2022 Florida High School Football Rankings: Classes 3-4

Florida High School Top 25: Classes 3S, 3M, 4S, 4M

Final Rankings – Updated 12/18/22

The final update of our 2022 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3-4 sees little movement compared to the previous week. The only change was Class 3S runner-up Mainland‘s move up one spot to No. 12. The final rankings for the state champions are listed immediately below, followed by the final Top-25.

  • 4M – Miami Columbus (No. 4)
  • 4S – Lakeland (No. 3)
  • 3M – St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 1)
  • 3S – Lake Wales (No. 11)
  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  5. Homestead (3M) E
  6. Venice (4S) E
  7. Jones (3M) E
  8. Osceola (4S) E
  9. Apopka (4M) E
  10. Edgewater (3M) E
  11. Lake Wales (3S) E
  12. Mainland (3S) +1
  13. Buchholz (4S) -1
  14. Jesuit (3M) E
  15. Bartram Trail (4S) E
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  17. Palm Beach Central (4M) E
  18. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  19. Lake Mary (4M) E
  20. Dunbar (3S) E
  21. Blanche Ely (3M) E
  22. Ocoee (4M) E
  23. Columbia (3S) E
  24. Seminole (4M) E
  25. Vero Beach (4S) E

State Finals Week – Updated 12/5/22

Receiving its second-to-last update of the 2022 season, our Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3S, 3M, 4S, and 4M show Homestead, Venice, and Apopka each moving up two spots into the Top 10 ahead of their state title matchups. Lake Wales and Mainland also rose after state semifinal wins. Next week’s state championship games are as follows:

  • 4M: No. 4 Miami Columbus vs. No. 9 Apopka
  • 4S: No. 3 Lakeland vs. No. 6 Venice
  • 3M: No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas vs. No. 5 Homestead
  • 3S: No. 11 Lake Wales vs. No. 13 Mainland
  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  5. Homestead (3M) +2
  6. Venice (4S) +2
  7. Jones (3M) -2
  8. Osceola (4S) -2
  9. Apopka (4M) +2
  10. Edgewater (3M) -1
  11. Lake Wales (3S) +5
  12. Buchholz (4S) E
  13. Mainland (3S) +5
  14. Jesuit (3M) -4
  15. Bartram Trail (4S) -2
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) -2
  17. Palm Beach Central (4M) E
  18. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -3
  19. Lake Mary (4M) E
  20. Dunbar (3S) E
  21. Blanche Ely (3M) E
  22. Ocoee (4M) +1
  23. Columbia (3S) -1
  24. Seminole (4M) E
  25. Vero Beach (4S) E

 

State Semifinals Week – Updated 11/28/22

The latest update of our 2022 Florida high school football Classes 3-4 Top 25 rankings features three new teams entering the mix, along with a few groups continuing to rise off big wins last Friday night.

Jones enters the top 5 after an impressive win over Edgewater, while Buchholz and Mainland see big rises coming off notable regional final victories. Ocoee returns to the Top 25 after having reached the 4M state semifinals, while both Class 3S’s Dunbar and Columbia make their debuts as we begin the week.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  5. Jones (3M) +1
  6. Osceola (4S) +1
  7. Homestead (3M) +2
  8. Venice (4S) +2
  9. Edgewater (3M) -4
  10. Jesuit (3M) +2
  11. Apopka (4M) +2
  12. Buchholz (4S) +3
  13. Bartram Trail (4S) -5
  14. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) -3
  15. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -1
  16. Lake Wales (3S) E
  17. Palm Beach Central (4M) E
  18. Mainland (3S) +5
  19. Lake Mary (4M) +1
  20. Dunbar (3S) NR
  21. Blanche Ely (3M) -3
  22. Columbia (3S) NR
  23. Ocoee (4M) NR
  24. Seminole (4M) -3
  25. Vero Beach (4S) -6

 

Regional Finals Week – Updated 11/20/22

After a regional semifinal round that was loaded with upsets and other eye-opening outcomes, here is the latest update of our 2022 Florida high school football Classes 3-4 Top 25 rankings.

Just how crazy was the previous weekend of football across the state? Multiple top teams from the previous update lost in the regional semifinal round, with the likes of Pine Forest, Seminole, Rockledge, and Winter Park all seeing big drops as a result.

