It’s been awhile since I looked at Class 3A with a critical eye and more importantly, it’s been awhile since I’ve updated my personal thoughts. So, here’s my current top 5.
1) Jacksonville Trinity Christian
JaxTCA is at the top of Class 3A. I saw them against Ocala Trinity in week 1 and the team is as impressive as they’ve been the past few years. The defense, while not as experienced still hits hard and the offense is really something to behold. Currently, there is nobody playing football in 3A better than JaxTCA.
2) Clearwater Central Catholic
CCC was expected to be down this year before hitting it big in 2016 with a huge Senior Class. CCC purposely opened the season with 4 road games(Including KO Classic) to test themselves early and learn the ropes of football. CCC has knocked off a very good Berkeley Prep team and shutout the Class 2A runner-ups. Last week against DeSoto the Marauders traveled and withstood a 2 hour delay to win 27-7. CCC is averaging 31 points and only giving up 10. CCC, which is the last Tampa Bay area team to host a game- will now see the fruits of their early season travel schedule as of the remaining 7 games, 6 will be played in Clearwater. The only remaining game outside of Clearwater is an October 23rd date against Ft. Pierce John Carroll.
3) Lakeland Christian
LCS, similar to CCC is another team that was supposed to be down a bit this year; however, finds themselves playing at a high level under head coach Wayne Peace. Auburndale QB transfer Tyler Wilkerson has really done a great job. LCS is legit team in the North and has the tools to compete with the big-boys. LCS finds themselves in a brutal district with Berkeley Prep and Tampa Catholic, but so far the Vikings have passed every test thus far.
4) American Heritage DelRay
It’s most likely unfair that the Stallions find themselves 4th in numerous polls as I don’t think any team in 3A would beat Bergen Catholic at Bergen; however, I put AHD at 4 due to the sideline antics they showed in that loss. AHD is still my pick to come out of the south, but for now- they’ll have to earn their way back to the top. I attended the AHD vs Glades Central game and loved Devin Singletary’s 4 TD’s and 240 yards rushing; however, I’m very shaky on the rest of the team. The athletes are there and the defense is stout, but there’s some really good teams in South 3A this year. I will be back at AHD when Oxbridge comes to town.
5) Oxbridge Academy
While everyone else jumped on Oxbridge when they shutout Gulliver Prep, I didn’t think to high of Gulliver Prep (Still don’t honestly)- but I also didn’t jump when they lost to Carol City as I knew Carol City was pretty good. Oxbridge finds themselves at #5 in most 3A polls and I think that’s about right. This is a very good team lead by one of the top backs in the state, a solid coaching staff and a talented roster.
I’m also watching..
Tampa Berkeley Prep. The Bucs lost to CCC in week 1, but since then has torn through their schedule. Very impressive win over defending 2A State Champion in week 2 (12-0) and a good road win against Cardinal Mooney. Berkeley is sitting pretty right now.
Tampa Catholic. The Crusaders are 2-0 right now with a bye week before their big game against CCC in two weeks. The Crusaders feature a plethora of talented athletes, including arguably the #1 WR in all of America Nate Craig-Myers. TC has knocked off Class 8A Sarasota Riverview and Lakewood Ranch.
Westminster Christian. The Warriors only loss this year was to a very good Sebring team, and even that has an asterisk next to it as the game was called in the 3rd quarter as the Warriors had dug themselves out of a 21-0 deficit.
Chaminade-Madonna. The Lions are quietly 2-0 and after knocking off an always-tough Cardinal Gibbons team 28-21 need to be taken seriously in the South of 3A. American Heritage and Oxbridge get all the paper, but seriously Region 4 of Class 3A has a lot of teams performing well.
Melbourne Central Catholic- Hustlers find themselves at 3-0 which isn’t surprising; however, is welcome after MCC graduated a hefty senior class.
Orlando First Academy- Only loss was to a very good Bishop Moore team.
3A games I’m paying attention to this week:
JaxTCA plays West Orange. According to MaxPreps West Orange is ranked #7 and JaxTCA is ranked #11 in the state. This game should be an excellent test for JaxTCA as West Orange will be coming into the game coming off a very impressive win over Dr. Phillips. JaxTCA knocked off #1 in 2A (and huge rival) University Christian 35-20 last week.
CCC plays Groveland South Lake. Despite being 0-2, South Lake presents a stiff test for CCC as the Eagles outman the Marauders 2-1 in depth. South Lake has also played a very competitive schedule against Leesburg and Lake Mineola. This game features the old axiom of football, Power vs Speed. South Lake has quite a few guys on their Offensive and Defensive line that are close to 300 lb’s, while the Marauders have speedsters to burn in the open field.
