MEDIA POLL: Small 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 – Small Schools Division, Preseason Rankings
Key: LS – Large Schools; SS – Small Schools

	1. Booker T. Washington Tornadoes – 4A \| 2012 Record: 13-1 \| Points: 440 (22)
	Two state championship appearances in as many seasons and one trophy to go along with it, this team could be even better this year. The Tornadoes start the season nationally ranked. FIRST GAME: @ Norcross (GA) – August 24
	2. University School Suns – 4A \| 2012 Record: 12-0 \| Points: 392
	After winning the Class 3A state championship last season, University School makes the jump up to Class 4A and will start the season nationally ranked with a loaded roster. FIRST GAME: @ Taravella – August 30
	3. Madison County Cowboys – 4A \| 2012 Record: 12-2 \| Points: 343
	Madison County is coming off another season where they ran all the way to the state finals, but came up empty handed. This season the make the jump into a loaded Class 4A. FIRST GAME: @ Tampa Catholic (#18 SS) – August 30
	4. Bolles Bulldogs – 4A \| 2012 Record: 12-2 \| Points: 316
	Bolles is no stranger to being at the top of the rankings and being a state title contender every year. However, Class 4A is more crowded this season, which will mean more work. FIRST GAME: @ Hernando – August 30
	5. Cocoa Tigers – 4A \| 2012 Record: 10-3 \| Points: 301
	Cocoa has come up one game short of making it to the state finals the last two seasons, but that still has not placed them out of state title talks in Class 4A for this season. FIRST GAME: @ Gonzanga College High (DC) – August 31
	6. American Heritage Stallions – 3A \| 2012 Record: 11-1 \| Points: 267
	The Stallions were stopped short of a repeat season by 3A state champion University School last year, but this season a trip to Orlando is very realistic. FIRST GAME: @ Atlantic (Delray) – August 30
	7. University Christian Christians – 2A \| 2012 Record: 13-1 \| Points: 259
	The Christians won the their first state title since 1994 last year and a chance to repeat is very realistic with quite a bit of talent back on the roster. FIRST GAME: @ Highlands (KY) – August 24
	8. Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders – 3A \| 2012 Record: 11-2 \| Points: 257
	Clearwater Central Catholic had one of its best seasons last year and things are looking towards this being the year they finally win Pinellas County its first ever state title. FIRST GAME: @ Lely – August 30
	9. Trinity Christian Conquerors (Jax) – 3A \| 2012 Record: 9-2 \| Points: 215
	The Conquerors fell early last year in the playoffs, but most believe this year could be another special year for a team that last won state in 2010. FIRST GAME: @ St. Augustine – August 30
	10. Raines Vikings – 4A \| 2012 Record: 8-3 \| Points: 214
	Raines will have a heavier schedule compared to the last two seasons and one big date that stands out is a road trip to Miami Northwestern in Week 2. FIRST GAME: vs. Ed White – August 30
	11. Warner Christian Eagles – 2A \| 2012 Record: 11-2 \| Points: 172
	The Eagles have been one of the top small school teams in the state over the last five years and they are expected to be a 2A state title contender once again this season. FIRST GAME: vs. Orangewood Christian – August 30
	12. Trinity Catholic Celtics – 3A \| 2012 Record: 8-4 \| Points: 154
	Trinity Catholic slipped a bit last season from its high point, but this season looks like it could be another season where a run to Orlando could be possible with the talent they have. FIRST GAME: @ Calvert Hall (MD) – August 30
	13. Northview Chiefs – 1A \| 2012 Record: 11-3 \| Points: 134
	The Chiefs brought home the schools first ever state title in football and things are looking up for them once again to make another run this season. FIRST GAME: vs. Bozeman – August 30
	14. Glades Central Raiders – 4A \| 2012 Record: 8-5 \| Points: 126
	Glades Central is making the slide back down a classification this season after making it to the regional finals last season, but a repeat of a deep playoff run is uncertain for now. FIRST GAME: vs. Dwyer (#9 LS) – August 30
	15. Dade Christian Crusaders – 2A \| 2012 Record: 13-1 \| Points: 115
	The Crusaders had a big year last season, but now must replace some of the talent that helped them get to Orlando. Still too early to eliminate them from making another run. FIRST GAME: @ North Broward Prep – August 30
	16. The First Academy Royals – 3A \| 2012 Record: 12-1 \| Points: 110
	The First Academy came one game short of just going around the block to the Citrus Bowl to play for a state title. This year the team will be a lot younger with holes to fill in. FIRST GAME: vs. Bishop Moore – August 30
	17. Trenton Tigers – 1A \| 2012 Record: 13-1 \| Points: 81
	Trenton finally made it to its first state title game in school history last season, but came up way short against Northview. Another run to Orlando is very possible this year. FIRST GAME: @ Lafayette – August 30
	18. Tampa Catholic Crusaders – 3A \| 2012 Record: 8-4 \| Points: 80
	Tampa Catholic is loaded with a lot of talent this season and could possibly make a run to Orlando this season if everything plays out just the way they want it. FIRST GAME: vs. Madison County (#3 SS) – August 30
	19. North Florida Christian Eagles – 2A \| 2012 Record: 7-4 \| Points: 77
	The Eagles slipped last year after winning the Class 2A state title in 2011. Most of the talent that was injured last season is back and a title run could be likely this year. FIRST GAME: @ Deerfield-Windsor (GA) – August 30
	20. Union County Tigers – 1A \| 2012 Record: 11-1 \| Points: 71
	Union County has gone undefeated in the regular season the last two years, but has come up short in making it to Orlando for the first time since 2002. Could this be the year? FIRST GAME: vs. Potter’s House Christian – August 30
Other Teams Receiving Votes
East Gadsden (4A) – 67; Cardinal Newman (3A) – 48; First Baptist (Naples) (2A) – 48; Fort Meade (3A) – 41; Liberty County (1A) – 38; Westminster Christian (3A) – 35; Glades Day (2A) – 30; Chaminade-Madonna (3A) – 27; Lafayette (1A) – 27; Carrollwood Day (2A) – 23; Moore Haven (2A) – 12; Blountstown (1A) – 11; Gulliver Prep (4A) – 10; Jones (4A) – 10; Monsginor Pace (4A) – 8; Pahokee (3A) – 8; Berkeley Prep (3A) – 7; Taylor County (4A) – 7; Frostproof (3A) – 6; Newberry (1A) – 6; FAMU DRS (2A) – 5; Graceville (1A) – 5; Lakeland Christian (3A) – 5; Port St. Joe (1A) – 4; Holy Trinity (3A) – 4; Village Academy (2A) – 4; Champagnat (2A) – 3; CHipley (1A) – 2; Dixie County (1A) – 1; Maclay (3A) – 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