After another convincing win, Vanguard (Ocala) barely holds off St. Augustine for top spot in regional rankings
GAINESVILLE — Another dominating district win keeps Vanguard (Ocala) on top of The Prep Zone Football Power for the third straight week.
But not by much.
The Knights improved to 7-0 and clinched the District 5-6A title with their fifth shutout of the season in seven games, 42-0 over Lake Weir (Candler). The win earned Vanguard five of the eight first-place votes and keeps them on top of the poll for another week.
But lurking one point back is #2 St. Augustine, which received the other three first place votes.
The Yellow Jackets (7-0) also wrapped up the District 4-6A championship with a tough 35-23 triumph at rival Nease (Ponte Vedra). The district title is the 16th in 18 years for St. Augustine.
Remaining third this week is Madison County. The Cowboys (8-0), also ranked #1 in 1A by the Associated Press, easily won the battle of unbeatens 37-14 over then-#10 University Christian (Jacksonville), which was ranked #1 in 2A by the AP. The Christians (7-1) dropped to 13th in the regional poll with the loss.
Staying fourth is Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville). The Generals (7-1) romped at rival Andrew Jackson (Jacksonville) 69-0 in a non-district game, but can wrap up the District 2-7A title with a win this week at The Backyard against Fletcher (Neptune Beach).
Moving back into the top five this week is #5 Raines (Jacksonville).
The Vikings (7-1) hit the road to Tallahassee and won their 7th straight game, 35-0, at Rickards. Raines’ only loss to this point was in their opening game at Lee.
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) leads off the second five.
The Conquerors (6-3) knocked off Ponte Vedra 21-3 to move closer to a postseason berth. Trinity Christian hosts RV Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) this week to close out District 4-5A play in a game that has postseason implications for both teams.
Moving up one spot to 7th is Flagler Palm Coast. The Bulldogs (8-0) remained unbeaten with a 38-16 triumph over DeLand, which also clinched the District 1-8A title.
Dropping three spaces to 8th is Bartram Trail (St. Johns).
The Bears (5-3) brutal schedule continued last week, as they lost 38-21 at home to defending state champion and top-ranked team in 4A, Cocoa. Despite the loss, Bartram Trail remains in excellent position for the playoffs and can wrap up the District 3-7A championship with a win this week against Buchholz (Gainesville).
Rounding out the top 10 are two teams tied for 9th, Dunnellon and Bolles (Jacksonville).
The Tigers (6-1) were off last week and travel to West Port (Ocala) this Friday, while the Bulldogs (7-1) rolled past Terry Parker (Jacksonville), 48-14, and can clinch the District 4-5A title with a win this week at home against Ponte Vedra.
Among the teams in the second 10 which wrapped up district titles last Friday include #16 Baker County (Glen St. Mary), which wrapped up the District 5-5A title with a 21-14 win at Clay (Green Cove Springs), and #17 Mainland (Daytona Beach). The Bucs (4-3) clinched the District 13-6A championship with a 65-0 romp over New Smyrna Beach.
Gainesville (5-2) moves into the rankings for the first time this season at #T-18 after a 49-14 win at Leesburg. The Hurricanes have three games in eight days coming up at Citizens Field against South Lake (Groveland), Lake Weir (Candler), and Eastside (Gainesville).
GHS replaces Clay, which was #20 a week ago but drops out after the loss to Baker County.
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 Central 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. It is fueled by Divine Power Wear.
The Prep Zone Power Poll fueled by Divine Power Wear – 2017 Football Poll #10
(School, followed by classification, first place votes, overall record, and total voting points)
1. Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (5) (7-0) – 156
2. St. Augustine (6A) (3) (7-0) – 155
3. Madison County (1A) (8-0) – 145
4. Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) (7A) (7-1) – 133
5. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (7-1) – 127
6. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (5A) (6-3) – 112
7. Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (8-0) – 111
8. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (5-3) – 100
T-9. Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (7-1) – 90
T-9. Dunnellon (4A) (6-1) – 90
11. Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (6-2) – 78
12. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (8A) (6-1) – 73
13. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (7-1) – 56
14. Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (9-0) – 55
15. Ribault (Jacksonville) (5A) (6-2) – 54
16. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (7-1) – 42
17. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (4-3) – 40
T-18. Gainesville (6A) (5-2) – 17
T-18. Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (8-0) – 17
20. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (7A) (6-2) – 14
Also receiving votes: Bradford (Starke) (4A) (6-1) – 5; Hernando (Brooksville) (5A) (6-0) – 3; Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (6-2) -2; Matanzas (Palm Coast) (6A) (5-2) – 2; Menendez (St. Augustine) (5A) (5-3) – 1; St. Francis Catholic (Gainesville) (2A) (7-0) – 1; Wildwood (1A) (7-0) – 1.
