The Associated Press’ preseason high school football poll is out. Four Palm Beach County teams made the cut and several more received votes.
American Heritage was the highest ranked Palm Beach County team in the Associated Press’ preseason poll. The Stallions were ranked No. 2 in Class 3A. (Photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Palm Beach Post writers Adam Lichtenstein and Jodie Wagner both have votes in the AP poll, so this week we will break down where we put Palm Beach County teams in our polls.
Here is what we decided:
Class 8A
Atlantic
Adam: I ranked the Eagles fifth in the class. Atlantic is almost certainly the top 8A team in the county, but there are talented teams several top teams south of them — namely, Pembroke Pines-Flanagan and Miami-Columbus.
Jodie: I ranked the Eagles seventh, which is where they ended up in this week’s poll. Atlantic went 12-1 last season and returns a handful of key players from that team, but there is plenty of talent ahead of them. 8A, as usual, is going to be tough this season.
Palm Beach Gardens
Adam: I ranked the Gators 10th to start the season. Gardens struggled at times while putting together a 6-4 record last season, but the Gators have some of the most talented players in the county. If the offense is improved, they will do much better this year.
Jodie: I also ranked the Gators 10th to start the season. Palm Beach Gardens has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, and will throw more this season than they have in the past. An improved Gators’ offense, as Adam said, could be the key.
Class 7A
Dwyer
Adam: I put the Panthers third in the class. There is no one topping Fort Lauderdale-St. Thomas Aquinas in the class, and maybe in the country. I also put Bradenton-Braden River ahead of Dwyer, as that team expects to match its dominating defense from last season.
Jodie: I also put the Panthers in the third slot, behind national No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas and 2015 state semifinalist Braden River. Dwyer is eager for a playoff rematch with the Raiders, and could get it. The Panthers have talent and depth, and look to go deep into the postseason.
Class 3A
American Heritage
Adam: I ranked the Stallions second in this class. Jacksonville-Trinity Christian is the undisputed No. 1 team in the class, so while Heritage is loaded this season, it needs to get over that hump.
Jodie: I put American Heritage at No. 3 in this class, behind nationally ranked Trinity Christian and deep Clearwater Central Catholic. The Stallions are loaded again this year, but so are the Conquerors and Marauders. American Heritage has beaten CCC two years in a row in the state semifinals, and are aiming for a three-peat.
Class 1A
Pahokee
Adam: I ranked Pahokee fourth in 1A. The Blue Devils could have made a deeper run in the playoffs last season had head coach Alphonso Smith not been suspended days before their first playoff game. Pahokee is possibly even more talented this year, so the team could have a shot at a state playoffs appearance.
Jodie: I did not rank Pahokee in Class 1A, but only because the Blue Devils were not included among the list of teams at the time I voted (yep, early). Pahokee would have gotten my vote, probably at No. 4.
