Florida Youth and High School Sports News Blog

LocalReplay Class 1A Florida Football Rankings (Preseason Edition)

Each Monday, we’ll update our Top 20 Florida football state rankings based upon the performance of teams in the prior week’s games. So come back often, and don’t forget the rest of our preseason rankings are on the way this week as we prepare for the 2007 season.

1. (Belle Glade) Glades Day—What is there to say about a team that won its state championship game 42-9? By such standards, they’re the preseason No. 1 by default. But it’s going to take a determined effort to remain on top this fall. The Gators are without their leading rusher from 2006, Nate Brinkley. That subtracts 31 touchdowns from the team, and someone will need to step forward to fill the hole. Gators coach Pete Walker will ensure that his team returns to the playoffs this fall, but it won’t be known for a few more days how likely another championship is. The answer will be a bit clearer after Friday night’s matchup with Chaminade-Madonna, which features senior linebacker Jordan Futch and senior running back T.J. Mitchell. Stay tuned.

2. (Tallahassee) North Florida Christian—After losing 42-9 to (Belle Glade) Glades Day in the 2006 Class 1A state championship game, the five-time state champion Eagles rank No. 2 to start the season, and they face the same questions at quarterback that Glades Day faces at the running back spot. NFC, led by second-year coach Casey Weldon, features junior RB/LB Cody Ledford, but he does his best work on the defensive side of the ball, where the Eagles return nine starters. On offense, the team will rely heavily on whoever wins the quarterback job. The new quarterback replaces 1A All-State first-teamer Chris Walley. That means he’ll inherit big shoes to fill, but he’ll get help from 6-3, 200-pound senior transfer WR Melvin Ray, who had 518 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2006 for Chiles. Ray, who is headed to the University of Alabama next fall, could break the 1,000-yard mark this fall. If he doesn’t, it probably means the Eagles’ aerial attack failed. If Weldon, the former Florida State signal-caller and one-time Heisman Trophy candidate, can’t get much from his quarterbacks, the team likely will rely more heavily on RB/DB Dayne Read, who carried 147 times for 1,202 yards and made nearly 100 tackles as a junior. Read also was a big part of Walley’s success, catching 34 passes for almost 500 yards in 2006. If preseason games are to be trusted, it appears that NFC will need some time to adjust to its new quarterback. They were scoreless in the first half last Friday against Florida High in a preseason game, but they did rebound with five second-half scores against Florida High’s second-stringers to win 35-26. The Eagles won’t face such tough competition much this season. After battling Wakulla and Blountstown during the 2006 season, NFC faces FAMU and 2006 Class 2B state runner-up Ocala Trinity Christian this fall. NFC defeated FAMU, the Class 1B defending state champs, 35-14 last fall.

3. (Miami) Dade Christian—After losing 34-12 to Glades Day in last year’s Class 1A state semifinals, this squad is primed for a state championship run. There’s little reason to doubt the Crusaders, who should get a big year out of 5-9-, 175-pound senior RB Kenneth McKenzie. He rushed for 886 yards and 15 touchdowns despite carrying the ball just 85 times last fall. While the Crusaders feature multiple backs, expect McKenzie to carry more this fall. He could top 1,500 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, and those numbers will probably be helped by an extra game, the state title game. On the opposite side of the ball, senior DB Shawn Abuhoff and senior DL Chris Cunningham will give opponents second thoughts about passing the ball. Cunningham can move well for a 6-2, 230-pounder. He made 100 tackles in 2006, which isn’t bad for a guy starts each play on the line of scrimmage. In all, Dade Christian returns 13 starters from its 2006 team, but the schedule isn’t easy. It includes an Oct. 19 road game at (Miami) Country Day and a second road game against (Plantation) American Heritage.

4. Port St. Joe—They lost 18-13 last November to North Florida Christian in the state semifinals, but don’t expect the 2005 state champs to collapse. The Tiger Sharks have won 40 games in the past four seasons, including a 9-3 season in 2006, and they return 10 starters from last year’s team, including four offensive linemen. Coach John Palmer said this year’s team should be bigger and faster than last year’s squad, but there are some question marks. For example, can junior QB Matt Gannon take the reins after sitting out all of last season following an arm injury? Either way, senior FB Chaz Byrd provides some power running. He nearly topped the 1,000-yard mark last fall and scored 17 touchdowns. With NFC also facing quarterback uncertainty, it’s difficult to say whether Port St. Joe could get past the might Eagles to reach the state finals this fall, but more will be known pretty quickly this season. That’s because Port St. Joe opens its season on Thursday against FAMU, the defending Class 1B state champs, and then tees it up at Blountstown two weeks later.

5. (Orlando) First Academy—First Academy was an 8-3 team that didn’t get out of districts in 2006. Now, even with the departure of FB Justin Knott and his 1,000-plus rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, the Royals have a shot at a deep playoff run in Class 1A after moving up from a loaded 1B district. They pounded Lakeland Christian 37-0 last Friday in preseason play, and Coach Leroy Kinard has scheduled only one game against a team that made last year’s regional semifinals, Melbourne Holy Trinity on Sept. 21. That game should determine whether First Academy is great or terrible, and, ultimately, whether I’m an utter fool.

