What Did the State Poll Look Like 25 Years Ago?

[OldSchoolLion]

Thought ya'll might like to see what the state poll looked like 25 years ago.  It's interesting that some of these teams haven't been ranked for many years, ie Orange Park, Parker, Rutherford.  Of this past season's state finalists, looks like Cocoa and University Christian were the only ones ranked back then.

It's odd not seeing all of the powerhouse private schools of today like Bolles, AHP, Chaminade, Cardinal Gibbons, and Trinity Christian in the rankings.  Public schools still seemed to have the upper hand back then, but things were starting to change.  

Class 5A
1. Orange Park (12), 8-0, 144  lost to Manatee in the state semis
2. Apopka, 7-0, 128  lost to Manatee in the regionals
3. Bradenton Manatee (2), 8-0, 124  Won state title-beat Dillard in the final; made Manatee 4-0 in final appearances
4. Niceville (1), 8-1, 106
5. Miami Southridge, 4-1, 77
6. Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 6-2, 71
7. Vero Beach, 8-1, 58
8. Orlando Evans, 7-1, 35
9. Parker, 8-0, 34
10. Lakeland, 7-1, 17
Also received votes: Sarasota Riverview 12, Lake City Columbia 9, Homestead 3, Miami Senior 2, 
Winter Park 2, St. Petersburg Northeast 2, Daytona Beach Mainland 1.

Class 4A
1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas (14), 9-0, 149  Won state title-beat Leon(their last appearance) in the final; STA's first state title in the FHSAA
2. Fort Myers (1), 8-0, 135  lost to STA in the state semis
3. Merritt Island, 8-0, 109
4. Bradenton Southeast, 7-1, 105
5. Milton, 7-1, 87
6. Springfield Rutherford, 7-1, 79
7. Naples Barron Collier, 7-1, 54
8. Boca Raton Olympic Heights, 8-0, 45
9. Fort Walton Beach, 6-2, 27
10. Leesburg, 7-1, 11
Also received votes: Stuart Martin County 10, Deerfield Beach 4, St. Petersburg Boca Ciega 4, Land O' 
Lakes 2, Mandarin 1, Lakeland Kathleen 1, Punta Gorda Charlotte 1, Tallahassee Leon 1.

3A
1. Dade City Pasco (14), 8-0, 149  Won state title-beat Tampa Jesuit in the final; Pasco's only state final appearance
2. Pace (1), 8-0, 129  lost to Pasco in the state semis
3. Clewiston, 8-0, 113
4. Rockledge, 7-1, 101
5. Lake Wales, 8-0, 92
6. Gainesville Eastside, 7-1, 67
7. Nease, 8-0, 60
8. Cocoa, 6-2, 42
9. Belle Glade Glades Central, 7-1, 33
10. Alachua Santa Fe, 6-2, 15
Also received votes: Haines City 7, Miami Pace 6, St. Cloud 5, Sparr North Marion 5, Crestview 1.

2A
1. Frostproof (13), 8-0, 148  Won state title-beat Newberry in the final; FP's second of three state titles
2. Newberry (2), 7-1, 132
3. Ft. Lauderdale Pine Crest, 8-0, 117
4. Pensacola Catholic, 7-1, 94  lost to Newberry in the state semis
5. Riviera Beach Suncoast, 7-1, 92
6. Williston, 8-0, 76
7. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7-1, 62
8. Keystone Heights, 7-1, 47
9. Chipley, 6-2, 26
10. Fort Meade, 7-1, 22
Also received votes: Pahokee 6, Vernon 3.

1A
1. University Christian (15), 7-1, 150  Won state title-beat WPB Benjamin in the final; University wins back-to-back state titles
2. Hilliard, 8-0, 129
3. Mayo Lafayette, 8-0, 122
4. Hollywood Christian, 9-0, 96
5. Walnut Hill Ernest Ward, 7-1 79
6. Century, 6-1, 71
7. Greensboro, 7-1, 61
8. Eatonville Wymore, 8-1, 51
9. North Palm Beach Benjamin, 7-1, 40
10. Aucilla Christian, 7-2, 19
Also received votes: Baker 4, Graceville 3.

