DuvalSports.com picks the top 32 High School Football teams ever to play in North East Florida. We match them up against one another in a bracket to determine who is the the greatest high school football team of all time. Who is the Best of the Best? DuvalSports.com analyst Andre’ Ellis and Corey Davis debate match ups daily and the fans get to vote on who they believe would win each contest as well. Finally, we will resolve the question that has been on the minds of former players and football fans for nearly a century. Who is The Best of the Best in our area??
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Before we get to the brackets and match-ups, let’s first take a look at the seeding of each of the 32 teams below. Seeding was determined from a collaborative effort between Corey Davis and Andre’ Ellis. They are based on a team’s accomplishments on the field, and overall talent on the roster.
1. 1997 Raines
The 1997 Raines Vikings finished 15-0 on its way to becoming the first and only to date public school state champion in Duval County. First year coach Welton Coffey guided the Vikings to a perfect regular season with wins over Mandarin 40-7, Englewood 55-0, Wolfson 55-6, Jackson 60-0, Fernandina Beach 36-0, Sandalwood 20-14, Lee 47-6, First Coast 27-11, Ribault 38-0 and Ed White 51-21. The Vikings continued their path with playoff wins over Englewood 47-8, Pace 21-0, Eastside 20-17, Madison County 34-12 and Glades Central 32-27 in the Class 4A state championship game at the University of Florida. Lito Sheppard and Derrick Jabar Gaffney who both starred at Florida and went on to the NFL were among the many players who went on to star in college.
2. 1965-1966 Bradford County
Bradford won back to back titles in 1965, 1966 under Head Coach David Hurse. He went 25-0-1 in last 26 games. Posted 6 shutouts, and held opponents to 7 points or less 11 of 12 games. The offense score at least 24 points in 11 of 12 games.
3. 2013-2015 Trinity 
Back to Back to Back State Champions and that’s just the beginning! Many believe this team could win four or even five in a row. They currently are tied with Miami Central and Washington(Miami) for the current most consecutive state championships. Names like Shaun Wade, Kevin Tolliver, D.J Mathews, Jeffery Holland are just a few names in a long list of players on their way to D1 colleges or who have already arrived.
4. 1996 Union County
1996 Union County Tigers were named the Small School Team of the Century in 2007 by the FHSAA Team of the Century list. In the middle of what would become a 52-game winning streak (second longest in state history), the Tigers posted nine shutouts, which included the first three rounds of the playoffs. Coached by Robbie Pruitt, Union County defeated Frostproof, 67-30, in the FHSAA Finals to win their third straight Class 3A state championship.
5. 1958 Gilbert
Matthew Gilbert High School Panthers of Jacksonville were so talented that future Olympian Bob Hayes played that year as a backup junior running back. Coached by the legendary Earl Kitchings, the Panthers finished 12-0, winning the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Association black school state championship with a 14-7 victory over Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) before more than 11,000 spectators. Named the team of the decade for the 1950s by the FHSAA Team of the Century list in 2007.
6. 1993 Bolles
Maybe Corky Roger’s most talented Bolles team, the 15-0 Bulldogs were led by Robert Pollard and Charon Dorsey. The Bulldogs were unstoppable and virtually unchallenged the whole season. Their closest’s games were to Santa Fe, whom they defeated once 28-22 in the regular season, and 21-17 in the state semifinals. With a defense that held opponents under 7 points six times, and an offense that scored 30 points a game the Bulldogs were to much for everyone.
7. 2005 St. Augustine
St. Augustine (15-0) state champions led by cornerback Jacques Rickerson (Tennessee) 8 INTs, tailback and kick returner Brandon James (Florida) who scored 23 TDs coasted to tile with a 31-15 win over Sarastota Booker. Of the 17 straight post season appearances by the school since 1999, the 2005 team by far was the most dominant.
8. 1991-1992 University Christian
1991 University Christian topped their championship by going back the very next year in 1992 and winning again. A two peat almost became a 3 peat but in 1993 but they lost in the title game. In 91, University Christian’s DT Terrance Gordon, OL Elijah Brown and company defeated QB Danny Kannell and Westminster, the defending champions at the time. University Christian appeared in the 1990 title game was well. Their only loss in 91 was to Charleton County. Running Back Rodney Deary carried the load for them literally. kickoff returns, punt returns, rushing attempts, you name it, he did it.
