OldSchoolLion

I like your guess, but am looking for something that did NOT happen this year.  Every year since the early 90's something has happened at the state finals that did not happen this year.   Pay special attention to the teams who played this year.  

Glades Day

Lakeland

It is Carol City and Pahokee!  Dan is the Man! 
One could say that Carol City is king of the upper classes and Pahokee is king of the lower classes in terms of program longevity/sustained success.
Carol City state final appearances 1976, 1977(won), 1989, 1996(won), 1997(won), 2003(won), 2016(won) - Except for their 2016 title game, all of their other appearances were in Florida's largest class at the time.
Pahokee state final appearances 1976, 1989(won), 1998, 2003(won), 2004(won), 2005, 2006(won), 2007(won), 2008(won), 2016(won)

Thought this interesting because it gives perspective on who the favorites were at the beginning of the season in 2006.  Also shows how different the classes looked back then.  Fantastic state finals at Dolphins Stadium in Miami in 2006.  2 multiple OT finals (2A and 5A), 4A final decided on last second TD pass, and 1A final came down to the final minutes. 
Interesting observations...
6A - How many times Deerfield Beach has been a favorite at the beginning of a season, only to disappoint.  It's a tradition!  Boone surprised all by making the state semis, where they lost a close one to Lake Brantley.  N Miami Beach surprised all by making the state semis, where they lost to Northwestern.  S Plantation made a rare trip to the 3rd round, beating Carol City in the 2nd round.
5A - How often do you see Hollywood Hills ranked?
4A - Seabreeze made it to the 3rd round.  They had some good teams in the 2000's. Plant surprised all by winning the state title 25-21 over Nease....its first state title.  Beat Arwood and Booker T Washington in the playoffs.
3A - Bartow surprised all by making the state semis, where they lost to Glades Central.  Pine Forest surprised all by making the state final.  ..some interesting playoff matchups in 3A, unlike 3A/4A today.  
 
Florida Sports Writers Poll
CLASS 6A
1. Miami Northwestern (1-0) (12) 129 - beat Lake Brantley 34-14 to win state title; won all playoff games by 20 points or more
2. Palm Beach Gardens (1-0) 114 – knocked out 3rd round by Boone
4. Orlando Edgewater (1-0) (1) 98 - knocked out 2nd round by Lake Brantley
3. Miami Killian (1-0) 85 – did not make playoffs
5. Deerfield Beach (1-0) 78 -  knocked out 1st round by S Plantation; state finalist in 2005
6. Miami Columbus (1-0) 59 – knocked out 1st round by Northwestern
7T. Miami Central (1-0) 46 - knocked out 3rd round by Northwestern 
7T. Winter Park (1-0) 46 –did not make playoffs
9. Clermont East Ridge (1-0) 29 – knocked out 1st round by Edgewater
10. Sarasota Riverview (1-0) 9 – knocked out 1st round by Dr Phillips
Also receiving votes:
Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley (1-0) 6  - lost to Northwestern in state final; only time in school history to advance past 3rd round
Flagler Palm Coast (1-0) 4
Apopka (0-1) 2. knocked out 2nd round by Sandalwood
 
CLASS 5A
1. Lakeland (1-0) (13) 130- won state title in 2OT thriller over Aquinas 45-42; only team to repeat as state champion from 2005
2. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) 117- lost state title to Lakeland third year in a row
3. Melbourne Palm Bay (1-0) 104- knocked out 2nd round by Bartram Trail
4. Hollywood Hills (1-0) 81 – knocked out 1st round by Coconut Creek
5. Niceville (1-0) 67- knocked out 1st round in OT by Jacksonville White
6. Lakeland Lake Gibson (1-0) 53 knocked out 3rd round by Lakeland
7. Bartram Trail (1-0) 51- knocked out 3rd round by Mainland
8. Delray Beach Atlantic (1-0) 36- knocked out 2nd round by Aquinas
9. Daytona Beach Mainland (1-0) 32- lost to Lakeland in state semi
10. Pompano Beach Ely (1-0) 26 – knocked out 1st round by Aquinas
Also receiving votes:
Gainesville (1-0) 11-did not make playoffs
Fort Myers (1-0) 6- knocked out 1st round by Manatee
Gainesville Buchholz (1-0) 1- knocked out 1st round by Bartram Trail
 