[DisabledAccount]

4 minutes ago, OldSchoolLion said:

Thought ya'll might like to see what the state poll looked like 25 years ago.  It's interesting that some of these teams haven't been ranked for many years, ie Orange Park, Parker, Rutherford.  Of this past season's state finalists, looks like Cocoa and University Christian were the only ones ranked back then.

It's odd not seeing all of the powerhouse private schools of today like Bolles, AHP, Chaminade, Cardinal Gibbons, and Trinity Christian in the rankings.  Public schools still seemed to have the upper hand back then, but things were starting to change.  

Class 5A
1. Orange Park (12), 8-0, 144  lost to Manatee in the state semis
2. Apopka, 7-0, 128  lost to Manatee in the regionals
3. Bradenton Manatee (2), 8-0, 124  Won state title-beat Dillard in the final; made Manatee 4-0 in final appearances
4. Niceville (1), 8-1, 106
5. Miami Southridge, 4-1, 77
6. Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 6-2, 71
7. Vero Beach, 8-1, 58
8. Orlando Evans, 7-1, 35
9. Parker, 8-0, 34
10. Lakeland, 7-1, 17
Also received votes: Sarasota Riverview 12, Lake City Columbia 9, Homestead 3, Miami Senior 2, 
Winter Park 2, St. Petersburg Northeast 2, Daytona Beach Mainland 1.

Class 4A
1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas (14), 9-0, 149  Won state title-beat Leon(their last appearance) in the final; STA's first state title in the FHSAA
2. Fort Myers (1), 8-0, 135  lost to STA in the state semis
3. Merritt Island, 8-0, 109
4. Bradenton Southeast, 7-1, 105
5. Milton, 7-1, 87
6. Springfield Rutherford, 7-1, 79
7. Naples Barron Collier, 7-1, 54
8. Boca Raton Olympic Heights, 8-0, 45
9. Fort Walton Beach, 6-2, 27
10. Leesburg, 7-1, 11
Also received votes: Stuart Martin County 10, Deerfield Beach 4, St. Petersburg Boca Ciega 4, Land O' 
Lakes 2, Mandarin 1, Lakeland Kathleen 1, Punta Gorda Charlotte 1, Tallahassee Leon 1.

3A
1. Dade City Pasco (14), 8-0, 149  Won state title-beat Tampa Jesuit in the final; Pasco's only state final appearance
2. Pace (1), 8-0, 129  lost to Pasco in the state semis
3. Clewiston, 8-0, 113
4. Rockledge, 7-1, 101
5. Lake Wales, 8-0, 92
6. Gainesville Eastside, 7-1, 67
7. Nease, 8-0, 60
8. Cocoa, 6-2, 42
9. Belle Glade Glades Central, 7-1, 33
10. Alachua Santa Fe, 6-2, 15
Also received votes: Haines City 7, Miami Pace 6, St. Cloud 5, Sparr North Marion 5, Crestview 1.

2A
1. Frostproof (13), 8-0, 148  Won state title-beat Newberry in the final; FP's second of three state titles
2. Newberry (2), 7-1, 132
3. Ft. Lauderdale Pine Crest, 8-0, 117
4. Pensacola Catholic, 7-1, 94  lost to Newberry in the state semis
5. Riviera Beach Suncoast, 7-1, 92
6. Williston, 8-0, 76
7. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7-1, 62
8. Keystone Heights, 7-1, 47
9. Chipley, 6-2, 26
10. Fort Meade, 7-1, 22
Also received votes: Pahokee 6, Vernon 3.

1A
1. University Christian (15), 7-1, 150  Won state title-beat WPB Benjamin in the final; University wins back-to-back state titles
2. Hilliard, 8-0, 129
3. Mayo Lafayette, 8-0, 122
4. Hollywood Christian, 9-0, 96
5. Walnut Hill Ernest Ward, 7-1 79
6. Century, 6-1, 71
7. Greensboro, 7-1, 61
8. Eatonville Wymore, 8-1, 51
9. North Palm Beach Benjamin, 7-1, 40
10. Aucilla Christian, 7-2, 19
Also received votes: Baker 4, Graceville 3.

