FLN Boys Class 2A Top 15 Poll – 3/19/23!
We’re now at the point in the season where there’s enough data to tighten up both polls and power rankings, as we come down to the final three weeks of the season.
Our top teams have been playing national games, and for the most part, I do not weight them too much in my thinking, since few of our high schools get to play top national programs.
Most schools were off last week due to the spring break, so there isn’t going to be much movement.
Last week’s Poll:
FLN Boys 2A Top 15 Poll – Week Ending 3/12/23
1) Lake Mary (8-0)
2) Ponte Vedra (9-2)
3) Winter Park (8-1)
4) St. Thomas (4-2)
5) Jupiter (7-3)
6) Plant (5-4)
7) Nease (6-3)
8) Steinbrenner (7-1)
9) Viera (9-2)
10) Mitchell (9-3)
11) Newsome (7-2)
12) Western (6-1)
13) Bartram Trail (5-3)
14) Windermere (7-3)
15) Columbus (4-3)
Also Considered: Forest (6-4), Lake Brantley (5-4), Creekside (8-3), Gulf Coast (10-1), Niceville (7-1), Lake Howell (8-2)
Lake Mary continues to roll, with a solid road win over Cardinal Mooney to remain undefeated. An easy week is up next and the only two challenges left are at LHP and a home game with SJP. They should go into the playoffs as the overall #1 seed, which takes on a huge impact with Ponte Vedra breathing down their neck with a tougher remaining schedule. we’ll really get an interesting insight into the FHSAA approach if PV wins out and somehow jumps the Rams.
That home game for Region 1 could well mean a state title.
Ponte Vedra travelled north to the DC area and came away with a split. Next Saturday they host Winter Park in the nightcap of ROTR, and have a trip to Jesuit the following week. Dublin Jerome should be a fine test too.
Winter Park handled Vero on the road and has a few tune-ups until that big game Saturday.
St. Thomas followed up a bad Boys’ Latin outing with a couple of easy wins, and the schedule gets very tough, with a trip to Long Island this week.
Jupiter rebounded with a strong defensive effort versus Oxbridge, before falling by a goal to Palo Verde (NV). A trip to South Fork should be an easy win for the week, before gearing up for St. Thomas and the Benjamin second matchup.
Plant was off last week and has both Benjamin and Newsome on tap this week.
Nease was unfortunately the victor via forfeit from Wellington and has Creekside and Maclay in store this week.
Steinbrenner was off this week and has a likely easy three wins coming this week, as they look forward to their last test against Newsome.
Viera was off last week and has their two toughest tests left with Holy Trinity and Vero Beach this week. They could seal up a #2 seed with two wins.
Mitchell was another team off last week and should cruise past Pasco this week before the following week’s tougher go. Newsome falls back some even though they were also on a bye week, as their resume is looking weaker now.
Western handled Miami Palmetto and could run the table, but there’s not enough on the schedule to make a big move until the Regional games kick in.
Bartram Trail took a good win over ESJ and now we will see how good they are with Bolles on the 22nd.
Windermere was also off this past week and is facing Winter Park at home on Tuesday. Nothing of note left to play after that. Columbus went 1-2 versus a solid slate of games and is staring at an STA matchup this week, as the schedule continues to toughen.
Gulf Coast was also off, and has both King’s and SJP coming to Ft. Myers this week; time to see how far they’ve truly progressed this year.
FLN Boys 2A Top 15 Poll – Week Ending 3/19/23
1) Lake Mary (10-0)
2) Ponte Vedra (9-2)
3) Winter Park (8-1)
4) St. Thomas (6-2)
5) Jupiter (8-4)
6) Plant (5-4)
7) Nease (6-3)
8) Steinbrenner (7-1)
9) Viera (9-2)
10) Mitchell (9-3)
11) Western (7-1)
12) Bartram Trail (6-3)
13) Columbus (5-4)
14) Newsome (7-2)
15t) Gulf Coast (10-1) / Niceville (9-1)
Also Considered: Windermere (8-3), Forest (6-4), Lake Brantley (5-4), Creekside (8-3), Lake Howell (8-2), Vero Beach (4-4)
