**Updated 12/22/09

 

GEOGRAPHIC POWER

 

Florida's Most Successful Programs

 

In an attempt to find out where the best football programs can be found, I have broken the state up into eight (8) regions. These regions are purely geographic and are not necessarily dictated by population, media coverage, FHSAA Region or any other criteria. The regions and their associated counties are as follows:

 

PANHANDLE – Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa,

Walton, Washington

 

NORTHWEST - Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty. Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla

 

NORTH - Alachua, Citrus, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Sumter, Union

 

NORTHEAST- Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. John’s

 

EAST CENTRAL- Brevard, Indian River, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, St.Lucie, Volusia

 

WEST CENTRAL- DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota

 

SOUTHWEST- Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Monroe

 

SOUTHEAST- Broward, Dade, Martin, Palm Beach

 

Using data provided by the FHSAA, I developed a simple point system for all 256 schools that have advanced to the state semi-finals and beyond since 1963 when Coral Gables won the first state championship tournament. Points are awarded as follows:

 

State Champion = 5 points

Co-State Champion = 4 points

Runner-Up = 2 points

Semi-Final Loss = 1 point

 

By totaling the accumulated points for each school, county and associated region we can create a geographic representation of where the state powers are located. So let’s begin.

 

Using the Point Scale Method, the top Florida High School programs since 1963 are:

 

1) Bolles 56 pts

2) Glades Day 48 pts

2) Pahokee 45 pts

4) St. Thomas Aquinas 43 pts

5) Glades Central 41 pts

6) North Florida Christian 38 pts

7) Lakeland 37 pts

8) University Christian 36 pts

9) Frostproof 30 pts

10) Manatee 29 pts

 

Here is the Regional Rankings Since 1963:

 

Southeast 523 pts

West Central 381 pts

Panhandle 254 pts

Northwest 242 pts

Northeast 204 pts

East Central 202 pts

North 179 pts

Southwest 66 pts

 

Here is the Top County Rankings Since 1963:

 

1) Palm Beach 210 pts

2) Dade 180 pts

3) Polk 156 pts

4) Duval 133 pts

5) Broward 132 pts

6) Leon 116 pts

7) Hillsborough 88 pts

8) Brevard 87 pts

9) Escambia 78 pts

10) Manatee 56 pts

10) Okaloosa 56 pts

 

Using the Point Scale Method, the top programs for each Region since 1963 are:

 

SOUTHEAST-

 

Glades Day 48 pts

Pahokee 45 pts

St. Thomas Aquinas 43 pts

Glades Central 41 pts

Miami Carol City 28 pts

 

WEST CENTRAL-

 

Lakeland 37 pts

Frostproof 30 pts

Manatee 29 pts

Fort Meade 26 pts

Bartow 20 pts

 

PANHANDLE-

 

Baker 28 pts

Port St. Joe 24 pts

Pine Forest 22 pts

Blountstown 19 pts

Graceville 17 pts

 

NORTHWEST-

 

North Florida Christian 38 pts

Jefferson County 25 pts

FAMU 23 pts

Suwannee 22 pts

Madison County 20 pts

 

NORTHEAST-

 

Bolles 56 pts

University Christian 36 pts

Trinity Christian (Jax) 18 pts

Bradford 16 pts

Hastings 14 pts

 

NORTH-

 

Union County 21 pts

Santa Fe 18 pts

Wildwood 17 pts

Dunnellon 13 pts

Columbia 11 pts

Forest 11 pts

 

EAST CENTRAL-

 

Merritt Island 22 pts

Palm Bay 14 pts

Rockledge 13 pts

Titusville 13 pts

Cocoa 12 pts

Osceola (Kissimmee) 12 pts

 

SOUTHWEST-

 

Clewiston 18 pts

Naples 14 pts

Immokalee 7 pts

Bishop Verot 5 pts

Moore Haven 4 pts

 

It’s quite evident the Southeast region holds a commanding lead from 1963 through 2009 (47 seasons) but was the dominance continuous through the duration of this period? To find out we will use the point scale method to break down each decade to see if any power shifts have occurred over the years.

