For Dade Christian wide receiver Terrance Alls, catching passes from quarterback Bilal Marshall was second nature.

Even before they became a great pass-catching tandem for the Crusaders, they spent their youth playing Optimist football together.

“We played since first grade together,” Alls said. “He’s the reason I even came to Dade Christian.”

But with Marshall playing in college at Purdue, Alls and the Crusaders are adjusting to life without their former star quarterback.

But with Alls, one of Miami-Dade County’s top receivers, leading a core of players with at least three years of starting experience, Dade Christian figures to remain among the top contenders in Class 2A.

“We’re still going to be explosive and score a lot of points,” Alls said. “We just have to step up in big moments this season. Our defense has a lot of kids that will step up and get the job done.”

Alls (6-1, 180 pounds), who is ranked No. 24 overall among the county’s senior prospects by The Miami Herald, committed to Duke University two weeks ago. While on a trip to the school, Alls met former Gulliver Prep receiver Connor Vernon — now a senior at Duke.

Alls is hoping to have similar success to that of Vernon, who has become one of the ACC’s top receivers during his college career.

Alls will be called upon to do much more than catch passes this season. Alls will also play cornerback, return punts and kickoffs and punt. Alls has returned four punts for touchdowns during his career but has not punted until this season. Alls said he is averaging nearly 40 yards per punt in practice.

Alls doesn’t mind as long as he can help lead Dade Christian to victories.

STATE RANKINGS

The first Associated Press state football poll has been released.

Miami Central (Class 6A), Miami Norland (Class 5A) and Miami Booker T. Washington (Class 4A) all will start ranked No. 1 in their respective classifications.

Defending Class 8A state runner-up Miramar is ranked No. 2 behind defending state champ Tampa Plant.

The complete rankings are available at www.miamiherald.typepad.com/hssports.

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

St. Thomas Aquinas will debut this season ranked No. 44 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com. The Raiders, who return the majority of last year’s Class 7A state semifinalist squad, are considered the only South Florida team ranked in the Top 100 poll.

Palmetto preseason classic - Palmetto d. Goleman 25-14, 25-5: Jamie Comendeiro 11 assists; Tiffany Batten 5 aces, 3 kills, 5 digs.

Palmetto preseason classic - Palmetto d. Ferguson 23-25, 25-17, 15-12: Taylor David 12 kills; Makayla Stephens 6 kills 3 blocks; Tiffany Batten 6 kills, 6 digs.

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Miami Norland vs. Miami Carol City (Traz), 7:30

Fort Lauderdale Dillard at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 7

South Florida HEAT at Miami Palmer Trinity, 4

Pembroke Pines Somerset at Hialeah Gardens, 4

Parkland Douglas at Miami Beach, 4

Miami Dr. Krop at Pembroke Pines Flanagan, 7

Sunrise Piper at Miramar Everglades, 7

West Broward at Coral Springs, 7

Coconut Creek North Broward Prep at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 7

Davie Western at Coral Glades, 7

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan vs. Plantation (PAL), 7

Coconut Creek Monarch at Pompano Beach, 7

WPB Summit Christian at Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, 4