Attended 4 days of Spring Games last week.  Here are my observations. First of all I realize these are only spring games and I don’t really care much about scores in spring games. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS * Very competitive matchups.  Must give credit to the organizers.  Each event had teams that were close to even in quality. * The St Cloud jamboree was very well run.  It started at 6:30pm instead of 6pm but the event was run like clockwork once it started.  The two day Lakeland event was done well also. * Now for THE BATTLE IN THE SWAMP.  This was listed for a 5pm start.  I even called the school to confirm this the day of the event.  I arrived at a quarter to 5 to find the field was completely empty.  Mainland vs Coconut Creek was the first game with Atlantic Del Ray vs McArthur to follow.  I walk by the Mainland Head Coach.  He tells me “It starts at 6 sir”.  So I go back to the parking lot to hang out with JDHOSS and his wonderful wife.  We decide to go in the stadium about 20 minutes to 6.  The game had already started.  To make matters worse we are waiting in the stands for the 2nd game when we are informed there will not be a 2nd game.  Atlantic Del Ray and McArthur had pulled out of the event.   * In the past 2 years there had been more of an emphasis on winning.  There was definitely some of that but not as much this year. * Usually in these contests the defenses are ahead of the offenses.  Completely flipped.  Offenses ran up and down the field in every contest except Lakeland’s offense against Buchholz. * Did not have any updated spring rosters so I may not mention the names of players. SPRING GAME OBSERVATIONS * The star in St. Cloud was Viera’s OL.  Impressive in run and pass blocking.  You could see on the sidelines they knew they were performing well.  Fun group to watch.  The Viera QB called his own # at least 50% of the time.  He is not a burner but he is an aggressive and effective runner.  Overplay the run against Viera and a streaking, wide open receiver will be in the end zone celebrating a TD.  Viera’s defense did not have a good night but neither did the other teams. * Southlake and St Cloud performed admirably.  Both had good QB’s.  I thought Southlake has a physically good looking club.  St Cloud’s TE Owen Sullivan had a big night. * It’s entertaining to watch Southlake’s Head Coach Brad Lord march up and down the Eagles sideline barking orders, encouragements and tongue lashings  * At THE BATTLE IN THE SWAMP the following night, Mainland showed they had the superior overall team to Coconut Creek but this was a close one until the 4th quarter.  It looks to me that Coconut Creek has a more talented team than last year.  Mainland has a really good group of receivers, a pretty good QB and a well built RB #3.  Not much defense in this game. * Again, McArthur and ADR were no shows.  Very disappointing. * The 2ND ANNUAL BATTLE AT BRYANT.  Buchholz, Port Charlotte and the Dreadnaughts  played Friday night.   * I had seen Buchholz’s QB, Andrew Whittemore, play in their spring game last year.  He looked very promising then.  What I saw Friday night is he is progressing nicely.  I will say this.  Whittemore is right handed.  He likes to roll out it is to his right. I would never let him do that.  Buchholz’s defense was their strength last season.  It looked like it should be similar this year.  Because of Whittemore’s play this should be an improved season for them.  * Lakeland looked to be the same at this point as they were last year.  I’m sure the coaches will figure it out but I think their talent level is decreasing each year.  That being said they will probably find a way to go deep into the playoffs. * Port Charlotte will be a very good team but their Achilles Heal may be their secondary.   Apparently they didn’t get the memo that form tackling is making a comeback.  Grabbing ball carriers by the shoulder pads to try to throw them down or going for kill shots at the expense of not making tackles are no longer in vogue.  The  corners were burnt toast before the night was over.  Sorry for the harshness but the Pirates have a chance to make another good run but that was a glaring weakness.  I sat with Port Charlotte’s QB Logan Flaherty’s parents for some of the night.  A Rutgers coach and a FSU coach were there.  He announces his commitment Tuesday afternoon with top Port Charlotte’s receiver, Elias Pearl.  Unfortunately Pearl is injured and did not play. * Saturday was Jesuit, Evans and Clearwater Central Catholic.   * Jesuit looks very young.  They alternated QB’s every series.  They faced Evans first and quite frankly did not perform to what you would expect of a Jesuit team.  The Tiger’s superstar LB, Kayden Henderson, did not play due to illness.  Jesuit played somewhat better against CCC.  I’m sure the coaching staff will make positive strides with this team.  They could use an upgrade in skill players. * Evans looks to be on the same level as last year except for one thing.  His name is William Jackson.  He is a 6’4.5 200 lb. QB transfer from Camden County, GA.(could be wrong about that but according to my research this is what I came up with).  Jackson was the most dynamic player I saw this week.  He would be my MVP.   Evans will be one to watch again this year.  They might want to find a field goal kicker. * Look for some good things from CCC this year.  They handled Jesuit fairly easily.  Their game against Evans had some funky personnel combinations by both teams.  It was competitive but winning was not a priority and that was fine.  If I had to guess I think CCC has had a good influx of talent this year.  Senior QB Khayse Barrett will be hard to stop.  Before the game began Evans fans thought he looked like a powerful RB.   They were surprised to see he was QB.  One last thing about CCC.  WR #11 Malik Newton made the most athletic play of the week with about a 50+ yard catch and run that only a top athlete would make.  Newton and CCC, where have I heard that before? Looking forward to week 2 of Spring Tour 2026.  Good thing my wife has a job.

Nolebull813,  I have North Bay Haven at 0-2 for 2012. Looks like they lost Aucilla 47 -7.  They also lost to Munroe Day by 19. I do not have the actual score for that one.  Also, Munroe was scheduled to play Seacoast Christian in week 5 but I have that game as being cancelled. Hopes this helps.  Laz    

Way too early for this but I'm bored.  The following info is based completely on the slope derived from Moving Averages from 1999-2025. It does not consider: Returning Starters, Player Transfers, Coaching Changes, injuries, FHSAA Sanctions, etc.  Classification Overall Average Strength Rankings: 1) 5A (79 schools) >129.4 2) 2A (37 schools) >128.7 3) 6A (81 schools) >125.8 4) 4A (87 schools) >124.6 5) 3A (73 schools) >118.7 6) 1A (49 schools) >117.6 Classification Overall Average Parity Rankings: 1) 6A (81 schools) >9.9 2) 4A (87 schools) >12.2 3) 5A (79 schools) >12.2 4) 2A (37 schools) >12.5 5) 1A (49 schools) >13.7 6) 3A (73 schools) >14.2  

Nolebull813, I just saw this. I'll check it out.

That's a tough schedule for Glades Central.