The Panhandle is filled with tons of great teams that are always trying to go as far as they can to contend for a state championship each season.
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Below is our Panhandle Preseason Top 10 Rankings with 2013 records in parenthesis.
1. Niceville (13-2) Why: Six offensive starters and seven defensive starters are back for the Class 7A state runner-ups. Whoever wins the quarterback position between backup Drew Frederick (487 yards, 6 TDs) and Fort Walton transfer Colby Tuthill (1240 yards, 4 TD, 15 INTs) will have several weapons to choose from. The versatile Elijah Stove (977 all-purpose yards, 8 TDS, 3 INTs, 37 tackles), who has 17 Division I-A offers, three-star Shi’Kim Coward (278 yards, 7 TDs) and Aaron Willis (430 yards, 6 TDs) all return. Bryson Houston (82 tackles, 5 sacks), Jacob Clark (98 tackles, 3 sacks) and Austin Willis (87 tackles, 2 INTs) are back to lead the defense.
2. Escambia (7-4) Why: Since December the theme around the weight room and practice field around Escambia has been ‘Unfinished Business’. Properly titled for a team that for six weeks looked unstopable rolling through its first six opponents scoring 283 points, only to finish the season abruptly losing four of its last five games to miss the playoffs. Offensively, it’s no secret what Escambia is going to do, although the up tempo triple option offense is hard to defend in a weeks time as evident of the Gators 471 total points. Gone is leader Danikeei Hollowell (2255 yards, 24 TDs), but the athletic tandem of Gerald Bright (1538 yards, 18 TDs) and Jahbir Frye (687 yards, 8 TDs) is back along with newcomer Jabre Brown (26 carries, 157 yards, 1 TD). For Escambia to break the 12 year playoff drought; the defense, which surrenderd an abysmal 326 points, led by DeMarcus McKenzie (122 tackles), Jamal Bynum (79 tackles, 2 sacks), Logan Walden (56 tackles, 2 INTs) must get better.
3. Blountstown (13-1) Why: A historic season saw Blounstown surrender only 61 points through 13 games and a run to the Class 1A state finals. Their first run to the finals since 2004 may not be their last with 24 returning juniors and seniors. Alex Mayorga (750 yards, 8 TDs) along with Fabian Solomon (371 yards, 5 TDs) return on offense. Wyrick (113 tackles, 3 sacks), DeWayne Laramore (101 tackles, 7.5 sacks), Corin Peterson (93 tackles) and Stephens Matthews (75 tackles) all return on defense.
4. Tate (8-3) Why: Tate surprised teams last season by earning their first playoff appearance in five years, the Aggies won’t be able to sneak up on anybody this season. After going 1-18 the previous two seasons and only having one winning season in the last six, Tate has turned things around and appears to be sticking around and not going away anytime soon. Sawyer Smith (1223 yards, 12 TDs, 289 rushing, 7 TDs), who committed to Alabama to play baseball, is back and will have deep threat Reginald Payne (302 yards, 1 TD), and key backups Alondo Thompkins and Jesse Fernandez back in the backfield, A defense that surrendered an average of 18 points per game is led by Marquis Cass (136 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 INTs) and Shadow Singleton (72 tackles, 2.5 sacks).
5. Pensacola Catholic (12-1) Why: After making the jump from 3A to 5A, the Crusaders ran through the district and regular season unscathed to coast into the playoffs. Only a hail mary touchdown pass as the clock expired, kept the Crusaders from advancing to the state semifinals and possibly state finals. You can bet the disappointing stunning end to last season will carry over to this season and serve as motivation. Six starters return on both sides of the ball, including Daniel Byrd (669 yards, 8 TDs), DaQuan Moorer (298 yards, 9 TDs), Kyle Brown (309 yards, 2 TDs), Simeon Smiley (543 all-purpose yards, 3 TDs) and Manta Purifoy (152 yards, 2 TDs) on offense and Antoine Barker (71 tackles) and Khaifa Peabody (95 tackles) on defense.
6. West Florida (10-2) Why: Entering his fifth season, Harry Lees has done a remarkable job turning a new program into a sudden area power. Over the last two seasons, the Jaguars have gone back-to-back ten win playoff seasons. Three starters return on offense, while four players return on defense. Behind massive lineman Noah Banks (6-6, 309) and Devin Gibson (6-0, 303), the Jags will be anchored offensively as the young skill players develop. R.J. Lewis and Damond Johnson hooked up three times for scores in the spring and appear to be the leaders.
7. Pace (5-6) Why: With 18 returning letterman back, including five starters on defense and six on offense, the Patriots will be one of the favorites to claim the 1-6A title again. The second leading rusher in the state Quade Weirmerskirch (2,308 yards, 27 TDs) is back as is blocking back Dillon Draughn and lineman Chris Clark and Davin Smith. Defensively, the Patriots will be led by Draughn (92 tackles), Chase Lambert (62 tackles) and Cody Ricketts (34 tackles). Since 1997, the Patriots have been one of the areas most consistent programs, making the playofs 15 of the last 17 years.
8. Navarre (7-5) Why: After a long run to the state semifinals two years ago, a young Raider team over achieved with a second round appearance. That team has a year to grow up and could benefit another long playoff run this season. Michael Carter (728 yards, 8 TDs) and Matthew Webb (1793 passing yards, 10 TDs, 305 rushing, 4 TDs) along with Derrick Smith (411 yards, 7 TDs) all return on offense, while Nick Gill (120 tackles, 2 INTs) and Michael Sandle (45 tackles, 4 INTs) man the defense.
9. Choctawhatchee (9-4) Why: The shocking run to the Elite 8 of the playoffs last season has Choctaw now heading in the right direction. With arch-rival FWB losing several players, the Indians should not hold on to the county championship and Hudson Marina trophy but also be in contention again for one of the two playoff spots. John Hicks returns as the go to guy on offense, although he missed several games last year due to an injury.
10. Baker (10-1) Why: Baker won its first district title since 2001 and made its first playof appearance since 2008 on its way to an undefeated regular season. A 28-23 losss to Cottondale at home in the first round of the playoffs should highly motivate the Gators moving forward to this season.
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