Unbeaten Edgewater (10-0) has secured the top position in the final regular-season Sentinel Super 16 Coaches Poll, marking its eighth consecutive week at No. 1. The Eagles received 13 first-place votes, while DeLand and The First Academy each garnered one vote from the 15 coaches participating in the poll.
The rankings reflect a significant shift as Jones (8-2) remained in the second spot. Undefeated DeLand (9-0) climbed two places to No. 3 after a decisive victory over Lake Gibson, winning 54-7. DeLand will face Spruce Creek on November 14 at 18:00 for the Class 7A, District 2 championship.
Team Movements and Playoff Preparations
DeLand’s rise came at the expense of Bishop Moore (9-1) and Boone (9-1), who both slipped following losses against Lake Mary (42-22) and Edgewater (28-7), respectively. Lake Mary (7-3) made a notable leap, moving up three spots to No. 7. Meanwhile, Boone dropped to No. 6, and Bishop Moore fell to No. 8 in the rankings.
West Orange (9-1) advanced from No. 8 to No. 4 after defeating Dr. Phillips (7-3) with a score of 28-19. The First Academy (5-5) also improved its position, rising to No. 5 following a thrilling double-overtime victory against Lakeland.
All teams are now gearing up for the FHSAA state playoffs, with brackets set to be announced on November 14 at noon via the FHSAA’s YouTube channel.
The First Academy continues to face uncertainty regarding its playoff eligibility. An injunction filed by parents of TFA players, represented by Heitner Legal from Fort Lauderdale, seeks to lift a two-year playoff ban imposed after an FHSAA investigation revealed that several players participated in team activities before officially enrolling in the school.
Final Coaches Poll Rankings
The Sentinel Super 16 Coaches Poll rankings are as follows, with records, total votes, first-place votes, results from last week, and next game times included. All games are scheduled to begin at 19:00 unless otherwise noted.
1. Edgewater (10-0) – 15 votes (13 first-place): Defeated No. 4 Boone 28-7; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
2. Jones (8-2) – 36 votes: Defeated Ocoee 27-0; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
3. DeLand (9-0) – 43 votes (1 first-place): Defeated Lake Gibson 54-7; Next: November 14, at Spruce Creek, 18:00
4. West Orange (9-1) – 64 votes: Defeated No. 7 Dr. Phillips 28-19; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
5. The First Academy (5-5) – 65 votes (1 first-place): Defeated Lakeland 35-28 (2 OTs); Next: TBA
6. Boone (9-1) – 91 votes: Lost to No. 1 Edgewater 28-7; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
7. Lake Mary (7-3) – 104 votes: Defeated No. 2 Bishop Moore 42-22; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
8. Bishop Moore (9-1) – 108 votes: Lost to No. 10 Lake Mary 42-22; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
9. Oviedo (8-2) – 113 votes: Defeated Eustis 63-6; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
10. Dr. Phillips (7-3) – 119 votes: Lost to No. 8 West Orange 28-19; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
11. Evans (8-2) – 125 votes: Defeated Oak Ridge 71-0; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
12. Osceola (6-4) – 137 votes: Lost at St. Petersburg Lakewood 28-18; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
13. Winter Park (6-4) – 171 votes: Defeated Olympia 43-0; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
14. Seminole (5-5) – 176 votes: Lost at Sarasota Booker 21-9; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
15. South Lake (9-1) – 190 votes: Defeated Leesburg 51-13; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
16. St. Cloud (8-2) – 204 votes: Defeated Lake Minneola 55-6; Next: November 14, state playoffs, TBA
Others receiving votes include Windermere, Ocoee, Hagerty, Winter Springs, and Lake Brantley.
The coaching panel is composed of representatives from Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Osceola counties, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the teams in the region.
As the playoffs approach, teams will look to solidify their strategies and prepare for the intense competition ahead.
