GAINESVILLE – There’s a new No. 1 in the weekly Prep Zone Power Poll.
Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (3-0), which defeated Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville), 45-6, flip-flopped with previous #1 Gainesville, a 42-21 winner at Trinity Catholic (Ocala). The Class 8A Senators received four of the seven first-place votes, but the 6A ‘Canes (3-0), which received the other three first-place votes, received four fewer total voting points, 137-133.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball and baseball teams (regardless of classification) across 26 counties in north Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters.
GHS is only five total voting points ahead of Madison County, which hosts Gainesville on Oct. 26. The Cowboys, who improved to 3-0 in Class 3A with a 38-6 win at 7A Edgewater (Orlando), are ranked third. Class 4A Bolles (Jacksonville) (3-0) and 7A First Coast (Jacksonville) are tied for fourth to round out the top five.
South Sumter (Bushnell) (3-0) is ranked sixth, followed by St. Augustine (3-0), Columbia (Lake City) (2-1), Warner Christian (South Daytona) (3-0) and Union County (3-0) and Trenton (3-0), both of whom are tied for 10th.
Ridgeview (Orange Park), which improved to 3-0 with a 34-24 win over Palatka, moves into the top 20 for the first time this season, along with Chiefland. The No. 20 Class 1A Indians (3-0), who edged Hilliard, 14-13, on the road, must travel to #10 Union County for the district opener for both teams.
The game is one of two key district games involving top 20 teams. In the other game, in Class 8A, top-ranked Fletcher travels to #18 Sandalwood (Jacksonville).
The Saints (2-1) dropped nine spots to No. 18 following a 13-7 loss to Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), which rose six spots to No. 14.
PREP ZONE POWER POLL – WEEK #4
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, overall record and total voting points)
1. Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (4) (8A) (3-0) – 137
2. Gainesville (3) (6A) (3-0) – 133
3. Madison County (3A) (3-0) – 128
4T Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (3-0) – 113
4T First Coast (Jacksonville) (7A) (3-0) – 113
6. South Sumter (Bushnell) (4A) (3-0) – 108
7. St. Augustine (6A) (3-0) – 92
8. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (2-1) – 87
9. Warner Christian (South Daytona) (2A) (3-0) – 75
10T Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (3-0) – 71
10T Trenton (1A) (3-0) – 71
12. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (7A) (3-0) – 57
13. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (3-0) – 49
14T Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (2-1) – 41
14T Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (2-1) – 41
16. New Smyrna Beach (6A) (3-0) – 39
17. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (6A) (2-1) – 36
18. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (2-1)– 26
19. Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (3-0) – 16
20. Chiefland (1A) (3-0) – 12
Also receiving votes – Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (2-1) – 10; North Marion (Citra) (5A) (2-1) – 6; Atlantic (Port Orange) (5A) (3-0) – 2; Crystal River (5A) (2-0) – 2; Fort White (3A) (3-0) – 1; Yulee (4A) (2-1) – 1; and Jefferson County (Monticello) (1A) (0-3) – 1.
