In his 21 seasons as head wrestling coach at Coral Springs, Dan Jacob has had his share of impressive teams and competitors, who have gone on to accomplish some huge things. Last weekend, while all eyes were on schools such as Douglas and Western, Jacob and his Colts pulled the unexpected.

With the idea of getting a few top wrestlers through to compete in the state championships at the Lakeland Center on Feb. 20-12, the Colts took it one step further. They not only advanced eight athletes to Lakeland for this Friday’s first round (10 a.m.), but they also captured the 4-3A Regional crown.

Coral Springs leads an impressive group that includes 72 BCAA wrestlers who once again go in with high hopes, but also realize that this hasn’t been a friendly place in the past.

Jacob, who has compiled an impressive 266-52-2 record for the Colts, understands that the BCAA has been down this road before, only to watch things fall apart.

While 3A seems to be slanted toward Miami-Dade County and powerhouse South Dade, the BCAA believes that 103-pounder Marcos Gomes and 112-pounder Alex Chiracosta (Douglas) have the best chance to win individual state titles along with  Cooper City duo Mike DiPierro (189) and Ariel Klein (215).

Second year St. Thomas Aquinas coach Mark Fee also won his 4-2A regional crown last weekend at Martin County, and while national powerhouse Brandon figures to run away with the class as they always do, the Raiders have a few wrestlers who have a shot at winning individual titles. Sean Donnelly (112), Gunnar Maglioca (130), freshman Jordan Speiller (152) and senior Luke Weiss (160) have been impressive.

For the first time in several years, Cardinal Gibbons does not head to state as a region champion. The Chiefs finished third in the Region 4-1A class, but veteran head coach Frank Pettineo has to feel good with the lineup he sending to Lakeland.

Unbeaten Domingo Simmons (119) and Frank Pettineo (145) go in as favorites along with Paul Marcello (125) and C.J. Burke (135).

The Chiefs, along with Green Cove Springs Clay, Miami Monsignor Pace, Live Oak Suwannee and Jensen Beach are the teams to beat.

Here is a rundown on the BCAA wrestlers headed to the Lakeland Center on Friday and Saturday:

103
Marcos Gomes (Douglas), Kenneth Sabino (Hollywood Hills), Brandon Sierra (Coral Springs Charter), Andy Ball (St. Thomas).

112
Alex Chiricosta (Douglas), Nahom Obazghi (Dillard), David Bonilla (McArthur), Kerrey Charles (Coral Springs), Sean Donnelly (St. Thomas), Martavius Crocker (Stranahan), Andrew Wisdom (Nova).

119
Casey Claire (Coral Springs), Dwainall Sutton (Coconut Creek), Matheus Souza (Taravella), Domingo Simmons (Cardinal Gibbons), Zach Lebovic (Nova).

125
Alex Abramat (Cypress Bay), Kester Mark (South Broward), Paul Marcello (Cardinal Gibbons), Joey Eterno (St. Thomas).

130
Durvan Thompson (Boyd Anderson), Brandon Lezama (Coral Springs), Luis Perez (Everglades), Christopher Andrade (Cardinal Gibbons), Gunnar Maglioca (St. Thomas).

135
Jon Durand (Coral Springs), Gerald Torres (Everglades), Dylan Reeves (Deerfield Beach), C.J. Burke (Cardinal Gibbons), Brandon Pellecer (St. Thomas).

140
Zack Parker (Western), Vinny Jiovenetta (Douglas), Michael Sabbag (Everglades), Mike Schott (St. Thomas)

145
Alex Dahl (Cypress Bay), Akeem Barthol (Coral Springs), Ariel Morrero (Everglades), Frank Pettineo (Cardinal Gibbons).

152
Nic Lagriola (Douglas), Miles Doleman (Cypress Bay), Ronnie Talledo (Taravella), Miguel Rodriquez (Ely), Zach Kidd (Stranahan), Jordon Speiller (St. Thomas), Austin Glassman (St. Thomas).

160
JC Velasco (Coral Springs), Spencer Wichner (Western), Walid Boggio (Cypress Bay), Stefano Faieta (Douglas), Luke Weiss (St. Thomas), Victor Boyd (Stranahan).

171
Richard Englar (Flanagan), Jared Nuby (South Broward), Justin Schoeff (Western), Josh Kelso (Cypress Bay), Paul Weiss (St. Thomas).

189
Mike DiPierro (Cooper City), Ryan Conley (Western), Eli Jordan (Cypress Bay), Elson Civilma (Deerfield Beach), Mike Montejo (St. Thomas).

215
Ariel Klein (Cooper City), Justin Wilson (Western), Jefson Nelson (Boyd Anderson), John Harris (Coral Springs), Barry Jean (Northeast).

275
Nick "Booger" Stevens (Coral Springs), Steven Jacques (South Broward), Joseph McNamara (Cypress Bay), Bobby Hart (Cardinal Gibbons), Wayne McCarthy (Northeast), Aaron Thompson (Fort Lauderdale).

NEXT WEEK: Wrapping up the winter sports around the BCAA.

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).