay 14

Here are some of the other games, involving BCAA teams, to keep an eye on this week:

FRIDAY
Hollywood Hills at Cardinal Gibbons
Cooper City at Nova
Coral Glades at Douglas
Stranahan at Coral Springs
Pompano Beach at Coral Springs Charter (Mullens Park)
Deerfield Beach at Dillard
South Plantation at Ely (Lockhart)
Everglades at South Sumter
Fort Lauderdale at Flanagan
Hallandale at McArthur
Monarch at Piper
Pines Charter at West Broward
South Broward at Western
Taravella at Coconut Creek

SATURDAY
Miramar at DeSoto, Tx.

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