MEDIA POLL: Large Schools Division - Preseason Rankings

CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Da West is back after Miami Northwestern ran the Bulls through Raines to first state title since 2019

CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Venice runs away and shuts the door on Lake Mary on the way to program’s fourth state championship

CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Miami Northwestern and Raines meet in what could be an offensive showdown

CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Venice seeking first state title since 2021 while Lake Mary makes its state championship debut

Here is the Florida HS Football Media Poll – Large Schools Division, Preseason Rankings
Key: LS – Large Schools; SS – Small Schools

	1. Miami Central Rockets – 6A \| 2012 Record: 12-2 \| Points: 418 (19)
	The Rockets open as one of the top teams in the nation and will start #1 in the PrepNation Top 25. Despite a new head coach, a big season is expected this year. FIRST GAME: @ American Heritage (Plantation) – August 30
	2. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders – 7A \| 2012 Record: 13-2 \| Points: 408 (2)
	Raiders are among five Florida teams to be nationally ranked to start the season and a possible repeat of the Class 7A state championship this season is highly realistic. FIRST GAME: vs. Miami Northwestern (#16 LS) – August 31
	3. Apopka Blue Darters – 8A \| 2012 Record: 13-2 \| Points: 403 (1)
	The defending Class 8A state champions will get an early test on the road to start the season against Byrnes (SC). Another run to the Citrus is very likely this season. FIRST GAME: @ Byrnes (SC) – August 24
	4. Manatee Hurricanes – 8A \| 2012 Record: 13-1 \| Points: 315
	The Hurricanes make the jump up to Class 8A and will be an automatic state title contender, but 8A North is crowded and this team will be battle tested this season. FIRST GAME: @ Gilman (MD) – September 1
	5. Godby Cougars – 5A \| 2012 Record: 14-1 \| Points: 312
	The “Road Warriors” are primed and ready to get to work for this season. Godby has been listed a favorite to repeat by many members of the media this season. FIRST GAME: @ DeMatha (MD) – September 2
	6. Plant Panthers – 8A \| 2012 Record: 10-2 \| Points: 255
	Plant is looking to have another big year, but will not have the Jesuit and Armwood rivalry games to go with it. Plant will be in the hunt for a state title once again. FIRST GAME: @ Sandy Creek (GA) – August 30
	7. Gainesville Hurricanes – 6A \| 2012 Record: 14-1 \| Points: 238
	The Class 6A runner-up will have to adjust to a new head coach and breaking in a few new players at key spots this year, but still should make a deep run once again. FIRST GAME: @ Columbia (#20 LS) – August 30
	8. Dr. Phillips Panthers – 8A \| 2012 Record: 13-1 \| Points: 188
	Dr. Phillips is hungry once again to make another playoff run and are a heavy favorite in their district to start the season. And as always there is talent lurking around like normal. FIRST GAME: @ Timber Creek – August 30
	9. Dwyer Panthers – 7A \| 2012 Record: 9-3 \| Points: 168
	Dwyer wants to put last season to rest and focus on this season. The Panthers have enough talent on the team to be a serious state title contender this season. FIRST GAME: @ Glades Central (#14 SS) – August 30
	10. First Coast Buccaneers – 8A \| 2012 Record: 10-1 \| Points: 149
	First Coast has made the move up to the highest classification in the state and is going to be one of the most talented teams that could challenge Apopka in Class 8A North. FIRST GAME: vs. Ribault – August 30
	11. Cypress Bay Lightning – 8A \| 2012 Record: 13-2 \| Points: 148
	The Lightning are fired up and ready to get back to Orlando after a big heartbreak in the Class 8A state final. However there are some holes that will have to be filled this season. FIRST GAME: vs. Boyd Anderson – September 6
	12. Armwood Hawks – 6A \| 2012 Record: 9-3 \| Points: 123
	The Hawks were considered a down team last season, but this year they are expected to rebound and could have a shot to make it back to Orlando this year. FIRST GAME: @ Durant – August 30
