As we inch closer to the 2023 Florida high school football season, odds are you already know who the projected state title favorites and contenders are in each respective classification. But what about the surprise teams you should be watching for as well? Here’s a look at three that could make some noise this fall.
Carrollwood Day Patriots
We begin in Class 1M with the Carrollwood Day Patriots, who are coming off a 6-4 season in which they made a regional final playoff appearance. Their season concluded with a 21-11 loss to eventual state runner-up Clearwater Central Catholic.
The Patriots will return a significant amount of production from their 2022 roster this fall, headlined by the trio of Anthony Carrie, Bredell Richardson, and Zycarl Lewis, each of whom is a four-star offensive prospect. Also set to return are four-star Tavoy Feagin and three-star Solomon Williams on defense. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots have a big 2023 season, at least surpassing their six-win total of a year ago.
Mandarin Mustangs
Next we jump to Class 4M, where the Mandarin Mustangs are coming off their second consecutive 5-5 season, which concluded with a 30-28 regional quarterfinal loss to Seminole. They’re likely to eclipse that win total in 2023.
Similar to Carrollwood Day, Mandarin will return a significant amount of production from its 2022 team, with arguably no name bigger than that of wide receiver Jamie Ffrench, a five-star who is one of the state’s top players at the position. With others such as Jon Mitchell, Jackson Copeland, and Tramell Jones also returning, Mandarin could be another surprise team to watch entering the 2023 Florida high school football campaign.
West Boca Raton Bulls
Class 3M’s West Boca Raton is the only team on this list to miss the playoffs entirely a year ago. The Bulls were perhaps one of the biggest surprise teams in Florida high school football last season. After posting a 6-4 overall record, could they be poised to surprise again in 2023?
The Bulls will return a noteworthy amount of production this season, headlined by a group of rising sophomores on offense that includes Mason Mallory and Javian Mallory, among others. West Boca Raton certainly has the potential to match its 2022 win total this fall, and the Bulls’ talented roster will be even more experienced than it was a year ago.
Which other Florida high school football teams do you think could surprise in the upcoming season?