----------------------------------------------------

 

The 60’s:

 

The top Florida High School programs from 1963 thru 1969:

 

1) Coral Gables 20 pts

2) Bradford 10 pts

2) Carver 10 pts

4) Columbia 8 pts

5) Melbourne 7 pts

6) Jesuit 6 pts

7) 10 Tied with 5 pts

 

Here are the Regional Rankings from 1963 thru 1969:

 

Southeast 44 pts

West Central 40 pts

North 26 pts

Northeast 26 pts

Northwest 19 pts

East Central 12 pts

Panhandle 10 pts

Southwest 3 pts

 

Here are the Top County Rankings from 1963 thru 1969:

 

1) Dade 26 pts

2) Hillsborough 22 pts

3) Palm Beach 11 pts

4) Bradford 10 pts

5) Brevard 9 pts

5) Duval 9 pts

7) Columbia 8 pts

8) Broward 7 pts

8) Polk 7 pts

10) Lake 6 pts

10) Leon 6 pts

 

Notables from the 60’s – West Central strong; North Region above average; Panhandle weak

----------------------------------------------------

 

The 70’s:

 

The top Florida High School programs from 1970 thru 1979:

 

1) Merritt Island 17 pts

2) Blountstown 15 pts

2) FAMU 15 pts

4) Milton 13 pts

5) Glades Central 12 pts

5) Hastings 12 pts

7) Forest 11 pts

8) Dunnellon 10 pts

8) Jefferson County 10 pts

8) Leon 10 pts

 

Here are the Regional Rankings from 1970 thru 1979:

 

Southeast 70 pts

Northwest 61 pts

Panhandle 58 pts

West Central 56 pts

East Central 42 pts

North 42 pts

Northeast 26 pts

Southwest 4 pts

 

Here are the Top County Rankings from 1970 thru 1979:

 

1) Palm Beach 31 pts

1) Polk 31 pts

3) Leon 30 pts

4) Dade 29 pts

5) Marion 21pts

6) Brevard 20 pts

7) Calhoun 15 pts

8) Santa Rosa 13 pts

8) St. John’s 13 pts

10) Jefferson 11 pts

10) Orange 11 pts

 

Notables from the 70’s – Northwest and Panhandle drastically improved.

----------------------------------------------------

 

The 80’s:

 

The top Florida High School programs from 1980 thru 1989:

 

1) Glades Day 25 pts

2) Baker 20 pts

3) Manatee 16 pts

4) Suwannee 15 pts

5) Titusville 13 pts

6) Woodham 12 pts

7) Avon Park 11 pts

7) Dillard 11 pts

7) Godby 11 pts

7) University Christian 11 pts

 

 

Here are the Regional Rankings from 1980 thru 1989:

 

Panhandle 92 pts

West Central 74 pts

Southeast 74 pts

Northwest 49 pts

North 34 pts

East Central 34 pts

Northeast 31 pts

Southwest 18 pts

 

Here are the Top County Rankings from 1980 thru 1989:

 

1) Escambia 41 pts

2) Palm Beach 38 pts

3) Okaloosa 25 pts

4) Manatee 22 pts

5) Polk 21pts

6) Duval 19 pts

7) Dade 18 pts

8) Broward 17 pts

9) Brevard 16 pts

10) Alachua 15 pts

10) Suwannee 15 pts

 

 

Notables from the 80’s – Panhandle dominates decade; Southwest finally hits double-digit totals.

----------------------------------------------------

 

The 90’s:

 

The top Florida High School programs from 1990 thru 1999:

 

1) Bolles 22 pts

2) St. Thomas Aquinas 20 pts

3) University Christian 18 pts

4) North Florida Christian 17 pts

5) Frostproof 16 pts

6) Union County 15 pts

7) Glades Central 14 pts

8) Southeast (Bradenton) 13 pts

9) Lakeland 11 pts

9) Miami Carol City 11 pts

9) Santa Fe 11 pts

 

 

Here are the Regional Rankings from 1990 thru 1999:

 

Southeast 118 pts

West Central 87 pts

Northeast 56 pts

Northwest 52 pts

North 50 pts

Panhandle 50 pts

East Central 33 pts

Southwest 14 pts

 

Here are the Top County Rankings from 1990 thru 1999:

 

1) Duval 54 pts

2) Polk 45 pts

3) Dade 42 pts

4) Broward 39 pts

5) Palm Beach 37 pts

6) Leon 24 pts

7) Alachua 22 pts

7) Manatee 22 pts

7) Okaloosa 22 pts

10) Union 15 pts

 

Notables from the 90’s – Southeast back on top; Northeast makes a move; Panhandle stumbles.

