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They usually reload in the summer time but I will have to wait and see what they bring in but right now Oxbridge will be in my top 10 local schools but no where near the top

Hello everyone! Here's my Spring 2018 thoughts as we get ready to start playing the Spring games next week. Please note that due to family constraints I haven't had a chance to individually look at each team in 3A, but I feel about 90% confident in my top 10 teams or so. Here's my Pre-Spring 2018 top 5 teams. 1) Chaminade-Madonna: The Lions broke through in 2017 to win the class 3A state championship; however, the Lions also had a huge graduating class. The 2017 class will be remembered as the team that turned the program back around from punching bag to powerhouse in 3 short years. So, how does the the 2018 team look? In my opinion- even better than the 2017 version. The Lions already had a strong core of returning Seniors such as Keontra Smith, TeCorey Couch, Marlin, Mayo, Jimmy Nixon and a host other promising younger athletes. I haven't even touched on superstar QB Dalean Menard and the additions of Willie Davis from Miami Central and John Dunmore from American Heritage Delray. The Lions also have consistency in the coaching ranks which is good since the schedule is once again going to be a bear. The takeaway: Chaminade-Madonna may not have the star power at WR as they did in 2017, but they're better at every other position on the field than last year. The Outlook and Future: Chaminade is deeper on both lines, but linebacker depth is an issue. Still, this is the best team in 3A by the length of 2 football fields. I don't see Chaminade hanging around 3A after 2018 unless the FHSAA goes to 6 divisions, so we'll see where they end up. For now, consider it an upset of epic proportions if they don't win 2 in a row. The program also put the finishing touches on lighting at the stadium thus CMHS should finally be allowed to play night games a boon for Lion fans. 2) Clearwater Central Catholic: CCC has won 5 of the past 6 regional championships in highly competitive Class 3A-Region 3 and has also compiled a 29-1 regular season record in the past 3 years. The 2018 version of the Marauders should be special as there is no lack of star power leading the way. Lead by brothers Jerjuan and Jerzhan Newton CCC also returns Brett Seither, Kennedy Roberts and Richie illaraza (Wr/CB). As with any team that has John Davis as a coach- the QB position is solid as the Marauders return highly talented QB Rory Hicks from last years campaign. CCC has also beefed up both the offensive and defensive lines thanks to some key transfers from local teams- highlighted by Zack Elam from Indian Rocks Christian. The Outlook and Future: CCC has a huge game at Tampa Catholic in early September. CCC has been overwhelmingly successful against better coached, more talented and flat out better Tampa Catholic teams- but, those games have all come in the friendly confines of Marauder stadium where CCC has only lost 1 regular season home game since 2011 (IMG in 2014). TC presents a clear and present danger to the Marauders reign atop region 3. Looking longer term- One of the major talking points this offseason has been the money than the Marauders have come into. Not only is building a 2 million dollar football facility- according to the website, they're also knocking down buildings and re landscaping the grounds this summer. That's not cheap. Still, it shows a commitment to academics and athletics, thus I anticipate these guys aren't going away anytime soon. 3) Oxbridge Academy: There are a lot of questions about Oxbridge Academy, few of which will be answered in Spring. The Thunderwolves are coming off a state finals run in a game they could have stolen from Chaminade. They bring back one of the top 1-2 punches in the state with QB Gio Richardson and Rb James Meeks. The Thunderwolves defense is also stout with LB Dorian Jones and Antavious Lane. Expect WR Jeremiah Dezard to have a strong season if teams try to limit Meeks running ability. The lines are stout with 260/270 lbs linemen. As is typical for the program- Oxbridge will be playing up for most of the season. Looking longer term- Oxbridge may not have the depth of years past, but they are further along than people think. By all accounts, this is still the best team in Palm Beach county and even though getting in athletes has become tougher, it's not impossible. There is enough here to get Oxbridge back to Orlando, especially since the north of 3A is expected to be down this year. I always felt that Oxbridge was going to be a good team in 2018, but after the current seniors graduate- it's anybody's guess where they go. This is part of the reason I can't, currently, put Oxbridge at #2. There's a lot of star power in the senior class, but it thins out- quickly- once you roll down into the underclass. 