CLASS 4A
1. Seffner Armwood (1-0) (12) 129- knocked out 3rd round by Plant
2. Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (1-0) 114 –knocked out 2nd round by Washington
3T. Miami Washington (1-0) 88 - lost in state semi to Plant 20-15
3T. Ponte Vedra Beach Nease (1-0) (1) 88 - lost to Plant in state final; state champion in 05
5. Tallahassee Lincoln (1-0) 87- lost to Nease in state semi
6. Miami Edison (1-0) 57 – did not make the playoffs
7. Bradenton Southeast (1-0) 45 – knocked out 1st round by Jefferson
8. Lake City Columbia (1-0) 40 2 - knocked out 1st round by Eastside Who's your  daddy?
9. Pace (1-0) 32- knocked out 3rd round by Lincoln 31-30
10. West Boca Raton (1-0) 9 - knocked out 2nd round by Miami Jackson
 Also receiving votes:
Tampa Hillsborough (0-1) 7 - knocked out 1st round by Armwood
Tampa Jefferson (1-0) 7
Winter Haven (1-0) 4 - knocked out 2nd round by Plant
Tampa Plant (1-0) 3 won state tile over Nease
New Smyrna Beach (1-0) 3
Crestview (1-0) 1
Lynn Haven Mosley (0-1) 1.
CLASS 3A
1. St. Augustine (1-0) (10) 127 knocked out 3rd round by Pine Forest; state champion in 05 
2. Belle Glade Glades Central (0-1) (2) 111 - won state title over Pine Forest 39-27
3. Jacksonville Andrew Jackson (1-0) (1) 100 – knocked out 2nd round by Pine Forest
4. Tallahassee Godby (1-0) 83 - knocked out 1st round by Pensacola Washington
5. Miami Monsignor Pace (1-0) 64 – knocked out 1st round by Cardinal Gibbons
6. Sarasota Booker (0-1) 49 - knocked out 2nd round by Bartow
7. Cocoa (1-0) 41 – knocked out 1st round by Kathleen
8. Kathleen (0-1) 34 - knocked out 2nd round by Hardee
9. Citra North Marion (1-0) 33 - lost to Pine Forest in the state semi
10. Titusville Astronaut (1-0) 32 - knocked out 1st round by Bartow
Also receiving votes:
Wauchula Hardee (1-0) 19 - knocked out 3rd round in 3OT by Bartow
Pensacola Washington(1-0) 14
Orlando Bishop Moore (1-0) 4
Wakulla (1-0) 3 - knocked out 1st round by Pine Forest
Naples (1-0) 3 - knocked out 3rd round by Glades Central
Williston (1-0) 1
Panama City Bay (1-0) 1.
Class 2A
1. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1-0) (13) 65 - lost to Clewiston 7-3 in state semi; state champion in 2005
2. Jacksonville Bolles (1-0) 41 - won state title in 3OT thriller over Clewiston 27-24
3. Madison County (1-0) 33 - lost to Bolles in state semi
4. Bushnell South Sumter (0-1) 28 – knocked out 2nd round by Bolles
5. Clewiston (1-0) 19 - lost to Bolles in state final
Also receiving votes: Pensacola Catholic (1-0) 9
Class 2B
1. Ocala Trinity Catholic (1-0) (13) 65 – lost state title to Pahokee
2. Pahokee (1-0) 52 – won state title with 25-11 win over Trinity Catholic
3. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (1-0) 30
4. Blountstown (1-0) 24
5. Tallassee Florida High (1-0) 15
Also receiving votes: Clearwater Central Catholic 1-0) 8, Chipley (1-0) 1.
Class 1A
1. Fort Meade (1-0) (13) 65
2. Mayo Lafayette (1-0) 48
3. Belle Glade Glades Day (1-0) 42 - beat N FL Christian 42-9 to win the state final; won all playoff games easily
4. Port St. Joe (0-1) 21
5. Tallahassee North Florida Christian (0-1) 12
Also receiving votes: Wewahitchka (0-0) 7
Class 1B
1. Jupiter Chrisitian (1-0) (7) 53
2. South Daytona Warner Christian (1-0) (3) 50
3. Lakeland Victory Christian (0-1) (3) 37
4. Graceville (0-0) 28
5. Orlando First Academy (1-0) 13
Also receiving votes: Bristol Liberty County (1-0) 5, Pine Castle
Christian (0-0) 5, Jacksonville Potter’s House (1-0) 3,
Tallahassee FAMU (0-1) 1. Beat Victory Christian 14-10 to win state title

