Well, we are one week away from the start of the 2008 high school football season, and while there are some kickoff classics and jamborees this week, the season ahead should be something that will provide us with many, many memories.

In the past, when writing a column prior to the season, I gave you the top programs to watch for here in Broward County, and while many teams have improved so much over the past few months, picking that best team will not be easy.

I have had the pleasure this spring and summer to see every high school football program in the BCAA. Spending time watching players who will lead their respective programs is something that I relish. Finding newcomers who will also impact various programs is fun as well.

Every football fan has an opinion of what to expect for the upcoming season. Fans cheer for their own schools, and if you check out the various fan websites, you will see how much interest Broward County has been able to stir up.

In my travels, people ask me what the difference between what I do as a recruiting analyst and talent evaluator vs. the hard-working people at Rivals.com and Scout.com – two of the foremost fan websites in the internet. First of all, when a fan website makes an assessment on a player, it is usually done via a combine or on film. The prediction that they make for a player, is only scrutinized by fellow fans.

What I do is attend thousands of practices, games and camps to produce full evaluations. I talk with coaches, fellow players and parents to get more about the player I am evaluating. For those who have asked me what that difference is, you now know that when I provide information on a player or players, it is something that colleges across the country have taken as gospel for nearly three decades. I have built the trust of college coaches from Miami to the state of Washington and in every corner of the country.

For me, this is a job that I relish. I love the interaction with the college coaches I deal with on a weekly basis. From our radio show that we do each Thursday night (9-10) on WQAM (560 AM) to the recruiting column that appears in the Miami Herald each Friday to the many other things that I have gotten involved in every day, this is my job, my passion. Something that weather people agree with me or not, is something that I have been fortunate enough to do since 1971 – as a kid growing up in Miami-Dade County.

As we look at the season ahead, I am going to bring you my top 20 for the upcoming season. This is a listing of 20 teams in all classes in Broward County, and while 6A certainly dominates to landscape, there are other programs we will let you know about.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (5A): The defending state champions are loaded and will be back in the running for a state – and possibly a national title! Veteran coach George Smith keeps the ball rolling.
2. Deerfield Beach Bucks (6A): While this team remembers the way 2007 ended, there is cautious optimism heading into the season. One of the most talented teams in the state, coach Art Taylor has this team on track.
3. Cypress Bay Lightning (6A): It didn't take coach Mark Guandolo long to parlay his new players with the ones left from the Billy Hobbs regime. Another favorite to be in the state title mix.
4. Miramar Patriots (6A): Eugene Smith, a huge line and four of the top receivers in the state of Florida. This team has to stay focused and everything will fall into place. Coach Damon Cogdell has worked this program hard.
5. Boyd Anderson Cobras (6A): Make no mistake, this has been one of the most athletic and promising teams in the county. Now coach Mark James needs to help push the program over the top.
6. Hallandale Chargers (4A): After losing four times a year ago, don't expect the losses to come as quickly this time around. Coach Dameon Jones has assembled a quality football team.
7. Dillard Panthers (5A): Call me crazy, but I still think that if any local team has the chance to unseat the Raiders, it's coach Keith Franklin and a team loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.
8. Cardinal Gibbons Redskins (3A): Chris Schrippa is one of the most underrated quarterbacks, and the defense is getting stronger all the time. Coach Mike Morrill can pull some surprises!
9. Plantation Colonels (6A): Brandon McGee, Josh Robinson and coach Steve Davis have slowly built this team into a contender once again. Could this be the year they win the district?
10. Northeast Hurricanes (5A): Coach Adam Ratkevich has helped to produce some tremendous individuals, but now he has a team that can contend for a district title.
11. Piper Bengals (6A): New coaching, different attitude and the transfer of Monarch standout and University of Kansas-bound running back Deshaun Sands can make the difference.

Devon Wright

12. Taravella Trojans (6A): If you've followed the coaching career of Dan Marguriet, you will fully understand why he will be in the mix in this competitive district/region. Junior Devon Wright returns.
13. Coconut Creek Cougars (5A): Coach Allen Jackson makes the move from nearby Monarch to take over a program that has talent and is excited about the season ahead.
14. South Plantation Paladins (6A): Coach Rich Moresco has brought together a tremendous coaching staff and players willing to make a difference. This is a team that is capable of pulling off some surprises.
15. South Broward Bulldogs (5A): Two years ago, coach Allen held guided this team to an 8-2 record and didn't make the playoffs. This year, this program is loaded with quality young players who have worked all summer on getting stronger.
16. Hollywood Hills Spartans (5A): For the past few years, coach Scott Barnwell's team has played second fiddle to St. Thomas, and while they are loaded with young talent, it appears that this will be a race for second place with South Broward and McArthur.
17. Ely Tigers (5A): A new coach for the second straight year will set this program back, but when you have a top-flight defensive back like Michael Carter, things can get interesting.
18. McArthur Mustangs (5A): After five tough years, coach Mike Zarra has this program back and ready to make a serious challenge for a district playoff spot. Young players have give this program reason to believe – again!
19. Everglades Gators (6A): Nothing would surprise second year coach Joshua Shapiro, and although this program lost a number of key players, there is reason to believe that this will be a very good year.
20. Stranahan Dragons (5A): After visiting veteran coach Joe Redmond's squad in the spring, this could be one of those programs, with tremendous coaching, that could set the tone for a promising year.

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).