With the 0-13 Dolphins and all the losing at the University of Miami and FIU this fall, South Florida football fans haven't had much more to do than gripe.

But the boo-birds may finally be able to take a break this coming weekend. Three teams from Miami-Dade and Broward -- Booker T. Washington, St. Thomas Aquinas and Miami Northwestern -- will be playing in the Florida High School Athletic Association state championships at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

How good are these teams? Northwestern is ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPN. Booker T. Washington is ranked No. 4. Aquinas isn't ranked in the nation's top 25, but has a long, proud history created by plenty of talent.

And why the high level of talent in such a condensed area? Charles Fishbein, the national scouting high school director for MSLCombines.net, says it's a combination of factors.

''I think a lot of it has to do with the fact these kids are playing football year-round, participating in camps, working with professional trainers and playing from an early age,'' Fishbein said.

``Plus, the best kids at Northwestern, Booker T. Washington and St. Thomas are all good kids. They come from good homes; they're respectful. It used to be those kids were spread out. But all of them and their parents recognize at an early age what it's like to put them around other good kids. So they stick together and end up playing together on the same teams.''

Longtime recruiting analyst Larry Blustein says all three teams are loaded with special talent and, among that talent, there lurk some future NFL stars. ''This is without a doubt the best class in Dade and Broward collectively in more than a decade,'' said Blustein, who has covered recruiting nationally and in South Florida since 1971.

The three South Florida powers have a combined 41-1 record this year and are on the verge of making collective history. Not once in the 44 years of the state tournament have three teams from the same area swept the three large-school classifications. In 1997, Carol City and St. Thomas won the 6A and 5A state championships.

Of the playing talent, Blustein says, ``Miami-Dade has all those kids at Northwestern and Booker T. They aren't just Division I kids; they're elite kids. The three teams combined probably have more Division I players on their rosters than the other state championship teams combined. This is probably going to be the most historic weekend for talent in one venue I've ever seen.''

Northwestern (14-0) plays Orlando Boone (14-0) in the Class 6A state championship game Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Bulls have more than 30 top-level college prospects, according to Blustein.

NINETEEN SENIORS

Coach Billy Rolle said Monday he expects as many as 19 seniors to sign scholarships in February. In the group are eight seniors ranked among the state's Top 60 players, according to FloridaVarsity.com.

Booker T. has three players (cornerback Brandon Harris and receivers Davon Johnson and Thearon Collier) and St. Thomas has two (offensive lineman Andrew Datko and running back Jeremiah Harden) listed among the Top 100 on the same list.

Six of the Northwestern players on the list -- quarterback Jacory Harris, linebacker Sean Spence, defensive tackle Marcus Forston, offensive lineman Brandon Washington and receivers Aldarius Johnson and Kendal Thompkins -- have already decided they want to play together in college. Those six Bulls are already orally committed to attend the University of Miami next season alongside Booker T.'s Johnson and Collier.

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