A few of the teams that picked up big wins against some of those opponents entered the Top 25, most notably Lake Mary at No. 20, as well as Mainland at No. 23.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  5. Edgewater (3M) +1
  6. Jones (3M) +1
  7. Osceola (4S) +1
  8. Bartram Trail (4S) +1
  9. Homestead (3M) +6
  10. Venice (4S) +6
  11. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  12. Jesuit (3M) +6
  13. Apopka (4M) +6
  14. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +1
  15. Buchholz (4S) +5
  16. Lake Wales (3S) +6
  17. Palm Beach Central (4M) +6
  18. Blanche Ely (3M) +6
  19. Vero Beach (4S) +6
  20. Lake Mary (4M) NR
  21. Seminole (4M) -11
  22. Pine Forest (3S) -17
  23. Mainland (3S) NR
  24. Rockledge (3S) -12
  25. Winter Park (4M) -12

 

Regional Semifinals Week – Updated 11/15/22

Similar to our Florida high school football Class 1-2 Top 25 rankings, our Class 3-4 batch did not see much movement this week, with the teams that did move having come at No. 20-25. 

After two previously ranked teams drop out of the Top 25 due to losses, each of Buchholz, Oviedo, Lake Wales, and Palm Beach Central see a small rise, while two new teams enter the rankings. Blanche Ely make their Top 25 debut at No. 24 after remaining unbeaten in Class 3M with a 28-0 win over Dwyer, while 4S’s Vero Beach returns after their 24-14 regional quarterfinal win over Harmony. 

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) 
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) 
  3. Lakeland (4S) 
  4. Miami Columbus (4M) 
  5. Pine Forest (3S) 
  6. Edgewater (3M) 
  7. Jones (3M) 
  8. Osceola (3S) 
  9. Bartram Trail (4S) 
  10. Seminole (4M) 
  11. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) 
  12. Rockledge (3S) 
  13. Winter Park (4M) 
  14. Homestead (3M) 
  15. Clearwater Academy International (Independent)
  16. Venice (4S) 
  17. Dillard (3M) 
  18. Jesuit (3M) 
  19. Apopka (4M) 
  20. Buchholz (4S) +1
  21. Oviedo (3M) +2
  22. Lake Wales (3S) +2
  23. Palm Beach Central (4M) +2
  24. Blanche Ely (3M) NR 
  25. Vero Beach (4S) NR

 

Regional Quarterfinals Week – Updated 11/06/22

As we enter the 2022 Florida high school football playoffs, here is the latest update of our Top 25 rankings for Classes 3 and 4. This week’s update brings change throughout the rankings, as numerous teams suffered losses Friday night, with a majority coming in the top half of the list. However, only one team dropped out entirely, and Class 4M’s Palm Beach Central made its return to the Top 25 this week as a result. The Broncos (9-1) are red-hot entering the playoffs, as they have won six straight games.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Miami Columbus (4M) +1
  5. Pine Forest (3S) +1
  6. Edgewater (3M) +1
  7. Jones (3M) +2
  8. Osceola (3S) +2
  9. Bartram Trail (4S) +3
  10. Seminole (4M) -2
  11. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +5
  12. Rockledge (3S) +2
  13. Winter Park (4M) +5
  14. Homestead (3M) +5
  15. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +5
  16. Venice (4S) -12
  17. Dillard (3M) E
  18. Jesuit (3M) -3
  19. Apopka (4M) -8
  20. Niceville (4S) +1
  21. Buchholz (4S) -8
  22. Wharton (3M) E
  23. Oviedo (3M) E
  24. Lake Wales (3S) +1
  25. Palm Beach Central (4M) NR

 