9. 2005 Nease
Nease (13-2) led by Tim Tebow, the offense averaged 44 points a game and only stumbled twice to national power Hoover, AL and arch-rival St. Augustine, who also won a state title that year. Tebow was the focal point of the team playing Quarterback, being used as a running back, fullback and yes even defensive tackle. The Nease team hada great supporting cast as well.
10. 1996 Bolles
1996 Bolles (14-1) was ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today entering the state title game with Bartow. Two starters including quarterback Chris Reir (Alabama) were knocked out early in the first quarter and the Bulldogs couldn’t recover as Bartow pulled the huge upset. The defense shut out three of the first three teams they faced in the playoffs. A 27 game win streak snapped, 9 D-1 prospects including Dez White (Ga Tech), Bolles talent was second to none these years.
11. 1981 Palatka
1981 Palatka (14-0) led by future NFL players tailbacks John L Williams (Florida) and Jarvis Williams (Florida) the Panthers demolished Suncoast 42-2 in the title game. After giving up 21 points to defending state champion Gainesville in a 27-21 win, the Panthers defense only allowed six more points the entire regular season.
12. 2002-2003 Trinity
This team is what many believe to be the genesis of the Trinity program we know today. Trinity has always appeared in the playoffs and have won some titles, but this team was loaded with talent that could play D1 ball on Saturdays. They achieved 14-0 season with back to back state championships. At the time, they held the state’s longest active winning streak of 26 straight games won. They beat the 3A state champs that year. 8 D-1 starters between Jr’s and Sr’s. Finished #4 in the entire state of Florida (Top 2 in Florida were also ranked in the USA top 25)
13. 1988 Suwannee
Suwannee (12-1) the second of the Bulldogs state titles, won four in a row from 1987-1990. Lone loss was to power Leon 18-15, also had wins over Madison 21-12, Bolles 39-26 and Columbia 42-22. Win over Columbia was only win over arch-rival during four year title run. Cruised to state title outscoring playoff opponents 140-35 including Hardee County 44-15 in title game. Matt Frier (FSU) broke a state record catching 99 passes for 1,716 yards and 20 TDs.
14. 1967-1969 Wolfson
Wolfson back-to-back state runnerups lost both titles to state and national power Coral Gables 21-7 and 7-6. 1967 team (11-1) picked off 27 passes, including 10 from Danny Finley. Billy Thompson led offense with 18 touchdowns in 10 games while QB Hal Dunbar threw for 1,146 yards and 13 TDs.
15. 1995 Sandalwood
Coach Bob Withrow’s Saints became only the second public team in Duval County history to appear in a State Championship game. (14-1) led by Mr. Football tailback Frankie Franklin (Indiana), the Saints finished as state runnerups after rolling off 14 consecutive wins to start the season. They would stumble 12-7 to Miami Northwestern in the state finals with a hobbled Franklin who missed two and a half playoff games with a knee injury. But don’t be fooled, this team was stacked. Players like Raheem Pontiflet and Turk Williams are known by football players are around the city. While Franklin got all the coverage as he broke rushing records galore, the offensive line and defense is what carried the team. The defense under Coach Dave McConnell recorded three shutouts and dominated powerhouses like Raines, Columbia, and Orlando Evans on their way to a #4 ranking in the 1995 USA Today poll.
16. 2011 First Coast
2011 First Coast (13-1) state runnerup team was led by Deandre Johnson (FSU) and others. Posted three shut outs on way to a perfect regular season, finally got the monkey off the back of disappointing early playoff losses with wins over Ocala Forest, Fleming Island, East Ridge and Lakeland to become the first team to advance past the third round of the playoffs. In Orlando, the Bucs were overwhelmed and beat up by state power Bradenton Manatee 40-0.
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17. 1973 Raines
Raines defeated Tate 37-7 in the first round of the playoffs. Their stout defense and power offense led them over Plant next in the Semifinals with a score of 21-9. In the championship game, the Vikings had a chance to bring home the first public school championship but fell to Hollywood Hills 22-9. Legendary Raines Coach Jimmie Johnson was as large on the sidelines as he was on NFL fields. He coached legendary Quarterback Ken Burrough who was inducted into the Black College Hall of Fame this spring. Quarterback Terry LeCount led the Vikings to the Class 4A state championship game in 1973. With Earl Kitchins on staff it’s hard pressed to find better coaches than he and Johnson.
18. 2011 Fletcher
Head Coach Josh Corey kept the winning tradition going for Fletcher after taking over for Coach Reynolds. He led them deep into the 2011 post season on a balanced rushing attack by Jamari Smith. In the Playoffs Fletcher would defeat Lake Brantley 28-14, 24-7 over Deland, and 31-27 over Timber Creek in the Regional Finals. They would fall to Plant in the State Semifinals, the eventual 8A State Champion.
