It’s time to line em up forreal this week, as the majority of area teams begin their regular seasons this week. Northeast Florida had several teams advance to the playoffs. Several players graduate from high school, and several players transfer to different schools. Even without the Covid-19 pandemic this year was already setting up to be unpredictable. So in true Duval Sports fashion, I try to predict the power rankings for each team every week. Here’s week 1!
1 . Bolles- Only one team made it all the way to state last year and that’s the Bolles Bulldogs. Bolles seemed to get stronger and better as their season extended. The Bulldogs were just minutes away from a Class 4A State championship. With even more offensive weapons, Coach Matt Toblin can put up the points that his team lacked in the second half of their championship game .
2. Trinity– With the toughest schedule in Florida besides IMG Academy, Trinity still managed to go 5-5 in their regular season and advance to the playoffs. An early exit from the playoffs against Ocala Trinity Catholic has Coach Verlon Dorminey and company motivated to avenge their worst season in over a decade.
3. Bartram– A new quarterback transfer was the missing piece to Bartram’s goal for fielding a complete team. With an already dynamic running game, and big play passing game potentially, the Bears are looking to rack up the points this year.
4 .Oakleaf- The Knights lost two of the best players in the area to college, however they gained several new players from around the area. One of the best quarterbacks in Northeast Florida returns for his senior year with his receiving core in tact. Look out for the Knights!
5. Lee– All Coach OJ Smalls does is win. Despite losing several rising seniors year in and year out, Lee continues to play good sound football and advance to the playoffs. A third round playoff exit to Escambia last year was has the Generals marching toward another run at the playoffs in 2020.
6. Raines- A coaching G.O.A.T left Raines this year as Deran Wiley stepped down as the Head Coach. Wiley won two championships at Raines and appeared three times in the championship game. In steps Donovan Masuline, a coach who knows the history at Raines and already has the blueprint for success working as an assistant under Wiley.
7. Mandarin – Coach Bobby Ramsey lost one of the best quarterbacks in the nation last year. However, he feels just as confident with this year’s signal caller. Several athletes return to Mandarin as the Mustangs hope to return to the championship game that they graced two years ago.
8. Columbia– The Tigers lose Coach Brian Allen as he temporarily stepped aside for reasons relate to Covid-19 exposure to his family. This is undoubtedly a big loss to the program this year. It should be interesting to see if the players rally around defensive coordinator John Woodley, and if they can return to the playoffs as they appeared last year.
9. Fleming Island– Fleming Island went 10-1 last year with the best record in the area. Coach Damenyum Springs looks to build off their undefeated regular season and second round playoff loss to Niceville, to go further in hopes of getting to the title game.
10. Terry Parker– Terry Parker won their district last year going 7-3. It was their best finish in over a decade. A Class 5A first round playoff loss to Godby at home was just the taste of success that the players needed. Now they are hungry, and Coach Cha-Ron Dorsey will love to feed them opponents this year.
Outside Looking In: Ponte Vedra, Westside, University Christian,