Week 11 – Updated 10/30/22

As we enter the final week of the 2022 Florida high school football regular season, here is our updated Top 25 rankings for Classes 4M, 4S, 3M, and 3S. The only noteworthy change is the debut of Class 3S’s Lake Wales, with the Highlanders entering the rankings at No. 25. The Highlanders (9-0) have outscored opponents a combined 367-34 and have not allowed a point in their last three matchups. Lake Wales will conclude the regular season schedule this Friday against Bartow.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Venice (4S) E
  5. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  6. Pine Forest (3S) E
  7. Edgewater (3M) E
  8. Seminole (4M) E
  9. Jones (3M) E
  10. Osceola (4S) E
  11. Apopka (4M) E
  12. Bartram Trail (4S) E
  13. Buchholz (4S) E
  14. Rockledge (3S) E
  15. Jesuit (3M) E
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  17. Dillard (3M) E
  18. Winter Park (4M) E
  19. Homestead (3M) E
  20. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  21. Niceville (4S) E
  22. Wharton (3M) +1
  23. Oviedo (3M) +1
  24. Hagerty (4M) +1
  25. Lake Wales (3S) NR

 

Week 10 – Updated 10/23/22

Following a week full of intriguing matchups, here’s the latest update of our 2022 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3 and 4. Clearwater Academy International and Tampa Bay Tech saw notable drops after losses, while Jesuit made one of the biggest jumps in the wake of its 24-21 win over the latter. As a result of the Titans’ loss, Venice entered the top 5, rising two spots to No. 4. Two new teams entered the rankings: Oviedo and Hagerty, both of whom are currently 7-1 on the year.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Venice (4S) +2
  5. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  6. Pine Forest (3S) +1
  7. Edgewater (3M) +2
  8. Seminole (4M) +2
  9. Jones (3M) +3
  10. Osceola (4S) +2
  11. Apopka (4M) +3
  12. Bartram Trail (4S) +3
  13. Buchholz (4S) -5
  14. Rockledge (3S) +2
  15. Jesuit (3M) +7
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) -12
  17. Dillard (3M) E
  18. Winter Park (4M) +1
  19. Homestead (3M) +2
  20. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -7
  21. Niceville (4S) +2
  22. Lake Mary (4M) -4
  23. Wharton (3M) +1
  24. Oviedo (3M) NR
  25. Hagerty (4M) NR

 

Week 9 – Updated 10-16-22

As we enter Week 9 of the 2022 Florida high school football season, here are our updated Top 25 rankings for Classes 3-4. The top half of the list remained unchanged, while the bottom half saw change at every spot, thanks to losses by Homestead and Wharton. One new team, Class 4S’ Naples, enters the rankings at No. 25. The Golden Eagles hold a 6-1 record on the year and enter the week on a five-game winning streak.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  5. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  6. Venice (4S) E
  7. Pine Forest (3S) E
  8. Buchholz (4S) E
  9. Edgewater (3M) E
  10. Seminole (4M) E
  11. Jones (3M) E
  12. Osceola (4S) E
  13. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  14. Apopka (4M) +1
  15. Bartram Trail (4S) +1
  16. Rockledge (3S) +2
  17. Dillard (3M) +2
  18. Lake Mary (4M) +2
  19. Winter Park (4M) +3
  20. Vero Beach (4S) +3
  21. Homestead (3M) -7
  22. Jesuit (3M) +2
  23. Niceville (4S) +2
  24. Wharton (3M) -8
  25. Naples (3S) NR

Week 8 – Updated 10/9/22

While the top half of our 2022 Florida high school football Classes 3-4 Top 25 rankings remain the same in this week’s update, the bottom half has changed at nearly every spot, headlined by the debut of Ocoee and Vero Beach. The Knights enter the rankings at No. 21 after their 31-28 win over Winter Park. They have a big matchup awaiting this Friday night, when they will host No. 9 Edgewater. Vero Beach, which comes in at No. 23, sports a 7-0 record and has outscored opponents a combined 280-44.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  5. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  6. Venice (4S) E
  7. Pine Forest (3S) E
  8. Buchholz (4S) E
  9. Edgewater (3M) E
  10. Seminole (4M) E
  11. Jones (3M) E
  12. Osceola (4S) +1
  13. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +1
  14. Homestead (3M) -2
  15. Apopka (4M) +2
  16. Wharton (3M) +4
  17. Bartram Trail (4S) +5
  18. Rockledge (3S) +6
  19. Dillard (3M) E
  20. Lake Mary (4M) +5
  21. Ocoee (4M) NR
  22. Winter Park (4M) -7
  23. Vero Beach (4S) NR
  24. Jesuit (3M) -8
  25. Niceville (4S) -7

 

Week 7 – Updated 10/4/22

As we enter Week 7 of the 2022 Florida high school football season, we take a look at our updated Class 3-4 Top 25 rankings, a list that saw a minimal amount of change from a week ago. 

