broward playbook

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 28, 2008

In the beginning ...

There was no weight room, no home games, no seniors. Welcome to the newest school in the county, West Broward High. The Bobcats, the only high school in the county to use that nickname, play their inaugural varsity football game against Cooper City on Sept. 12.

They will play eight varsity games, two junior varsity games and will play as an independent. Almost forgot: no on-campus football stadium. Other first-year football programs include Academy High, Posnack and Somerset.

Wave, you're on television

Broward County football is going global. OK, let's not get too excited, a regional broadcast will do.

Three local teams will have a chance to showcase their ability on television. St. Thomas Aquinas plays Cincinnati Elder at Paul Brown Stadium as part of the Kirk Herbstreit Classic in a tape-delayed game on ESPN on Sept. 1.

Cypress Bay makes its television debut in Texas against national powerhouse Katy High on Oct. 4 on ESPNU.

St. Thomas returns to the airwaves against Deerfield Beach on Oct. 17 on local CSS networks. Both teams are nationally ranked by some preseason polls.

Calling all mascots

Attention all athletic directors: your school's mascot deserves recognition, too. (Flying L, anyone?) We want to know the history of your mascot and the students who create the mascot's character.

Please submit a photo and a brief description of what makes your mascot special. The Sun Sentinel will profile a different mascot online each week. Send information to dbrousseau@sunsentinel.com.

Hey, we're going to Disney World!

First, your team will have to win a title.

The state high school football championships return to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando for the second year. St. Thomas Aquinas was the only Broward County team to make the trip last year, and the Raiders have a good chance to repeat.

The Raiders, who defeated Kissimmee Osceola 35-20 for the Class 5A championship [Shawn Turner (50) and Jeremiah Harden celebrate above], are nationally ranked in several polls.

Others looking for entertainment at the numerous Disney attractions are Deerfield Beach in Class 6A. The Bucks return 13 starters from a team that fell to eventual champ Miami Northwestern 19-14 in the state semifinals last year.

Taking the ride for that state title will be like waiting in line at Space Mountain or Splash Mountain for Boyd Anderson, Cypress Bay, Plantation, Dillard, Hallandale and University School. It will take a little more time and patience.

Save the date

Sept. 5

Boyd

Anderson

vs. Ely

Two of the county's traditional playoff teams meet at Ely.

Oct. 17

Deerfield Beach vs.

St. Thomas

Regular-season games don't get much bigger than this. Both teams are nationally ranked.

Nov. 7

Dillard vs. Ely

This year's Soul Bowl at Lockhart Stadium comes with a twist as it will be played on a Friday instead of the typical Saturday.

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Boyd Anderson Deerfield Beach	22 55	Miramar Cypress Bay	34 29

Dillard St. Thomas	8 49	Hallandale Booker T. Washington	19 35

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