no, further west

I know USA today had Jacksonville Bolles ranked #1 going into the title game with Bartow in 1996.  I think Bolles was also nationally ranked in the year before when we played them in the title game.  I also remember Lakeland being ranked. 
 

Titusville or Merritt Island is one of the central Florida teams maybe

Bolles was ranked in 1995, so that is one of the north FL teams.  Lakeland was later.

2000 & 2001 we we’re very good to ..also in 2006-2008 we were solid jus so happen tho nationally ranked STA was waiting for us every year in the second round. And after they moved up then came central CC MNW & etc

One of the many reasons why Orange Park has struggled since is because 
1 Kids choosing to go to Bolles, UC or Trinity, talking about starters not backups. Had teammates behind me transfer to Trinity, several solid players skip OP and go to Trinity or Bolles in the mid 1990's.    
2 The opening of Ridgeview (1999) and Fleming Island (2001)
3 Just when Danny Green got the program going again with three straight district titles they open up Oakleaf (2011) and take nearly half the school with them. 
4 The entire athletic program has suffered with the opening of three area schools as the school has lost numerous solid coaches and teachers to the above mentioned schools    

Palm Bay lost to Rockledge for the 2nd time last season in the playoffs after Rockledge big win over Cocoa. Plus Rockledge gave Cardinal Gibbons a run for their money. Even tho they could have been caught slipping looking ahead.

Orlando Evans.
They were a great program in the 90's and the #1 reason DP never made a state run back then.
The talent transfers to Jones, Oak Ridge, Olympia, DP, etc...

The purpose of this exercise was to see how many of these guys had a "successful" career in the NFL.  That word "successful" is subjective, I know. 
Some guys may have signed in the NFL, but never made a lot of money, ie enough to sustain themselves after "retiring."  For instance, some guys may have only played on practice squads.  So, they likely needed to find a way to make money after football. 
A large proportion of NFL players never get their college degree.  So, unless these individuals make a critical mass of money while in the NFL to sustain themselves for the remainder of their lives, they could be stocking shelves at Walmart or finding ways to make "easy" money after they retire from football.
Look at the sad tale of Jason Geathers...former star at Spanish River and UM. 
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/new-miami-football-player-jason-geathers-tased-twice-during-arrest/lhCEiAepl5XUsLgnWk8nAJ/
  

Look at all of the central Florida teams below that have lost some of their mojo over time.  Have to think the booming population and changing demographics have impacted. 
Bartow - multiple titles through the mid 90's
Booker - good in the 00's
Edgewater  - multiple state final appearances in the 00's
Evans - good in the 90's
Fort Meade - multiple state final appearances in the 90's and 00's
Frostproof - multiple state final appearances in the 90's
Haines City - multiple state final appearances in the 90's and 00's
Hillsborough - good between mid 90's and mid 00's 
Jefferson - multiple state final appearances in the 90's
Lake Gibson - multiple state final appearances in the 00's
Lakeland - multiple state final appearances in the 90's and 00's
Manatee - multiple state final appearances in the 80, 90's and beyond
Merritt Island - good to excellent from 70's through mid 00's with multiple final appearances
Palm Bay - multiple state final appearances in the 00's
Pasco
Southeast (Bradenton) - multiple state final appearances in the 80's and 90's
South Sumter- state final and multiple deep runs in the 00's

I am pretty sure it is the latter and not the former. What is happening is criminal. Forget about the rigors of the game of football and the effect those have on its participants, especially after their careers are over and they approach their 40s and 50s, carrying 300 on your frame from 16 through 19 can never be healthy for the average human and is almost guaranteed to cause health issues regardless of whether you continue to play football into your 20s or not. Yes, the average American period is now carrying a lot more weight then they used to and that in itself is a health issue. But with linemen, we are looking at the very extreme of the obesity issue. The stress on the heart and other internal organs will lead to serious problems down the road that these young men and their families are ignoring.  

Columbia, I struggle using state final appearances from 50+ years ago in program comparisons.   I think the 70's is a more reasonable starting point for comparisons of the "modern era."
There were teams that made final appearances in the 1960's(while schools were still segregated) that may as well be different schools now because they have changed so much.  Not taking away from the marvelous accomplishment, but making a state semi today in the upper classes is so much harder than it was to make a final 50 years ago, based on the number of schools competing and the level of competition.     
According to one source, Wildwood, the team Columbia played in 1964, had less than 100 kids in their upper 3 grades and their line averaged about 165 pounds.  By all means take credits for the titles.  Just suggesting to use caution when using old data for modern-day comparisons.

and at nationally ranked Lakeland 2004 and 2006.  Those were bad trips for Mainland, but Dan did pick up a lovely souvenir hat during his first visit.  I heard some irate Mainland fan put a real cannonball in the cannon in 06 and tried to take out Lakeland's famous  helmet, but they never caught the guy
. 

Dan will never admit to this, but he bought Miami Central Rocket bedsheets after the 2015 loss.  He secretly admires them. 

Here's why I asked...although we may think of certain teams as "one hit wonders,"  we owe it to them to look deeper.  A team like Mainland may only have one state title, but they have been to 7 state semi's since 2000.  Palm Bay has 2 titles and has been to 3 state semi's in the same time frame.  I would say Mainland's accomplishment is greater because they go deeply more consistently.  ...not taking anything away from Palm Bay.   

One of the famous coaches one said that "offenses win games, defenses win championships". Never was something so true. The years when Trinity was getting into and winning championship games our defense was an iron curtain. Even when we had John Brantley at QB our defense allowed him to win games. When the offense is not scoring or getting mired in inconsistent behavior, the defense is there to step up and control the situation. IMO defenses have a lot easier job than offenses. Their job is to outplay the offense using strength and knowledge of formations coming at them. The defense just has to work harder in practice to perfect precise tackling and defending against WR's. In HS football the teams that can defend well against WR's will win most of the time as most teams don't have a clue and/or  the athleticism to properly defend against the pass.

When I think of one hit wonder that means u did it right one time look at Vero they are a for sure one hit....
Imo Venice would of been on this list but they won the state title last year so they barely missed this list themselves 

My team was in the same class as Palm Beach Gardens. 
They beat Boone 21-7 in the second or third round, a team we lost to 17-14. We probably would have played them had we beaten Boone for the district title. We ended up losing a district tie breaker.
6A had a ton of parity in 2005. Reflecting back it was probably one of the weirder years of all time, especially in CFla. Lyman and Winter Springs were both good that year.
 

Here's why I asked...although we may think of certain teams as "one hit wonders,"  we owe it to them to look deeper.  A team like Mainland may only have one state title, but they have been to 7 state semi's since 2000.  Palm Bay has 2 titles and has been to 3 state semi's in the same time frame.  I would say Mainland's accomplishment is greater because they go deeply more consistently.  ...not taking anything away from Palm Bay.   

Of the teams named so far, I think Flanagan wins hand down. 
...others deserve some credit/slack
Viera and Ponte Vedra are pretty new schools, so maybe deserve some slack.  Viera is online now and PV did make a deep run in 2011.
Killian and South Dade-Historically have played in brutal regions of 6A and 8A
PB Gardens has lost some tough games in the playoffs, ie Boone 06,(state semifinalist), Miramar 2011(state finalist), South Dade 2013 (state champ).
Booker lost to eventual state champ Miami Pace in 2003, Cocoa in 2007.
Ely has had many great teams and were defeated by numerous eventual state champions/finalists...Bradenton Southeast (93 and 94), Lakeland (99), Venice, (2000), Edgewater (04), St Thomas Aquinas (05, 06, 07) , Dwyer (13)
Pensacola lost in state semis in 1986, 1996 and 2004.
Pasco lost in state semis in 1983, 2008 and 2011.
St Augustine-Finalist in 2001 and 2007, state semis in 2002, 2004, 2010
Northview-state semis in 2010 and 2011
Mainland-in state semis many times over the years