IMG Academy Starts On Top
When a recent national pre-season ranking came out – featuring the top 100 programs – it was certainly no surprise to see 17 Florida teams on that list.
With so much talent to choose from, Florida has long been a focal point for so many college football programs and fans to keep a close eye on.
No matter what game you watch on a Saturday, there are Florida-bred athletes making an impact.
Even on Sunday, the NFL features so many players from the Sunshine State, the reputation nationally is amazing.
With many national matchups featuring Florida teams, 2022 promises to be a year to remember.
As we begin another season, powerhouse IMG will start on top with a new head coach and plenty of talent. But even though the Ascenders are on top, it doesn’t mean they will stay there.
Each and every week, these rankings will change to reflect the play, and while your team may be too low or not listed, that will only be changed by winning.
Here is a look at the top 82 teams to keep an eye on:
1. Bradenton IMG Academy (Independent – 2021 Record: 9-1). Once again this season, the Ascenders are one of the programs nationally. Stacked with elite talent at every level. First year head coach Billy Miller and this team will have a number of tests this year – and many should be worth watching – including No. 3 Miami Central.
2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M – 2021 Record: 12-1). Winners of four of the past five state titles, tremendous coaching, a challenging schedule and an endless loop of talent. Coach Dameon Jones and the Lions are among the best in the country.
3. Miami Central (2M – 2021 Record: 12-2). Coach Jube Joseph takes over a team that has won three straight state titles and continues to attract talent and provide amazing coaching. The Rockets also will play a challenging schedule once again. This program is loaded and ready for anyone!
4. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M – 2021 Record: 14-1). The Raiders and head coach Roger Harriott look toward a national title every year – and despite winning three consecutive state titles – rebuilding is taking place with some tough teams on the schedule. You know that everyone across the country recognizes this powerhouse.
5. Tampa Jesuit (3M – 2021 Record: 15-0): Here is a program that finally got to the top of the mountain last season, proving that they were one of Florida’s best teams – winning the 6A state title. Head Coach Matt Thompson and the Tigers are back for more – with impressive athletes on both sides of the ball and in every class. Attended several off-season events to stay sharp.
6. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M – 2021 Record: 11-2). The Chiefs have arrived as a state power – and head coach Matt Dubuc and this team return too many playmakers not to be in the mix once again. The schedule is competitive, and the athletes are ready.
7. Venice (4S – 2021 Record: 14-1). Easily one of the best teams in Florida last year, cruising to an 8A title – and as this season unfolds, the Indians and veteran head coach John Peacock will return a number of elite prospects for the upcoming season. After a strong off-season and a challenging schedule, this is a team to once again watch out for.
8. Miami Northwestern (2M – 2021 Record: 10-4). Sleep on the Bulls and you will make a huge make a mistake. Watched head coach Max Edwards and this team five times during the off-season, and if you think that they are just going to roll over, you do not know this program.
9. Sanford Seminole (4M – 2021 Record: 11-2). The Seminoles are loaded and embrace this coming season with a number of key prospects returning. Watched this program several times during the off-season, and head coach Eric Lodge are ready.
10. Lakeland (4S – 2021 Record: 9-2). Veteran head coach Bill Castle is now in his fifth decade with the Dreadnaughts – and after a very successful off-season, this is definitely one of the programs to keep an eye on. Talent on both sides of the ball – in every class. This team is back among the state’s elite!
11. Cocoa (2S – 2021 Record: 11-2). After a heart-wrenching 4A state finals loss to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, head coach Ryan Schneider and the Tigers turned the attention to 2022 – and from the spring and summer to now – very few programs made the strides that this team has made. With another quality schedule, this is a favorite to make a major impact.
12. Tampa Bay Tech (3M – 2021 Record: 14-1). After watching this impressive program throughout the off-season, there is no doubt that the Titans are ready to show that being in the 7A state finals last season was certainly no fluke. Talent on both sides of the ball has veteran head coach Jayson Roberts and his staff feeling very confident.
13. Plantation American Heritage (2M – 2021 Record: 6-4). New head coach in place, but the objective is to return to the state title game – after an off-season. Mike Smith’s Patriots are stacked with talent, and with a challenging schedule, things will be interesting.
14. Jacksonville Trinity Christian (1M – 2021 Record: 10-4). The nine-time state champion Conquerors are back and as talented as ever under veteran head coach Verlon Dorminey. This is always a program stacked with athletes, who go on to play at a high level – and this year is certainly no exceptions. Huge favorites to bring home their 10th state title.
15. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (3M – 2021 Record: 9-3). Perhaps nobody has improved more than head coach Tyler Tate and the Panthers. After watching them a number of times during the off-season, this is a team that has chance to be special – with returning players and new additions.
16. Orlando Jones (3M – 2021 Record: 11-3). This is one of the strongest teams the Tigers have had in a long time – with quality athletes showcasing plenty of skill. After watching them plenty during the summer, there is no doubting they have the ability, under head coach Elijah Williams, to make a strong playoff push.
17. Orlando Edgewater (3M – 2021 Record: 10-2): Easily one of the most consistent football teams in the state, the Eagles and head coach Cameron Duke are right back in the mix – with a team loaded up with plenty of talent. Another group of underclassmen have been added to a quality team.
18. Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (4S – 2021 Record: 10-2). Over the past three seasons, here is a program that has firmly pout themselves on the map – and as 2022 approaches, you can guarantee that head coach Irvin Jones and the Titans will be right back in the mix – after watching them in the off-season.
19. Davie Western (4M – 2021 Record: 9-3). Take this program lightly and you are making a huge mistake. Another team we have been around during the spring and summer, and head coach Adam Ratkevich and the Wildcats have weapons on both sides of the ball. A team that will have their opportunities to showcase superior talent.
20. Apopka (4M – 2021 Record: 12-3). After making it to the 8A state finals last season, head coach Jeff Rolison and the Blue Darters are back once again – with several returnees and newcomers with a very competitive schedule.
21. Palm Beach Central (4M – 2021 Record: 10-1). Head Coach Kevin Thompson takes over perhaps one of the most underrated programs in the state. The Broncos are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and will make a strong playoff push this season.
22. Gainesville Buchholz (4S – 2021 Record: 12-2). One of the surprise programs a year ago, the Bobcats and head coach Mark Whittemore will once again be the team to watch. While they lost some playmakers, this team returns some valuable prospects who are headed to quality schools next season. Another team to keep an eye on.
23. Miami Palmetto (4M – 2021 Record: 9-3). After falling short a year ago, head coach Mike Manasco and the Panthers added some pieces that will make them very special. From the spring to the summer, we were fortunate to watch many of those standouts make a name for themselves. Well coached and ready to play.
24. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M – 2021 Record: 9-3). Another team that has made some major changes – and while head coach Dave Dunn and his team rarely bring attention to themselves – the Explorers are stacked with athletes who are capable of accomplishing some big things.
25. Pensacola Pine Forest (3S – 2021 Record: 12-2). If you watched the 6A state title game, you fully understand how close the Eagles were to upsetting nationally rated Tampa Jesuit. Once again this season, this program returns a number of elite talent – and superior coaching under the direction of head coach Ronnie Douglas. Should be the team favored to get to the state title game.
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Auburndale (3S), Blountstown (1R), Boca Raton (4M), Bushnell South Sumter (2S), Chiefland (1R), Clearwater (2M), Clearwater Central Catholic (1M), Coconut Creek (3M), Daytona Beach Mainland (3S), DeLand (4S), Fort Myers Dunbar (3S), Fort Pierce John Carroll (1S), Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (3S), Glen St. Mary Baker County (2S), Hawthorne (1R), Homestead (3M), Jacksonville Bolles (2M), Jacksonville Raines (2M), Jacksonville Riverside (2M), Kissimmee Osceola (4S), Lakeland Christian (1S), Lake Wales (3S), Lehigh Acres (4S), Lynn Haven Mosley (4S), Madison County (1R), Merritt Island (3S), Miami Gulliver Prep (2M), Miami Norland (2M), Naples (3S), North Fort Myers (3S), New Port Richey Mitchell (4S), Niceville (4S), Ocala Trinity Catholic (1S), Ocala Vanguard (3S), Oviedo (3M), Pace (4S), Pahokee (1R), Plantation (3M), Port St. Joe (1R), Port St. Lucie (3S), Quincy Munroe Day (1S), Rockledge (3S), Sebring (3S), Seffner Armwood (3M), St. John’s Bartram Trail (4S), St. Petersburg Lakewood (2M), St. Petersburg Northeast (3M), Tallahassee Florida High (2S), Tallahassee Lincoln (3S), Tallahassee North Florida Christian (1S), Tampa Berkeley Prep (2M), Tampa Gaither (3M), Tampa Plant (4M), Tampa Wharton (3M), The Villages (2S), Vero Beach (4S), Winter Garden West Orange (4M)
UPDATED CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/
Tracking Florida’s Football Teams For 2022 – https://prepredzone.com/2022/04/tracking-florida-football-teams/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.