As we passed the midway point of the 2010 season a few weeks back, there are some surprises - good and bad - in the BCAA.
This week, I will take a look at the 5 teams who have surprised. I will also give you 5 programs who have not lived up to all the expectations that many had set for them before the season began.
SURPRISES
1. Cooper City: The Cowboys have already won more games (4) than they did the past two seasons combined. Big time coaching job by veteran Art Taylor has kept them in the district race.
2. Hallandale: The Chargers failed to win a game last year, but the return of head coach Dameon Jones has really helped to turn things around, winning key games such as Miramar, which is the one that caught everyone off guard!
3. Cypress Bay: The Lighting have jumped out of the gate with 4 wins and a chance to get the district title back from Everglades after knocking off Flanagan. Coach Mark Guandolo and his staff know how to coach this game!
4. Western: The Wildcats are one of the toughest teams to figure out, but with a 3-2 record and 1-0 in district play, they could watch this success story have a happy ending with another district win, which would elevate coach Radard West’s team into the playoffs!
5. Flanagan: Despite the important district loss to Cypress Bay, the Falcons had taken off in a major way with 4 wins. The game coming up with West Broward and Everglades now become must wins if this season is truly going to be a success.
FALLING SHORT
1. Deerfield Beach: The Bucks head into this week’s game against Boyd Anderson with an 0-5 record. There is simply no way anyone could have predicted this perennial playoff team would be on the brink of post season elimination!
2. Plantation: This is yet another team that really had the players to make a run at a better than .500 team. The Colonels have come close, but have fallen short and have failed to win a game yet.
3. Hollywood Hills: What has happened to the Spartans? After a few seasons that saw this team in the district spotlight, it wasn’t until game 5 when they finally picked up a win. District games against Stranahan and West Palm Beach Forest Hill could change the season back around!
4. Miramar: The defending 6A state champions could find themselves at 3-3 after this week’s game at home against St. Thomas. A loss in Texas was tough in overtime, but dropping a game to 3A Hallandale is something that should never happen! The district and region are easy enough that this team could get back to the region final!
5. Dillard: After losing to rival Boyd Anderson, the “Soul Bowl” against Ely is now a “must” win, and that will not be an easy assignment. The Panthers have lost two games that they could have emerged with a win!
Here are this week’s games - for Week 7 - involving BCAA member schools:
THURSDAY
Hallandale at Everglades, 7
Fort Lauderdale at Pompano Beach, 7
Stranahan at McArthur, 7
FRIDAY
St. Thomas Aquinas at Miramar, 7
Cooper City at Archbishop McCarthy, 7
Cardinal Gibbons at Ely, 7
Coral Glades at Monarch (Deerfield), 7
Coral Springs at Douglas, 7
Gateway Charter at Coral Springs Charter (Mullens Park), 7
Western at Cypress Bay, 7
Glades Central at Dillard, 7
Flanagan at Nova, 7
South Plantation at Hollywood Hills (McArthur), 7
Northeast at Coconut Creek, 7
South Broward at Pines Charter (Flanagan), 7
Plantation at Piper, 7
SATURDAY
Boyd Anderson at Deerfield, 7
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.
You can also follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/larryblustein |