Well Terry Parker and Orange Park generally have instability with coaching which is one of many reasons they struggle 

 

Another is more teams started growing around them and pulling talent out

[SPCjessica2004]

I can't remember not seeing a poll with Tampa Catholic or Clearwater Central Catholic not in it- like, that's never happened in my time that I actively followed football. 25 years ago would have been 1993- I believe Kibid said CCC doesn't become a powerhouse until 1996, but that Tampa Catholic was the dominant power before CCC rose up, I need to double check.   Cardinal Mooney doesn't surprise me, I think they had 24 consecutive winning/playoff seasons.    My Barons at SPC didn't on until Dan Mancuso took over and we got Chris Davis in, which was 1998 and then we had Jock Sanders and Billy Tapp. Had a solid run from the late 1990's to 2005 and then.. POOF!

Also, I'm assuming this was before North Florida Christian came to power? Didn't they win 3 or 4 state titles in the row at some point? 

[DisabledAccount]

5 minutes ago, SPCjessica2004 said:

I can't remember not seeing a poll with Tampa Catholic or Clearwater Central Catholic not in it- like, that's never happened in my time that I actively followed football. 25 years ago would have been 1993- I believe Kibid said CCC doesn't become a powerhouse until 1996, but that Tampa Catholic was the dominant power before CCC rose up, I need to double check.   Cardinal Mooney doesn't surprise me, I think they had 24 consecutive winning/playoff seasons.    My Barons at SPC didn't on until Dan Mancuso took over and we got Chris Davis in, which was 1998 and then we had Jock Sanders and Billy Tapp. Had a solid run from the late 1990's to 2005 and then.. POOF!

Also, I'm assuming this was before North Florida Christian came to power? Didn't they win 3 or 4 state titles in the row at some point? 

NFC won 4 straight in late 90s-early 00s

[Hwy17]

1 hour ago, OldSchoolLion said:

Thought ya'll might like to see what the state poll looked like 25 years ago.  It's interesting that some of these teams haven't been ranked for many years, ie Orange Park, Parker, Rutherford.  Of this past season's state finalists, looks like Cocoa and University Christian were the only ones ranked back then.

It's odd not seeing all of the powerhouse private schools of today like Bolles, AHP, Chaminade, Cardinal Gibbons, and Trinity Christian in the rankings.  Public schools still seemed to have the upper hand back then, but things were starting to change.  

Class 5A
1. Orange Park (12), 8-0, 144  lost to Manatee in the state semis
2. Apopka, 7-0, 128  lost to Manatee in the regionals
3. Bradenton Manatee (2), 8-0, 124  Won state title-beat Dillard in the final; made Manatee 4-0 in final appearances
4. Niceville (1), 8-1, 106
5. Miami Southridge, 4-1, 77
6. Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 6-2, 71
7. Vero Beach, 8-1, 58
8. Orlando Evans, 7-1, 35
9. Parker, 8-0, 34
10. Lakeland, 7-1, 17
Also received votes: Sarasota Riverview 12, Lake City Columbia 9, Homestead 3, Miami Senior 2, 
Winter Park 2, St. Petersburg Northeast 2, Daytona Beach Mainland 1.

Class 4A
1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas (14), 9-0, 149  Won state title-beat Leon(their last appearance) in the final; STA's first state title in the FHSAA
2. Fort Myers (1), 8-0, 135  lost to STA in the state semis
3. Merritt Island, 8-0, 109
4. Bradenton Southeast, 7-1, 105
5. Milton, 7-1, 87
6. Springfield Rutherford, 7-1, 79
7. Naples Barron Collier, 7-1, 54
8. Boca Raton Olympic Heights, 8-0, 45
9. Fort Walton Beach, 6-2, 27
10. Leesburg, 7-1, 11
Also received votes: Stuart Martin County 10, Deerfield Beach 4, St. Petersburg Boca Ciega 4, Land O' 
Lakes 2, Mandarin 1, Lakeland Kathleen 1, Punta Gorda Charlotte 1, Tallahassee Leon 1.

