The 2017 high school football season starts this Friday with Kickoff Classics across Palm Beach County.
With the first kickoffs just days away, Palm Beach Post writers Adam Lichtenstein and Jodie Wagner will count down some of the interesting things we’re looking at this season.
Atlantic, with coach T.J. Jackson in the middle, hopes to make a deep playoff run in 2017. The Eagles have advanced to the regional finals in each of the past two seasons. (2015 Post file photo)
Today, we take a look at the top story lines in Palm Beach County.
5. Can American Heritage rebuild?: The Stallions limped to a 2-7 finish in 2016, marking the first time since 2005 that they finished with a sub-.500 record. But there is plenty of cause for optimism in Delray Beach. American Heritage, which played for a state title in 2014 and 2015, has a strong incoming class of players led by junior wide receiver John Dunmore and junior defensive end Mike Morris. Dunmore, a UF commit, is rated the No. 100 overall player and No. 22 receiver in 247Sports’ composite ranking, while Morris, an FSU commit, is rated the No. 158 player and No. 13 strong-side defensive end by the site. The Stallions also have a new starter at quarterback in Saint John Paul II Academy transfer Ryan Rizk, and a strong group of freshmen who may contribute immediately. The Stallions do not play former district rival Oxbridge Academy during the regular season this year, but will be tested by Glades Central, Fort Lauderdale-Cardinal Gibbons and Fort Lauderdale-University School, among others.
4. Is Atlantic primed for a deep postseason run?: No Palm Beach County big school (Classes 5A-8A) has won a state title since Dwyer claimed the 7A championship in 2013. Only one other area big school has advanced to the state semifinals during the past four seasons, and that was Class 8A Palm Beach Gardens, also in 2013. Atlantic could be the next area big school to advance past regional play. The Eagles, who advanced to the Class 8A regional finals during the past two seasons, return numerous impact players from last year’s team, and also stockpiled plenty of talent during the offseason. Newcomers include defensive back Kenih Lovely, wide receiver Oyeh Lurry-Davis, athlete Shelley Singletary, defensive linemen Brian Bureau and Jason Mercier, and running back Corey Cola, who is rehabbing a knee injury. They join an already star-studded roster of returning players that includes wide receivers Corey Gammage and Cadarius Gaskin, and defensive back Christian Brown. If the Eagles can avoid injuries and stay disciplined, they’ll be tough to beat.
3. Can anybody unseat Dwyer in District 13-7A?: Three years ago, both Royal Palm Beach and Atlantic jumped ahead of the Panthers to grab the district’s two postseason spots. Since, Dwyer has gone a combined 18-1 during the regular season and won consecutive district championships. But Dwyer will have to rebuild this year after losing more than three dozen seniors to graduation, leaving an opening for teams like Palm Beach Lakes – last year’s district runner-up – and Olympic Heights. The Rams also are rebuilding after losing most of their starters from 2016, but will pull from their talented junior varsity team. The Rams also added athlete Teja Young, a Colorado State commit, in the offseason. The Lions surprised many by finishing 6-3 last year, and hope to continue the momentum. Olympic Heights is a veteran team, with eight starters returning on both offense and defense. This district race will be an interesting one to watch.
2. Are the playoffs in the picture for Pahokee and Glades Central?: Both teams hope so. The Blue Devils and second-year coach Orson Walkes went unbeaten and won the Class 1A state championship last December before the title was stripped a month later. Walkes and his returning players have moved past that disappointment and are focusing on 2017. Though the Blue Devils lose a handful of impact players from last year’s team, several others are coming back, among them tight end Zatavian Morgan, athlete Deion Foreman and defensive back De’vuntray Hampton. The Raiders also return few starters from last year’s 6-5 team, but big lineman Willie Canty and 6-foot-4 defensive back Gerald Jackson are back, and will help lead the way for Glades Central and coach Jessie Hester, who begins his second stint with the Raiders this year. Both Pahokee and Glades Central will play very challenging schedules in 2017, but can pick up a lot of points toward earning a coveted at-large postseason berth as part of the FHSAA’s revised playoff format. And speaking of that new playoff format …..
1. Will the new playoff system work? That remains to be seen, but coaches are hopeful. To recap, the FHSAA eliminated district play for small schools, and did away with some automatic postseason bids for schools in all classifications. As part of the new plan, a points system will be used to determine some postseason qualifiers as well as playoff seedings for teams in all classifications. Points would be awarded using a variety of factors, including number of wins and strength of schedule. Many coaches have lauded the plan, saying it would give a fair shot to all teams. Others disagree, expressing concerns about scheduling, lack of resources to travel for better games, and unbalanced districts. Stay tuned.
