Perspective

Josh, don't forget about the power of the asterisk.   
* Schedules are never "final" and are always subject to change.  

I don't think there's a single deciding factor.   It's likely a combination of several factors, including politics, economics, retirement of key players, etc. 

Just a timely reminder that, in many respects, FHSAA's hands are tied on this issue.   The state legislature has enacted laws that essentially keep the FHSAA from restricting transfers.  Any efforts that the FHSAA might make to hinder or delay free transfer for all students (including athletes) - such as sitting out for one year or examining the intent of the move - likely would jeopardize the FHSAA's already fragile relationship with its primary funding source (i.e., the State).   And without getting all political here, if you have state leadership that has shown a willingness to take on multi-million dollar companies over philosophical issues, is there any doubt they would be willing to pull the plug on the FHSAA completely should the FHSAA ignore the state mandates on transferring?   I don't think so. 
So, most everyone agrees we've got a problem.  How can the FHSAA step in and solve the problem without putting its very corporate life in danger?  Tweaking the classifications (numbers/sizes/etc.) might be a start, but that won't solve the transfer issue in my opinion.  What can be done? 

Just a timely reminder that, in many respects, FHSAA's hands are tied on this issue.   The state legislature has enacted laws that essentially keep the FHSAA from restricting transfers.  Any efforts that the FHSAA might make to hinder or delay free transfer for all students (including athletes) - such as sitting out for one year or examining the intent of the move - likely would jeopardize the FHSAA's already fragile relationship with its primary funding source (i.e., the State).   And without getting all political here, if you have state leadership that has shown a willingness to take on multi-million dollar companies over philosophical issues, is there any doubt they would be willing to pull the plug on the FHSAA completely should the FHSAA ignore the state mandates on transferring?   I don't think so. 
So, most everyone agrees we've got a problem.  How can the FHSAA step in and solve the problem without putting its very corporate life in danger?  Tweaking the classifications (numbers/sizes/etc.) might be a start, but that won't solve the transfer issue in my opinion.  What can be done? 

Yes. This is why the Dade crowd is picking Norland to blow out Lakeland. Granted, that crowd would pick *any* Dade team-including the 0-10 teams- to blow out Lakeland. LMAO

Josh, don't forget about the power of the asterisk.   
* Schedules are never "final" and are always subject to change.  

Josh, don't forget about the power of the asterisk.   
* Schedules are never "final" and are always subject to change.  

I've heard Venice has been making an effort to shore up their OL and DL, but it remains to be seen whether those efforts will come to fruition.  

Of course it is impossible to know how the season will play out on August 1, without having seen any of the teams play. It does seem to be quite hard to imagine 4S being settled without a Lakeland-Venice match up at some point (with the weird, poor ratings system, there's no way to be sure how the seeding will play out, so the game may not be in the state title game).
Lakeland was considerably better than Venice from a talent perspective last year. They did manage a total offense advantage of 392-138, and took a knee at the 1 yard-line late when they could've scored easily. Everyone at Lakeland has said Osceola was easily the best team they played last year. BUT, Lakeland has been much more talented than Venice in each and every game the schools have ever played (lots of spring games in the last ten years). Since 2017, Venice has given Lakeland fits each time (excepting the 2022 spring game). Coaching, execution, scheme etc have all been a clear edge for Venice, making wins very hard to come by despite Lakeland's clear talent advantage. This year, Lakeland has a new coach and a new approach. Will coaching, execution and scheme remain clear Venice advantages??
Looking at returning starters from 2022, Venice has more starters back, with 7 (or 8 if you count both RBs who rarely play at the same time) back on offense and 5-6 back on defense. Lakeland has 4 back on O if counting both Rbs and, generously 3-4 back on D (the DL had a roatation with 2 who played often back). 
Before 2017, what I wrote above would point to favoring Venice to get the best of Lakeland. But, as we all know, the "transfer portal" has dramatically changed (ruined?) the game. Keeping an eye on hudl and Twitter, it appears that Lakeland has received considerably more transfers than Venice. But, Venice has done significantly more to celebrate and outright market its success in the transfer portal, and they do have the highest rated transfer in the state. So, I think the perception is that Venice did better, even though I don't see evidence for that claim.
I think perhaps the only thing we can be sure of in 4S is that all of the top teams will put up HUGE numbers offensively. Venice, Lake Minneola, and now Lakeland will all employ hurry-up offenses led by FBS-caliber QBs and speedy skill position players. Bartram Trail has a major recruit at QB and I'd bet they'll put points up as well. I think Osceola is looking at a bit of a down year, and will be no better than the 4th best team on Lakeland's schedule. Venice's weaknesses will be in the trenches, where I think they're still stuck with the mediocre kids they had last year on the OL, and they lost all 4 starters on the DL who played at least 95% of the plays last year. Lakeland is green in the trenches, and that figures to be their weakest areas as well. Lake Minneola is emerging as something of a recruiting power in its area, and will be better than many think. I want to see Vero Beach win a really big game before I pay much attention to them.
No predictions on records or playoffs until I see the teams play a few games.
 