	13. East Lake Eagles – 7A \| 2012 Record: 11-2 \| Points: 111
	The Eagles have a ton of talent that is back this season, but does have shoes to fill in at quarterback. Could East Lake be a possible state title contender in 2013? FIRST GAME: @ Palm Harbor University – August 30
	14. Lincoln Trojans – 7A \| 2012 Record: 12-2 \| Points: 107
	Lincoln has made the trip to the state finals two out of the last three years and the team is going to be a lot younger this year. Their first game should give us some insights. FIRST GAME: @ South Gwinnett (GA) – August 24
	15. Oviedo Lions – 8A \| 2012 Record: 11-2 \| Points: 98
	The Lions went deep in the Class 7A playoffs last year and could be one of the best teams in the Orlando region this year in Class 8A. FIRST GAME: @ Lyman – August 30
	16. Miami Northwestern Bulls – 6A \| 2012 Record: 9-3 \| Points: 97
	Miami Northwestern bounced back last season to make the playoffs after missing them in 2011. The team has loaded up on it schedule and will give us clues to how serious they are. FIRST GAME: @ St. Thomas Aquinas (#3 LS) – August 31
	17. Osceola Kowboys (Kissimmee) – 7A \| 2012 Record: 13-1 \| Points: 96
	The Kowboys were just one game short of making the short drive to the Citrus Bowl last season and the chance to get there is open once again this season. FIRST GAME: @ Freedom (Orlando) – August 30
	18. Miami Jackson Generals – 5A \| 2012 Record: 9-5 \| Points: 91
	Miami Jackson reached the state semifinals for the third time last season and with most of the team coming back, a possible state title could be in the folds this season. FIRST GAME: vs. North Miami Beach – August 29
	19. Immokalee Indians – 5A \| 2012 Record: 11-4 \| Points: 80
	The Indians are still loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, but will have a new head coach this season who looks to keep the momentum going after reaching the 5A finals last season. FIRST GAME: vs. Good Counsel (MD) – August 30
	20. Columbia Tigers – 6A \| 2012 Record: 11-2 \| Points: 78
	Columbia had one of its best seasons in recent years last season and there will be a few holes to fill in, but Columbia is known to be stocked with talent at the same time. FIRST GAME: vs. Gainesville (#7 LS) – August 30
Other Teams Receiving Votes
Lake Gibson (6A) – 62; Naples (6A) – 61; Largo (6A) – 59; Miramar (8A) – 44; American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) – 38; Pensacola Catholic (5A) – 34; Wakulla (5A) – 33; Lakeland (7A) – 31; Pasco (5A) – 30; Fort Pierce Central (8A) – 28; Winter Haven (6A) – 22; Lakewood (5A) – 21; Southwest Miami (8A) – 21; Timber Creek (8A) – 19; Venice (6A) – 19; Robinson (6A) – 17; Columbus (8A) – 15; Navarre (6A) – 15; South Dade (8A) – 15; Fletcher (7A) – 14; St. Augustine (6A) – 14; Sandalwood (8A) – 12; Palm Beach Central (8A) – 11; Mount Dora (5A) – 9; South Fort Myers (6A) – 9; Mainland (6A) – 8; Miami Norland (6A) – 8; West Florida (5A) – 8; Fleming Island (7A) – 7; New Smyrna Beach (6A) – 7; Deerfield Beach (8A) – 6; Jefferson (6A) – 6; Park Vista (8A) – 6; Boyd Anderson (7A) – 5; Heritage (6A) – 4; Evans (8A) – 3; Fort Myers (7A) – 3; Hillsborough (6A) – 3; Bishop Moore (5A) – 2; Countryside (7A) – 2; Miami Carol City (6A) – 2; Vero Beach (8A) – 2; Coral Reef (8A) – 1; Palmetto (7A) – 1
Our Panel of Pollsters
Eric Clark – Big County Preps; Danny Klein – Daytona Beach News-Journal; Philip Piccirillo – FloridaHSFooball.com; Joshua Wilson – FloridaHSFootball.com; Justin Barney – Florida Times-Union; Larry Savage – Gainesville Sun; Adam Fisher – Naples Daily News; Andre Fernandez – Miami Herald; Jeff Greer – Palm Beach Post; Corey Davis – Palm Coast Observer; Brad Milner – Panama City News Herald; Brady Aymond – Pensacola News Journal; Shaquille Jackson – South Florida High School Football Show; Matt Baker – Tampa Bay Times; Nick Williams – Tampa Tribune; Laurel Pfhaler – TC Palm; Chris Green – South Dade News Leader; Dan Leaphart – ESPN 580 Orlando; Wells Dusenbury – ESPN 106.3 West Palm Beach; Marc Adams – 4 Quarters Online; Carson Ingle – 740 The Game Orlando; Doug Pugh – Bright House Sports Network