Douglas, Dillard, Cypress Bay and Hallandale. Four BCAA teams had a mission last week. That mission was to stay alive in the race for a state football championship. It didn’t happen!
What did happen on football fields across South Florida last Friday night was respect. Every team that went into battle in the second round of the playoffs, came away with a new measure of respect from the teams they played, and of course, the fans who watched the games in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Douglas, which pulled the ultimate surprise in the first round by beating a Boyd Anderson team that many picked to make a solid push for a state title, found the second meeting with head coach Art Taylor and the talented Deerfield Beach Bucks a little tough to overcome.
Having been at the first meeting between the two schools earlier this season, which produced a district champion, I felt that the second meeting would be just as exciting. But like they have in each of the past two weeks, Deerfield flexed some muscle and showed just why people picked them as one of the teams with the best shot at knocking off the nation’s No. 1 Miami Northwestern Bulls.
Give first year head coach Mike Virden and his staff credit for standing toe-to-toe against some of the better programs in the BCAA, serving notice that next year would be their year, and the Eagles certainly proved that they will be in the mix from now on!
First of all, besides Coach Virden and his team, I would like to say a special thanks to senior quarterback David Noshay. This is a young man who came in this year from nearby North Broward Prep, and quickly established himself as one of the top run/pass prospects in the BCAA – if not all of South Florida.
The 49-6 loss will bring a new enthusiasm to a program that always competed hard.
For the Dillard Panthers, it was a year in which head coach Keith Franklin and his name also served notice that what happened this year is something that people need to get used to. Despite being handled by St. Thomas, the year was special in so many ways.
Mistakes are often made by programs that are young and in the learning process. The Panthers tried to accomplish something against head coach George Smith and his team that very few have throughout the years. While they didn’t win the game, Dillard served notice that behind junior running back Trabis Ward, the future will be very bright, and with Coach Franklin’s discipline, you can guarantee that things will start to change. The 41-12 setback will only make this team grow!
What else can you can about head coach Mark Guandolo and his Cypress Bay Lightning that hasn’t been said? This is a coach who came in this year and started to compete against everyone from the beginning.
Cypress Bay (10-2) cut an impressive path through the BCAA this year, and while there are so many young players who were on the roster this season, the future is where it’s at. Even the 32-20 loss to unbeaten and second rated North Miami Beach didn’t dampen the spirits of this team and its many fans.
Look for the Lightning to continue to build and to be in this same position next year, and perhaps for many years to come.
The Hallandale Chargers had won once in 26 games, heading into the 2007 season. Much of that was erased when first year head coach Dameon Jones put together a program like this school hadn’t seen in decades.
The last time the Chargers made the playoffs was four years ago. Then, there was that dry period, but things started to turnaround this year as Jones started to build his alma mater, winning a playoff game at Naples Barron Collier before losing to nationally-rated district foe, Miami Booker T. Washington, 41-0.
Like Cypress Bay, look for the Chargers to remain on the winning side of things, and over the next few seasons, this could be one of the emerging programs, loaded with quality football talent.
THIS WEEK
5A
Palm Bay (9-3) at St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1): As we head down the homestretch, these are the kinds of teams the Raiders will start to see. Powerhouse programs who are challenged all year in their own region of the state.
The Pirates head to Fort Lauderdale for the first time ever, and head coach Dan Burke is always loaded with athletes such as University of Miami commitment Ramon Buchanon, a linebacker/running back with plenty of ability. Palm Bay came up with a huge win against district foe, Melbourne. But this game is not about the Pirates. It’s all about a St. Thomas team that finds the right combination in the playoffs.
In last week’s impressive win against Dillard, St. Thomas stepped up and showcased junior quarterback Ryan Becker, sophomore running backs Gio Bernard and James White, and senior running back Jeremiah Harden, who returned to the lineup after an injury. There was also the play of junior tight end Gabrison Holmes and standout senior defensive back Rodney Gillis, who has been impressive all season.
While many believe this game against Palm Bay will be a challenge, I think that it will be next week’s trip to either red-hot Cape Coral or unbeaten Largo that will provide the biggest test.
LARRY’S PICK: St. Thomas Aquinas 30, Palm Bay 14. Too much talent to overcome, here!
6A
Deerfield Beach (10-2) at North Miami Beach (12-0): For many who know and follow this game, these are the two schools that figured to be in this position this week.
The Chargers, who are the only large school in the country that dress just 30 players, showed against Cypress Bay that they are more than 6A Player of the Year candidate Aaron Winchester, who led Miami-Dade County in rushing, scoring and interceptions. That’s right, head coach Jeff Bertani may carry 30 players, but nine of the kids you see on offense also play on defense.
While the thought is that you can wear down NMB, the very fact that they have a victory margin of 25 points this season explains why they are 12-0. With that said, Coach Taylor and the Bucks will certainly be the toughest test of the year for the Chargers.
What Deerfield has are a number of athletes who are difference makers. They are much like the Chargers in the fact that coaching and preparation are key to the way they play each week. Behind the passing and running of junior quarterback Denard Robinson, running back Cassius McDowell and a defense that is fast and limits the big play will have this team in the mix from kickoff to the final whistle.
Remember, Taylor coached for years in Miami-Dade County and lost to high-powered Miami Northwestern, 51-41, in the kickoff classic, so there will be NO intimidation, here.
LARRY’S PICK: North Miami Beach 27, Deerfield Beach 25. The Chargers have won five straight against BCAA competition the past two years, but anything can happen when you have such a machine like the Bucks have.
That’s a look at this week’s games. Whether you cheer for one school or another, the main thing is that you go out and support the players and coaches. It could make a huge difference!
Remember the North/South All-Star football event will take place on Thursday, Dec. 13 at Lockhart Stadium. We will start giving you bios on each player in this game over the next few weeks.
For more recruiting, check Larry Blustein out every Thursday on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Show from 9-10 p.m. on WQAM (560 AM) and on the internet at www.floridafb.com. You can respond to anything in this column to FloridaKids1@hotmail.com |