6. Fort Meade—The Miners look to dig their way back into state title contention a season after mediocrity. Fort Meade finished 7-5 in 2006, but they were undefeated in District 1A-5 for the ninth straight year and scraped past St. John Neumann 14-7 in the regional semifinals to earn a shot at Glades Day. That regional final, though, was a 44-0 blowout in favor of the Gators. The good news for Miners’ fans is that 5-10, 170-pound RB Onterio McCalebb is back after rushing for almost 1,421 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2006. He’s also a threat in the return game. McCalebb is just one of 10 returning offensive starters. One spot left open, though, is that of quarterback, a role to be filled by newcomer Rumeal Carlton, a speedy receiver who was converted. The team’s defense, meanwhile, will need some work after the departure of five starters.

7. (Bristol) Liberty County—Following a 9-2 season, the Bulldogs have their eyes once again set on a long playoff run, but that run likely will be determined by the fate of Port St. Joe, which could send Liberty County on the road against a higher seed if the Tiger Sharks claim the District 1A-1 title again this fall. Senior Jermi Jackson is the heart of the team’s offense, but they’ll need more to upset Port St. Joe, and much of the team’s success will weigh on the shoulders of new varsity starters, as the Bulldogs lose roughly half of their starters from 2006. The team’s fate will be clearer after a Sept. 7 home game against Class 1B powerhouse Cottondale, which returns 15 starters from last year’s 7-4 team. The Bulldogs face Port St. Joe on Oct. 12.

8. (Mayo) Lafayette—Sometimes, teams that don’t make it far in the playoffs are lost in the shuffle, but don’t overlook this ace. Lafayette could well be near the top of the rankings after a 10-1 season in 2006. By association, the Hornets would have matched up well with most playoff teams. After all, their lone loss was a 14-7 defeat by Port St. Joe in the regional semifinals. Port St. Joe then won its next game 21-17 before losing to North Florida Christian 18-14 in the state semifinals. Of course, that’s all bit of a cloudy mix. If it’s clarity you desire, just look at who returns for this squad. Among the half-dozen offensive weapons are senior QB Chad Hampstead, senior RB Eric McIntyre and junior WR Jamal Reid. The trio combined for 42 touchdowns in 2006, with Hampstead hitting Reid 16 times for more than 1,000 yards. McIntyre is highly regarded after going over 1,500 yards as a junior, and that was in just 11 games, an average of 138 rushing yards per contest. If the season goes according to coach Joey Person’s plans, McIntyre could earn a few extra carries and might threaten the 2,000-yard mark.

9. Trenton—Here’s a team that returns 21 of 22 starters from its 4-6 season last fall. That has to bode well for Trenton, which is in the same district as Hawthorne, a team that lost nearly all of its starters after finishing as the District 1A-2 runner-up in 2006. There’s little chance that Trenton could knock off Lafayette, but expect Trenton to climb the ranks this year behind senior RB Brandon Mathis, who could score more than 20 touchdowns and rush for more than 1,500 yards this fall. Senior QB Durell Henry gives Trenton a second option. Senior RB C.J. Bowers is expected to be a bigger part of Trenton’s offense this fall. By the way, circle Sept. 21 on your calendars. That’s when Trenton hosts Lafayette, and when we’ll know who wins the district title.

10. (St. Augustine) St. Josephs Academy—Much like Trenton, the Flashes return most of their starters (19) from a season ago, and what a season that was. St. Josephs marched into the regional semifinals with a 9-1 record before dropping a 24-20 game to University Christian, which, in turn, lost 49-21 to North Florida Christian in the state semifinals. University Christian has lost some of its power and shouldn’t be an obstacle this fall, and that’s good, because redistricting has NFC also in District 1A-3, meaning that St. Joseph’s likely settles for a district runner-up playoff berth unless they somehow knock off the Eagles. The teams, though, don’t meet until Nov. 2. But we’ll know more about St. Josephs, which features 5-11, 205-pound senior QB Dan Giordano and pint-sized RB Eric Dismore, after a Sept. 21 meeting with University Christian.

11. Lakeland Christian—Just in its fourth year, Lakeland Christian heads into its first season in District 1A-5 after two straight seasons as an independent. The Vikings, who were 8-1 last fall,, will have to do more this season in a district that pits them against the likes of Fort Meade, St. Petersburg Shorecrest and Northside Christian, who the Vikings defeated 28-14 last fall. The Sept. 14 meeting with Fort Meade should tell folks a lot about the future of Lakeland Christian.

