NEIGHBORHOOD RIVALRY CONTINUES. .

Hallandale and South Broward renew series in 2010 opener on Friday 

HOLLYWOOD - The sign in the front of the school on Federal Highway promotes the opening game of the 2010 high school football season between the home team, South Broward, and the visitors, Hallandale. But there is a lot more to this rivalry than many would ever understand.

As the 2010 season unfolds on Friday night (7:00), the annual meeting between the Bulldogs and the Chargers will take place with much more than winning and losing at stake.

This rivalry, which has separated families and friends for more than 30 years, has always meant more than what the outcome of the game is. It is a rivalry in every sense of the word, and while the opening night spotlight will shine in so many directions this week, you can guarantee that these two programs will have plenty to brag about after the game is over.

At a time when South Broward and Hallandale have gotten their football programs turned around, Friday night's meeting at South Broward High Stadium doesn't have a bearing on the district or playoffs, but something a lot more important.

"This is a game for pride and bragging rights," said veteran South Broward head coach Allen Held, who has been a head coach at both schools, opting to return to his Alma mater a few years back. "Coaches, players and students all know one another, so this game is really a neighborhood clash."

Held has been on both sides and knows exactly what's at stake. Being a bigger (5A) school than 3A Hallandale means very little, and the fact that the Chargers are coming off an 0-10 season is certainly thrown out of the window as head coach Damien Jones, who was the offensive coordinator four years ago at South Broward, comes back to his Alma mater after taking a year away.

While some would think that a non-district game against Hallandale would pale to what lies ahead for a Bulldog team that went 10-2 last season and earned a state ranking, others understand how important a meeting like this is for both schools.

Two years ago, Jones got his Chargers into the playoffs for the second straight year after finishing second to Miami Booker T. Washington. Now that BTW is no longer in the district, Jones and his team believe that they can make something happen as soon as this year.

"I have no reason to believe that we cannot compete and make some great things happen this year," said Jones, who had a tremendous summer program with his team. "We have a lot of younger players, but young men who have shown that they are devoted to this team."  

Both Held and Jones have played and coached in this titanic matchup that has produced its share of stars, and great games. It is a game where nothing is ever held back, and while the Bulldogs head into the matchup as a slight favorite with senior running back/defensive back Kevin Grooms as the main attraction, the Chargers will not back down.

"Sure we respect what kind of team South Broward has," Jones said. "But this is one of those games where you take the records and toss them out the window. The players on both sides want to get off to a 1-0 start and will do everything possible to accomplish that."

This is one of those games where coaches on both sides of the field have strong ties to their Alma mater, and that's what makes this game, even the first of the year, so very special.

So, the stage is set for the opening game of the 2010 season, and while many non district games highlight the opening week of the season, it would be hard to find a neighborhood rivalry that has any more intensity than this one does!