Northeast Fl- We’re back to football in 2022, and it’s time to talk power rankings. Many teams lost lots of talent to college, but returning starters make some familiar teams stronger and some new teams very formidable in 2022. Take a look at the week 1 power rankings for this year and also check out the week 1, top 10 for last year (2021) to see how we did. At the end of the year, only the true dogs will remaing standing to make the playoffs. So it’s time to bring em out and let them play.
#1. Bolles
Coach Matt Toblin and his staff have been to two state championships in three years. A truly remarkable feat. At the head of his ground attack was running-back Kade Frew (Airforce) and there were other big time seniors that are very hard to replace. However, Toblin has lots of players like seniors Brendan Black ( OL-Iowa St commit), Kavon Miller (DB), Spencer Surface (DB), and Connor Cox ( TE-South Carolina commit) coming back. Junior quarterback DJ Moore, and sophomore running back Emmett Grzebin are two young players that Toblin will use in attempt to fill the void in the running game. Until someone in the area knocks them off, they will continue to be the king of the hill. We’ll find out alot Friday, as St. Augustine is an early tough test for them.
#2. Fleming Island
Head Coach Damenyum Springs of Fleming Island has dealt with several young teams of late, but this year he has lots of returning startersready to tackle the 2022 season. 2023 running-back Sam Singleton (Florida State commit) will champion a backfield that features a talented compliment in Musthafa Marshall. Big Timothy TJ Lawrence plows over defenders using his 6 foot 6 285 pound frame. Also 2023 lineman Ethan Williams plays both ways at 6’3, 288 pounds. A sleeper to look out for is Gage Isbell a 6′ 2″ junior who plays both defensive and offensive line, with a high motor power. The big men will be protecting their rising sophomore quarterback Cibastian Broughton (Pitt offer) who puts on a display under center with his scrambling ability, rushing ability, and his ability to find open receivers. His top receiver is rising senior 6’4 Darion Domineck, also receiver Kaan Jumani will play a big role. .Jhoel Robinson is a 2023 athlete playing running-back and linebacker. On defense, there is lots of talent. Devante Lewis (DB) , 6’1, 218 pound linebacker Jhace Edwards, theres Abram Wright (6’2, 225lbs) and Kaylib Singleton a 6’1, 165lbs rising sophomore they all have collegiate offers and with a stacked team like this, expectations are high for the Golden Eagles. Rival Clay is up Friday night.
#3. Columbia
Two big-name transfers have the Columbia excited about the 2022 edition of the Tigers. 3-star quarterback Tyler Jefferson( Central Michigan) and 4-star receiver Camdon Frier (FSU commit) are exactly what the doctor ordered for Columbia as the last few years the team has been lauged with injuries at both positions. Jefferson comes over from Hawthorne passing for 653 yards and 6 TDs, sharing time with Chaz Mackey (Wesleyan University). The duel threat quarterback rushed for 721 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, showing exactly what he can bring to the table at Columbia. Frier comes over from Suwannee where he is looking to establish himself as a #1 receiver. The FSU legacy commit looks to put up big numbers as his father ( Matt Frier) did in high school and college. Columbia returns several top players already including seniors quarterback Evan Umstead who will challenge for the starting quarterback spot. Defensive back Amare Ferrell (Indiana commit), linebacker Jaden Robinson (Florida commit), 3-star wide receiver Tray Tolliver returns from injury. Tyrell Peterson (LB), Tony Fulton, Rashod Bradley ( Miami of Ohio commmit) round out alot of college recuits on this roster for Coach Demetric Jackson and staff. They fell to Buchholz in the season opener 31-14, but Buchholz is one of the best teams in the state of Florida. The Tigers will be fine.
#4. Trinity Christian
Coach Dorminey won his 9th state title in remarkable fashion. He was sidelined himself with an illness during the season, but his team rallied around their legendary coach to hoist the trophy. This year, they’ll have to repeat that effort, as the Conquerors lost valuable pieces to their team. Corner Cam Miller ( Penn State), safety Keaton Thomas ( West Virginia) and others were all valuable starters for Dorminey. He’s got some great key pieces returing though in 4-star athletes 2025 QB Colin Hurley, and Florida commit Treyaun Webb (2023RB). Running back Darnell Rogers (2024) returns as well, as does linebacker Cam Anderson. New addition Bryze Kazmierczak (2024 LB) will also be a big addition this year. With several new starters slated for both sides of the ball, Dorminey’s challenge will be to mesh the peices together in time for another run at another title. They kick it off with a new westside rivalry in neighbor Ed White.
