7A PREVIEW: Can Anyone Slow Down St. Thomas?
Every year at this time, the same question is posed by so many across the state: “Can anyone beat St. Thomas Aquinas?” The answer is very few – and even when Venice knocked off the Raiders to reach the 7A…
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Continue ReadingEvery year at this time, the same question is posed by so many across the state: “Can anyone beat St. Thomas Aquinas?”
The answer is very few – and even when Venice knocked off the Raiders to reach the 7A finals, they had to play up and beyond, even with superior personnel.
What head coach Roger Harriott and his team brings to the table is talent, stability, an unmatched work ethic and a proven track record of watching their graduates soar to new heights – on and off of the playing field.
The past two season, Orlando Edgewater and head coach Cameron Duke battled the Raiders in the finals – coming up short.
St. Thomas is well coached and has a group of ultra-talented athletes who push each other year-round.
Edgewater has become that same program – a public school team that has relied on tremendous coaching and a solid work ethic that has put them on a fast track.
In addition to those two schools, 7A will indeed be interesting – with plenty of talent:
Bradenton Manatee. Jacquez Green takes over a 9-win playoff squad that had a large senior class, but this is still a Hurricanes’ team that can cause some havoc while rebuilding.
Delray Beach Atlantic. This is a program that you never want to sleep on – and they have proven that in the past they have the talent to compete. Head Coach Jamael Stewart takes over and Eagles’ squad that will once again be tough to beat.
Fort Lauderdale Dillard. The only dilemma with the gifted Panthers is they need to let the process fully play out, and when that happens over the next few years, this could be one of the most impressive teams in Florida. Head Coach Tyler Tate has the talent to make a strong playoff run.
Gainesville Buchholz. Here is a program that has been pushing the success pile for years, and now with top talent, they want to show that they have what it takes. Head Coach Mark Whittemore and his staff have a great feeling about 2021.
Lakeland. Coach Bill Castle and his Dreadnaughts fell off a bit in the past few seasons, but this year could see some impressive seniors lift the program back into contention. This year’s team could be one of the best by the end of the season.
Lakeland Lake Gibson. The amazing job that Coach Robert Paxia did with this program before heading out to his alma mater, Flagler Palm Coast, is something that will play out in a major way this season. This team is loaded – and with new head coach Keith Barefield Jr., the 12th in school history, there is a strong chance that unfinished business has a chance to be taken care of this year.
Navarre. Hidden in Florida’s Panhandle, this is a program – under veteran head coach Jay Walls – that has a good mix of youth and veteran players who have put in the work in the off-season.
Niceville: Speaking of being hidden, here is another Panhandle program that has dropped just two games in the past two seasons and both were to state runner up Orlando Edgewater. Head Coach Grant Thompson and his team once again will be right in the mix – and will try to get over that hump.
Palmetto: Moving up from 6A, where this program more than held its own the past two seasons, head coach Dave Marino is once again surrounded by elite talent. Everywhere this program went in the off-season, gifted prospects were pointed out for their performances.
Seffner Armwood. Another of the familiar faces in 7A are the Hawks and head coach Evan Davis, who once again has the prospects to compete and make a solid run toward a state finals appearance.
Besides Navarre and Niceville, Region 1 also has Crestview, Pace (up from 6A), Tate (Cantonment), Buchholz (Gainesville), Chiles (Tallahassee), Forest (Ocala), Leon (Tallahassee), Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville), First Coast (Jacksonville), Fleming Island (Orange Park), Fletcher (Neptune Beach), Nease (Ponte Vedra), Ponte Vedra, Lake Howell (Winter Park), Lyman (Longwood), Spruce Creek (Port Orange), University (Orange City) and Winter Springs.
Region 2 is stacked with contenders – such as Orlando Edgewater, Lakeland, Lake Gibson and Palmetto, but also feature programs such as Bartow, George Jenkins (Lakeland), Kathleen (Lakeland), East Ridge (Clermont), Ridge Community (Davenport), Wekiva (Apopka), Winter Haven, East River (Orlando), Harmony, Melbourne, St. Cloud, Viera (Melbourne), Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens), Fort Pierce Westwood, Martin County (Stuart), Sebastian River (Sebastian) and Seminole Ridge (Loxahatchee).
With Armwood once again being a team to keep an eye on – Region 3 showcases some other teams as well – with Gaither (Tampa), Largo, Leto (Tampa), Mitchell (New Port Richey), Sickles (Tampa), Land O’ Lakes, Strawberry Crest (Dover), Tampa Bay Tech, Wharton (Tampa), Wiregrass Ranch (Wesley Chapel), Bloomingdale (Valrico), East Bay (Gibsonton), Lennard (Ruskin), Immokalee, Lehigh (Lehigh Acres), North Port, Palmetto Ridge (Naples) and Riverdale (Fort Myers) in the mix.
As St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale Dillard and Atlantic (Delray Beach) being the teams to watch in Region 4, also keep an eye on Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach), Fort Lauderdale, Olympic Heights (Boca Raton), Piper (Sunrise), Cooper City, Nova (Davie), South Plantation, Everglades (Miramar), McArthur (Hollywood), Miramar, North Miami, South Broward (Hollywood), Doral Academy (Miami), Hialeah, Homestead, Mater Academy (Hialeah Gardens and Miami Southridge.
TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl