Broward

CYPRESS BAY

When Mark Guandolo was hired from Chaminade-Madonna in May of 2007, the veteran coach greeted his new charges at Cypress Bay with a simple, yet powerful, message.

Guandolo, who led Chaminade to two state titles this decade, merely held up one of his championship rings.

Message received.

"When he came in, the first thing, he showed us one of his rings from Chaminade," Lightning senior linebacker Austin Gamble said. "Everybody was getting all excited."

As Cypress Bay enters its second season under Guandolo, expectations are high.

"The players have really brought into the program," Guandolo said. "They're really working hard. They show up every day. They're doing what we ask them to do. They believe. That's the key. If they believe, then anything can happen. It's been a pleasure. It's always going to come down to staying healthy and those kinds of things, but we're excited about the season."

Could a new ring, one inscribed with lightning bolts, soon be on the way for Guandolo?

"We've got the potential for it," senior linebacker Shane Gordon said. "We do. We definitely do."

Senior linebacker Austin Gamble agreed and cited the team's October trip to play defending Texas Class 5A champion Katy as a solid launching point.

"As a team, I think we can win states," he said. "We're going to go out and play in Texas. I think we can do good. I think we can win that game, and then, just from there, try to go on to win state."

Senior running back Jason Douglas, expected to be the team's top rushing threat this year after splitting carries with Mike DeCaro as a junior, believes all the pieces are there.

"We've got a lot of potential," he said. "On defense, we've got a lot of talent. We're stacked with talent on defense. We've got three of the top linebackers. We've got two of the top corners and secondary. On the D-line, we've got some potentially good players. They're going to have a good season. On offense, Mike DeCaro [left], so I'm going to be carrying the load most of the time. Now, our passing game has gotten way better."

More than simply talented, linebacker Phil Walker Jr. cited team unity under Guandolo as a reason Cypress Bay could contend.

"It's been real different for all the guys," Walker Jr. said. "Everybody's been bonding. He turned it into a real family-oriented style program. Everything we do, we do it together. We work real hard with the Perfect Competition training we do there. We all have one goal, and that's to make it to the top."

EVERGLADES

Despite a strong returning class, Everglades typically finds itself as bystanders when fans discuss potential playoff teams.

Gators senior quarterback/defensive back Courtney Thompson believes his team should be listed as a contender.

"We're going to make a strong playoff run," he said. "Our goal is to win district, and we have a shot of going undefeated this season. I think our team is going to be stronger than it's ever been because we have more family-based team. Everyone is tighter, and we have a lot of talent. We've got a lot of returning seniors. We have 19 returning starters."

To get there, Everglades must contend with an improved Flanagan and potential powerhouses Cypress Bay and Miramar.

"It's not an easy schedule," Everglades running back/linebacker Roderic Blunt said. "We've got to take every game and put our best in like it's out last game. We've got a lot of seniors. This is it."

The game against Miramar and star quarterback Eugene Smith could, potentially, be the most challenging.

"We've got to stay focused and not lose confidence," said Blunt, who has offers from Wisconsin, Purdue and South Carolina, with Clemson and Florida State expected soon. "We just got to beat him this year. Since I've been in high school, I haven't beat Miramar yet. I've got to beat them this year."

For the Gators to pull and upset and get in postseason contention, their defense must lead the way. Blunt said the unit is up for the challenge.

"Our defense, our goal is to not only be the No. 1 defense in the county, but in the state," he said. "The past couple of years since I've been playing on the defense, we've been tough. That's what we're going to continue to do, stop offenses, get turnovers."

FLANAGAN

Flanagan, aligned with two powerhouses in the district with Cypress Bay and Miramar, knows it cannot afford a single misstep.

Coach Donald Simon and his staff fostered a positive attitude around the team and the Falcons are looking for a successful season.

"This year, I feel that we have a shot at being successful, of having a winning season," Flanagan defensive back Richard J. Smith said. "There's more discipline. There's more teamwork. Last year was just like a building step toward this year. The coach helps everybody. If you need anything, Coach is there for you. This year, we're just trying to be positive and have a positive season."

If the Falcons are to contend, linebacker Patrice Cosbert Jr. believes it will be because of the defense.

"The defense, we're a tough squad," he said. "Like they say, I think defense wins championships, like the Giants versus the Patriots. I think we have a tough defense. We're well-rounded. We have the size."

Flanagan also has a more mature attitude than last season, when a brawl with Miramar escalated and more than 50 players from the two schools missed at least one game.

"We matured a lot," Cosbert said. "We learned what to do and what not to do in situations like that. We grew as a team. We became one family.

". . . It really teaches a lesson. It makes us really think about what's going on in the future or what's going to happen, to set a better example for younger kids that are coming up."

MIRAMAR

Quarterback Eugene Smith, one of the top signal callers in the nation, said his recruiting decision will come down to a variety of factors, including "early playing time, academics, stable coaching staff, good guys as coaches [and] a well-run program."

Smith said he would favor a situation where he could have receiver Stedman Bailey join him.

"We have a great connection," Smith said. "He's one of my best friends. I've known him since about the sixth grade. Him and Terrance Gourdine, those are my top two receivers. Everybody, when they talk about me, they're talking about them two. When they talk about them, they talk about me."

Gourdine is not yet receiving the attention of his two accomplished teammates, but Smith believes that will change soon.

"We're trying to get Terrance in the mix because he's a little underrated right now," he said. "As soon as the season starts, he'll be receiving a lot more offers. It'll be great to play with those guys. We've been playing four years. Another four years in college, that would just be awesome."

• Smith, who passed form more than 2,500 yards last season and was only intercepted three times, believes he can have an even better senior season. He knows opposing defensive backs get antsy to play against him, hoping a possible interception could raise their status.

"I enjoy that a lot," Smith said. "My coach [Damon Cogdell] told me not to throw any interceptions this year. Last year, I felt three interceptions. That's not too bad. But, when you think about it, those guys getting an interception off me kind of makes their season. Coach doesn't want me to make any mistakes. My goal is not to throw any interceptions. But, if they happen, they happen."

• Smith raved about Bailey's football intelligence.

"The connection we have on the field is not as a quarterback-receiver, but as two quarterbacks on the field," Smith said. "We both see the same coverages and we both see eye to eye. That's why we pick defenses apart like that."