Moon Knights InsightAn account from a true believer in the Dade County Wars

1 - South Dade – Few have been able to step into bigger shoes and actually improve the program they have stepped into. Coach Balmaceda has done that and more. Year after year he comes out with weapons previously unknown. Talent after talent come out of the Buck training facilities. Yes, he has a lot of help, yes he has a kids program, yes he has multiple middle schools. Some would argue that this is the reason that his teams are great, I say that without him those programs and kids would suffer. Every great program needs a leader and he has proven that he can lead his teams to the promise land. This year he has his best team in quite some time and with high hopes he starts this season with a State Title on his wish list. A REAL STATE TITLE, not one that is bought and paid for. I seldom hear positive things about his kids but let me say that his kids are almost always polite and respectful, which is more than I can say for his fans. Good luck to him and his staff this year.

2 - Columbus – With all the talk about recruiting in the state of Florida and even here in Dade county, nothing is ever mentioned about the Dark Huskter and his minions. He has quietly built a solid program and one that will compete against South Dade next year as the top dogs in the county. He has a full staff and loads of money to work with and, lets not forget, he is a ‘pretty’ decent coach. His resume was already full of accolades and now he adds more by reviving a dead program. Let’s be honest, not just reviving it but making it one of the top programs in the county. His team will consist of names very familiar to long time county coaches. A team on the verge of becoming one of the great teams in our county. All because of his unique aura and incredible ability to use the people around him to better his program. A true coach in the whole sense of the word.

3- Southridge – Johnson has finally broken out of the heavy and long shadow of the Dark Huskter. He now has a team that is his and he will do great. Many people know that he was the concrete foundation to Huskters teams at Southridge. Most thought that Johnson would fail in his attempt at maintaining that program where it is supposed to be but it looks like he finally has the right personell in place. If I were a betting man I would place money on this teams immediate future. Johnson has a bunch of talented kids and listen closely, THEY WILL MAKE NOISE this year. Another point to add is that his team is spread out throughout the line up. Tough lightweights, some middleweights, and some VERY studdly upperweights.

4 - Southwest – This is a team that seems predestined to always be in the middle of the pack even though they have great kids and a pretty good coach. Word has it that they now have many former wrestlers coming back and trying to boost that program to the elite level. Once again they have tough lightweights, good to great middleweights, and then they are lacking at the heavier weights. Like I said, a team that seems predestined to always fall in the middle.

5 - Braddock – Wow has times changed. I never thought I would put Braddock down this far in any rankings. They obviously have the twin state champion duo of the Chandlers as well as their constant companion Montoto. They have Perez who is due for a great year after last years season ending injury. They have Villalobos and Medina shoring up the middle with Perez and then, well that’s it. Braddock seem to remind me of all the teams in the NBA while Jordan and the Bull’s were playing, as well as the Braves of years past. Always the bridesmaid and never the Bride. Those kids work hard and have talent but there is always something missing that South Dade always exposes. Sucks for them to be around during the Southridge and South Dade pissing contest of years past only to be here when South Dade has the pissing contest with themselves year in and year out

6 - Palmetto – Simply because they are Palmetto and always bring something to the game even if it is a little midget with an attitude.

7 - HML – Simply put, they were impressive last week and I can only expect them to get better. Coach Turnip knows the takedown game almost as good as Balmaceda.

8 - Sunset – Simply because he is the best coach out there without the notoriety.

9 - American – I don’t know of many coaches who can jump from school to school and still make kids follow him. Pete Myers, Bill Mcdonald, and many others have gone from team to team and that hasn’t panned out. I don’t see American being the type of school that Osorio can revive. He does have more talent but that is a different kind of kid. I am not holding my breath on this one.

10 - Hialeah – Word has it that HML State Champ Carlos Ponce is the new coach. He probably has some kids from years past and he is young energetic and ready for the trial and tribulations that come with being a head coach. I am sure he will lean on Turnip for advice and guidance. That program is in good hands with Ponce.