The Saturday Night Live skit featuring the late Chris Farley, Mike Myers, and Robert Smigel is one of the most iconic comedic sketches of all time. The ongoing skits highlighted the “Superfans” , a group of die hard Chicago Bears fans that predicted the Bears to win every hypothetical game against the best teams known to sports fans. Who would win out of the 85 Bears versus the 2017 Golden State Warriors you ask? The answer.. “Da Bears”! What about the 85 Bears versus the 2018 New England Patriots?? Of course “Da Bears”!
Well just as the superfans predicted the Chicago Bears to defeat everyone, the 2019 edition of the Bartram Trail Bears beat everyone on their schedule, including some of the best teams in the area. They absolutely manhandled Lee to begin the season. The defending champion Mandarin Mustangs took an L! The upstart Oakleaf Knights couldn’t beat them. Sandalwood and their top D1 recruits couldn’t touch them. Ponte Vedra’s only loss came at the hands of Da Bears. And yesterday, the defending 4A State champion Raines Vikings were mauled by Da Bears! We’re all super-fans today and in agreement that the top team in Northeast Florida is none other than, “DA BEARS”! Check the final power rankings list as we prepare for the FHSAA High School Football Rankings release.
#1. Bartram Trail (10-0)- Trinity Christian is the only team in the area that can say they might be better than Bartram. But looking at common opponents in Lee, and Raines Bartram defeated them much more impressively than Trinity did. It took OT for Trinity to defeat Raines. Da Bears are Da Best!
#2. Trinity (5-5)- It was a great final stretch of the season for the Conquerors. They solidified themselves as still one of the top teams in our area. Now comes the easy part, the playoffs. Trinity won’t be challenged until possibly the state semifinals.
#3. Fleming Island(9-0)– The Golden Eagles did something only one team has done this year in the area, go undefeated. At 9-0, Coach Damenyum Springs capped off the incredible season with a 44-6 route of rival Orange Park. The district champs will now host a playoff game at the Rock!
#4. University Christian (9-1)- The Christians can stake a considerate claim to being one of the top teams in our area. This young team lead by Coach Penland III has taken down all of their Northeast Florida opponents including Bolles. Not sure how far they’ll go in the playoffs, but they are a dangerous young team playing with lots of confidence after shootout win over Bishop Kenny.
#5. Bolles (8-1) –The Bulldogs ended a great regular season with a big win over Mainland. It was a great first season for Coach Toblin and crew at Bolles. They now turn their sights to the playoffs and hope they remain a #1 seed when the Rankings debut.
#6. Lee ( 7-3)- The Generals wrapped up their regular season with a win over rival Ed White. The district champs now will host a playoff game as they “ drop that bass” on another playoff season.
#7. Raines (5-4) –The Vikings played back to back games against two of the best teams in the area. Although they dropped both of them, this young team proved that they are on of the best in the area.
#8. Columbia (7-3) –Another late season slump for Columbia has them backing into the playoffs. A great North Marion team got the best of them, but the Tigers are still a tough team that no one wants to see in the playoffs. They were one of the top teams in the area.
#9. Mandarin (7-3) – The defending Class 8A State Champions will more than likely make the playoffs via the rankings system as they held the #8 spot firmly. A great job by Coach Ramsey and his staff to coach the players to a strong regular season finish. Get hot and Mandarin could make another run at state.
#10. Oakleaf (7-3) – The loss of Chantz Williams really hurt them, but they were still one of the best teams in the area. Close losses to only Columbia, Bartram, and Mandarin sealed their playoff fate as their OWP was not high enough to be one of the Top 8 teams in class 8A rankings. Unfortunately they’ll probably miss the playoffs, but it was a successful season for the seniors.
Best of the Rest: Episcopal (9-1) , Terry Parker (7-2), Ponte Vera (7-2), Christ’s Church (7-2), Providence (5-2) , West Nassau (8-2), Westside (8-2)
- Providence and Christ’s Church Sunshine State Playoff Teams