----------------------------------------------------

 

The 00’s:

 

The top Florida High School programs from 2000 thru 2009:

 

1) Pahokee 28 pts

2) Bolles 27 pts

3) St. Thomas Aquinas 21 pts

4) North Florida Christian 19 pts

5) Lakeland 18 pts

6) Fort Meade 17 pts

6) Madison County 17 pts

8) Chaminade 16 pts

8) Miami Northwestern 16 pts

10) Armwood 15 pts

10) Plant 15 pts

 

Here are the Regional Rankings from 2000 thru 2009:

 

Southeast 217 pts

West Central 123 pts

East Central 81 pts

Northeast 65 pts

Northwest 61 pts

Panhandle 46 pts

North 27 pts

Southwest 27 pts

 

Here are the Top County Rankings from 2000 thru 2009:

 

1) Palm Beach 93 pts

2) Dade 65 pts

3) Broward 59 pts

4) Polk 52 pts

5) Hillsborough 48 pts

6) Leon 43 pts

7) Duval 41 pts

8) Brevard 34 pts

9) St. John’s 21 pts

10) Collier 20 pts

 

Notables from the 00’s – Public schools crack the top 4 for the first time since the 80's; East Central rebounds.

 

After reviewing each decade, we can definitely see noticeable shifts in the Regional Rankings. However, with the exception of the 80’s, it is obvious the Southeast Region has maintained overall dominance.

 

It must be noted that because we are looking at school achievements regardless of classification, the Point Scale Method is NOT an indication of overall strength or power ranking. It IS however, a very effective way to measure program success.

 

FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOLS THAT ADVANCED TO STATE TITLE GAMES SINCE 1963

 

School

County

State Titles

Runner-Up

Appearances

Glades Day

Palm Beach

6

7

13

Bolles

Duval

10

2

12

St. Thomas Aquinas

Broward

5

7

12

Glades Central

Palm Beach

6

3

9

North Florida Christian

Leon

6

3

9

Pahokee

Palm Beach

6

3

9

Fort Meade

Polk

1

8

9

Lakeland

Polk

6

1

7

University Christian

Duval

6

1

7

Frostproof

Polk

3

4

7

Baker

Okaloosa

4

2

6

Manatee

Manatee

4

2

6

Miami Carol City

Dade

4

2

6

Miami Northwestern

Dade

4

2

6

Pine Forest

Escambia

3

3

6

Miami Southridge

Dade

1.5

4

6

Clewiston

Hendry

0.5

5

6

FAMU

Leon

4

1

5

Suwannee

Suwannee

4

1

5

Port St. Joe

Gulf

3

2

5

Union County

Union

3

2

5

Dillard

Broward

2

3

5

Leon

Leon

2

3

5

Madison County

Madison

2

3

5

Southeast

Manatee

2

3

5

Jefferson County

Jefferson

4.5

0

5

Coral Gables

Dade

4

0

4

Blountstown

Calhoun

3

1

4

Godby

Leon

3

1

4

Merritt Island

Brevard

3

1

4

Chaminade

Broward

2

2

4

Graceville

Jackson

2

2

4

Trinity Christian

Duval

2

2

4

Wildwood

Sumter

2

2

4

Atlantic

Palm Beach

0

4

4

Benjamin

Palm Beach

0

4

4

Bartow

Polk

3

0

3

Plant

Hillsborough

3

0

3

American Heritage(Delray)

Palm Beach

2

1

3

Armwood

Hillsborough

2

1

3

Avon Park

Highlands

2

1

3

Bradford

Bradford

2

1

3

Escambia

Escambia

2

1

3

Lincoln

Leon

2

1

3

Milton

Santa Rosa

2

1

3

Naples

Collier

2

1

3

Santa Fe

Alachua

2

1

3

Titusville

Brevard

2

1

3

Wakulla

Wakulla

2

1

3

Woodham

Escambia

2

1

3

Columbia

Columbia

1

2

3

Haines City

Polk

1

2

3

Holmes County

Holmes

1

2

3

Nease

St. John's

1

2

3

Osceola (Kissimmee)

