GAINESVILLE- Following their most successful season in 32 years, including a state runner-up finish, Gainesville High finished on top of the final Prep Zone Power Poll.
The Hurricanes (14-1), who set a school record for victories, lost to Miami Central in the 6A title game, their first state title game appearance since 1980. GHS received six of the eight first-place votes following a 4-1 record in the postseason.
Madison County, which suffered its only loss during the regular season to Gainesville, advanced to its second consecutive 3A title game, falling to nationally-ranked University (Ft. Lauderdale), 24-17. The Cowboys (12-2), who actually had a 17-0 second quarter lead in that game, finished second in the poll for the second consecutive season.
University Christian (Jacksonville) made one of the biggest jumps in the poll as the Christians (13-1) jumped nine spots to third following their first state title since 1994. UCS defeated top-ranked Dade Christian, 28-10, to win the Class 2A state title. They also received the other two first-place votes.
Columbia (Lake City) is ranked fourth. The Tigers (11-2), who also suffered their only regular season loss at Gainesville in Week #2, lost at Navarre in the 6A Regional Finals.
For the second consecutive year, the Bolles (Jacksonville) Bulldogs finished in the top five of the poll. The defending state champions lost to nationally-ranked Booker T. Washington (Miami), 35-7, in this year’s 4A title game.
Bolles finished the season at 12-2. Their only other loss was at Fleming Island (Orange Park), 33-28, in Week #4.
For the first time in program history, the Trenton Tigers advanced to the state championship. The Tigers (13-1) lost to Northview (Bratt), 42-21, in the 1A title game, but moved up two spots to sixth following their state runner-up finish.
Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (11-2), St. Augustine (11-1), South Sumter (Bushnell) (11-1) and Union County (Lake Butler) (11-1) all fell short of a state championship game appearance and rounded out the top 10 finishing seventh through 10th, respectively.
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.
PREP ZONE POWER POLL – FINAL RANKINGS
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, overall record and total voting points)
1. Gainesville (6) (6A) (14-1) – 157
2. Madison County (3A) (12-2) – 149
3. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2) (2A) (13-1) – 134
4. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (11-2) – 130
5. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (12-2) – 125
6. Trenton (1A) (13-1) – 117
7. Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (8A) (11-2) – 111
8. St. Augustine (6A) (11-1) – 97
9. South Sumter (Bushnell) (4A) (11-1) – 80
10. Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (11-1) – 74
11. Warner Christian (South Daytona) (2A) (11-2) – 66
T12 Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (9-4) – 57
T12 Newberry (1A) (9-4) – 57
14. Yulee (4A) (9-4) – 55
15. First Coast (Jacksonville) (7A) (10-1) – 53
16. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (9-4) – 45
17. New Smyrna Beach (6A) (9-1) – 36
T18 Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (9-3) – 33
T18 Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (3A) (8-4) – 33
20. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (9-3) – 29
Also receiving votes – Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (9-2) – 17; Ridgeview (Orange Park) (6A) (9-2) – 10; Buchholz (Gainesville) (7A) (6-6) – 5; Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (8-3) – 3; Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (7-3) – 3; Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (6A) (8-3) – 2; Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (6-6) – 2.
