As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Florida for the 2009 season.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas
Say this much for St. Thomas Aquinas – it sure does know how to win impressively.
Along the way to an undefeated Class 5A state championship season, the Raiders scored at least 35 points in every game. Meanwhile its defense held opponents to 10 points or less in 12 of its 15 games.
And to cap off the year? A 56-7 thrashing of a Lakeland team considered among the best in the state.
Despite sending 11 starters from last season’s roster to Division I programs, the Raiders are the obvious favorite in Class 5A again this fall. Another championship would be the third in a row for the Raiders.
Quarterback Jacob Rudock and three-headed running attack of Gio Bernard, James White and Jamal Wilson lead the offense. The trio combined for almost 2,300 yards rushing in 2008.
Meanwhile, coach George Smith can field a defense with standouts in the secondary (S Brian Roberts, CB Cody Riggs, incoming CB LaMarcus Joyner) at linebacker and along the defensive line, led by defensive end Jelani Hamilton.
Also impressive is the Raiders' schedule this fall – beginning on Aug. 29 at the Herbstreit Challenge in Columbus, Ohio against Upper Arlington (Ohio) and traveling to play South Carolina powerhouse Byrnes Oct. 2. Both games will be televised live on ESPN.
The Raiders will have a target on their back in 2009.
Photo by Lou Novick
2. Miami Central
After opening the season last year with three inexplicable losses to non-district teams by a total of eight points, the Rockets righted their ship, smashed rival Miami Northwestern’s 37-game winning streak and advanced deep into the Class 6A state playoffs.
Coach Telly Lockette will tell you this year’s squad is shaping up to be even better.{VIDEO_fedce7bb-2fc4-4e46-8d4d-9c143e39502f,floatRightWithTable}
Central returns a one-two punch of All-State performers in its offensive backfield in quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey and running back Brandon Gainer – arguably the top prep runner in south Florida. Junior transfer running back Devonta Freeman makes the group even stronger.
More All-State selections man the wideout spots for the Rockets: Joshua Reese and Charles Gainer. And Central’s stocked offensive line got a boost this summer with the incoming transfer of Booker T. Washington’s Jose Jose. A 6-foot-1, 360-pound center who has committed to the University of Tennessee, Jose can play multiple positions on the offensive line and is pestering coaches this summer for a spot on the defensive line this fall as well.
The Rocket defense will be led by linebackers Derrick Dansby, another All-State pick last year, and Miles Pace.
All that talent adds up to Lockette’s group likely winning more than eight games this fall and pushing deep into the Class 6A state playoffs.
3. Miami Northwestern
Although Miami Northwestern’s string of three straight Class 6A state titles was halted, the Bulls have plenty of tools to start another streak.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be even better this season after starting last year as a sophomore. Senior running back Corvin Lamb will handle the bulk of the carries. And Bridgewater has one of the best wideouts in south Florida to throw to in Michaelee Harris, who caught a touchdown in the Bulls’ spring game victory.
Standout tackle Todd Chandler anchors the Bulls' defensive front. Chandler, a 6-foot, 300-pounder, has already committed verbally to the University of Miami. Eric Kinsey joins him along the line. Linebacker Khalid Marshall is solid as well.
Despite seeing its 37-game winning streak come to an end last Halloween to rival Miami Central, the Bulls avenged that loss with a 38-32 victory against the Rockets in the regional playoffs. Look for the two powerhouses to lock horns again this season.
Northwestern QB Teddy Bridgewater will only be a junior in the fall.
Photo by Chad Pilster
4. Lakeland
The Dreadnaughts' dream season ended with a resounding 56-7 thud of a loss in the Class 5A state championship game against Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
For Lakeland, which routinely routs regular season opponents and breezes through playoff rounds, it was a slap in the face. The Dreadnaughts have won six state championships under head coach Bill Castle (three since 2004) and twice have been crowned as prep national champions.
Athletic senior Jarred Haggins will maintain the quarterback spot while bruising runner Rodney Watson and speedy wideout Javares McRoy will be his main weapons. McRoy was an All-State player last season as a sophomore.
On defense, more All-Staters return with linebackers Will Lucas and Quayshawn Nealy bolstering the ‘Naughts lineup.
The only thing standing between Lakeland and another state crown? Another likely postseason meeting deep into December against St. Thomas Aquinas.
5. Armwood
The Hawks’ offseason has been guided by a single purpose – remembering last year’s Class 4A region final loss to rival and eventual state champion Tampa Plant.
The 2009 Armwood squad will be without the services of 11 starters from the 12-1 team of a year ago. Nine of the players in that group signed Division I scholarships and five of them were All-State performers.
But longtime coach Sean Callahan believes his team underachieved last season and a minor tweak can have the Hawks back to the state championship level they enjoyed twice in the past six years.
Tampa Freedom transfer Josh Grady takes over at the quarterback spot and will have great backs to hand off to in Tavari Grant and Sherman Jessie. But the addition of Grady, a 6-foot, 180-pound traditional drop-back type quarterback, likely will add dimensions to the usually run-oriented Hawks’ offense.
The always dominant Hawk defense will be its usual self, anchored by linebackers Brandon Hickman and Jermaine McKinley.
Armwood likely will battle with district foe Tampa Hillsborough for Class 4A dominance.
