The numbers are dwindling down each week. Teams that many felt would have a chance to play for a state championship are putting their equipment away for the season. From now on, the strong survive, and mistakes made on the football field can dash dreams in an instant.

Welcome to the second round of the state playoffs, and while BCAA teams are still alive and kicking, the number is dwindling, and by Friday night, four more programs could join the masses in wondering what next year will be like.

As we approach the second week, it signals that the games will get harder and the stakes begin to rise as the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, the destination for this year's state championships, gets closer and the reality that some teams may not make it, will start to set in.

For Hallandale, St. Thomas Aquinas, Dillard, Boyd Anderson, Deerfield Beach, Cypress Bay and Miramar, this Friday may be the last time the schools suit up for a game in 2008. While it's sad, you have to understand that this is the way it always happens. A team will get hot at the right time and ride the crest to a state title. For at least the past 38 years that I have had the pleasure of following high school football, this is the way its played out.

For Miramar and Cypress Bay, the two teams talked about so much in 6A this year, the end will come for one of these quality programs this Friday – after coming up with huge wins over Miami-Dade County foes in the opening round.

The first meeting between these two district rivals was one for the ages – with All-America quarterback Eugene Smith – stopped inches from the goal line, giving the Lightning and coach Mark Guandolo a district title, but with the knowledge that this game could repeat itself down the road. Well, the road is here, and on Friday night (7:30), Cypress Bay will host the Patriots in a game that many believe will be one of the best of the year!

Miramar lost that first game, 41-40, setting up the second meeting, which promises to be just as exciting.

This is a different Cypress Bay team these days. Despite getting by North Miami Beach just 29-20 last week, the Lightning have played their best football since getting back from Texas, where they were soundly beaten by Katy. They beat Miramar the first week after getting back from the Houston area, and have rolled over everyone since.

That first game against Miramar saw Cypress Bay get out to a huge lead in the first half, only to hang on. This time around, especially with Smith throwing the ball so well, Cypress Bay cannot afford to let up. They need to get ahead and use that running game, which has been as good as you get, to eat the time off the clock. This game will not be easy for either team, and mistakes will most certainly dictate the outcome.

BLU'S PICK: Cypress Bay 37, Miramar 33.

Cypress Bay and Miramar are not the only programs facing off for the second time. Hallandale, which opened with a win against Naples Barron Collier, will get another shot at the defending 4A state champion Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes. The first time, the Chargers got out to a big lead, but couldn't hold on and lost the district championship. This Friday night in Miami, Hallandale and head coach Dameon Jones hope that the lessons learned in the first meeting will carry over.

Let's face it, winning is never easy, and learning how to win is that much tougher. Hallandale has the talent and the knowledge that they were in that first game against BTW and had the opportunity to pull the game out. A win here an it will be the furthest and Hallandale program in history had ever gone. They have won three first round games, including last week, last year and back eight years ago when the Chargers beat Immokalee with then freshman running back Javarris James, who is now at the University of Miami.

The Chargers need to run the ball with Korvic Neat and Michael Anderson, Jr., and play defense to have a shot in this contest.

BLU'S PICK: Booker T. Washington 23, Hallandale 14.

5A
Dillard at St. Thomas Aquinas: Anyway you slice it, this is a STA team that is loaded in every direction. Offense, where they score over 44 points a game, and on defense, where they have improved a great deal. They are currently one of the top three teams in the nation, and in the playoffs, this is where this program knows how to turn up the heat. With that said, coach Keith Franklin has long been a thorn in the side of veteran coach George Smith and his teams, dating back to his days as the coach at McArthur and as an assistant at South Broward. The Panthers have the talent, with senior running back Trabis Ward and a strong defense and will be ready for this game after a convincing 40-0 win against McArthur, but the Raiders are NOT McArthur! While you would think that this game would be close, the Raiders have much bigger fish to fry as they continue the march toward a national crown, which means that they should have little problem at home this week.
BLU'S PICK: St. Thomas 44, Dillard 21.

Boyd Anderson Football

6A
Boyd Anderson at Deerfield Beach (Coral Springs High): The last time these two teams met, this was no contest. The Cobras won the game in every phase, prompting some bad blood between the two teams after a late score was deemed unnecessary. Boyd Anderson has a strong offense, an athletic defense and certainly enough horses to pull the wagon in this game. Is it tough to beat a team twice in a season? Coach Mark James and his team believe that they are the better team, and have looked forward to this second round game since beating Taravella in the opening round. But this is a different week and the Bucks, picked by many to win 6A at the start of the year, are almost back at full strength. Junior running back Cassius McDowell is back to ignite this team once again, and quarterback Denard Robinson is one of the best you'll find. The defense is also quite athletic, but will coach Art Taylor's team be able to finish off the Cobras?
BLU'S PICK: Boyd Anderson 27, Deerfield Beach 21.

NEXT WEEK: The playoffs continue, and we’ll have all the action as we follow the local teams to Orlando.

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).