4) Tampa Catholic: Every year in 3A it seems like there is an elite or traditionally strong private school that gets hammered with defections. This year it's Tampa Catholic's turn. After losing their top 2 WR's, QB, and top returning linemen the Crusaders have had to depend on a youth movement. So, where does that leave the Crusaders? Actually- in a great position. Tampa Catholic has one of the top upcoming QB's perhaps in all of America with Kenny Kelly's son Kilal Kelly. The rising Sophomore is extremely athletic and has star RB Jalen Bussey and WR Chris Murray to help adjust as the signal caller for TC. Expect LB/FB Quincy Hipps Jr. to spearhead the TC attack. Another name to keep an eye out for is DJ Taylor who has the tools to be a major D-1 prospect. The Crusaders will continue to be stout in the trenches and the coaching feature numerous 300+ lbs guys including 6'4 305 Tyrus Gibson and 6'6 310 Jordan Sandlin. Looking longer term and the outlook: TC is well positioned for years to come to be competitive as long as Kilal Kelly continues his rapid maturation. TC's season may come down to a 3 game stretch that features CCC, Crestview, Berekley Prep in consecutive weeks. If TC goes 3-0 in this stretch, they should find themselves in a position to host until the final 4. 5) Florida High: The Seminoles were the 2017 feel good story of class 3A. A team that managed to upset Ft. White and Taylor County brings back a healthy amount of star power. Region 1 in 3A is often overlooked for the private powers in the south, but there is quality football played in the Panhandle. With Willie Taggart taking over the reigns at FSU, it's expected his son will get the nod at Florida High, this will be a huge boon for the Seminoles as it gives them a true duel threat QB. In addition, Raymond Woodie II will help the Seminoles by providing a play maker on both sides of the ball. The Seminoles have good size and depth in the trenches and enough athletes to get back to the final 4 in 2018. Looking longer term and the outlook: FSU School will not sneak up on anybody this year- the schedule is competitive, but the talent is here to make a statement, especially since a bulk of the roster from last years team returns. With Willie Taggart transferring into the program it gives the Seminoles the cornerstone piece going forward. Stability in the coaching staff and administration support should keep FSU school in the running. Other teams I'm looking at, specifically in Spring: Berkeley Prep -Qb Joshua Youngblood has 21 college football offers. Well coached team with Jaylen Harrell at LB/FB. American Heritage Delray- Very talented, but still young team. Will make noise- tough schedule. Cardinal Newman- Expect rapid improvement. Lakeland Christian- Program has a knack for landing a few solid Polk county transfers. Melbourne Central Catholic- Never underestimate a Stacey Sizemore lead program. Will be young this year, but have the pieces to make noise. Teams I'm not sure what they have, but would like more info: Ocala Trinity- Program has fallen off, but new coach could shake things up. Orlando First Academy- Undefeated in 2017, ran into MCC. Most of the team returns in 2018. Ft. White- Talented team that was upset early last year. Final thoughts: To me, Chaminade-Madonna is the clear #1. CCC and Oxbridge will fight for #2 throughout the season. Tampa Catholic is a wildcard. FSU school has the most room for growth as I think they could be very strong this year. This is class 3A football in Florida- the teams that show up for their Spring game will probably be drastically different than the teams that show up in Fall. It's a full-time job looking for transfers into and out of programs.

I know Kendyll Pope was one my senior year of High School.

Good conversation about Oxbridge. I've been in contact with the PB Post, according to a few E-mails I have, they are dressing 27 for Spring but there are rumors of 5-6 transfers after the public school year ends. I'll see if I can have my hubby making some calls and ask around to get some information.

Per a 2016 article in the TC Palm: St. Lucie County’s five public schools — Fort Pierce Central, Fort Pierce Westwood, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie West Centennial and Treasure Coast — have been playing nine-game regular season schedules since 2010. The county began reducing games and coaching supplements in sports because of budget concerns in 2008, but football remain untouched at the time. In 2010, the county also reduced the number of football games, which former county athletic director Jay Stewart said was because of Title IX. Per the 2016 article, those five schools would be allowed to play a full slate of 10 games in 2017 because of the changes the FHSAA made for the playoff system.

We even tried to petition to pay for a 10th game out of our own football budget when I coached at fort pierce central but they wouldn’t let us.