1) Jacksonville Trinity Christian
JaxTCA is at the top of Class 3A. I saw them against Ocala Trinity in week 1 and the team is as impressive as they’ve been the past few years. The defense, while not as experienced still hits hard and the offense is really something to behold. Currently, there is nobody playing football in 3A better than JaxTCA.
2) Clearwater Central Catholic
CCC was expected to be down this year before hitting it big in 2016 with a huge Senior Class. CCC purposely opened the season with 4 road games(Including KO Classic) to test themselves early and learn the ropes of football. CCC has knocked off a very good Berkeley Prep team and shutout the Class 2A runner-ups. Last week against DeSoto the Marauders traveled and withstood a 2 hour delay to win 27-7. CCC is averaging 31 points and only giving up 10. CCC, which is the last Tampa Bay area team to host a game- will now see the fruits of their early season travel schedule as of the remaining 7 games, 6 will be played in Clearwater. The only remaining game outside of Clearwater is an October 23rd date against Ft. Pierce John Carroll.
3) Lakeland Christian
LCS, similar to CCC is another team that was supposed to be down a bit this year; however, finds themselves playing at a high level under head coach Wayne Peace. Auburndale QB transfer Tyler Wilkerson has really done a great job. LCS is legit team in the North and has the tools to compete with the big-boys. LCS finds themselves in a brutal district with Berkeley Prep and Tampa Catholic, but so far the Vikings have passed every test thus far.
4) American Heritage DelRay
It’s most likely unfair that the Stallions find themselves 4th in numerous polls as I don’t think any team in 3A would beat Bergen Catholic at Bergen; however, I put AHD at 4 due to the sideline antics they showed in that loss. AHD is still my pick to come out of the south, but for now- they’ll have to earn their way back to the top. I attended the AHD vs Glades Central game and loved Devin Singletary’s 4 TD’s and 240 yards rushing; however, I’m very shaky on the rest of the team. The athletes are there and the defense is stout, but there’s some really good teams in South 3A this year. I will be back at AHD when Oxbridge comes to town.
5) Oxbridge Academy
While everyone else jumped on Oxbridge when they shutout Gulliver Prep, I didn’t think to high of Gulliver Prep (Still don’t honestly)- but I also didn’t jump when they lost to Carol City as I knew Carol City was pretty good. Oxbridge finds themselves at #5 in most 3A polls and I think that’s about right. This is a very good team lead by one of the top backs in the state, a solid coaching staff and a talented roster.
I’m also watching..
Tampa Berkeley Prep. The Bucs lost to CCC in week 1, but since then has torn through their schedule. Very impressive win over defending 2A State Champion in week 2 (12-0) and a good road win against Cardinal Mooney. Berkeley is sitting pretty right now.
Tampa Catholic. The Crusaders are 2-0 right now with a bye week before their big game against CCC in two weeks. The Crusaders feature a plethora of talented athletes, including arguably the #1 WR in all of America Nate Craig-Myers. TC has knocked off Class 8A Sarasota Riverview and Lakewood Ranch.
Westminster Christian. The Warriors only loss this year was to a very good Sebring team, and even that has an asterisk next to it as the game was called in the 3rd quarter as the Warriors had dug themselves out of a 21-0 deficit.
Chaminade-Madonna. The Lions are quietly 2-0 and after knocking off an always-tough Cardinal Gibbons team 28-21 need to be taken seriously in the South of 3A. American Heritage and Oxbridge get all the paper, but seriously Region 4 of Class 3A has a lot of teams performing well.
Melbourne Central Catholic- Hustlers find themselves at 3-0 which isn’t surprising; however, is welcome after MCC graduated a hefty senior class.
Orlando First Academy- Only loss was to a very good Bishop Moore team.
3A games I’m paying attention to this week:
JaxTCA plays West Orange. According to MaxPreps West Orange is ranked #7 and JaxTCA is ranked #11 in the state. This game should be an excellent test for JaxTCA as West Orange will be coming into the game coming off a very impressive win over Dr. Phillips. JaxTCA knocked off #1 in 2A (and huge rival) University Christian 35-20 last week.
CCC plays Groveland South Lake. Despite being 0-2, South Lake presents a stiff test for CCC as the Eagles outman the Marauders 2-1 in depth. South Lake has also played a very competitive schedule against Leesburg and Lake Mineola. This game features the old axiom of football, Power vs Speed. South Lake has quite a few guys on their Offensive and Defensive line that are close to 300 lb’s, while the Marauders have speedsters to burn in the open field.