The lone notable takeaway was Armwood, a team that entered the Top 25 a week ago after their win over Jesuit, falling a total of five spots after they were defeated by Wharton. As a result of the contest, the Wildcats were one of the teams to move up a spot in this week’s update, as were Jesuit, Apopka, Niceville, and Dillard.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M)
  2. IMG Academy (Independent)
  3. Lakeland (4S)
  4. Tampa Bay Tech (3M)
  5. Miami Columbus (4M)
  6. Venice (4S)
  7. Pine Forest (3S)
  8. Buchholz (4S)
  9. Edgewater (3M)
  10. Seminole (4M)
  11. Jones (3M)
  12. Homestead (3M)
  13. Osceola (4S)
  14. Clearwater Academy International (Independent)
  15. Winter Park (4M)
  16. Jesuit (3M) +1
  17. Apopka (4M) +1
  18. Niceville (4S) +1
  19. Dillard (3M) +1
  20. Wharton (3M) +1
  21. Armwood (3M) -5
  22. Bartram Trail (4S)
  23. Western (4M)
  24. Rockledge (3S)
  25. Lake Mary (4M)

 

Week 6 – Updated 9/25/22

After a week full of intriguing matchups, how do our Top 25 rankings for Classes 3 and 4 look entering Week 6 of the 2022 Florida high school football season? This week’s update brought a notable amount of change from top to bottom, with one new team entering the Top 25 in No. 16 Armwood. The Hawks earned one of the state’s most eye-opening wins, upsetting Jesuit 27-10, with the Tigers dropping as a result. 

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  5. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  6. Venice (4S) +1
  7. Pine Forest (3S) +1
  8. Buchholz (4S) +1
  9. Edgewater (3M) +1
  10. Seminole (4M) +1
  11. Jones (3M) +2
  12. Homestead (3M) +2
  13. Osceola (4S) +3
  14. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +4
  15. Winter Park (4M) +5
  16. Armwood (3M) NR 
  17. Jesuit (3M) -11
  18. Apopka (4M) -6
  19. Niceville (4S) +2
  20. Dillard (3M) -5
  21. Wharton (3M) +1
  22. Bartram Trail (4S) +2
  23. Western (4M) -6
  24. Rockledge (3S) -5
  25. Lake Mary (4M) E

Week 5 – Updated 9/18/22

As we enter Week 5 of the 2022 Florida high school football season, we look at which teams saw the most movement in our Classes 3 and 4 Top 25 rankings. Homestead and Dillard were the biggest movers, climbing four and five spots, respectively. One team, Bartram Trail, entered the rankings for the first time this season; the No. 24 Bears are off to a 4-0 start that includes a 24-7 win at Lincoln a week ago.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) E
  4. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  5. Miami Columbus (4M)E
  6. Jesuit (3M) +1
  7. Venice (4S) -1
  8. Pine Forest (3S) E
  9. Buchholz (4S) E
  10. Edgewater (3M)
  11. Seminole (4M) E
  12. Apopka (4M) E
  13. Jones (3M) -1
  14. Homestead (3M) +4
  15. Dillard (3M) +5
  16. Osceola (4S) E
  17. Western (4M) -4
  18. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +3
  19. Rockledge (3S) +3
  20. Winter Park (4M) +3
  21. Niceville (4S) +3
  22. Wharton (3M) +3
  23. West Orange (4M) -8
  24. Bartram Trail (4S) NR
  25. Lake Mary (4M) -6

