The 6 Best Teams of the 1980's

[OldSchoolLion]

Here's one for the old-timers on the Board.  These 6 teams won more playoff games in the 1980's than any other teams.  Who were they?

Hints: There are no teams from Miami-Dade.  There are 2 small schools on the list.

[uncleluke23]

I don't know which teams but I'm pretty sure at least one is from the Panhandle.

[OldSchoolLion]

6 minutes ago, uncleluke23 said:

I don't know which teams but I'm pretty sure at least one is from the Panhandle.

You are correct, sir.

[DarterBlue2]

Woodham, Escambia, Suwannee, Lakeland, North Florida Christian?

[OldSchoolLion]

20 hours ago, DarterBlue2 said:

Woodham, Escambia, Suwannee, Lakeland, North Florida Christian?

Great guesses, Darter. 

[Roadkillav8r]

I would have put Pensacola vice Escambia but other than that I have no clue.  I got to P’cola in July of 84.  I watched both teams that fall and then left.  Huge crowds would be at those games and the game between the two was epic.

[THIS_IS_DILLARD]

Dillard LoL (shrugs shoulders” it was worth a shot u said no dade schools u never said no broward schools 

[OldSchoolLion]

1 minute ago, THIS_IS_DILLARD said:

Dillard LoL (shrugs shoulders” it was worth a shot u said no dade schools u never said no broward schools 

Yes!  Dillard made 7 playoff appearances and had 2 state titles in the 80's. 

[THIS_IS_DILLARD]

10 minutes ago, OldSchoolLion said:

Yes!  Dillard made 7 playoff appearances and had 2 state titles in the 80's. 

Ayyeeeeeeee!!!!! Lol

[gatorman-uf]

Glades Day
Glades Central
Clewiston
Pahokee
Manatee
Lakeland
STA
Bolles

[Phfootball9]

Pine forest

[Cat_Scratch]

Is Columbia one?

[shredstar]

University Christian, maybe.  But I think some of their run was also in the early 90's.  That would be my only guess from schools up here.  Definitely not Bolles or TCA because Corky was still at Lee in the 80's and TCA's run didn't begin until the 90's.

[badbird]

baker

[OldSchoolLion]

1 hour ago, badbird said:

baker

Baker is on the list!

[OldSchoolLion]

 

18 hours ago, gatorman-uf said:

Glades Day
Glades Central
Clewiston
Pahokee
Manatee
Lakeland
STA
Bolles

Glades Day-Yes

Manatee-Yes

Clewiston-Yes

[OldSchoolLion]

20 hours ago, OldSchoolLion said:

Great guesses, Darter.  NFC is on the list.  The others just missed the cut.  

Sorry, Darter.  I was mistaken.  NFC is on the list.  

[OldSchoolLion]

One to go...nobody has mentioned #4 yet 

 

#1 Glades Day    Coach:Byron Walker

#2 Manatee     Coach: Joe Kinnan

#3 Baker    Coach:John Ensor     

#4 ??????????  

#5(tie) Dillard    Coach:Otis Gray

#5(tie) Clewiston     Coach:Al Morrell

[DisabledAccount]

11 hours ago, Cat_Scratch said:

Is Columbia one?

They would have been more likely in the 90s to have made list 

 

During 80s Columbia made only 5 playoff appearances and finished with 3 wins

 

Though interesting note 2 of wins came over the best public historically in Duval County history and one of those teams was one of first nationally ranked teams in FL

 

Though Columbia would lose to state power in round 2 both years (also same team)

[gatorman-uf]

Titusville?

[OldSchoolLion]

#1 Glades Day    Coach:Byron Walker

#2 Manatee     Coach: Joe Kinnan

#3 Baker    Coach:John Ensor     

#4 Titusville     Coach:Al Werneke  

#5(tie) Dillard    Coach:Otis Gray

#5(tie) Clewiston     Coach:Al Morrell

[badbird]

3 hours ago, OldSchoolLion said:

#1 Glades Day    Coach:Byron Walker

#2 Manatee     Coach: Joe Kinnan

#3 Baker    Coach:John Ensor     

#4 Titusville     Coach:Al Werneke  

#5(tie) Dillard    Coach:Otis Gray

#5(tie) Clewiston     Coach:Al Morrell

Some Baker history

 

Baker and Glades Day met in the finals 5 out of 6 years.  Baker did not make it in 1981 losing in the state semis to Mayo ed by Kerwin Bell.  Mayo would win that year. Glades Day won in 80,82.  Baker won in 83,84,85 and set the record for most consecutive wins at the time at 42. Streak was snapped by Walton led by Jeff Webb who later coached Baker to the 93 state title.  Baker missed the playoffs in 86 losing the last game of the season to Century.  Century was leading by 5 or 6 late and fumbled.  Matt Brunson, now the head coach at Baker, scooped up the fumble and ran about 70 yards to only get walked down on the 5 yard line late in the game.  Baker was unable to score ending their season and John Ensor's coaching career.  He went into administration. Century went on to lose to Glades Day 7-6 in the finals and Century turned the ball over 7 times.  Baker could have easily won 7 state titles in a row

[CoachD@MHS]

DUNEDIN FALCONS were very strong in the 80's.  Likely Pinellas County's most successful years.