3A
1. Dade City Pasco (14), 8-0, 149  Won state title-beat Tampa Jesuit in the final; Pasco's only state final appearance
2. Pace (1), 8-0, 129  lost to Pasco in the state semis
3. Clewiston, 8-0, 113
4. Rockledge, 7-1, 101
5. Lake Wales, 8-0, 92
6. Gainesville Eastside, 7-1, 67
7. Nease, 8-0, 60
8. Cocoa, 6-2, 42
9. Belle Glade Glades Central, 7-1, 33
10. Alachua Santa Fe, 6-2, 15
Also received votes: Haines City 7, Miami Pace 6, St. Cloud 5, Sparr North Marion 5, Crestview 1.

2A
1. Frostproof (13), 8-0, 148  Won state title-beat Newberry in the final; FP's second of three state titles
2. Newberry (2), 7-1, 132
3. Ft. Lauderdale Pine Crest, 8-0, 117
4. Pensacola Catholic, 7-1, 94  lost to Newberry in the state semis
5. Riviera Beach Suncoast, 7-1, 92
6. Williston, 8-0, 76
7. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7-1, 62
8. Keystone Heights, 7-1, 47
9. Chipley, 6-2, 26
10. Fort Meade, 7-1, 22
Also received votes: Pahokee 6, Vernon 3.

1A
1. University Christian (15), 7-1, 150  Won state title-beat WPB Benjamin in the final; University wins back-to-back state titles
2. Hilliard, 8-0, 129
3. Mayo Lafayette, 8-0, 122
4. Hollywood Christian, 9-0, 96
5. Walnut Hill Ernest Ward, 7-1 79
6. Century, 6-1, 71
7. Greensboro, 7-1, 61
8. Eatonville Wymore, 8-1, 51
9. North Palm Beach Benjamin, 7-1, 40
10. Aucilla Christian, 7-2, 19
Also received votes: Baker 4, Graceville 3.

 You will also notice that north and central Florida, particularly small town programs, were the top teams.  

[Joshua Wilson]

When Richard Burton releases his playoff history book, a lot of the old polls and rankings will be in his book. There is going to be a lot of information on it.

[DisabledAccount]

25 minutes ago, Joshua Wilson said:

When Richard Burton releases his playoff history book, a lot of the old polls and rankings will be in his book. There is going to be a lot of information on it.

I definitely have to buy myself a copy of that book when it comes out 

[OldSchoolLion]

33 minutes ago, SPCjessica2004 said:

I can't remember not seeing a poll with Tampa Catholic or Clearwater Central Catholic not in it- like, that's never happened in my time that I actively followed football. 25 years ago would have been 1993- I believe Kibid said CCC doesn't become a powerhouse until 1996, but that Tampa Catholic was the dominant power before CCC rose up, I need to double check.   Cardinal Mooney doesn't surprise me, I think they had 24 consecutive winning/playoff seasons.    My Barons at SPC didn't on until Dan Mancuso took over and we got Chris Davis in, which was 1998 and then we had Jock Sanders and Billy Tapp. Had a solid run from the late 1990's to 2005 and then.. POOF!

Also, I'm assuming this was before North Florida Christian came to power? Didn't they win 3 or 4 state titles in the row at some point? 

This was a 92/93 poll.  NFC rose to power in 1995...Trinity Christian in the late 90's....STA in the early 90's...and Bolles in the late 80's.  AH Delray, AH Plantation, Chaminade and Cardinal Gibbons all came on strong since 2000.

Between 1971-1989, private schools rarely appeared in a state title game outside of Class A.   I believe Chaminade did it once and Columbus twice.  That was it.  Like Hwy17 said, there were a lot of small-town public schools doing very well during that time.  Reminded me a lot of small-town football in Georgia.  Imagine the excitement of a state title game in Bartow when there was not much there.  

