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Prep Zone Power Poll 2014 – Countdown to #1 (No. 4)

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4We’re counting down to the #1 team in the preseason football Prep Zone Power Poll with a look today at No. 4.

The Prep Zone Power Poll ranks the top 20 high school football, basketball, baseball & softball teams (regardless of FHSAA classification) across 26 counties in North Florida (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union & Volusia counties). It is voted on weekly by sportswriters and sportscasters.

No. 4 South Sumter (Bushnell) (5A) (12-1) 

South Sumter is starting to build a winning tradition. Two undefeated regular seasons in a row really sets a high standard. Last year, the Raiders went 2-1 in the state playoffs, defeating District 5-5A teams Suwannee (Live Oak) and North Marion (Citra), before falling to Lakewood (St. Pete), 27-21, in the regional finals.

There are plenty of returnees in 2014. In fact, the Raiders return 45 lettermen, seven offensive starters and eight defensive starters. Anderson Faulk ran for 1,350 yards and 21 TDs as a junior, J.T. Taylor had 15 scores as a sophomore, junior Matthew Simmons has 25 consecutive starts at center, and senior offensive lineman James Daniel was an all-state selection. So the offense should be good. Plus, senior Wesley Moir was 6-for-6 on field goals and had 73 extra-point kicks.

Defensively, Brice Hatcher had 122 total tackles as a junior, followed by rising senior Caleb Simmons (98) and Junior Ceballos, who had 96 stops as a junior. Up front, Montel Presley, a junior, and Devin Papenheim, a senior, are back. They had 20 and 16 TFL, respectively.

“Losing the last game of an otherwise great season leaves a bitter taste that simmers over the winter,” said head coach Inman Sherman. “Our best players coming back embrace workouts and lead without hesitation.”

Some info gathered from Friday Night Football magazine.

Prep Zone Power Poll – 2014 Football Poll #1 – PRESEASON POLL
(School, followed by first-place votes, classification, 2013 final record and total voting points)

3. TBA – Monday, August 25
4. South Sumter (Bushnell) (5A) (12-1) – 162
5. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-4) – 157
6. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (10-2) – 139
7. Fletcher (Neptune Beach) (7A) (10-3) – 134
8. Clay (Green Cove Springs) (5A) (10-5) – 116
9. Trenton (1A) (12-1) – 111
10. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (9-3) – 92
11. Fleming Island (Orange Park) (7A) (10-1) – 89
12. North Marion (Citra) (5A) (9-3) – 78
13T Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) (5A) (10-1) – 69
13T Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (3A) (8-4) – 69
15. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (6A) (8-6) – 56
16. Springstead (Spring Hill) (6A) (11-2) – 52
17. St. Augustine (6A) (8-3) – 46
18. Ed White (Jacksonville) (6A) (8-3) – 31
19. Dixie County (Cross City) (1A) (10-1) – 29
20. Warner Christian (South Daytona) (2A) (9-2) – 19

Also receiving votes: University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A) (9-3) – 18; Sandalwood (Jacksonville) (8A) (8-3) – 16; Union County (Lake Butler) (1A) (10-2) – 14; Gainesville (6A) (9-3) – 9; Lafayette (Mayo) (1A) (7-3) – 6; Leesburg (6A) (8-4) – 5; Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) (6A) (7-3) – 4; Suwannee (Live Oak) (5A) (7-3) – 4; Menendez (St. Augustine) (5A) (8-3) – 4; Fort White (4A) (7-2) – 3; Citrus (Inverness) (6A) (9-2) – 2; Baker County (Glen St. Mary) (5A) (8-3) – 1.

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