Whether it’s December or the middle of the summer, football teams from the BCAA have been turning heads.

Last weekend, Miramar Regional Park played host to 30 football teams from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in the Nike’s 7-on-7 South Florida tournament.

While many of the top teams from this area were on hand for the qualifier that would bring back 12 teams on July 17 at a site to be determined, to play for the title, several BCAA schools had the opportunity to showcase their many skills.

Among the BCAA teams in the mix included Hallandale, South Broward, Monarch, Hollywood Hills, Stranahan, Pompano, Northeast and Cypress Bay, which usually doesn’t take part in these 7-on-7 events.

As play continued throughout the day, the field was narrowed for the event, and at the end of the qualifier, Deerfield Beach, Ely, Boyd Anderson and surprising Everglades were the teams that finished in the top 4.

With the four qualifiers from the Palm Beach event (Jupiter Christian, Delray Beach Atlantic, Miami Christopher Columbus and Flanagan, which was voted into the field of 12), the tournament is set, and things should be very exciting when all get together.

Miami-Dade will send four traditional powers to the finals, which include Northwestern and Central, but also will add very athletic and up-and-coming programs Norland and Jackson.

GRABBING THE SPOTLIGHT
With the release of Friday Night Football Magazine Florida heading to a location next to you, a number of BCAA players will be rewarded.

The top 50 Class of 2011 list includes Rashad Greene (WR, 6-0, 185, St. Thomas Aquinas), Bobby Hart (OL, 6-5, 290, St. Thomas Aquinas), Kevin Grooms (RB/DB, 5-10, 170, South Broward), Bryant Dubose (DE, 6-4, 240, Northeast), Marcus Roberson (DB, 6-0, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas), Wayne Lyons (S, 6-0, 190, Dillard), Kent Turene (LB, 6-2, 220, Boyd Anderson) and Ryan Shazier (LB, 6-2, 210, Plantation).

The Class of 2012 also boasts a few players such as Blanche Ely receiver Avery Johnson (6-3, 185), Tracey Howard (DB, 6-0, 165, Miramar), Jelani Hamilton (DL, 6-5, 230, St. Thomas Aquinas), Brandon Butler (S, 5-11, 175, Boyd Anderson) and Erick Hallmon (LB, 6-0, 200, Cardinal Gibbons).

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.