We’re counting down to the #1 team in the preseason football Prep Zone Power Poll with a look today at No. 5.
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.
No. 5 Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-4) – Class 4A state runners-up
Until head coach Corky Rogers calls it a career, Bolles has to be considered a threat to play for a state championship. Last year, Bolles went 3-1 in the postseason, falling to nationally-ranked No. 1 Booker T. Washington (Miami), 40-21, in the 4A state title game.
In 2014, the Bulldogs return the core of their offense in seniors Dexter Carter (1,726 yards, 33 TDs on 160 touches) and Christian Bermudez (1,516 rush yards, 22 TDs). Plus, senior quarterback Joey Edden will be much more comfortable in his second season as the starter. Senior wide receiver Tyrell Moorer (54 receptions, 1,063 yards, seven TDs) showed he’s a true No. 1 receiver. There are some holes to fill on the offensive line that will be magnified with Bolles’ daunting schedule – which includes road games at 8A DeLand, 5A North Marion (Citra) and 6A Vanguard (Ocala), along with home games against defending 5A state champion American Heritage (Plantation), 7A state runner-up Niceville and district rival Raines (Jacksonville), which handed the ‘Dogs their first loss of the season last year and took them into double overtime in the postseason.
Defensively, the Bulldogs will need to address some positions early. That unit was torched too often in 2013. The good news is that the bulk of Bolles’ lineup last year were underclassmen. Those players learned quite a bit during a state runner-up season. Bolles is once again a legitimate state-title contender.
Some info gathered from Friday Night Football magazine.
Prep Zone Power Poll – 2014 Football Poll #1 – PRESEASON POLL
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, 2013 final record and total voting points)
4. TBA – Sunday, August 24
5. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-4) – 157
6. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (10-2) – 139
7. Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (7A) (10-3) – 134
8. Clay (Green Cove Springs) (5A) (10-5) – 116
9. Trenton (1A) (12-1) – 111
10. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (9-3) – 92
11. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (7A) (10-1) – 89
12. North Marion (Citra) (5A) (9-3) – 78
13T Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (10-1) – 69
13T Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (3A) (8-4) – 69
15. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (6A) (8-6) – 56
16. Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (11-2) – 52
17. St. Augustine (6A) (8-3) – 46
18. Ed White (Jacksonville) (6A) (8-3) – 31
19. Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (10-1) – 29
20. Warner Christian (South Daytona) (2A) (9-2) – 19
Also receiving votes: University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (9-3) – 18; Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (8-3) – 16; Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (10-2) – 14; Gainesville (6A) (9-3) – 9; Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (7-3) – 6; Leesburg (6A) (8-4) – 5; Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) (6A) (7-3) – 4; Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (7-3) – 4; Menendez (St. Augustine) (5A) (8-3) – 4; Fort White (4A) (7-2) – 3; Citrus (Inverness) (6A) (9-2) – 2; Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (8-3) – 1.
