Here’s a look at how all the ranked teams fared during the postseason in the FHSAA state football playoffs. The final regional rankings will be released next week.
The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters.
Prep Zone Power Poll – 2015 Final Poll Nominations
(School, followed by classification, overall record, and how they fared in playoffs)
1. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (14-0) – CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONS; d. American Heritage (Delray Beach) 30-3 in 3A state championship game at Citrus Bowl in Orlando (12/5), won at Tampa Catholic, 47-14, in 3A state semifinal (11/27), won at Taylor County (Perry) 51-0 in Region 1-3A final (11/20), d. Pensacola Catholic 49-3 in Region 1-4A semifinal (11/13); Conquerors became first Duval County school to win three consecutive state titles, outscoring it’s four playoff opponents by a combined 177-20. State title was the 7th for Trinity Christian coach Verlon Dorminey, the 3A Coach of the Year.
2. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (11-2) – LOST to eventual 6A state champion/runner-up Central (Miami), 33-21, in Region 4-6A final (11/27), d. Heritage (Palm Bay) 21-14 in Region 4-6A semifinal (11/20). d. Sebastian River 35-3 in Region 4-6A quarterfinal (11/13); Mainland was eliminated by eventual 6A state champion/runner-up MIami Central for the third consecutive year, this time in the regional final.
3. Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (12-2) – LOST to eventual state champion or runner-up Viera 42-23 in 7A state semifinals (12/4), d. #14 Bartram Trail (St. Johns), 51-14, in Region 1-7A final (11/27), won at Lincoln (Tallahassee) 57-20 in Region 1-7A semifinal (11/20), d. Chiles (Tallahassee) 42-27 in Region 1-7A quarterfinal (11/13); Tigers advanced to state semifinal round for first time since 2003, but came up a game short of first state championship game appearance since 1997 with five turnovers against Viera.
4. North Marion (Citra) (5A) (10-2) – LOST at #18 Clay (Green Cove Springs) 65-58 in Region 2-5A semifinal (11/27), d. Menendez (St. Augustine) 42-7 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (11/20); Colts were considered one of the favorites to advance to Orlando in 5A, but gave up 496 yards rushing to Clay running back Bilal Ally in record shootout in second round.
5. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (8A) (12-1) – LOST to West Orange (Winter Garden), 41-26, in Region 1-8A final, (11/27), d. Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 20-0 in Region 1-8A semifinal (11/20), d. Oviedo 24-20 in Region 1-8A quarterfinal (11/13); Mustangs won district title and had first undefeated regular season in team history, and won with defense against Oviedo and Lake Brantley before succumbing to West Orange passing attack.
6. Buchholz (Gainesville) (7A) (10-2) – LOST to #14 Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 35-21 in Region 1-7A semifinal (11/20), d. Edgewater (Orlando) 36-27 in Region 1-7A quarterfinal (11/13); Bobcats improved from 3-7 in 2014 to a 10-win season and first district title since 2004, with six games won in the last minute. Buchholz beat Bartram Trail during regular season but dropped playoff game to Bears after quarterback Jackson White was injured in first half.
7. Dunnellon (4A) (11-1) – LOST at #16 Santa Fe (Alachua) 15-14 in Region 2-4A final (11/20), d. Bradford (Starke) 35-6 in Region 2-4A semifinal (11/13); Tigers were #1 team going into playoffs and had first undefeated regular season since 1979, but were knocked out in regional final when Santa Fe converted a two-point conversion with seven minutes left.
8. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (12-2) – CLASS 4A STATE RUNNERS-UP; LOST to Booker T. Washington (Miami) 43-23 in 4A state championship game at Citrus Bowl in Orlando (12/5), won at #16 Santa Fe (Alachua), 35-14, in 4A state semifinal (11/27), d. #9 Bolles (Jacksonville) 34-8 in Region 1-4A final (11/20), d. Rutherford (Panama City) 41-0 in Region 1-4A semifinal (11/13); Vikings knocked off Bolles in regular season for fourth time in five years, and this time finally beat the Bulldogs in the playoffs after dropping three straight losses in the postseason. Raines advanced to first state championship game since 1997, but five turnovers did in the Vikings as Booker T. Washington tied a state record with its fourth consecutive state title.
9. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (9-3) – LOST at eventual 4A state runner-up #8 Raines (Jacksonville) 34-8 in Region 1-4A final (11/20), won at Walton (DeFuniak Springs) 41-13 in Region 1-4A semifinal (11/13); Bulldogs have struggled against Raines in the regular season but have the Vikings number in the playoffs. That all changed this year as this was Bolles’ earliest playoff exit since 2010.