#5. Ed White
Last year, we were the only publication that had Ed White in their Top 10. Fast forward to this year and everyone is billing the week 1 matvhup against Trinity has their game of the week. That’s because after a seven year hiatus, Ed White qualified for the playoff last year thanks to the leadership of Head Coach Lawrence Johnson. Under Johnson, Ed White and their staff have been able to develop talent and attract top ranked talent, like 3-star running back Christian Ellis (Unv of New Mexico) who came over from Trinity Christian in 2021. The move paid off for Ellis and other players are looking to achieve success as a lemon head. Corner Tavales Thomas, and linebackers Jamari Allen and Lawrence Neloms come over from Riverside HS and will make big impacts. Returning starters Gabriel Garmon (WR) and Isiah Teal (QB) will be household names by season’s end. And of course there’s Wake Forest commit safety Davaughn Patterson, arguably the best all around athlete in the city. In all, Johnson will be tasked to replace 12 starters, in hopes of retruning to the playoffs.
#6. Bartram Trail
It was another playoff run for the Bears in 2021 as Head Coach Darrell Sutherland commanded a unit of big time D-1 talent. However, even one of the best coaches in the area has to retool, and he’ll be charged with replacing some big Bartram figures on the football field. The most electrifying player in Northeast Florida (Eric Weatherly ) went to Duke University this year is one of them. Coach Sutherland fortunately, has 4-star defensive back Sharif Denson returning to the fold to lead the defense. 2024 runing-back Willie Bryant is a tough, hard runner who has a year at Bartram under his belt. 2024 quarterback Riley Trujillo has blown up in the recruiting arena. Arion Stith on the defensive line and the best kicker in Northeast Florida Liam Padron all look to take their games to the next level. Sutherland and his staff will need to show them how to get there. They have a tough test in Ponte Vedra Friday night.
#7. Raines
Coach Masline has quietly taken the Raines Vikings to the playoffs two years in a row since taking over. After a second round playoff loss in 2021, Masline found himself without lots of seniors heading into 2022. Ones like athlete Kareem Burke (Famu) and Quincy Burroughs are very hard to do position wise. Replacing senior leadership is also a task, but Raines has FSU commit Kenton Kirkland coming back at defensive back. Jamari Whitehead (2023) at linebacker, and wide receivers Marcel Bowes and Tadarius Devoe. Masline will need to ensure his seniors step up this year as they did in 2021, to high step into the playoffs once again. They’ll have some tough oppoents on the schedule to test them early.
#8. Jackson
Jackson and Coach Christopher Foy have a very talented team of mostly seniors returning to Main Street which makes for a very exciting time in a long time in Jacksonville’s core. The core of the team is built around defense and 4-star linebacker Grayson Howard (South Carolina commit). Quarterback Emorej Terry is a senior who has waited his time to shine. He’ll have help from a dynamic duo of senior running backs in Fred Gaines and J,nethan Jackson. Terrance Holland returns at wide receiver and defensive back, along with Seth Brooks at defensive back. The defense looks to make a big impacts as well. A visit to the playoffs last year has the Tigers hungry for more.
#9. Nease
The most successful season for Nease since the Tim Tebow days is courtesy of another college quarterback head coach Collin Drafts. Drafts lead the Panthers to the regional final last year with a loaded roster. Nease had the top receiver in the state in Dom Henry top tackling linebacker in the state in Ben Bogle . Couple that with 4-star quarterback Marcus Stokes (Florida commit) and you see why Drafts enjoyed coaching up the most spirited team in the area last year. This year Stokes is back to pound the rock with players like Da’von Patterson (ATH), Cam Smith (RB), and safety Sterling Grimes. They were impressive in their preseason game, however wit hthat many positions to replace, depth becomes a major issue. They will have to step up in order for the Panthers to get any semblance of production that they received last year. Drafts will have to draft up the plays for their success.
#10. Union County
Union County advanced to the playoffs last year with a 13-1 record. Undefeated in the regular season, many pieces are returning for the Tigers. Quarterback AJ Cortese and running back/ safety Rayvon Durant (1457 yards, 15 TDS rushing) are major pieces with lots of experience. Joining them is Thomas Williams another playmaker at runningback. Their top two tacklers graduated leaving big holes on defense, but senior Hance Jones was the third leading tackler on the team. Dayviontae Thompson (10 sacks) will also be back on defense for Union County and Coach Andrew Thomas looks ot return to the playoffs.
Next Up: St. Augustine, Fletcher, Terry Parker, Bradford, Yulee
