DB4

Somehow I think IMG will survive this. All the other FBS schools + the FCS schools are still knocking doors down. Mighty presumptive of Rhule to think big time recruits want to go to Baylor like they got it like THAT.

Rocco Casullo has stepped down as Mater Academy head coach. Angel Estrada will be the new head coach. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article162870478.html

I think Western will have better coaching than Dillard. So that helps. Having athletes isn't the be all end all. On top of that, Western has gotten in transfers this offseason as well, one I believe is at cornerback where they sorely needed it. Western's defense won't be as good as last season's in my opinion but the offense will be better. For you saying that Miramar was down last year (seems like you're excusing Western winning), Western was still the underdog in that game and went to Miramar and won, no matter how many points they won by. I don't get this whole using how a team was 3-4 years ago to determine what they are now. Even looking at last year's team can't give you a total sense of what they'll be this year.

Ah ok. Well if they go 3-2 in the first half of the season they should be very happy.

I don't see Dillard doing better than 2-2 in the first four games. They could start 0-4, but I think they'll probably pull out at least one of em. I've spoken my piece on the Western game so we'll see what happens there. I think a 6-4 record like last year or 5-5 is likely.

Norland still has a tough road to the playoffs. Outside of a tough district play, they have Mater, Southwest, American, Apopka and Piper. I think they lose to APK and the other 3 aren't guaranteed wins either. Then in the district above them, you have whoever doesn't win the district among Archbishop, Dillard, Boynton Beach and Boyd Anderson

From where?

If Norland can get a QB to go with a solid defense, they can compete with the big 3 in that district.

I disagree on CC being number one and having to be beat to be unseated as number one. I still Northwestern was better last season, but Carol City got hot in the playoffs and made one more play than the West in the playoff game. I'd have them at number one personally. I also think the coaching change will adversely affect CC. I agree with what you all are saying about Southridge. The defense was phenomenal but the offense vastly underachieved given all the talent they had. I think Norland is rated a little too high. Same with Edison. I dont think they will be good this season given all the things that have transpired since the end of last season.

I used to be a sports reporter in Texas. Let me tell you something, the atmosphere at most games there is unlike anything I've seen in Florida. Granted I've never been to games in the rural area of FL but in TX, big city or small, rural or urban area, the crowds are crazy.

Western

I've had a strong dislike for STA since high school. My last two seasons, they were in our district. I want someone in 7A to step up and beat them as well, I just don't know who. Maybe Plant?

I may be in the minority on this one but I think St John Bosco beats STA by a touchdown or more. I know it's a road game for them but they return their starting QB who I'm sure is used to playing in big games by now. I don't mean it as a slight to STA, but I see this more as St John Bosco being just that dominating.

Last year BTW was huge along the o line, I think 3-4 division 1 signees. I thought they should have run the ball more with the RB they had. I hope the line is solid this year bc the skill weapons are legit.

And another 8A Dade team to look out for is Miami Senior. They have a lot of talent coming in ever since they got Sedrick Irvin as head coach. Idk if it's enough to get past Coral Gables and Columbus but they should be better. NMB I feel will be what they usually are. Good enough to win the district, won't do much in the playoffs.

In 7A, I'd personally put Doral above Mater right now. I feel like Mater lost a lot of talent to either graduation or transfer and they didn't bring in much for this season. Doral, by hook or by crook, has been getting solid talent to the school. The only reason Mater could or should be ahead of them is big game experience and Rocco Casullo. But I don't see it with Mater as of now.

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I know Wellington has Richards, but anyone know how good they should be otherwise?

You don't even think Dillard will be above .500 and you think they're gonna beat Western by double-digits? Since when is Dillard some STA juggernaut that should guarantee them a win? Youre talking like there's no way Western has a chance. I mean you can keep looking at the results from last year but they won't have bearing on this year's game. And it's week 2 so still pretty early in the season. Can't bow down to the almighty Dillard juggernaut yet

STA/St. John Bosco is on my list of games I gotta make it to this season.

I think BTW will be good, they should breeze to the district title again on pure talent. But unless they got some big time offensive line transfers or JV guys that Idk about, they will struggle on that front. Lost 4 OL to graduation I think, and lost Dontae Lucas to Miami Senior. Defensively they lost a lot, not sure who is replacing them either. I see them struggling in the regular season, then do what they usually do, go deep in the playoffs. I guess it depends on how good Cocoa is that will determine if they go to/win states.

What McArthur defense did you watch last year? They allowed more than 20 points in two games last year and Western was one of them. Idk why Dillard would be picked as a guarantee to beat Western, last year or this year. Western's offense will (should) be better but the defense will probably take a step back. Got a QB going into his senior year. I'm not saying Western will for sure win, but to say that they'll for sure lose doesn't seem right either. Western has gotten good transfers in too, at the skill positions where they need it.

Enough to beat American Heritage?

Speaking of teams losing a fair amount of transfers, how good will McArthur be? Really nice season last year but it seems like they've lost good talent this offseason too.

Back to the days of when I was in high school for Flanagan. Some talent but not enough to make an impact. Add to that no allure of bringing outside kids to the school and they'll be fortunate to be middle of the pack in that district.