About an inch.

That was the difference when Miramar and Cypress Bay met earlier, just about an inch.

There was Cypress Bay, driving, shoving, pushing Miramar out of the way, running out of that ancient Wing-T, going up, over and around Miramar with Broward's most disciplined offense.

And there was Miramar coming back again and again. Then there was that final last-ditch drive, Eugene Smith tossing the ball all over the place, covering 65 yards in the final 27 seconds to close to 41-40.

Miramar was set to kick the extra point and go to overtime, but Cypress Bay jumped offside. Miramar decided to attempt a two-point conversion, and Phil Walker, one of the best linebackers in South Florida, denied a diving Smith.

''It was about an inch away,'' Walker said.

That was the difference in the Lightning winning the district and Miramar walking off the field in tears.

Now we are going to do it all over again, only this time everything is in the balance -- all the hopes of moving on, all those dreams of winning it all, the season itself.

It may be the region semifinal, but the winner of this game will be the team that comes out of Broward with a chance to win the 6A title in Orlando.

At Miramar, they wear shirts that say ''Believe, Believe, Believe,'' on the front, and the words from Psalms 18:2 appear on the back.

Ask any player about facing Cypress Bay, and they all say the same thing: ``Lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice.''

Clever. But will it be enough to stop that grind-it-out offense? Is it enough to stop quick backs Jason Douglas and Craig Dee? Now here's the fun part: Even if Cypress Bay scores 40, 45 or 49 points, will it be enough to hold back Smith and Miraclemar?

Yes, Miraclemar. What else would you call this team after last week's miracle 28-26 finish against Carol City in Miami? Smith has engineered four last-ditch comebacks this season, including driving 73 yards in the final 1:47 to beat Carol City on a tipped TD pass with 12 seconds left.

How can you pick this one? Cypress Bay has the best 6A team in South Florida, but Miraclemar has that undefinable something, that magic, that little extra -- that, for lack of a better metaphor, that final inch. Why not? Let's call it Miramar 42, Cypress Bay 41.

CLASS 6A

Boyd Anderson (7-4) vs. Deerfield Beach (9-2) at Coral Springs: I can still hear Deerfield Beach coach Art Taylor screaming ''Sportsmanship! Sportsmanship! Sportsmanship,'' after Boyd Anderson threw a TD pass with five seconds left to make the final 27-10. Taylor was furious about the late rub-it-in TD, and blasted BA for not taking a knee. He was mad and he should be. There's no reason to add late points in a high school game. BA coach Mark James said he had his second team in the game, and added that his team ``plays to the end.''

So now there's some bad blood, some extra motivation for both teams. One more thing: There's Cassius McDowell, Beach's top running back, who didn't play that night.

Deerfield Beach 28, BA 20.

CLASS 5A

Dillard (9-2) at St. Thomas Aquinas (11-0): Dillard will be the best 5A team Aquinas has played this season, and Dillard's defense will test Aquinas, but everyone knows who will win this game. If Dillard was on the other side of the state, the Panthers might get to Orlando.

Aquinas 38, Dillard 14.

CLASS 4A

Hallandale (8-3) vs. Booker T. Washington (9-1) at Curtis Park: After getting blown out twice last year, Hallandale fell just 19-11 to Booker T. at home last month, but it might not be that close in Miami, where Booker T. scored 55 last week.

Washington 31, Hallandale 14.

CLASS 2B

University (11-0) at Pahokee (9-1): University played an inspired game last week, but the perfect season ends against the powerhouse.

Pahokee 37, University 20.

CLASS 1B

Upperroom Christian (5-5) vs. Jupiter Christian (11-0) at John I. Leonard: Jupiter Christian could compete at the 3A level.

Jupiter Christian 44, Upperroom Christian 21

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