Nobody will ever take away the fact that Miramar is the defending 6A state champions, but as the Patriots found out last Friday night in the district opener at Plantation, defending the title is only going to get tougher.

In the state of Florida, when you win any of the eight state titles that are up for grabs each year, you are automatically on a list that will always put you in the spotlight.

The Patriots opened the season on the road, losing a tough overtime game at DeSoto, Texas. The following Thursday, just when some believed they were primed for an upset by rival Everglades, the Patriots came alive and won the game.

The first district game against a team that many felt was overlooked, the Plantation Colonels, was supposed to be one where the Patriots came in and took control like they did in the two meetings a year ago. This meeting would be much different.

Even though the outcome was the same, with Miramar winning 24-23, this was one of those impressive and hard-fought games that both sides will remember all season.

Plantation head coach Steve Davis opted to go for the win instead of the tie and send the game into overtime. That decision was made with the idea that all players are taught to win, and Davis stuck to his philosophy.

With two minutes left, Colonels senior quarterback Imonni Carswell rolled right and found his receiver, but a Patriots defender knocked it away.

The Patriots scored to go up 24-17 with less than four minutes left on a 20-yard pass from junior Devonte Mathis to senior Sean McVay.

Plantation responded immediately, giving the ball to Rijante Randall, who broke off a 49-yard run to put the Colonels 15 yards from the end zone. Randall finished with 171 yards and two touchdowns.

THIS WEEK….

There are a few games to keep an eye on, but none as huge as the St. Thomas-Camden County, Ga. game at St. Thomas on Friday night at 7.

This nationally televised game will pit two of the best teams in the nation like last year when the Raiders played host to Byrnes, S.C. in one of the most memorable games of the 2009 season.

The Raiders have already proven that they are ready for the big game, after beating Dallas Skyline, 5A power Boyd Anderson and longtime rival Cardinal Gibbons. But Canden County has also stood up to tests as well - with the close win over Miami-Dade County power Central, to start the season with.

Here is a look at the complete roster for Week 5 involving BCAA member schools:

THURSDAY
Coral Springs at Coral Glades, 7
Dillard at Cypress Bay, 7
Hollywood Hills at South Broward, 7

FRIDAY
Boyd Anderson at Taravella (Coral Springs), 7
Cooper City at Western, 7
Woods Haven Prep at Coral Springs Charter (Mullens Park), 7
Blanche Ely at Coconut Creek, 7
University School at Everglades, 7
McArthur at Flanagan, 7
Miramar at Hallandale, 7
Monarch at Nova, 7
Pines Charter at Pompano Beach, 7
Piper at West Broward (Cooper City), 7
Stranahan at South Plantation, 7
Plantation at Lakeland, 7

SATURDAY
Northeast at Cardinal Gibbons, 2