Here are the 2015 Preseason Big Bend Regional Rankings from FloridaHSFootball.com
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1. Wakulla War Eagles
2014 Record: 8-3
Why: What an offseason it’s been for Wakulla, a first round playoff loss has been followed by heavy expectation this season. With that comes a high state and national ranking thanks to senior quarterback and LSU commit Felipe Franks (2,249 yards, 28 TDs) and senior receiver and FSU commit Keith Gavin (1,131 yards, 16 TDs). Wakulla returns its top two receivers and top five rushers including junior Demarcus Lindsey (688 yards, 5 TDs), senior Monterious Loggins (624 yards, 10 TDs), senior Antonio Morris (339 yards, 5 TDs), junior Justin Davis (251 yards, 2 TDs) and junior receiver Kelton Donaldson (415 yards, 4 TDs).
2. Godby Cougars
2014 Record: 12-3
Why: When longtime head coach Ronnie Cottrell retired, in came former Lincoln and Wakulla assistant Todd Lanter last season who inherited a team that won the 2012 state title and came off a surprising first round playoff exit. Lanter guided the Cougars all the way to the 5A state finals before losing to two time state champs American Heritage. A good mix of veterans including senior quarterback Darius Bradwell (1,330 passing yards, 895 rushing yards, 28 combined TDs), senior tailback Tyquan Watson (756 yards, 9 TDs), senior lineman and FSU commit Cedric Woods (65 tackles, 7 sacks) could have the Cougars battling for a another trip to Orlando.
3. Lincoln Trojans
2014 Record: 7-3
Why: By their standards, last season was a huge disappointment for the Trojans losing in the first round to Tate. Graduation took a heavy toll on Lincoln but there are enough playmakers back including junior quarterback Chris Brimm (1,630 yards, 21 TDs), senior tailback Ricky Henrilus (774 yards, 9 TDs), senior receiver Michael Carrigan (280 yards, 3 TDs), senior cornerback Larry Stevens (48 tackles, 2 INTs) and senior cornerback Raekwon Harris (44 tackles, 2 INTs) that eventually they could be a serious playoff threat.
4. North Florida Christian Eagles
2014 Record: 7-5
Why: The seven time state champions nearly made it eight before losing to Victory Christian in the state semifinals for the second straight year. Several starters are back on offense and defense including senior athlete and Miss State commit Korey Charles (1,120 yards, 10 TDS, 1571 all-purpose yards), sophomore quarterback Avery Thomas (2004 yards, 17 TDs), senior Tredez Jones (89 tackles, 2 INTs), junior Jalen Norwood (67 tackles, 5 INTs), junior Lyn Strange (58 tackles, 3 INTs), junior Chris Jerry (43 tackles, 3 INTs) and junior Terrell Powell (64 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 block field goals).
5. Madison County Cowboys
2014 Record: 9-4
Why: Madison has been one of the premier football programs in the state over the last twenty years but missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994 two years ago. How did the Cowboys respond to that, a run to the state semifinals where they lost to nemesis Bolles. No more private schools in the way now as the Cowboys make the move to 1A and should have an easier time bringing home a trophy. Its top two playmakers quarterback Akevious Williams (1150 yards, 1101 rushing, 26 combined TDs) and tailback Eric Bright (1772 yards, 16 TDs) both graduated meaning it’s time for senior tailback Patrick Brown (664 yards, 6 TDs) and seniors Raquan Williams, Kenneth McQuay and Shavaris Brown to step up.
6. Florida High Seminoles
2014 Record: 8-4
Why: Florida High nearly made the state semifinals before dropping a close one to Madison County in round two. The Seminoles top playmaker Ronnie Harrison (2,076 passing, 1,015 rushing, 29 combined TDs) has moved on to Alabama putting the Seminoles hopes of making the playoffs on the hands of quarterback senior Isaiah Hill, junior tailback Makel Young (513 yards, 8 TDs), linebacker Caleb Davie (102 tackles), senior linebacker Tomas Swickley (101 tackles) and senior safety Tadric Williams (72 tackles, 2 sacks).
7. Rickards Raiders
2014 Record: 6-4
Why: Two years ago, Rickards shocked the Big Bend area by making their first playoff appearance since 2004. Rickards nearly made it two years in a row before losses to Wakulla and Godby kept them home. A strong mix of veterans including junior quarterback and second year starter DJ Phillips, senior tailback Delvon Williams, junior receiver Javon Wooten, senior athlete and USF commit Kalen Riles and sophomore athlete Marcus Riley should have Rickards back in the playoff mix.
8. Liberty County Bulldogs
2014 Record: 7-3
Why: Liberty County advanced to the playoffs for the sixth straight year before being eliminated for the second straight year to Blountstown. Grant Grantham enters his tenth season as head coach and should have the Bulldogs in the playoffs again with the return of several starters including senior quarterback Micah McCaskill (411 yards, 4 TDs), senior athlete Jarrod Beckwith (519 rushing, 8 TDs, 223 receiving, 3 TDs) and senior athlete Jordan Chaney (493 rushing, 4 TDs, 164 receiving).
9. Taylor County Bulldogs
2014 Record: 5-5
Why: You have to wonder about the mentality of the kids from Taylor County. This group of players is on their third coach in the last four years, while the program has gone through four coaches in the last six years. Yet some how the Bulldogs are able to keep it together and made it to the playoffs five years in a row before last year. Things didn’t go as easy as Tanner Jones had hoped in his first season, he’s hoping year two is a little easier.
10. Maclay Marauders
2014 Record: 4-7
Why: After years of dominating the North Florida Football Conference, Maclay made the decision to enter district play. Year one wasn’t that easy as the Marauders managed just three overall wins, however year produced four wins and a runner-up finish in the district, which resulted in the programs first playoff appearance. Unfortunately it didn’t last long as they were paired up with defending state champion Trinity Christian in the first round. So what does Maclay do for an encore? Maclay moves down from 3A to 2A and into an all Tallahassee district with FAMU and North Florida Christian, meaning they only have to win one district game to make the playoffs and more importantly no Trinity in the way.
Next Five on The Bubble: Leon, Chiles, Jefferson County, East Gadsden, West Gadsden
