8A PREVIEW: Seminole Looks For A Repeat

After beating Kissimmee Osceola for the 8A state title last December, first year head coach <strong>Eric Lodge</strong> and his staff focused on the 2021 season. With a number of quality football prospects and a solid off-season, the Seminoles will be one of the teams to keep an eye on – once again. Osceola, which made a coaching change, will once again get a chance to make some noise  - under first year head coach <strong>Eric Pinellas</strong>. The Kowboys will be one of the teams from the south to once again keep an eye on. In addition to the defending state champs and the runner up, 8A will truly be stacked with talent: <strong> </strong> <strong>Apopka. </strong>There is no getting around that the Blue Darters are back and ready to make another serious challenge at a spot in the state title game. Head Coach <strong>Jeff Rolson</strong> has this team in a great position. <strong>Davie Western. </strong>May be the quietest of all programs in 8A, but understand that head coach <strong>Adam Ratkevich</strong> and the Wildcats have as much talent as anyone in 8A – and could easily advance to the state finals. <strong>Deerfield Beach. </strong>If putting 50 plus student/athletes into college the past three years, head coach <strong>Javon Glenn</strong> and the Bucks are always one of the programs mentioned for an 8A state title – and this year will be no exception. <strong>Miami Christopher Columbus: </strong>8A state champs two years ago and Tri-County champions last season, head coach <strong>Dave Dunn</strong> and his Explorers are more than ready to embrace the challenges ahead. This program will always be in the mix. <strong>Miami Palmetto: </strong>Three rounds deep in the pandemic-affected season, head coach <strong>Mike Manasco</strong> and the Panthers are once against stacked with impressive football talent – on both sides of the ball. <strong>Orlando Dr. Phillips. </strong>No matter what year it is, head coach <strong>Rodney Wells</strong> and his Panthers are going to be in the mix from the start. Here is a really good football teams that will have an uphill climb against major competition. <strong>St. John’s Bartram Trail. </strong>Veteran head coach <strong>Darrell Sutherland</strong> continues to put quality football programs together – and this will once again watch the Bears showcase some tremendous talent and outstanding coaching. <strong>Venice: </strong>As soon as the new classifications were announced, this is one program that actually felt a huge relief – as head coach <strong>John Peacock</strong> and his program move away from St. Thomas Aquinas and become one of the teams that you will have o beat to get to the state finals. Well coach and disciplined athletes, who love to compete against the best. <strong>Vero Beach: </strong>Any time you mention state playoffs, veteran head coach <strong>Lenny Jankowski</strong> and the Indians are always going to be in the mix. A program that is once again stacked with big time playmakers. <strong>PLENTY OF IMPROVED PROGRAMS READY FOR  2021</strong> In addition to the defending state champion Seminoles, Apopka and Bartram Trail, Region 1 is stacked with quality programs such as <strong>Creekside </strong>(St. Johns), <strong>Mandarin</strong> (Jacksonville), <strong>Oakleaf</strong> (Orange Park), <strong>Sandalwood</strong> (Jacksonville), <strong>DeLand, Flagler Palm Coast, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Evans </strong>(Orlando),  <strong>Lake Brantley, Ocoee,</strong> <strong>West Port</strong> (Ocala), <strong>Colonial</strong> (Orlando), <strong>Hagerty</strong> (Oviedo), <strong>Timber Creek</strong> (Orlando), <strong>University</strong> (Orlando) and <strong>Winter Park.</strong> Region 2 also has some quality teams as well. In addition to Vero Beach, there is <strong>Boone</strong> (Orlando), <strong>Cypress Creek</strong> (Orlando), <strong>Freedom</strong> (Orlando), <strong>Lake Nona</strong> (Orlando), <strong>Oak Ridge</strong> (Orlando),<strong> Tohopekaliga</strong> (Kissimmee), <strong>Centennial</strong> (Port St. Lucie), <strong>Fort Pierce Central, Treasure Coast, Jupiter, Palm Beach Central</strong> (Wellington), <strong>Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Lakes</strong> (West Palm Beach), <strong>Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Forest Hill</strong> (West Palm Beach), <strong>John I. Leonard</strong> (Greenacres), <strong>Lake Worth, Park Vista</strong> (Lake Worth) and <strong>Santaluces</strong> (Lantana). With runner up Kissimmee Osceola, Orlando Dr. Phillips and Venice leading the way, Region 3 will also showcase some impressive programs such as <strong>Celebration, Olympia</strong> (Orlando), <strong>West Orange</strong> (Winter Garden), <strong>Windermere, Durant</strong> (Plant City), <strong>Newsome </strong>(Lithia), <strong>Plant </strong>(Tampa), <strong>Plant City, Riverview</strong> (Riverview), <strong>Alonso</strong> (Tampa), <strong>East Lake</strong> (Tarpon Springs), <strong>Palm Harbor University, Steinbrenner</strong> (Lutz), <strong>Gulf Coast</strong> (Naples), <strong>Lakewood Ranch</strong> (Bradenton), <strong>Riverview</strong> (Sarasota) and <strong>Sarasota</strong>. Region 4 is looking to get back in the game this year – as most of the teams in the Class and region did not play in 2020. Among those programs to watch besides <strong>Deerfield Beach, Western, Columbus</strong> and <strong>Miami Palmetto</strong>, <strong>Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Douglas </strong>(Parkland), <strong>Monarch</strong> (Coconut Creek), <strong>West Boca Raton, Coral Glades</strong> (Coral Springs), <strong>Cypress Bay </strong>(Weston), <strong>Flanagan </strong>(Pembroke Pines), <strong>Taravella </strong>(Coral Springs), <strong>Coral Gables, Dr. Krop</strong> (Miami), <strong>Miami Beach, West Broward</strong> (Pembroke Pines), <strong>Coral Reef</strong> (Miami), <strong>South Dade</strong> (Homestead) and <strong>Southwest Miami</strong>. <strong>TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/">https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/</a> <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl</em></strong>