Man, you know the summer's almost over when the conversation on high school football message boards turns to which team has the better band.  

Lol aye when it comes to certain schools the band and football team go hand in hand. 
 
it’s nothing like running out on the field to “WE READY” by a hbcu still marching band ran chills through my body every week. 

Man, you know the summer's almost over when the conversation on high school football message boards turns to which team has the better band.  

Yeah, I'm just afraid those numbers don't represent traditional height and weight, but instead represent broad jump (running, not standing) and combined bench press and dead lift.  

Yeah, I'm just afraid those numbers don't represent traditional height and weight, but instead represent broad jump (running, not standing) and combined bench press and dead lift.  

Yeah, but they're still a ways off from being competitive at the state level again.   Their schedule sets them up for another "successful season" record-wise, but until they can beef up their line on both sides of the ball, I don't see them making any deep playoff runs.   Just my opinion, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

Yeah, but they're still a ways off from being competitive at the state level again.   Their schedule sets them up for another "successful season" record-wise, but until they can beef up their line on both sides of the ball, I don't see them making any deep playoff runs.   Just my opinion, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

You know more than I do at this point.   I guess ol' Hank has been working the waiver wire. 

I recently read in the Tallahassee Democrat that Chiles had been invited to play in Ireland in 2024, but was pending final approval from the school district before it can begin fundraising and planning for the trip.  Not sure if they have received final approval or not.  However, it was previously announced that Maclay School of Tallahassee has accepted an invitation for 2024.  The two Tallahassee schools would join Belen Jesuit and CSN as the four Florida high schools to make the 4000-mile journey to Ireland.  These trips are brokered by a company named Global Sports, "the world’s largest exporter of American football since 1996; ... have organized and produced games and events in 28 different countries on 6 continents.  The events and tours have involved more than 350 teams and 15,000 curious travelers, each encountering a positive life-changing experience, while enjoying the ultimate team-building opportunity", according to its website.  The estimated cost per player is $4000-$4500, according to the article in the Tallahassee Democrat.  I suspect the reason the Tallahassee schools are receiving the invitations for 2024 is a tie-in to the game between Florida St. and Georgia Tech being played in Ireland at the same time. 
 

Pesky Kowboys

Depends on who is doing it

Wait, I thought recruiting was illegal?  

Wait, I thought recruiting was illegal?  

Wait, I thought recruiting was illegal?  

So many factors at play here.   Are offenses game-planning around him?  Are opponent QB's not even throwing the ball down field because this kid is lurking back there waiting?  Is this kid's team loaded on defense and the D-line and LB'ers are making most of the tackles?
I'm curious how the kid is built:  is he 6'2", 185 with a frame that can hold the 15 pounds that he'll likely gain his first year of college?  Does he have good speed?   Does he play downhill?  Is he aggressive? 
In answer to your question, I'd say college recruit on a combination of potential and production.  You can't teach speed, size or instinct, so if a kid checks all of these boxes, even if his statistical numbers aren't all that impressive, he'll still get offers over the 5'8, 160 kid who has better numbers. 

OK, so I have reason to believe that Dr. D is actually "MaxPreps" in disguise and that he's testing out his Florida pre-season rankings on this highly educated audience before releasing them to the general public. 
Per MaxPrep's website (Under Florida high school rankings for 2023-24), it says:  "MaxPreps hasn't released rankings for football (2023) yet. Our rankings algorithm requires a minimum number of games played before we can accurately rank teams. Please check back soon."