Here are the Class 5A Preseason Rankings from FloridaHSFootball.com.
Class 5A Top 10
1. American Heritage (Plantation): Went 12-3 last season on their way to winning a second straight Class 5A state championship. Patriots schedule is tough and teams like Hallandale and Coconut Creek are looking to play knock out with the Patriots this season.
2. Wakulla: Some feel the War Eagles are getting too much love, but there is a lot of a valuable talent on the team that should take the War Eagles far this season. Finished the 2014 season with an 8-3 record while playing in one of the toughest districts in the state.
3. North Marion: The Colts are loaded with talent in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 classes and this could be the Colts’ biggest season since 2007 when the team was under the leadership of former coach Craig Damon. Current head coach Stephen Field has developed up his own take on coaching the North Marion Colts and it is something the nation will get to see displayed later in the season when the Colts travel to Hoover, AL in a game that will be shown on ESPN 2.
4. Bishop Moore: The Hornets return a lot from their 13-1 state semifinalist team from last season. The biggest name on the team is Parker Boudreaux who is has led the defensive line the last several seasons for Bishop Moore. A deep playoff run is expected again.
5. Suwannee: Just a few years ago Suwannee was a team not to be heard from, but that has changed under the leadership of Jamie Rodgers. The Bulldogs are fresh off a state semifinalist finish last season with a 12-2 record, the best since the 1999 season when Suwannee reached the Class 3A State Finals. With several Division I prospects on the team, the Bulldogs could be in for another big season.
6. Hallandale: Talent, talent, talent. That is what Hallandale has and the Chargers know that should have been them, not Miami Central holding up a state championship last year after having a 12-point half time lead on the defending Class 6A state champions. Now with Hallandale in Class 5A, some are feeling they are the best team to stop Plantation American Heritage’s streak of two straight state championships. The Chargers finished the 2014 season with a 10-1 record.
7. West Florida: A lot of talent is back from a team that finished 10-2 last year, especially for the defensive side of the ball for the Jaguars. With some changes in the district, the Jaguars will find themselves contending with Pensacola High to lead District 5A-1. A good schedule with area teams and a trip to Georgia, should have West Florida back in the playoffs once again this season.
8. Clay: The Blue Devils are poised to bounce back from their second round play exit last year and have some talent that will be able to carry them this season. With a new district that stretches from Baker County to Palatka, the Blue Devils know that every game counts. Finished the 2014 season with an overall record of 10-2.
9. Coconut Creek: This is another South Florida team loaded with talent. However, how much of the summer success translates to on the field success for this fall remains to be seen, but the Cougars are certainly a team that should be able to contend for a playoff spot this season.
10. Jefferson: Despite finishing 6-4 and missing the playoffs, Jefferson might be the best 5A team in the Tampa Bay-area. The Dragons usually have talent on the roster every year and they know that every game matter after competing in the large Class 6A district in Tampa over the last few seasons. Expect the Dragons to contend for a district championship this season in District 5A-10.
Class 5A Regional Rankings Breakdown
Region I
1. Wakulla
2. Suwannee
3. West Florida
4. Godby
5. Mosley
6. Ribault
Region II
1. North Marion
2. Clay
3. River Ridge
4. Nature Coast
5. Baker County
6. Zephyrhills
Region III
1. Jefferson
2. Jesuit
3. Lakewood
4. Lely
5. DeSoto County
6. Tarpon Springs
Region IV
1. American Heritage (Plantation)
2. Bishop Moore
3. Hallandale
4. Coconut Creek
5. Merritt Island
6. Palm Bay
