Pre-Season Gainesville/Ocala rankings

With the season two weeks away, we begin to break down Northeast Florida with regional rankings. We started with the Big Bend, now we make our way to the Gainesville/Ocala area and finish with the First Coast area.

Ranking order is based on the teams best chances to bring home a state title.

Gainesville High is our top team in the Gainesville/Ocala area rankings after last years run to the state semi-finals. Photo courtesy of Gainesville Sun.   

Pre-Season Gainesville/Ocala rankings

1. Gainesville (11-2): Only a loss later reversed due to FHSAA sanctions to Armwood in the state semi-finals kept the Hurricanes from going to the state title game. That might be enough motivation to get the Hurricanes there.  

2. North Marion (9-3): Led by Reggie Dickerson, is this the year the Colts finally get over the hump and make it to Orlando, many think so. We agree as well.  

3. Union County (11-1): Many expected the undefeated Tigers to cruise to the 1A title last season before meeting up with eventual state champ Jefferson County in the state semi-finals. The Tigers will be back in the semi-finals again seeking revenge again.

4. Trenton (11-1): A remarkable undefeated regular season and playoff run to the second round helped put Trenton back on peoples minds. Don't count out the Tigers come playoff time with a bundance of offensive weapons back.     

5. Trinity Catholic (7-5): A rebuilding year last season doesn't have many people expecting much this season again from Trinity Catholic, but you can't ever count out the Celtics come playoff time.

6. South Sumter (8-3): Always a tradional power, South Sumter fell off the map the last few years, but a made a surprising run back in the playoffs last season. Many feel this team could sneak up on teams and make a run towards Orlando.    

7. Lafayette (6-5): Lafayette coaches have been pointing to this team for two years now, with the return of JR Bass and Rodney Brown we will see how the Hornets respond to the expectations. 

8. Columbia (8-4): Led by Laremy Tunstil, the Tigers have all the tools to make another district title run.  

9. Bradford (7-4): There are still plenty of pieces to mold together despite a  coaching change in the off season to see the Tornadoes compete for another playoff spot.

10. Newberry (2-8): Normally a team coming off a two win season wouldn't find themselves in a pre-season top ten lists. However, with the coaching change at Santa Fe, word is Newberry picked up several key players from its arch-rival that could help themselves back in the playoff hunt again.   

Honorable Mention: Santa Fe (9-3), Dunnellon (6-4), Ocala Forest (6-5), Dixie County (5-5), Vanguard (7-4), Fort White (8-4), Hawthorne (5-6)