Broward
When we look back at the 2007 season, it was a given that Northwestern was the team everyone talked about when looking at potential champions. While the Bulls were almost guaranteed a second consecutive 6A state championship, it was the national title that this talented program was after, and beating Southlake Carroll in Dallas showed the nation how impressive this football team was.
When the season ended, a strong case could have been made for Northwestern, Booker T. Washington and Pahokee all to be among the top five in the country. As we head toward the 2008 season, only two South Florida area teams are receiving national attention. Defending 5A champion St. Thomas Aquinas, which will be tested during Labor Day weekend in the Herbstreit Classic in Ohio against nationally-rated Cincinnati Elder, and Deerfield Beach. The Bucks picked up national interest after beating St. Thomas and nearly upsetting Northwestern in the south region final.
Getting to Orlando in December is certainly a destination that every football team dreams about this time of year, but only 16 will advance to the Citrus Bowl over a two-week period. Last year, the south took home seven of the eight state titles. Only Madison County (2A) and Naples (3A) were not from South Florida. This year, while the south will once again dominate, look for some new faces to have a chance to shine on the biggest stage in Florida.
CLASS 6A
PICK: Deerfield Beach 35, Apopka 28
Last year was all about the Bulls. No matter what team you tried to push ahead of Northwestern, nothing seemed to make sense. But this year, this division is wide open.
From Deerfield Beach to Homestead, there are easily 100 Division 1A prospects and is considered by those who watch football across the country as the best area.
In the south, Deerfield Beach, Plantation, Boyd Anderson, Miramar, Cypress Bay, North Miami Beach, Norland, Carol City, Hialeah, Miami Springs, Northwestern, Miami Central, Sunset, Miami Columbus, Miami Killian, Homestead and South Dade all figure in what the outcome will be.
Deerfield Beach has the talent, behind quarterback Denard Robinson and a tremendous coaching staff under the direction of Art Taylor to make a difference. The Bulls will be favored to come out of the south.
In the north, there are some quality teams as well. But coach Rick Darlington is back and has brought Apopka back to the point where it will be one of the teams to beat, and with quarterback Jeremy Gallon running the show, and talented junior Lo Wood on defense, this should be the team to face off with the Bucks.
CLASS 5A
PICK: St. Thomas Aquinas 37, Lakeland 30
Having lost just two games in the past four years, being out of the mix last year didn't sit well with a Lakeland team that had won two consecutive national titles and three consecutive state crowns under coach Bill Castle.
This year will see the return of the Dreadnaughts to the state title game.
The north is loaded with teams who could upend Lakeland's plans of getting back to the title game. Niceville, Neptune Beach Fletcher, Pensacola Pine Forest, Fleming Island, Daytona Beach Mainland, Gainesville Buchholz, Tampa Chamberlain, Tampa Sickles, Tampa Gaither, Brandon, Lakeland Lake Gibson and last year's runnerup Kissimmee Osceola have talent, but will it be enough to stop Lakeland?
After years of frustration, coach George Smith and St. Thomas Aquinas came through with a state title, beating Kissimmee Osceola, 35-20, using a high-octane offense.
The Raiders have a tremendous mix of youth and veteran players which adds up to success. But there are other south region teams who figure to push them as well. Programs such as Dillard, Atlantic, Bradenton Manatee, Cape Coral, Largo and Venice could all present some problems for STA.
CLASS 4A
PICK: Dwyer 27, Lake City Columbia 20
There was no denying Booker T. Washington from winning a title. The Tornadoes blew through powerhouse Nease to take the title.
This year, the road will be a lot rockier for a BTW team that has rebuilt the loss of 17 starters, but a coaching change and tons of talent, including top-flight juniors Eduardo Clements and Jose Jose will keep this program right in the mix as the south will throw impressive Dwyer, Hallandale, Naples Barron Collier, Fort Pierce Westwood, Auburndale, Armwood, Tampa Hillsborough, Tampa Plant, Boca Ciega, St. Petersburg Northeast, Lake Region and Tampa Jefferson into the mix.
Before Craig Howard came to Nease from Oregon, the program never made the playoffs. Howard now moves to the west, and this time around, landed at a program known for playing winning football. Lake City Columbia has always turned out talent and this could be a banner year. Other teams expected to contend in the north: Pace, Navarre, Milton, Fort Walton Beach, Tallahassee Lincoln, Tallahassee Leon, Jacksonville First Coast, Nease, Gainesville Eastside, New Port Richey Ridgewood, Leesburg, Daytona Beach Seabreeze and a much improved Rockledge squad.
CLASS 3A
PICK: Naples 21, St. Augustine 17
When he coached at American years back, everyone recognized how impressive coach Bill Kramer was as he developed talent and added discipline. For the past decade, he has been doing much of the same at Naples, where the Golden Eagles are always among the best teams in the state.
