5A PREVIEW: All Eyes On Central, Plantation American Heritage

A year after <strong>Plantation American Heritage</strong> won the 5A state title, the Patriots are finding themselves in a fight – just to get out of Region 4 this year. The reason that head coach <strong>Pat Surtain</strong> and his team will need to save a huge playoff performance is two-time 6A state champion and national powerhouse <strong>Miami Central</strong>, coached by veteran <strong>Roland Smith</strong>, happens to be a major obstacle, moving down to 5A, joining the defending champions and some other quality teams. While Miami Central and American Heritage figure to be the teams to beat – there are others we had the opportunity to watch live this off-season that have talent. Among those schools include head coach <strong>Wayne Younger</strong> and a very gifted <strong>Rockledge</strong> program. One who added some key prospects in the off-season. <strong>Orlando Bishop Moore</strong> and head coach <strong>Matt Hedrick</strong> have another quality team that will make a huge impact this season. Also, keep an eye on <strong>Port Charlotte</strong> as the Pirates and head coach <strong>Jordan Ingman</strong> has some quality talent and is once again ready to compete. Last season, <strong>Dunnellon </strong>fell just short in a bid to advance to the state title game – and this coming season, the Tigers and head coach <strong>Price Harris</strong> has a chance to do much of the same. For <strong>Tallahassee Godby</strong>, winning football has become a tradition, and this coming season, the Cougars and head coach <strong>Brandon McCray</strong> will be a force in the north. As Miami Central and Plantation American Heritage are favorites to battle for the Region 4 title, head coach <strong>Derrick Gibson</strong> and his <strong>Miami Killian</strong> Cougars made some major strides in the off-season and will be a huge force in a very competitive region. Speaking about competitive head coach <strong>Kevin Mays</strong> and his <strong>Baker County</strong> football team has some quality prospects once again – many who are being recruited for the next two cycles. Another program to keep an eye on this coming season is a familiar face to the state playoffs. Head Coach <strong>Jake Owens </strong>and his impressive <strong>Palm Bay</strong> staff have plenty of talent and could be one of the huge surprises in the region. In addition to Godby and Baker County, Region 1 also will include <strong>Arnold </strong>(Panama City Beach), <strong>Pensacola,</strong> <strong>Wakulla</strong> (Crawfordville), <strong>West Florida</strong> (Pensacola), <strong>Bishop Kenny</strong> (Jacksonville), <strong>Ed White</strong> (Jacksonville), <strong>Paxon</strong> (Jacksonville), <strong>Suwannee </strong>(Live Oak), <strong>Raines </strong>(Jacksonville), <strong>Ribault </strong>(Jacksonville), <strong>Terry Parker</strong> (Jacksonville), <strong>Yulee</strong>, <strong>Clay</strong> (Green Cove Springs), <strong>Eastside</strong> (Gainesville), <strong>Menendez </strong>(St. Augustine), <strong>North Marion </strong>(Citra) and <strong>Palatka</strong>, which makes the move up from 4A. Region 2 will have Bishop Moore, Dunnellon and Rockledge, but there are others to keep an eye on. Programs such as <strong>Citrus</strong> (Inverness), <strong>Crystal River</strong>, <strong>Lake Weir (</strong>Ocala), <strong>Leesburg, Eustis</strong>, first year programs <strong>Horizon </strong>(Winter Garden) and <strong>Lake Buena</strong> <strong>Vista –</strong> as well as <strong>Mount Dora</strong> and <strong>Tavares</strong>. Other programs to watch include <strong>Atlantic</strong> (Port Orange), <strong>Deltona, Pine Ridge</strong> (Deltona), <strong>Seabreeze</strong> (Daytona Beach), <strong>Bayside</strong> (Palm Bay), <strong>Merritt Island</strong>, <strong>Satellite</strong> and <strong>Titusville</strong>. Region 3 will also have some impressive programs to watch – such as <strong>Clearwater, Cypress Creek</strong> (Wesley Chapel), <strong>Hudson, Nature Coast</strong> (Brooksville),<strong> Weeki Wachee, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Anclote </strong>(Holiday), <strong>Dunedin, Gibbs</strong> (St. Petersburg), <strong>Gulf</strong> (New Port Richey), <strong>Tarpon Spring, Chamberlain</strong> (Tampa), <strong>Middleton</strong> (Tampa), <strong>Mulberry, Robinson</strong> (Tampa), <strong>Booker </strong>(Sarasota), <strong>DeSoto County</strong> (Arcadia), <strong>Hardee </strong>(Wauchula), <strong>Port Charlotte</strong> and a talented <strong>Sebring </strong>program that comes down from 6A. We know that with Killian, Central and Plantation American Heritage, Region 4 will be stacked with talent. Programs like <strong>Sebring Bonita Springs, Cypress Lake</strong> (Fort Myers), <strong>Estero, Island Coast</strong> (Cape Coral), <strong>LaBelle, Mariner</strong> (Cape Coral), <strong>Boynton Beach, Hallandale, Jensen Beach, Stranahan </strong>(Fort Lauderdale), <strong>Hialeah-Miami Lakes, Miami Springs, North Miami Beach, Somerset Academy</strong> (Pembroke Pines), <strong>Key West, Miami Jackson</strong> and <strong>St. Brendan</strong> (Miami). <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>