I've mentioned in earlier posts that around 1990 one started sensing this changing of the guard.  When Bolles and STA started showing up in title game after title game...the state had not seen anything like that level of domination before, at least not since FHSAA got started.     

 

 

 

[Hwy17]

1 hour ago, OldSchoolLion said:

This was a 92/93 poll.  NFC rose to power in 1995...Trinity Christian in the late 90's....STA in the early 90's...and Bolles in the late 80's.  AH Delray, AH Plantation, Chaminade and Cardinal Gibbons all came on strong since 2000.

Between 1971-1989, private schools rarely appeared in a state title game outside of Class A.   I believe Chaminade did it once and Columbus twice.  That was it.  Like Hwy17 said, there were a lot of small-town public schools doing very well during that time.  Reminded me a lot of small-town football in Georgia.  Imagine the excitement of a state title game in Bartow when there was not much there.  

I've mentioned in earlier posts that around 1990 one started sensing this changing of the guard.  When Bolles and STA started showing up in title game after title game...the state had not seen anything like that level of domination before, at least not since FHSAA got started.     

 

 

 

This poll was from 1992

[Corey_Davis]

On 4/26/2018 at 11:05 AM, OldSchoolLion said:

Thought ya'll might like to see what the state poll looked like 25 years ago.  It's interesting that some of these teams haven't been ranked for many years, ie Orange Park, Parker, Rutherford.  Of this past season's state finalists, looks like Cocoa and University Christian were the only ones ranked back then.

It's odd not seeing all of the powerhouse private schools of today like Bolles, AHP, Chaminade, Cardinal Gibbons, and Trinity Christian in the rankings.  Public schools still seemed to have the upper hand back then, but things were starting to change.  

Class 5A
1. Orange Park (12), 8-0, 144  lost to Manatee in the state semis
2. Apopka, 7-0, 128  lost to Manatee in the regionals
3. Bradenton Manatee (2), 8-0, 124  Won state title-beat Dillard in the final; made Manatee 4-0 in final appearances
4. Niceville (1), 8-1, 106
5. Miami Southridge, 4-1, 77
6. Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 6-2, 71
7. Vero Beach, 8-1, 58
8. Orlando Evans, 7-1, 35
9. Parker, 8-0, 34
10. Lakeland, 7-1, 17
Also received votes: Sarasota Riverview 12, Lake City Columbia 9, Homestead 3, Miami Senior 2, 
Winter Park 2, St. Petersburg Northeast 2, Daytona Beach Mainland 1.

Class 4A
1. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas (14), 9-0, 149  Won state title-beat Leon(their last appearance) in the final; STA's first state title in the FHSAA
2. Fort Myers (1), 8-0, 135  lost to STA in the state semis
3. Merritt Island, 8-0, 109
4. Bradenton Southeast, 7-1, 105
5. Milton, 7-1, 87
6. Springfield Rutherford, 7-1, 79
7. Naples Barron Collier, 7-1, 54
8. Boca Raton Olympic Heights, 8-0, 45
9. Fort Walton Beach, 6-2, 27
10. Leesburg, 7-1, 11
Also received votes: Stuart Martin County 10, Deerfield Beach 4, St. Petersburg Boca Ciega 4, Land O' 
Lakes 2, Mandarin 1, Lakeland Kathleen 1, Punta Gorda Charlotte 1, Tallahassee Leon 1.

3A
1. Dade City Pasco (14), 8-0, 149  Won state title-beat Tampa Jesuit in the final; Pasco's only state final appearance
2. Pace (1), 8-0, 129  lost to Pasco in the state semis
3. Clewiston, 8-0, 113
4. Rockledge, 7-1, 101
5. Lake Wales, 8-0, 92
6. Gainesville Eastside, 7-1, 67
7. Nease, 8-0, 60
8. Cocoa, 6-2, 42
9. Belle Glade Glades Central, 7-1, 33
10. Alachua Santa Fe, 6-2, 15
Also received votes: Haines City 7, Miami Pace 6, St. Cloud 5, Sparr North Marion 5, Crestview 1.

