JACKSONVILLE – Ever wonder who has the top athletic programs in the area. Wonder no more as for the second straight year DuvalSports has named their top athletic programs of the year.
In a new twist this year, in addition to naming the top overall athletic program we decided to break it down by county also.
So we present the top athletic programs in Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, rural counties, Duval Private and Public schools.
Points are awarded based on how teams finish in the FHSAA state playoff series in 27 sports with teams earning 100 points for winning a state title.
A state runner-up is awarded 90 points and points are awarded in 5 point increments all the way to tenth with 50 points. Placing between 11-15 at state is worth 45 points, a sixteenth (Sweet 16) finish is worth 40 points, 17-24 finish worth 35 points and 25-32 worth 30 points.
1 West Nassau (325 points)
Why: The year started with the football team hosting their first playoff game in 39 years leading to a second round playoff appearance and it continued with the cheerleading team winning its seventh overall state title including fourth in a row. An additional 75 points were awarded for playoff finishes in both wrestling and boys weightlifting. The year was capped off by another stellar run by the softball team finishing as state runner-ups for the second time in as many years. Add it all together and you have a recipe for the top athletic program in Nassau County by a landslide.
2 Fernandina Beach (210 points)
Why: Like Hilliard, Fernandina started the fall with no points but playoff runs by girls soccer, boys soccer and a historic Final Four run by girls basketball put them on the board finally. Strong finishes by girls and boys track was the difference between a second and third place finish in the county, with only 10 points separating Fernandina and Yulee.
3 Yulee (200 points)
Why: A fifth place finish by the cheerleading team and solid finish by girls swimming started the year off right for the Hornets; while boys Soccer, baseball and softball added to the total with first round playoff appearances.
4 Hilliard (170 points)
Why: Considering the Flashes didn’t have any points till mid winter, says it was a late remarkable run for them. Girls Basketball and Boys Basketball both made the playoffs and Sweet 16 to put the Flashes on the board finally, while a surprising run to the Elite 8 in softball gave them a season high 60 points.
