After eight weeks of the 2011 high school football season, there are three surprise teams in Broward County. All three just happened to be in the same district.

South Plantation (5-2), Coral Springs (6-1) and Taravella (6-1) have combined for an impressive 17-4 record, which include wins over key teams.

In a district where any of the three have the talent to represent 11-8A, Taravella holds that slight edge with a win over South Plantation. But the Paladins and head coach Doug Gatewood turned the tables previously unbeaten Coral Springs last Friday, beating the Colts.

South Plantation certainly has the talent with junior quarterback John Franklin and junior running back Alex Collins proving the offense with a number of athletes making the difference on defense.

Until last Friday night at South Plantation, head coach Ray Gould and his Colts had not tasted defeat. Coral Springs is certainly one of the biggest surprises, setting a school record with six straight wins to start the season.

This program has been built with a solid off season, and with senior quarterback Evan Lassiter along with prospects Dion Witty, Jared Joyner and many others, this is a team to watch.

The program that everyone always watches are the ones that are coached by veteran Dan Marguriet. No matter where he’s been in his superb coaching career,  Marguriet ahs developed, coached and won with a number of programs.

This year’s squad is loaded with quality players he has put together in his time at the school. Skilled, fast athletes who will stand toe-to-toe against anyone, and often come out ahead.

The Trojans have the talent on both sides of the ball as well, and have used a solid off season to put themselves on the top of the district with the annual meeting with the Colts coming up and will mean more than it has in years.

While we have paid attention to schools such as Miramar and St. Thomas, and for good reason, there’s an entire district that has leaped into the spotlight - with just two teams moving on!

All three teams will be in action this week. Here’s a look at games involving all BCAA teams:

THURSDAY
South Broward at Hollywood Hills (McArthur), 7
Stranahan at Pines Charter (Flanagan), 7

FRIDAY
Blanche Ely at Boyd Anderson, 7
American Heritage at Cardinal Gibbons, 7
Monarch at Coconut Creek, 7
Cooper City at McArthur, 7
Northeast at Coral Glades, 7
Coral Springs at Deerfield Beach, 7
Cypress Bay at Everglades, 7
West Broward at Flanagan, 7
Fort Lauderdale at Archbishop McCarthy, 7
Pompano Beach at Hallandale, 7
Miramar at Western, 7
Coral Springs Charter at Nova, 7
Taravella at Piper, 7
St. Thomas Aquinas at Plantation (PAL), 7
South Plantation at Douglas, 7

Have any feedback - or something to add? Direct all E-Mails to Floridakids1@aol.com. Catch Larry Blustein each and every Tuesday night for the Maroone High School Gridiron Report from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM). Also follow as at Twitter @larryblustein.