19. 1992 Orange Park
1992 Orange Park (12-1) led by offensive lineman Ryan Hoffman (North Carolina), all-state linebackers Carl Crennel and Rusty Sparks, tailback Darius Faulk (UCF) and all-state safety Ray Flores were ranked No. 1 in the state for the last 7 weeks of the season before falling to Bradenton Manatee in the state semifinals.
20. 2003 Clay
(11-2) Elite 8 team led by Charles Clark (Ole Miss), Nolan Carroll (Maryland, Miami Dolphins), Clif Avril (Purdue, Seattle Seahawks), Terrance Butler (Louisville), Luke Lathan (NC State), Mike McCallister (Alabama). Lost in third round blowing late fourth quarter lead, would have earned a rematch with Bolles in state semi-finals next round, already beat Bolles 13-7 in last regular season game.
21. 1991 Paxon
(8-2) By far Paxon’s best team to date, if not for Lee or Baker County being in the district, this team led by tailback Malcom Thomas (Syracuse, Jaguars) and linebacker Antwaune Ponds (Syracuse, Jaguars, Redskins) would have been the first Eagles team in the playoffs. This team was talented and was extremely aggressive.
22. 1997 Columbia
This state runnerup team’s only lost was to Miami Carol City in the 6A State Championship game. Led by running back Quinton Callum Co-Offensive Player of the Year by the Gainesville Sun, the Tigers succumb to a late rally by Carol City. However, this team still dominated on their way to the title game. The defense gave up 7 or less points in 12 games. THe offense averaged 35 points a game.
23. 1967 Clay
1967 -Clay (13-0) went undefeated, defeating their opponent in the first round of the playoffs ; Clay (Green Cove Springs) 14, Eustis 0. Clay won the school’s first and only state championship to date with a 33-0 win over Graceville.
24. 1993 Ribault
1993 Ribault Elite 8 led by first team All-State quarterback Cedric Redden (Howard), wide receiver MacAthur Johnson (Howard), tailback Lavernius Coles (FSU, NFL), WR Ben Fleming ( South Carolina), and that’s just the offense… This high flying team styled and profiled their way deep into the playoffs, gaining wins over Nease, and Crestview. They would have to travel away from the familiar confines of the Ribault River and could not navigate the Santa Fe waters. They fell 75-20 to Santa Fe in the 3rd round of the State Semis.
25. 1998 Ed White
Ed White (11-2) Elite 8 team was loaded and led by linebackers Bam Hardmon (Florida) and Royce Hooks (Iowa State), quarterback Roshard Gilyard (Auburn) and tailbacks Travis Felder (Oklahoma State) and Reshaud Preston. Back-to-back appearances in Elite 8 round of playoffs for the Commanders with this group. This wing-T team ran it to perfection, and the defense was something out of a mad house. No wonder their matchup vs Raines in 1998 was billed the “game of the century”. It certainly lived up to it. They would lose to Daytona Beach Mainand in 98. To date remains only White team to win 11 games.
26. 2015 University Christian
Running back Hussein Howe, and Coach Pennland brought yet another championship back home to University Christian. That makes 8 state football championships total for the Christians, good enough to have them third all time in the FHSAA ranking behind Bolles and St. Thomas Aquianis. This team rolled to a championship winning 61-16 over Cambridge of Tampa.
27. 1967 Columbia
1967 Columbia Tigers went undefeated 13-0 and won the school’s first and only state championship to date with a 27-7 win over Auburndale. On the way, the Tigers rolled Orange Park 19-7, St Augustine 49-0, BK 40-0, Bolles 20-0, Santa Fe 60-6, Ocala 47-7, Rickards 20-14, Bradford 59-6 and Suwannee 40-13 in the regular season. In the playoffs, the Tigers handled Rickards 13-0 and Tampa Jesuit 27-7 to set up the meeting with Auburndale.
28. 2014 Oakleaf
2014 Oakleaf (12-1) first ever undefeated team in school brief history, cruised through the regular season virtually unchallenged. Luck of bracket and things falling into the right places, the Knights were at home for every playoff game until a 35-0 beat down by Niceville in the Elite 8.
29. 2015 Mandarin
Mandarin made their first playoff appearance in 10 years in 2015. Their last appearance was in 2005. They made the most of this rare trip by advancing all the way to the elite 8. They squeezed by Oviedo 24 -20, cruised by Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 20-0, but was shut out by West Orange 0-41. It was a great run by a team that never gave up. Victories over playoff teams like Ribault and Sandalwood cemented their legitimacy.
