While students take a break for the summer, the athletes across Broward County will use the next few months to get stronger, faster and gain an edge on the competition.

With the BCAA hosting an impressive camp next week and other events to occupy the next few months, I will stay right on top of the action for you, attending as many events as our athletes do.

Last summer, you sent plenty of e-mails, thanking us here at the website for keeping track of the athletes throughout the year. We will do the same this summer.

From as close as Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, Orlando, Deland and in several other areas, we will follow the local athletes, giving you a full report on what to expect during the 2009-10 school year.

In addition, we will spotlight a few football teams from time to time to give you a preview of what players to keep an eye on in the summer and into the fall.

Today, we will check out the defending national champion St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders and coach Mark Guandolo and the Cypress Bay Lightning.

We also invite you to listen to our radio show on WQAM (560 AM), which the Miami Dolphins sponsor, featuring players and coaches. Our summer time for the show has changed to 8-9 p.m. every Thursday evening.

Last year, coach George Smith and the Raiders finished 15-0 last season and won their second straight 5A state title and took home the first national title in school history. They will be the favorite in District 16-5A again this season.

With many holes to fill, the Raiders approach the 2009 season with a solid offense and very stronger defense.

One of the catalysts of this team will Southwest Miami transfer Lamarcus Joyner (DB/WR, 5-8, 170), a two-way player who certainly will add to an already potent team.

Offensively, everything will move behind the legs of senior running backs Gio Bernard (5-8, 200) and James White (5-11, 195) along with Matt Arena (6-0, 195). Senior quarterback Transfer Turner Baty (6-2, 190) should add experience to the unit.

With all the receivers moving on to the collegiate level, the Raiders will rely on Joyner, Austin Bombach (6-2, 175) and James Dolan (6-0, 190). The offensive line will be impressive as well with All-America prospect Brandon Linder (6-6, 280), Jermaine Barton (6-7, 280), James Fillichio (6-0, 220), Jon Marmosa (6-2, 210), Jon Mills (6-4, 265) and one of the top long snappers in the nation in Danny Adams (6-0, 185).

The Raiders are loaded with senior kickers. The country's top prospect Mike Palardy will handle both the punting and the kicking, and Ben Hopfinger will be available if needed.

Defensively, this senior class is very strong with a secondary that includes Joyner, Reynaldo Kirton (6-2, 190), Dillard transfer Keion Payne (6-0, 170), Cody Riggs (5-10, 170), Brian Robinson (6-0, 190) and Dave Shepherd, a 5-11, 165-pounder.

John Baglia (6-1, 215) returns to lead a linebacking corps that also features Don Chenault (6-2, 185), Dean Fillichio (5-11, 195), Garth Jobb (6-2, 215) and steady Vinnie Mauro (6-2, 215), and  the line boasts John Childress (6-0, 200), Dorian Grant (6-0, 245), Matt Stokes (6-2, 250) and Nova transfer Frederick Sutton (6-1, 250).

The junior class also adds to the depth with running back Jamal Wilson (5-10, 170), speedy receiver Phil Dorsett (5-9, 170), quarterback Jake Rudock (6-2, 175), linemen Austin Barron (6-3, 250) and Andrew Reyes (6-2, 250) and impressive defensive lineman Ken Hankerson (6-0, 200).

To further illustrate the future, the Raiders' Class of 2012 group also gives the team plenty of athletes. On offense, running back Dami Ayoola (5-11, 180), receivers Matt Lescano (5-11, 150) and Gavin Sinclair, (5-11, 150), and quarterback Austin Whipple (6-1, 165). Defensively, the Raiders feature linebacker Cole Champion (5-11, 175) and lineman Jelani Hamilton, a 6-5, 205-pounder.

CYPRESS BAY REBUILDS
Coming off a 10-2 season last year in the competitive District 11-6A, the Lightning of Cypress Bay and head coach Mark Guandolo face a rebuilding season this year, but it's still not a team to take lightly.

The senior class has experience with quarterback Zach Green (6-1, 180), tight end Chris Bruscato (6-1, 205), running back David McKnight (5-10, 185), kicker Derek Soven, and offensive linemenJoe McNamara (6-2, 285) and Alex Tucci (6-4, 305).

Defensively, linebackers Walid Boggio (5-10, 190), Mike Mancino (5-8, 180) and Juan Montoya (6-0, 225) are impressive. So are secondary standouts Damien Brown (5-11, 180), Steve Tellefsen (6-0, 180) and Bryton Weathers, a 5-10, 160-pounder.

The junior class is where this program looks to gain valuable depth and experience. Linebackers Nick Fleming (5-10, 190), Enzo Nitti (6-0, 190) and Danny Weinstein (6-2,  210) are all talented. So are secondary performers Francisco Blanco (6-0, 170) and Kendall Fullington (5-11, 170).

On offense the Lightning are solid with standout running back Danny Epstein (5-10, 185) and Joe Stanley (5-9 175), receivers Christian Floriendo (5-10, 170) and Mario Pannunzio (6-1, 190), tight end Varian Roberson (6-2, 195), and linemen Kyle Jossfolk (6-0, 250) and Brandon Schoenthal, a 6-2, 250-pounder.

Guandolo is also pleased with the Class of 2012 athletes he has for the fall in quarterback Chase Harsted (5-11, 170) and lineman Dan Isidora (6-4, 310) on offense, and linebackers Charles Pate (5-10, 180) and Jared Prinzo (6-0, 185), cornerback Antonio Hernandez (5-10, 180) and lineman Erik Valles (6-1, 210) on defense.

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).