2A
1. Frostproof (13), 8-0, 148  Won state title-beat Newberry in the final; FP's second of three state titles
2. Newberry (2), 7-1, 132
3. Ft. Lauderdale Pine Crest, 8-0, 117
4. Pensacola Catholic, 7-1, 94  lost to Newberry in the state semis
5. Riviera Beach Suncoast, 7-1, 92
6. Williston, 8-0, 76
7. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 7-1, 62
8. Keystone Heights, 7-1, 47
9. Chipley, 6-2, 26
10. Fort Meade, 7-1, 22
Also received votes: Pahokee 6, Vernon 3.

1A
1. University Christian (15), 7-1, 150  Won state title-beat WPB Benjamin in the final; University wins back-to-back state titles
2. Hilliard, 8-0, 129
3. Mayo Lafayette, 8-0, 122
4. Hollywood Christian, 9-0, 96
5. Walnut Hill Ernest Ward, 7-1 79
6. Century, 6-1, 71
7. Greensboro, 7-1, 61
8. Eatonville Wymore, 8-1, 51
9. North Palm Beach Benjamin, 7-1, 40
10. Aucilla Christian, 7-2, 19
Also received votes: Baker 4, Graceville 3.

Thanks for the reminder !!!!

25 years ago, I walked off that field at Manatee knowing I was 1 quarter away from running out of the tunnel the following week at UF and also winning a state title still haunts me to this day. Went 29-4 my three years, yet only one playoff appearance If you can believe that.         

[Corey_Davis]

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    

[Corey_Davis]

1. University Christian -  Has won 10 state titles 
2. Hilliard - Struggling 1A program
3. Mayo Lafayette - Solid program consistently in playoffs

5. Walnut Hill Ernest Ward - Consolidated school became Northview 
6. Century - Consolidated school became Northview 
7. Greensboro - Became West Gadsden and Gadsden County   
8. Eatonville Wymore - Closed  
9. North Palm Beach Benjamin - Independent program 
10. Aucilla Christian, - Independent program 

[Pipe Dreams]

Wow, Eatonville Wymore!

I never knew Eatonville had a school. They are just north of Orlando.

Found this old article: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1987-09-18/news/0150000111_1_wymore-alternative-school-bobcats

[OldSchoolLion]

On 5/29/2018 at 11:41 PM, Corey_Davis said:

Thanks for the reminder !!!!

25 years ago, I walked off that field at Manatee knowing I was 1 quarter away from running out of the tunnel the following week at UF and also winning a state title still haunts me to this day. Went 29-4 my three years, yet only one playoff appearance If you can believe that.         

1992 Orange Park (12-1) led by offensive lineman Ryan Hoffman (North Carolina), all-state linebackers Carl Crennel and Rusty Sparks, tailback Darius Faulk (UCF) and all-state safety Ray Flores were ranked No. 1 in the state for the last 7 weeks of the season before falling to Bradenton Manatee in the state semifinals.

[Cocoa2010]

#SustainedSuccess

[DisabledAccount]

Still crazy seeing undefeated and Terry Parker together 

 

These days they lucky to get 4 wins a season

[Hwy17]

On 5/30/2018 at 10:26 AM, Pipe Dreams said:

Wow, Eatonville Wymore!

I never knew Eatonville had a school. They are just north of Orlando.

Found this old article: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1987-09-18/news/0150000111_1_wymore-alternative-school-bobcats

Wymore Tech - I saw were Hardee played them in the 1970's.

[DarterBlue2]

2 hours ago, Hwy17 said:

Wymore Tech - I saw were Hardee played them in the 1970's.

Yeah, they closed in the early 2000s. Kids zoned there now attend Edgewater. 

[Dan in Daytona]

....and Eatonville's most famous football player ?  David "Deacon" Jones. A member of the Los Angeles Rams "Fearsome Foursome." NFL Hall of Fame (1980).  In 1999 Sports Illustrated named him the "Defensive End of the Century."