10. Trenton (1A) (14-0) – CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPION; d. Port St. Joe 56-21 in 1A state championship game at Citrus Bowl in Orlando (12/4), won at #15 Madison County, 27-18, in 1A state semifinal (11/27), d. RV Dixie County 42-6 in Region 4-1A final (11/20), d. Fort Meade 51-20 in Region 4-1A semifinal (11/13); Tigers won second state title in three years in convincing fashion, with all but one game (state semifinal at Madison County) having a running clock in the second half. Trenton outscored its four playoff opponents 176-65, and knocked off defending 1A state champion Port St. Joe with another second half running clock in state championship game.
11. Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) (5A) (12-1) – LOST at #18 Clay (Green Cove Springs), 40-28, in Region 2-5A final (11/27), d. River Ridge (New Port Richey) 42-33 in Region 2-5A semifinal (11/20), d. Zephyrhills 42-13 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (11/13); Sharks had their first undefeated regular season in school history, led by 5A Player of the Year and candidate for Mr. Football, running back DeShawn Smith, who rushed for over 3,700 yards and a state record 60 touchdowns. Nature Coast lost close game in regional final against Clay and their all-star running back Bilal Ally.
12. Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (9-3) – LOST to RV Gainesville 35-28 in Region 2-6A semifinal (11/20), d. Sunlake (Land O’Lakes) 40-12 in Region 2-6A quarterfinal (11/13); Knights won District 5-6A title behind 6A Player of the Year & Mr. Football candidate, quarterback N’Kosi Perry, and wrapped up district title with blowout win at Gainesville. The rematch went to the Purple Hurricanes in a shootout in the regional semifinals.
13. Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (9-3) – LOST at 5A state champion/runner-up Wakulla (Crawfordville), 35-14, in Region 1-5A final (11/27), d. #20 Ribault (Jacksonville) 26-20 (2 OT) in Region 1-5A semifinal (11/20), d. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) 34-7 in Region 1-5A quarterfinal (11/13); Bulldogs followed up run to state semifinals in 2014 by making it back to regional final this year, losing to eventual 5A champion/runner-up Wakulla and UF commitment quarterback Feleipe Franks.
14. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (9-4) – LOST at #3 Columbia (Lake City), 51-14, in Region 1-7A final (11/27), won at #6 Buchholz 35-21 in Region 1-7A semifinal (11/20), won at Hagerty (Oviedo) 28-21 in Region 1-7A quarterfinal (11/13); Bears finished as runner-up in District 3-7A to Buchholz before getting revenge on the Bobcats in the regional semifinal round. Bartram Trail had won two out of three previous playoff meetings with Columbia but were blown out this year.
15. Madison County (1A) (9-4) – LOST to eventual 1A state champion #10 Trenton, 27-18, in 1A state semifinal (11/27), d. #17 Fort White 28-19 in Region 3-1A final (11/20), d. Union County (Lake Butler) 65-12 in Region 3-1A semifinal (11/13); Cowboys lost first three games to higher classification games before running off nine wins in a row and district title in first year in 1A. Madison County gave eventual 1A state champion Trenton it’s toughest game of the season, with Trenton having a running clock in the second half against every other opponent in 2015.
16. Santa Fe (Alachua) (4A) (8-4) – LOST to eventual 4A state runner-up #8 Raines (Jacksonville), 35-14, in 4A state semifinal (11/27), d. #7 Dunnellon 15-14 in Region 2-4A final (11/20), d. South Sumter (Bushnell) 26-0 in Region 2-4A semifinal (11/20); Raiders won first district title in 20 years and knocked off 4A #1 Dunnellon in regional final after converting a two pointer with 7 minutes left. Santa Fe was finally knocked out by eventual 4A runner-up Raines in state semifinal. It was Santa Fe’s longest postseason run since 1999.
17. Fort White (1A) (9-3) – LOST at #15 Madison County 28-19 in Region 3-1A final (11/20), d. Jefferson County (Monticello) 14-8 in Region 3-1A semifinal (11/20); Indians won second district title in three years and played Madison County close at Boot Hill before bowing out in region final.
18. Clay (Green Cove Springs) (5A) (10-4) – LOST at eventual 7A state champion or runner-up Wakulla (Crawfordville) 34-24 in 5A state semifinals (12/4), d. #11 Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville), 40-28, in Region 2-5A final, d. #4 North Marion (Citra) 65-58 in Region 2-5A semifinal (11/20), d. Eastside (Gainesville) 44-0 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (11/13); Blue Devils nearly matched improbable run to 5A state championship game in 2013, but came up short in state semifinals with loss at Wakulla. Clay knocked off state-ranked Nature Coast Tech and North Marion at home, with running back Bilal Ally setting state playoff record with 496 yards rushing in wild win over North Marion.
19. St. Augustine (6A) (9-2) – LOST at Niceville 20-3 in Region 1-6A quarterfinal (11/13); Yellow Jackets had 50 game district winning streak with loss at Nease, and had to travel to the Panhandle in the first round, where they had a rare early playoff exit.
