When football fans used to talk about prospects in South Florida, Miami-Dade County was usually the place they would look first, but times are changing and Broward schools are slowly make a move in that elite direction.

With summer camps and 7-on-7 tournaments in full swing, BCAA programs are popping up in every direction.

There isn’t a week that goes by that a school or a player from this area isn’t talked about in a positive way.

Two weeks ago, Boyd Anderson, a program that now has to deal with St. Thomas Aquinas in 5A, began its summer in grand fashion, advancing to the finals of the 32-team Miami Dolphins Academy 7-on-7 event in Plantation.

While coach Mark James and Cobras fell short against powerhouse Glades Central, this program served notice that this wouldn’t be the final time you would hear about them and their many quality players.

Last weekend, one of the most prestigious 7-on-7 events I have been a part of was held at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach. The Fourth Annual Heath Evans Foundation event was held with 16 teams invited for a day-long extravaganza, bringing in schools from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Tampa and Daytona Beach.

Evans, who continues to do so much for youngsters in his fight to end sexual abuse, brought together some great schools, tremendous sponsors and a few of his close friends to rub elbows with high school teams.

On hand to share the experience was Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Matt Cassel and Kevin Faulk, who signed autographs and took part in the event. Also on hand was Boyd Anderson, Ely and Miramar, which did more than just show up.

Miramar and Ely entered the fourth round of the tournament unbeaten at 3-0, and Boyd Anderson was 2-1. While coach Lawal McCray’s Tigers fought hard, they lost a chance to move on to the round of four, losing to Boyd Anderson in an exciting game.

With the sun setting on a long day, the final four teams were in place. After stunning favored Glades Central in the quarterfinals, the Miramar Patriots and coach Damon Cogdell showed they truly belonged.

Earlier in the day, the Patriots showed off some of their muscle as the offensive linemen captured the sled drill and finished in the top three along with Tampa Plant and Daytona Beach Mainland.

Meanwhile, the Patriots reached the final four game and squared off with a hungry Boyd Anderson squad, which was still smarting from the loss the week before in the Dolphins event. With the game going back and forth, the Cobras snuck out a tough win to advance to the final for the second week in a row.

“We played so well and came up short,” said Cogdell. “I am so proud of the kids for working hard, and especially to our linemen who came up here and gave a great showing.”

Waiting for the Cobras in the final was the lone Miami-Dade team, Booker T. Washington, a program that had lost several players from last year’s squad and had beaten Boyd Anderson earlier in the day on a controversial call.

Booker T. Washington, fresh off wins against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer and Tampa Plant, was ready for the rematch. Earlier in the day, with time running out, the Tornadoes ran a play while the Cobras were coming back on the field. The official said the whistle blew to start the play and Boyd Anderson lost.

“We really wanted to get that rematch,” said James. “That was our only loss and we felt that we really outplayed them.”

The title game, with all the attention on the main stadium, saw one of the most impressive games of the day, with each team taking a lead in a see-saw matchup. With time running out, the Cobras took a 28-27 lead, and it looked as if they would finally bring home a title. But Booker T. Washington had one last play with seven seconds left.

Armed with one of the best defensive secondaries in the state, the only way Boyd Anderson could lose this was a fluke. A complete breakdown in a prevent defense.

As quarterback Jeremiah Hay went back to pass, he tossed it as far as he could and the ball landed in the end zone into the waiting arms of receiver Jayvon Wrentz. The Cobras were beaten by a desperation, “Hail Mary” in the middle of the end zone.

“Wow, what a tough way to lose,” James said, shaking his head. “It just wasn’t our day.”

The 33-28 loss couldn’t hide the fact that two of the 16 teams in the event that made it to the final four were from the BCAA, and if you add in Ely, it was a great day as the summer continues to shine the spotlight on some great players!

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).