GAINESVILLE – The top two teams passed their biggest tests of the season so far to remain out in front of the Prep Zone Power Poll.
Gainesville (2-0), which took over the top spot in the Associated Press Class 6A poll, edged previous #3 Columbia (Lake City), 17-14, while Fletcher (Neptune Beach), which is now tied for second in the Class 8A state poll, knocked off previous #13 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), 35-9. GHS received six of the eight first-place votes, while the second-ranked Senators (2-0) received the other two first-place votes. Gainesville and Fletcher remained 1-2 in this week’s poll.
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.
Madison County, ranked 2nd in 3A, moved up one spot to third following Columbia’s loss. The Cowboys (2-0) defeated defending 1A state champion and previous #16 Jefferson County (Monticello), 35-13.
Duval County was represented in the top five as Bolles (Jacksonville), now ranked #1 in the 4A state poll, and First Coast (Jacksonville) rounded out the top five.
Seven of the top 20 teams were defeated, including previous #5 Mainland (Daytona Beach), which tumbled eight spots following a 40-8 loss to Jones (Orlando). Trenton, ranked second in the Class 1A poll behind #10 Union County (Lake Butler), and Fleming Island (Orange Park), made the biggest jump as they each climbed six spots to #12 and #14 respectively.
North Marion (Citra) (1-1), Jefferson County (0-2) and DeLand (0-2) all dropped out of the poll, while unbeatens New Smyrna Beach (2-0), Flagler Palm Coast (2-0) and Raines (Jacksonville) (2-0) entered the poll for the first time this season.
PREP ZONE POWER POLL – WEEK #3
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, overall record and total voting points)
1. Gainesville (6) (6A) (2-0) – 158
2. Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (2) (8A) (2-0) – 154
3. Madison County (3A) (2-0) – 144
4. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (2-0) – 132
5. First Coast (Jacksonville) (7A) (2-0) – 123
6. South Sumter (Bushnell) (4A) (2-0) – 120
7. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (1-1) – 113
8. St. Augustine (6A) (2-0) – 104
9. Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (2-0) – 95
10. Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (2-0) – 90
11. Warner Christian (South Daytona) (2A) (2-0) – 59
12. Trenton (1A) (2-0) – 54
13. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (1-1) – 52
14. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (7A) (2-0) – 40
15. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (6A) (1-1) – 36
16. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (2-0) – 34
17. Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (2-0) – 27
18T Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (1-1) – 25
18T New Smyrna Beach (6A) (2-0) – 25
20. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (1-1) – 21
Also receiving votes – Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (2-0) – 20; North Marion (Citra) (5A) (1-1) – 15; Forest (Ocala) (7A) (2-0) – 10; Jefferson County (Monticello) (1A) (0-2) – 8; Yulee (4A) (1-1) – 5; Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (1-1) – 3; Crystal River (5A) (2-0) – 2; Chiefland (1A) (2-1) – 1.