Week 4 – Updated 9/11/22

Week 4 of the Florida high school football season saw multiple ranked matchups in Classes 3 and 4. Miami Columbus made the biggest move in our Top 25 rankings after picking up a top-5 win over No. 3 Jesuit, 32-15. The Tigers fell four spots as a result of the loss, while the Explorers jumped five spots to No. 5. Three teams – Winter Park, Niceville, and Wharton – entered the Top 25 in this week’s update.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) +1
  4. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +1
  5. Miami Columbus (4M) +5
  6. Venice (4S) E
  7. Jesuit (3M) -4
  8. Pine Forest (3S) -1
  9. Buchholz (4S) -1
  10. Edgewater (3M) -1
  11. Seminole (4M) E
  12. Apopka (4M) +1
  13. Western (4M) +1
  14. Jones (3M) +1
  15. West Orange (4M) -3
  16. Osceola (4S) E
  17. Palm Beach Central (4M) E
  18. Homestead (3M) E
  19. Lake Mary (4M) +1
  20. Dillard (3M) +1
  21. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +2
  22. Rockledge (3S) +2
  23. Winter Park (4M) NR
  24. Niceville (4S) NR
  25. Wharton (3M) NR

Week 3 – Updated 9/4/22

With Week 3 of the 2022 Florida high school football season having arrived, which teams moved up and down in our latest Classes 3-4 Top 25 rankings? Lake Gibson and Apopka were both among those seeing the biggest drops, while teams such as Lake Mary and Western saw small increases. Three new teams entered the Top 25 this week as Clearwater Academy International returned and Rockledge and Newsome debuted for the first time this season.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  2. IMG Academy (Ind.) E
  3. Jesuit (3M) E
  4. Lakeland (4S) E
  5. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  6. Venice (4S) E
  7. Pine Forest (3S) +1
  8. Buchholz (4S) +1
  9. Edgewater (3M) +1
  10. Miami Columbus (4M) +1
  11. Seminole (4M) +2
  12. West Orange (4M) +2
  13. Apopka (4M) -6
  14. Western (4M) +3
  15. Jones (3M) -3
  16. Osceola (4S) E
  17. Palm Beach Central (4M) +1
  18. Homestead (3M) +1
  19. Treasure Coast (4S) +1
  20. Lake Mary (4M) +4
  21. Dillard (3M) +2
  22. Lake Gibson (4S) -7
  23. Clearwater Academy International (Ind.) NR
  24. Rockledge (3S) NR
  25. Newsome (4M) NR

Week 2 – Updated 8/28/22

Week 1 of the 2022 Florida high school football season has officially come and gone, meaning that our Top 25 Rankings for Classes 3S, 3M, 4S, and 4M receives its first update of the year. St. Thomas Aquinas takes over the top spot after an impressive 48-37 win over St. Joseph’s Prep, while previous No. 1 IMG Academy fell to No. 2 after falling to Miami Central 20-14. Among other notable movement was a small rise from Tampa Bay Tech into the Top 5, while 3M’s Homestead, which defeated Miami Palmetto 19-7, is the lone team that entered the Top 25 in this week’s update.

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) +1
  2. IMG Academy (Independent) -1
  3. Jesuit (3M) E
  4. Lakeland (4S) +1
  5. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +1
  6. Venice (4S) -2
  7. Apopka (4M) E
  8. Pine Forest (3S) E
  9. Buchholz (4S) E
  10. Edgewater (3M) E
  11. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  12. Jones (3M) E
  13. Seminole (4M) E
  14. West Orange (4M) E
  15. Lake Gibson (4S) E
  16. Osceola (4S) +2
  17. Western (4M) +2
  18. Palm Beach Central (4M) +2
  19. Homestead (3M) NR
  20. Treasure Coast (4S) -3
  21. Miami Palmetto (4M) -5
  22. Merritt Island (3S) -1
  23. Dillard (3M) -1
  24. Lake Mary (4M) -1
  25. Vanguard (3S) -1

Preseason Rankings

Kickoff of the 2022 Florida high school football season is now merely weeks away. In anticipation of the season’s beginning, here are our 2022 preseason Top 25 rankings for Florida high school football Classes 3M, 3S, 4M, and 4S, combining the new Metro and Suburban divisions at each level. (Note: Independent schools will also be included in the 3M, 3S, 4M, and 4S Top 25 this season.)

1 – IMG Academy (Independent)

Consistently one of the nation’s top teams, IMG Academy returns notable key names such as Francis Maugioa, Samuel M’Pemba, Carnell Tate, and Desmond Ricks, as well as having added numerous transfers to an already loaded roster. There are simply not many glaring weaknesses on this team, making this Ascenders group the clear preseason No. 1 in our 2022 Florida 4M/S and 3M/S Top 25, and potentially one of the most talented squads the school has had in recent years.

