With opening week almost here, it is time to dive into the Preseason rankings here at FloridaHSFootball.com. Class 5A might have seen some of the most dramatic changes coming into the season with several new teams moving into the classification. The biggest names to make a move in were Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), Bolles, Jones. All three of these teams could have a major impact on the rankings and playoffs this season. Without further ado here are our preseason Class 5A rankings for the 2017 season, Presented by ScoreStream!
WATCH: Watch the video above for our discussion on the Class 5A preseason rankings.
2017 CLASS 5A PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. AMERICAN HERITAGE (PLANTATION)
2016 RECORD: 14-0
QUICK HIT: American Heritage looks to make it back-to-back state championships this season and with a loaded squad ready to compete. However, the road to Orlando won’t be as easy with some other top teams standing in the way of the path.
2. TRINITY CHRISTIAN (JACKSONVILLE)
2016 RECORD: 11-3
QUICK HIT: The proverbial five-peat has been elusive in this state to teams like Suwannee, North Florida Christian, Miami Central, and Booker T. Washington. So now the Conquerors have the chance to become the first program to win five straight. However, the last four titles come in Class 3A and the move to Class 5A will certainly be a challenge for Verlon Dorminey’s squad.
3. JONES
2016 RECORD: 10-2
QUICK HIT: With a lot of talent coming back home or being to get a seat with the new school choice laws, Jones is locked and loaded for the season. Elijah Williams success at Oak Ridge and now Jones has caught the eye of many folks, including us. We are not ignoring the Tigers’ potential to possibly play for a state title just a few thousand feet away from campus this season.
4. CLAY
2016 RECORD: 10-4
QUICK HIT: Can you find Green Cove Springs on the map? If so, then you will find one of most competitive teams in the Jacksonville-area sitting in this city. The Blue Devils, although, losing a few key players from last year’s state semifinalist team, will be in the mix to make another deep run in the playoffs again under the coaching of Josh Hoekstra.
5. CARDINAL GIBBONS
2016 RECORD: 9-3
QUICK HIT: A lot of hype is surrounding the Chiefs this season and they think it is potentially their best chance to knock off district rival and No. 1 team in American Heritage (Plantation). If things go the way the Chiefs want them to, a deep playoff run would not be out of the question for Matt DuBuc’s squad.
6. BOLLES
2016 RECORD: 12-1
QUICK HIT: With the legend in Corky Rogers in retirement, things turn to the succcessor Corky grommed for years in Wayne Belger. There is some doubts being casted by the team itself thinking they won’t be good this season. We expect a slight drop off, but not much. We are not going to discount the Bulldogs being in the mix of top teams in which ever classification they are in.
7. RICKARDS
2016 RECORD: 10-2
QUICK HIT: The Raiders will have a few holes to fill, but there are still plenty of pieces still around for the Raiders to potentially repeat the success they had last year as they had a school-best in reaching the Regional Finals. However, with juggernauts Trinity Christian and Bolles in the same region, things got a whole lot tougher.
8. BISHOP MOORE
2016 RECORD: 11-2
QUICK HIT: The Hornets are going to be contending with Jones for the possible District 5A-13 championship this season, but there is no reason not to think that the Hornets shouldn’t be a Top 10 team in Class 5A. Looking at the history under Matt Hedrick, the Hornets reload, not rebuild.
9. PONTE VEDRA
2016 RECORD: 13-1
QUICK HIT: If Nick Tronti was back, the Sharks would be ranked higher. That is how much drop there is here, but there is still enough talent is around that Ponte Vedra should still be in the mix for a playoff spot despite the fact their district now includes the No. 1 and No. 6 teams in Class 5A.
10. DUNBAR
2016 RECORD: 9-3
QUICK HIT: The Tigers have a lot of talent returning this season and after a disappointing exit in the Regional Semifinals last year, Dunbar looks to go very deep in the Class 5A playoffs this season.
SIX ON THE BUBBLE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Jesuit was accidentally left our list and should b0 for our rankings and will be adjusted after Week 1. For now, we will include them On The Bubble. Our apologies.
2016 record shown
Jesuit, 12-1
Palm Bay, 10-1
Nature Coast, 10-1
Baker County, 9-2
River Ridge, 9-2
West Florida, 9-3
REGIONAL RANKINGS
2016 record shown
REGION 1
1. Trinity Chri-stian (Jacksonville), 11-3
2. Bolles, 12-1
3. Rickards, 10-2
4. Ponte Vedra, 13-1
5. West Florida, 9-3
REGION 2
1. Clay, 10-4
2. Nature Coast, 10-1
3. Baker County, 9-2
4. River Ridge, 9-2
5. Belleview, 6-3
REGION 3
1. Dunbar, 9-3
2. Jesuit, 12-1
3. Jefferson, 7-4
4. Hardee, 8-3
5. Immokale, 8-5
REGION 4
1. American Heritage (Plantation), 14-0
2. Jones, 10-2
3. Cardinal Gibbons, 9-2
4. Bishop Moore, 11-2
5. Palm Bay, 10-1
