Here is our “Way Too Early” Top 15 for the Panhandle. A lot of things could change during the coming weeks with Spring Football and summer 7 on 7 workouts. We will present our official Preseason Panhandle Top 15 later this summer, which will once again only be available to MVP Subscribers.
PANHANDLE WAY TOO EARLY TOP 15 (2o13 records in parenthesis)
1. Niceville (13-2) – The Eagles look to be the best team once again in the Panhandle and have quite a bit of talent returning or deveolping that is likely going to help them back to the state finals in Class 7A.
2. Godby (9-2) – Jury is still out to see just how much of an effect will be felt with Ronnie Cottrell stepping down last last month. Longtime assistant Cleon McFarlane is the interim head coach and is possibly in line to become the permanent head coach after spring football is completed.
3. North Florida Christian (9-3) – The Eagles will have some talent coming back from last season and it is certain that the bitter taste of losing in the state semifinals is something they will be working hard to overcome and forget during spring practice.
4. Lincoln (7-5) – Jacquez Green is returning to Lincoln after a stint in Valdosta (GA) and will become the offensive coordinator for the upcoming season. This certainly could breath a lot of new life in the Trojans going into the season. They have some respectable talent coming back, but losing hard to Niceville in the playoffs is only motivation for this season.
5. Wakulla (8-2) – Wakulla was one of the strongest teams last season to miss the playoffs and we think with some of the younger talent returning will be favorable for them to make the playoffs in their district. However, we must not forget just how much of a nail bitter their district is period.
6. Port St. Joe (8-4) – Arguably the best 1A team in the Panhandle right now and it will start with John Palmer returning as head coach this season. Palmer who guided Port St. Joe a state title in 2005 is back where he calls home and will have a lot of veteran talent returning this season.
7. Escambia (7-4) – Escambia is starting to turn the corner and getting talent once again noticed. They lose quite a few seniors from last season’s squad, but their is enough coming back to be competitive and possibly win their district outright this season.
8. Tate (8-3) – After making a remarkable turnaround last season under first-year head coach Ronnie Douglas, the Aggies are looking to reach even further this season. They want to go further in the playoffs and possibly reach the state finals as this program did before in the 1980’s. Still a lot will need to be done to dethrone Niceville from that position.
9. Rickards (8-2) – Quintin Lewis has no doubt turn this program around in the short amount of time he has been there, however losing some of the key pieces that led this team to the playoffs will have to be replaced. It will be interesting to see how they compete against Ed White in their spring game later this month.
10. Blountstown (13-1) – This program could move up or down based upon results from this spring. The Tigers lose a lot from last year’s 1A state runner-up team meaning a lot of holes will have to be filled. However, there is not a doubt about them challenging for the district title at least this season.
11. Navarre (7-5) – Navarre was a young squad last year and won their district and went two rounds deep despite all of that. There are some solid players returning once again and some of the younger underclassmen are already receiving offers as well. Could Navarre make a deep run in the playoffs this season?
12. Baker (10-1) – The Gators lose several key play makers including their running back, so all of those holes will have to be filled. However, Baker made a big enough statement last year for them not to be overlooked and shouldn’t be at least going into the start of this season.
13. Pace (5-6) – Despite last year’s record, the Patriots won their district, but failed to get past the first round. However, it is always hard to say Pace will never be in the thick of making a playoff run or winning their district in any given year. Spring game against Pine Forest will give us more insights about this team going into the season.
14. South Walton (7-4) – The Seahawks will lose a couple of great wide receivers, but return their star quarterback this season who should be able to keep things going. Overall, don’t be surprised if South Walton makes the playoffs for the second straight year in 2014.
15. Madison County (5-5) – Despite missing the playoffs, we think Madison County will be heading back towards the top of their game this season. Head coach Mike Coe has the skills to keep Madison County on a winning tradition and if it weren’t for a streak of bad luck towards end of the season, the Cowboys would have very likely been playoff bound.
