ANALYSIS: Not many will ever forget the Seminole state championship game win in 2008. Lakeland suffered a rare state championship game loss last year. Boone, Dr. Phillips, Osceola, Apopka, Ridge Community, Oviedo, Kathleen, and Olympia are threats this year.
TOP 5 TEAMS
1. LAKELAND: Lakeland won three in a row from 2004-2006, Osceola got the better of them in 2007, and they lost 56-7 last year in the state championship to National Champ St. Thomas. Few programs are as consistently good as the Dreadnaughts.
Jared Haggins returns at QB and we expect him to be much better as a thrower after his development this off-season. He has experience, a plus arm, and he can move the chains with his feet. There is some uncertainty at the RB spot with Steward Butler's departure. Ben McRoy and Rodney Watson figure to get the lion's share of carries. Javares McRoy should continue to be one of the state's best big play weapons, he has elite speed. The OL will be the key, they are inexperienced and on the small side(relatively speaking).
The Dreadnaught defense is always one of the best and they return a pair of big-time LB's in Quayshawn Nealy and William Lucas. The pair has a ton of experience and can get sideline to sideline. Daryl Roberts and T.J. Denson should be a part of the a solid secondary. DT Xavier Mothersill will headline the DL.
As long as Lakeland has no hangover affect from the disappointing loss they will be back in the mix. Haggins experience is huge and they should once again find themselves deep in the playoffs.
2. APOPKA: Apopka went out in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Seminole in 2008, but return a lot of starters and have a ring this decade(2002).
The OL returns all five starters and while the loss of Jeremy Gallon will be big, this is a program with plenty of speed and play-makers. Tom Smith should be the focal point of the offense and has a great future. There is speed on the outside.
Lo Wood is one of the top CB's in the state and he will be asked to lock down some of Central Florida's top WR's. Jon Beary and Bradley Gallon return at LB to play behind what should be a stout DL.
Apopka is in a 7 team District and are just one District away from Dr. Phillips/Boone, so we will know how good this team is relatively early. They have enjoyed consistent success and this appears to be one their deepest teams. We think they make a run this year.
3. Dr. Phillips: They beat the state champs last year, but could not get past Boone in the playoffs. It is time for this talented team to break through.
WR Kenny Shaw and RB Demetrius Hart are a tremendous 1-2 punch on the offensive side of the ball. The loss of WR Ricardo Miller to a school in Michigan hurts, as well as the loss of QB Nico Ranieri. They need to find solid replacements there. There is talent on the OL.
The defense is solid up the middle with DT Leppert Jarrett and LB's Charles Favors and Marquis Hood. They need to find some guys to step up in the secondary.
DP has a relatively difficult schedule, but we expect them to make the playoffs and beat Boone this year. After that anything can happen.
4. OSCEOLA: They went to the state championship two years ago (loss to St. Thomas) and handled powerful Lakeland twice in that run. This team has as much talent this time around and once again should have two battles with the Dreadnaughts.
It is the defense that will carry the Kowboys should they make a run. B.J. Butler and Marc Deas are both versatile athletes who are committed to Georgia. Butler can play anywhere. A strong secondary is led by Akeem Daniels and Shaq Bell, while Anthony Gandy and Will Bostic are returning players on the DL.
The offense will need some players to step up and make some plays. They should be the beneficiaries of field position and there is enough talent here to think that by the end of the season they could get this thing going.
In the end, it is all about the Lakeland game. The first one will be for home field in the playoffs, but the second one will be for all the marbles. Should they win, they are a legit contender to get to Orlando.
5. OLYMPIA: Olympia did not make the playoffs in 2008.
The QB Trevor Siemian to Rashad Lawrence will not only continue for 2009, but also for Northwestern. The pair are Central Florida's top QB-WR pairing and should be lethal in 2009. Rudy Crowder is another target for Siemian. If a RB emerges this is an offense that won't be stopped.
The defense does not have to be lights out, but they have to be better than last year. Discipline will be the key as they lack elite top end talent on that side of the ball.
They are a bit of a wildcard here as they are in District's 5 and 6 feature Apopka, Boone, and Dr. Phillips. It will be one of the most competitive battles in the state.
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Kathleen, Ridge, Boone, Seminole, Oviedo, Edgewater, East Ridge, Lake Brantley, Winter Springs, Lake Wales, Pasco
ALL AREA PRESEASON
QB Trevor Siemian, RB Demetrius Hart, RB Shawndell Artis, WR Javares McRoy, WR Kenny Shaw, WR Rashad Lawrence, OL Max Lang, OL, David Barnard, OL Raymond Nixon, OL Demetrius Cherry, ATH Jared Haggins
DE BJ Butler, DE Brandon Fulse, DT Jimmy Office, DT Andrew Rice, LB Christian Jones, LB William Lucas, LB Quayshawn Nealy, CB Lo Wood, CB Nickell Robey, S Marvin Robinson, DB Tyrone Bouie, S Chad Abrams
GAME OF THE YEAR: October 23. Osceola at Lakeland