2 – St. Thomas Aquinas (3M)

St. Thomas Aquinas likely will be among Florida’s best again in 2022, thanks to a roster headlined by names such as King Mack, Conrad Hussey, and James Madison II. Coming off a 7A state title a year ago, the Raiders have one of the deepest wide receiver and secondary groups in the state, and could very well be the favorite to win a strong Class 3M.

3 – Jesuit (3M)

The Tigers had one of the best seasons of any team in Florida a year ago, going undefeated to capture the Class 6A state title. Jesuit should be a major player in Class 3M this season, led by a roster that returns multiple key names such as Troy Bowles, Joquez Smith, and Luke Knight.

4 – Venice (4S)

Venice won the state title at Florida’s highest classification, Class 8A, a year ago, and enter 2022 among the preseason favorites in 4S. The No. 4 preseason pick in our 2022 Florida 4M/S and 3M/S Top 25, the Indians return a talented team this season, especially with a defense headlined by the duo of edge rusher Damon Wilson and safety Elliot Washington.

5 – Lakeland (4S)

Despite a first-round playoff exit a year ago, Lakeland enters 2022 among the preseason favorites in Class 4S. The Dreadnaughts have a deep roster headlined by transfer addition Cormani McClain, as well as others including Tyler Williams, Shadarian Harrison, and Guerlens Milfort.

6 – Tampa Bay Tech (3M)

Tampa Bay Tech is another team to watch for in Class 3M entering the season, after a 2021 campaign in which the Titans lost only one game as the 7A runner-up. The offensive side of the ball should again be a strength for the Titans, who return one of 3M’s top quarterbacks in Xavione’ Washington.

7 – Apopka (4M)

After the Blue Darters finished last season as the 8A runner-up, Apopka is the preseason favorite in Class 4M. The Apopka defense was one of the best in the state a year ago, and the Blue Darters return a few key names on that side of the ball, most notably edge rusher Kaven Call.

8 – Pine Forest (3S)

The Eagles finished as the 6A state runner up a year ago, falling to Jesuit 35-29 in the state title game. One of the preseason favorites in 3S, Pine Forest returns a significant amount of production from that team, most notably on offense with the trio of Tierra Wilson, Kobe Johnson, and Miequle Brock.

9 – Buchholz (4S)

The Bobcats made a 7A state semifinal appearance a year ago, and enter 2022 as one of the top teams in Class 4S. Buchholz’s offense should again be a strength; the group returns numerous key contributors, including quarterback Creed Whittemore.

10 – Edgewater (3M)

Despite falling in the 7A regional semifinal round a year ago, Edgewater is yet another team at the top of a loaded Class 3M entering the season. Led by one of the state’s top running backs in Cedric Baxter Jr., the Eagles are a candidate to make a deep playoff run again.

11 – Miami Columbus (4M)

12 – Jones (3M)

13 – Seminole (4M)

14 – West Orange (4M)

15 – Lake Gibson (4S)

The second level of our 2022 Florida 4M/S and 3M/S Top 25 picks features three teams from Class 4M, each of which could easily make a deep playoff run this season. This group also includes a few notable returning quarterbacks such as Adrian Posse and Luke Rucker, as well as Jones edge rusher Malik Bryant, who transferred from IMG Academy in the offseason.

16 – Miami Palmetto (4M)

17 – Treasure Coast (4S)

18 – Osceola (4S)

19 – Western (4M)

20 – Palm Beach Central (4M)

Miami Palmetto might be the headline name from these five, but they aren’t the only team from Class 4M, as both Western and Palm Beach Central are represented as well. All three return key names, while 4S’s Treasure Coast and Osceola should again be strong in 2022.

21 – Merritt Island (3S)

22 – Dillard (3M)

23 – Lake Mary (4M)

24 – Vanguard (3S)

25 – Clearwater Academy International (Independent)

Headlining this final group in our 2022 Florida 4M/S and 3M/S Top 25 is Merritt Island, the 5A state runner up from a year ago. Each of these teams could easily make a deep playoff run, with Dillard as a potential team to watch for in particular in Class 3M.

Stay tuned next week as we release our Florida Class 2-1 M/S/R preseason Top 25 rankings for the 2022 season.

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