12. (Naples) St. John Neumann—Following a 7-3 season, the Celtics look to kick it up a notch behind FB/LB Brian Provost and fellow LB Chris Boran, a muscular 5-11, 235-poound senior. The 6-3, 195-pound senior had 149 tackles last fall to earn Class 1A All-State status. District 1A-6 includes Glades Day. Thus, a district title isn’t likely. But that’s just fine with this bunch, which went to Fort Meade in the regional semifinals last fall and lost 14-7 to one of the state’s best teams. Coach Steve Howey, who is 25-12 in four seasons with the Celtics, will rely heavily on a pair of Italian stallions to help out Provost in the running game. Senior RB Anthony Pelligrino and junior RB Joey Stallone could play big roles in the team’s success.

13. (Melbourne) Florida Air—A switch from 2B to 1A should help the Falcons, who invited girls to the campus for 2007 and, thereby, managed the drop in classification. After going 4-6 last fall at the 2B level, Florida Air settles into life in the District 1A-4, where they’ll do battle with (Orlando) First Academy, (Daytona Beach) Father Lopez and 2006 state semifinals (Melbourne) Holy Trinity. Father Lopez was winless last season, so it should be a three-team dogfight, an old football adage that probably should be 86ed given the Michael Vick revelations. But we’ll use it one last time here.

14. (Delray Beach) American Heritage—After a 9-3 season that saw the American Heritage reach the regional finals before losing 21-7 to Dade Christian, the Stallions trot into 2007 with senior QB Justin Feagin leading the way. In 2006, he discovered senior WR Dominique Battle, a 6-0, 175-pounder who caught 19 passes for 363 yards as a junior. Battle is headed to the Cincinnati Bearcats next fall. Meanwhile, Feagin and RB Jake Walker will do their best to earn their own college scholarships as they march through District 1A-7. North Palm Beach Benjamin, though, is among teams looking to keep American Heritage from claiming the district championship. The teams meet on Oct. 26 at American Heritage, but the Stallions will have plenty of opportunities to battle tough opponents before then. Among their first five games are matchups with defending 1A state champion Glades Day, which lost 15-12 to American Heritage last fall, and 2006 Class 2A runner-up Clewiston.

15. (North Palm Beach) Benjamin—The Buccaneers were just 6-4 last fall, but they nearly held off Dade Christian in a 28-21 regional semifinal that went into overtime. This fall, they have added inspiration after nearly losing star QB Connor Kempe. The senior signal-caller was near death after a kite-surfing accident just a few weeks after the end of the team’s 2006 season, but he’s back this fall, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has a great story on it. Expect Kempe to throw for more than 2,000 yards this fall after tossing 13 touchdown passes and amassing 1,918 yards last fall. Senior WR Cory Chaplin will be on the receiving end of many of those bombs, but the team is without RB T.J. Strunk, who graduated, and 16 other seniors from last year’s team. On Sept. 7, Benjamin hosts Glades Day. If they win, look for them to move up several slots in the rankings.

16. (Fort Lauderdale) Calvary Christian—Much like (Orlando) First Academy, the Crusaders move from 1B to 1A this season after reaching last year’s state semifinals before losing 34-7 to Victory Christian to finish 11-2. Behind the senior leadership of 6-5 senior QB Kyle Riggot, the Crusaders will face Benjamin on Sept. 21 and American Heritage on Oct. 19. Look for Riggot to throw for 2,000 yards and 20-plus touchdowns this fall to earn a scholarship to a major Division I college.

17. (Melbourne) Holy Trinity—If we’re going to prop up Florida Air, we probably should show some respect for Melbourne Holy Trinity. After all, they’re the reigning District 1A-4 champs after finishing 6-5 a year ago and giving North Florida Christian a solid game in a 42-21 playoff loss. What’s more, seventh-year coach John Thomas returns most of his starters from 2006. That group includes RB Nick Pryce, who will be a key to the team’s running game this fall in a new offense installed by new offensive coordinator Jason Martin. But there are questions for a team that is planning to turn to freshman QB Jason Powell, to lead the offense. Powell showed his skill last fall as an eighth-grader. Against Temple Christian, he threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to lead Trinity to a 49-7 win.

18. Miami Country Day—The Spartans aren’t going to take the district’s top spot from Dade Christian, but they might top Archbishop Curley and Palmer Trinity for the district runner-up spot and the playoff position that comes with it. The teams meet on Oct. 4.

19. (Miami) Archbishop Curley—Don’t let the team’s 6-5 record from a season ago fool you, the Knights are a perennial power who happen to play a lot of strong teams during the regular season. They’ll do battle with Country Day in District 1A-8 for the second of two regional semifinals spots. Dade Christian is the district’s other team, and they’re likely to claim the top spot once again.

20. Coral Springs Christian—The third Crusaders bunch to make the list is coming off a 6-4 season, but things are tough for a team in the same district as American Heritage, Calvary Christian and Benjamin. Another winning season isn’t out of the question, but don’t expect a playoff run unless someone steps forward to become one of the area’s top athletes. Northside Christian could be in this spot after the first week of the season, so it’s the Crusaders’ to lose.

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