20. Ribault (Jacksonville) (5A) (7-5) – LOST at #13 Suwannee (Live Oak) 26-20 (2 OT) in Region 1-5A semifinal (11/20), won at Ponte Vedra 24-14 in Region 1-5A quarterfinal (11/13); Trojans started season 0-3, but then won seven of final nine games with the two losses during that span coming at Suwannee. Trojans handed #8 Raines its only loss of the regular season and won at Ponte Vedra in regional quarterfinal before tough overtime loss at Live Oak in second round.
Also receiving votes:
Gainesville (6A) (8-5) – LOST at eventual 6A state champion/runner-up Armwood (Seffner), 40-20, in Region 2-6A final (11/27), won at #12 Vanguard (Ocala) 35-28 in Region 2-6A semifinal (11/20), won at Mitchell (New Port Richey) 42-21 in Region 2-6A quarterfinal (11/13); Purple Hurricanes finished as district runner-up to Vanguard after regular season loss, but got quarterback Caelan Christian and running back Chris King back for the playoffs and beat the Knights in classic shootout. Gainesville had its season ended by Armwood for the second year in a row in region final; it was the ‘Canes 4th regional final in the past five years.
University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (11-3) – CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPION; d. Cambridge Christian (Tampa) 61-16 in 2A state championship game at Citrus Bowl in Orlando (12/4), d. Victory Christian (Lakeland), 31-0, in 2A state semifinal (11/27), won at North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) 38-30 in Region 1-2A final (11/20), d. Maclay (Tallahassee) 59-6 in Region 1-2A semifinal (11/13); Christians rolled to their second state title in four years and 8th in school history. University Christian was knocked out of postseason the last two years by North Florida Christian but won close game on road in Tallahassee in regional final, then defeated last two opponents by a combined 92-16.
Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (8-3) – LOST at eventual 1A state champion #10 Trenton 42-6 in Region 4-1A final (11/20), won at Pahokee 16-13 in Region 4-1A semifinal (11/13); Bears took five-hour trip south to Pahokee to win first round game before being knocked out by eventual 1A state champion Trenton in regional final. Dixie County lost two meetings with Trenton by combined score of 96-16.
Oakleaf (Orange Park) (7A) (8-2) – did not qualify for state playoffs; Knights were 7A state semifinalist in 2014, but missed out on playoffs as two losses this season were both close District 3-7A losses to No. 6 Buchholz and #14 Bartram Trail.
Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (8-3) – LOST at Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 44-30 in Region 1-8A quarterfinal (11/13); Saints finished as District 1-8A runner-up to Mandarin but dropped first round shootout at Lake Brantley.
On the bubble:
Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (6-5) – LOST at #13 Suwannee (Live Oak) 34-7 in Region 1-5A quarterfinal (11/13); district runners-up
Bradford (Starke) (4A) (7-4) – LOST at #7 Dunnellon 35-6 in Region 2-4A semifinal (11/13); district runners-up
Cedar Creek Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (7-4) – LOST at North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) 42-12 in Region 1-2A semifinal (11/13); district runners-up
Deltona (6A) (6-4) – LOST at Heritage (Palm Bay) 56-14 in Region 4-6A quarterfinal (11/13); district runners-up
Lecanto (5A) (7-4) – LOST at River Ridge (New Port Richey) 24-6 in Region 2-5A quarterfinal (11/13); district runners-up
Lee (Jacksonville) (7A) (7-4) – LOST at Lincoln (Tallahassee) 41-38 in Region 1-7A quarterfinal (11/13); Generals (district runners-up) made their first playoff appearance under coach O.J. Small, losing shootout in overtime at Tallahassee Lincoln.
Nease (Ponte Vedra) (6A) (7-4) – LOST to Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) 49-42 in Region 1-6A quarterfinal (11/13); in second season under Tim Krause, Panthers ended St. Augustine’s 50-game district winning streak and captured District 4-5A title before losing a back-and-forth score fest in the first round of playoffs.
Ponte Vedra (5A) (8-3) – LOST to #20 Ribault (Jacksonville) 24-14 in Region 1-5A quarterfinal (11/13); Sharks were District 4-6A champions
South Sumter (4A) (8-3) – LOST at #16 Santa Fe (Alachua) 26-0 in Region 2-4A semifinal (11/13); district runner-up
Taylor County (3A) (6-6) – LOST to eventual 3A state champion #1 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 51-0 in Region 1-3A final (11/20), d. Providence (Jacksonville) 42-28 in Region 1-3A semifinal (11/13); district champions
Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (9-2) – LOST at #15 Madison County 65-12 in Region 3-1A semifinal (11/13); district runners-up