Winning a second consecutive title will not be easy for a program that boasts offensive line prospect Nick Alajajian and fullback Carlos Hyde, who committed to attend Ohio St.
The road in the south will feature impressive programs such as Immokalee, South Fort Myers, Palmetto, DeSoto, Glades Central, Cocoa, Lake Wales, Astronaut, Eustis, Pasco, Hudson, Monsignor Pace and an Edison squad that could surprise many this year.
If you've followed football in this state over the years, you will understand that Joey Wiles has had his St. Augustine teams at the top or near the top almost every season. Last year, his team lost a tough state title matchup with Naples, and will have to fend off Pensacola, Tallahassee Godby, Wakulla, Panama City Arnold, Baker County, North Marion, Jacksonville Raines and an improving Nature Coast Tech to get back to Orlando.
CLASS 2A
PICK: Madison County 35, American Heritage 13
After going undefeated in the regular season, coach Byron Walker and his American Heritage squad found the playoffs a tough place to make mistakes, and the Patriots lost to Archbishop Carroll.
This time a round, there are new faces, more depth and a feeling that anything less than a state championship appearance will be a disappointment as this team, led by offensive lineman Jared Wheeler, will be tough to beat.
Other programs in the south who will certainly make it tough for the Patriots include Archbishop Carroll, Gulliver Prep, Doral, Inlet Grove and state runnerup Tampa Catholic.
As soon as Madison County put the finishing touches on a state title last year against Tampa Catholic, the attention shifted to 2008, and with players like Jacobbi McDaniel and Chris Thompson, the Cowboys are a team that expects to return to Orlando, and coach Frankie Carroll's squad believes that winning a second consecutive state title is expected. Other teams ready to challenge: Marianna, Jacksonville Bolles, Fort White, South Sumter, Mount Dora and Fernandina Beach.
CLASS 2B
PICK: Pahokee 28, Tallahassee Florida High 20
Since they created this classification five years ago, Pahokee has dominated, winning four times, including last year's clock-running win against previously unbeaten Newberry.
While coach Blaze Thompson's team goes in as the favorite to win it all, it will not be an easy task to ask even with University of Florida-bound standout Nu'keese Richardson. Things have gotten tougher and the Blue Devils are a young team without all the leaders they have had in the past. Look for Marathon, King's Academy, Frostproof, Wildwood, Clearwater Central Catholic, Crescent City and an emerging University School to serve as roadblocks to Orlando.
Last year was a learning experience for coach Jarrod Hickman and his Florida High Seminoles. Going unbeaten during the regular season, this is a team, loaded with talent such as defensive end Brandon Jenkins, who could derail Florida most dominant team over the past five seasons. Others who also could make a run for a state title birth include Blountstown, Ocala Trinity, Newberry, Jacksonville Episcopal and Northview.
CLASS 1A
PICK: North Florida Christian, 28, Fort Meade 21
Imagine how the players from North Florida Christian felt last year during the 1A state title game when they were beaten in the final seconds by kicker Jordan Spennato of American Heritage-Delray, who had never kicked a field goal. The Eagles have waited a long time to get back as veteran coach Tim Coakley comes back to lead a team that could be the favorite.
If NFC should falter, Trenton, Lafayette, Jay, Port St. Joe, Melbourne Florida Air Academy, Orlando First Academy and Jacksonville University Christian have the talent to make a run.
While coach Willie Bueno and the Stallions of American Heritage-Delray were the surprise to win it all last year, things could be different this season with more teams ready to jump into the mix. One of those teams are the Miners from Fort Meade. Veteran coach Mike Hayde and his teams have been down this road plenty, and with a quality group of players coming back, things should get interesting.
If Fort Meade fails to make it to Orlando, Naples St. John Neumann, Glades Day, Indian Rocks Christian, Dade Christian and American Heritage will be there waiting.
CLASS 1B
PICK: Jupiter Christian 28, Tallahassee FAMU 23
There was not a program in South Florida who worked harder in the offseason to elevate its overall play like the defending champion Jupiter Christian Eagles. Coach Bill Powers and his Eagles did not rest on last year's surprise win over a bigger, faster and stronger FAMU team that won the state title the year before.
From 7-on-7 events to team workouts, the Eagles and junior quarterback Marshyl Rothman and senior defensive lineman James Foster paved the way.
If the Eagles will be tested by Pine Castle Christian, Keswick Christian, Lakeland Victory Christian, Sheridan Hills Christian and a talented Westlake Prep squad.
For coach Ira Reynolds and his Baby Rattlers, the song remains the same with talent in every direction. Led by LSU linebacker commit Willie Ferrell, this is a team that has everything needed for a third consecutive trip to the state championship game.
If FAMU should slip, Jacksonville Eagle's View, Orangewood Christian, South Daytona Beach Warner Christian and Oviedo Master's Academy have the talent to play.
The McClatchy Company