You can look many places and find teams with talent, but some standout over others depending on the year and team.
There are four teams that came within one game of playing for it all and this year we feel that they will be in line to make a run for it all.
4. Daytona Beach Mainland – Head Coach: Scott Wilson
The Buccaneers of Mainland High in Daytona Beach are coming off what can be considered their most successful season since winning the 2003 Class 5A state championship. Head Coach Scott Wilson has truly put a mark on the team he took over and has the talent that will allow them to go for it again this year, possibly having the chance to stop either Miami Central, Miami Belen Jesuit or Miami Northwestern in their tracks. One of the biggest names that standout this year on the roster OLB Quinton Powell who has already verbally pledged to the Florida Gators in the 2013 class.
3. Belle Glade Glades Day – Head Coach: Pete Walker
Glades Day almost came close to going for a three-peat this past season, but St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut got in the way of that goal. Now the Gators will try to go for 3 state championships in 4 years this season. This will be the final year that Glades Day will have star running back Kelvin Taylor on its roster as he will leave one school home of the Gators to head to Florida, home of the Gators as part of the 2013 class. With Taylor being the workhorse of the team and already having eclipsed Emmett Smith’s rushing record in the state last season, nothing should be able to stop Taylor and Glades Day from making one more big push before he leaves.
2. Lake City Columbia – Head Coach: Brian Allen
The Tigers of Lake City Columbia came out strong last year after a dismal 2010 season and showed fans across North Florida that they have something special coming up for this year in what could be one of the most talented squad’s since Danny Green coached the team to the 1997 Class 6A State Runner-Up finish. OT Laremy Tunsil is one of the highest rated players in the nation this season by multiple outlets including MaxPreps, ESPN and 247 Sports and QB Jayce Barber will be back to lead the team again offensively. Defensively the team should be stacked again and will force the upperhand on a lot of teams this season.
1. Immokalee – Head Coach Jerrod Ackley
Ever since the close of the season for the Immokalee Indian’s happened it closed the book on a season that gave us a lot of insight heading into 2012. With close to a dozen potential Division I prospects on the roster spread out through the next couple of years, the Indians could be poised to make a serious threat for their second state title in school history, the last one coming in 2004 in Class 2A. CB Mackensie Alexander is one of the most highly rated players in the nation right now and powerful all-state dual threat QB Tshumbi Johnson will be back again. Also wide receivers J.C. Jackson and Xavier Richardson, plus defensive tackle Deadrin Senat will be back to help contribute to a team a lot of fans and coaches think they could be playing in Orlando come this December.
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