Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) back on top of regional rankings
GAINESVILLE — Another week and another change at the top of The Prep Zone Power Poll.
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) was the #1 team in the preseason regional rankings, but dropped to 2nd after an opening week loss to defending 4A state champion Cocoa. But after a win at then-#18 Ribault last week the Conquerors received seven of the eight first-place votes and are back on top of this week’s rankings.
Last week’s top-ranked team, Mainland (Daytona Beach), drops four spots to #5 after their 30-game home regular season winning streak was snapped by #3 Bartram Trail (St. Johns), 35-24, in a game that was moved to Labor Day due to weather issues. The Bears, who dropped their opening week game at nationally-ranked Cartersville (GA), received the other first-place vote this week.
Moving up to 2nd this week is Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville). The Generals improved to 2-0 by blasting Westside (Jacksonville) 49-7.
Vanguard (Ocala) remains 4th after the Knights improved to 2-0 with a wild 44-33 win at then-#13 Buchholz (Gainesville) last Thursday.
Three Jacksonville schools – Bolles, University Christian, and Raines remain 6th, 7th, and 8th, respectively.
Bolles picked up their first win of the post-Corky Rogers era as Wayne Belger won his first game as Bulldogs coach 35-14 over Deltona in a game that was called late in the third quarter due to lightning.
Remaining ninth this week is Madison County, which cruised 47-14 on the road at 3A Newberry.
Columbia (Lake City) moves up a spot into the top 10 after a 48-0 blanking at rival Suwannee (Live Oak). The Tigers (2-0) replace St. Augustine, who despite a 65-14 romp of city rival Menendez dropped one spot to 11th this week.
New to the poll this week is Spruce Creek (Port Orange), which is No. 18 after beating its first two opponents by a combined 105-0. The Hawks replace Ribault, which drops out after the loss to Trinity Christian.
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 #3
(School, followed by classification, first place votes, overall record, and total points).
1. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (5A) (7) (1-1) – 159
2. Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) (7A) (2-0) – 147
3. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (7A) (1) (1-1) – 146
4. Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (2-0) – 135
5. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (6A) (1-1) – 128
6. Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (1-0) – 113
7. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (3-0) – 104
8. Raines (Jacksonville) (5A) (1-1) – 99
9. Madison County (1A) (2-0) – 97
10. Columbia (Lake City) (7A) (2-0) – 94
11. St. Augustine (6A) (2-0) – 91
12. Ponte Vedra (5A) (2-0) – 73
13. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (7A) (2-0) – 64
14. Dunnellon (4A) (2-0) – 53
15. Nature Coast (Brooksville) (5A) (1-0) – 42
16. Buchholz (Gainesville) (7A) (1-1) – 40
17. Clay (Green Cove Springs) (5A) (1-1) – 37
18. Spruce Creek (Port Orange) (8A) (2-0) – 17
19. Fort White (3A) (2-0) – 16
20. Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (1-1) – 13
Also receiving votes: Ribault (Jacksonville) (5A) (1-1) – 11; Flagler Palm Coast (8A) (2-0) – 4; Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (2-0) – 3; Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (2-0); Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (2-0) – 1; Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (2-0) – 1; West Nassau (Callahan) (4A) (2-0) – 1.