30. 1984 Lee
Lee (11-1) under Corky Rogers outscored its opponents 406-52 during the regular season while posting 5 shutouts before running into future NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith in a second round 28-25 loss to Escambia. Edgar Bennett and Leroy Butler who both were teammates at FSU and Green Bay were the leaders on the team.
31. 2004 Jackson
2004 Jackson, Head Coach Kevin Sullivan and the Tigers advanced to the third round of the playoffs. They defeated Lee in the first round in OT, Godby in the second round, but fell in the third round to the eventual State Champs Bolles Bulldogs. The Tigers had a great run in the 2000’s. They made the playoffs 10 times from 1995 to 2010… Impressive!
32. 1921 Duval High
1921 Duval High School Tigers of Jacksonville were 8-0 and became the first Florida team ever to be declared national champions by any organization (National Sports News Service). They whipped Dayton Steele of Ohio, which was regarded as the top team in the Midwest, 21-0, and then crushed Gainesville High School 56-0 in what was labeled a state championship game. Duval outscored opponents 366-3, allowing only Charleston (S.C.) High to score on a single field goal. Duval also won games 44-0 over Moultrie (Ga.) High, 34-0 over Montgomery (Ala.) Sidney Lanier, 77-0 over Lake City High and 74-0 over Hillsborough High. Named the team of the decade for the early years (1907-1920s) by the FHSAA Team of the Century list in 2007.
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Best of the Best Tournament
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Honorable Mention
1994 University Christian– The 1994 State Champ team had two 1,000 yrd rushers in Curry and Kirtsey. No area team would play them (even Bolles), they beat a 4A Rockledge team that went deep into the playoffs that year, and they finished in the top 20 that year in FL(all classes). And that Sr. class had no less the 8 college scholarship players and no less then 6 jr’s who had college scholarships.
1938 Lee (9-0) under Warren Kirkman the Generals dominated the state claiming another mystical state title outscoring their opponents 251-19, while posting 7 shutouts in 9 games.
1949 Lee (8-0-1) under Warren Kirkman claimed mythical state title while posting 6 shutouts and surrendering only 25 points all season.
1960 Lee (10-1) considered to be mythical state champs after throttling arch-rival Jackson 27-0 on Thanksgiving Day and Parker 35-21 rushing for 464 yards against the Braves
1986 Bolles (13-0) under Bill Borg won schools first state title with a dominating defense that posted 6 shut outs along the way, rolling to the title with wins over Interlachen 31-13, Walton 10-9 and Palmetto 27-21 in the title game.
1998 Bolles (15-0) put up 40 or more points in 8 out of 15 games and held opponents under 7 points 8 times, including a 41-0 beatdown over Pahokee in the title game. Outscored playoff opponents 130-17 during four games.
1995 Bolles (14-1) bounced back from a tough 7-3 loss to Lake Brantley in Week 2, to win 13 in a row including a 28-21 win over Hardee County in the final. An offense that scored at least 40 or more points 8 times and a defense held opponents under 7 points 8 times was to lethal for opponents to overcome.
Bolles 2004 (14-0) led by quarterback Riley Skinner and receiver Rocky Ross, the offense was one of the greatest in area history.42-21 win over Tampa Jefferson in the state championship game.
2004-2005 Hilliard, Back to Back State Playoff Appearances and a second round loss.
1927 Jackson Tigers finished 9-0 and outscored its opponents 193-0 during the season on the way to its second state championship. Under Ray Dickson, the Tigers opened the season with wins over West Palm Beach 12-0, Landon 76-0, St. Pete 6-0, Orlando 44-0, Lee 53-0, Leon 31-0 and Lee 28-0 to finish the regular season undefeated. Jackson shut out Leesburg 37-0 in the state semi-finals before winning a 6-0 nail bitter against Hillsborough in the state championship game.
1990 Middleburg- (9-2) Alan Hall led team cruised through regular season only to get hammered at home in first ever home playoff game 38-0 to eventual state champion Fort Walton Choctaw.
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Well that’s the rankings, and now it’s time to play the games. We’ll reveal two winners every day leading up to the start of the regular season. Andre’ Ellis and Corey Davis will debate who they think would win, and you can join in too! Cast your vote in each story and leave your comments as well.
Thanks for supporting Duval Sports! The first matchup is coming today!
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