Osceola

1

2

3

St. Augustine

St. John's

1

2

3

Trinity Catholic

Marion

1

2

3

Edgewater

Orange

0

3

3

Hardee

Hardee

0

3

3

Carver

Palm Beach

2

0

2

Cocoa

Brevard

2

0

2

Dunnellon

Marion

2

0

2

Forest

Marion

2

0

2

Fort Walton Beach

Okaloosa

2

0

2

Hastings

St. John's

2

0

2

Jupiter Christian

Palm Beach

2

0

2

Palm Bay

Brevard

2

0

2

Rockledge

Brevard

2

0

2

Bay

Bay

1

1

2

Choctawhatchee

Okaloosa

1

1

2

Dwyer

Palm Beach

1

1

2

Ely

Broward

1

1

2

Eustis

Lake

1

1

2

Fort Pierce Central

St. Lucie

1

1

2

Gulliver Prep

Dade

1

1

2

Jesuit

Hillsborough

1

1

2

Lafayette

Lafayette

1

1

2

Melbourne

Brevard

1

1

2

Niceville

Okaloosa

1

1

2

Palatka

Putnam

1

1

2

Palmetto

Manatee

1

1

2

Raines

Duval

1

1

2

Taylor County

Taylor

1

1

2

Walton

Walton

1

1

2

Westminster

Broward

1

1

2

Bishop Verot

Lee

0

2

2

Clermont

Lake

0

2

2

Columbus

Dade

0

2

2

Dunedin

Pinellas

0

2

2

Jefferson 

Hillsborough

0

2

2

Lake Gibson

Polk

0

2

2

Lake Wales

Polk

0

2

2

Newberry

Alachua

0

2

2

Riverview (Sarasota)

Sarasota

0

2

2

Robinson

Hillsborough

0

2

2

Rutherford

Bay

0

2

2

Shorecrest

Pinellas

0

2

2

Tampa Catholic

Hillsborough

0

2

2

Trinity Prep

Orange

0

2

2

Warner Christian

Volusia

0

2

2

Williston

Levy

0

2

2

Wolfson

Duval

0

2

2

Apopka

Orange

1

0

1

Bishop Moore

Orange

1

0

1

Blake

Hillsborough

1

0

1

Buchholz

Alachua

1

0

1

Cardinal Mooney

Sarasota

1

0

1

Chapman

Franklin

1

0

1

Chiefland

Levy

1

0

1

Clay

Clay

1

0

1

Ernest Ward (McDavid)

Escambia

1

0

1

Evangel Christian

Polk

1

0

1

Gainesville

Alachua

1

0

1

Greensboro

Gadsden

1

0

1

Hialeah Miami Lakes

Dade

1

0

1

Hollywood Hills

Broward

1

0

1

Immokalee

Collier

1

0

1

Mainland

Volusia

1

0

1

Miami

Dade

1

0

1

Miami Edison

Dade

1

0

1

Miami Killian

Dade

1

0

1

Miramar

Broward

1

0

1

Monsignor Pace

Dade

1

0

1

Norland

Dade

1

0

1

Palm Beach Gardens

Palm Beach

1

0

1

Pasco

Pasco

1

0

1

Pensacola

Escambia

1

0

1

Pinecrest (Lithia)

Hillsborough

1

0

1

Seminole (Sanford)

Seminole

1

0

1

Tate

Escambia

1

0

1

Venice

Sarasota

1

0

1

Vero Beach

Indian River

1

0

1

Washington (Miami)

Dade

1

0

1

Washington (Pensacola)

Escambia

1

0

1

Evans

Orange

0.5

0

1

American Heritage(Plantation)

Broward

0

1

1

Astronaut

Brevard

0

1

1

Auburndale

Polk

0

1

1

Belen Jesuit

Dade

0

1

1

Booker

Sarasota

0

1

1

Boone

Orange

0

1

1

Brandon

Hillsborough

0

1

1

Branford

Suwannee

0

1

1

Cardinal Gibbons

Broward

0

1

1

Century

Escambia

0

1

1

Chamberlain

Hillsborough

0

1

1

Crestview

Okaloosa

0

1

1

Deerfield Beach

Broward

0

1

1

DeLand

Volusia

0

1

1

Dixie County

Dixie

0

1

1

Dixie Hollins

Pinellas

0

1

1

Estero

Lee

0

1

1

Fort Lauderdale

Broward

0

1

1

Groveland

Lake

0

1

1

Hamilton County

Hamilton

0

1

1

Hillsborough

Hillsborough

0

1

1

Kathleen

Polk

0

1

1

Key West

Monroe

0

1

1

LaBelle

Hendry

0

1

1

Lake Brantley

Seminole

0

1

1

Leesburg

Lake

0

1

1

Lely

Collier

0

1

1

Liberty County

Liberty

0

1

1

Marianna

Jackson

0

1

1

Miami Beach

Dade

0

1

1

Moore Haven

Glades

0

1

1

Mosley

Bay

0

1

1

Pensacola Catholic

Escambia

0

1

1

Plantation

Broward

0

1

1

Robert E Lee

Duval

0

1

1

Sandalwood

Duval

0

1

1

Shanks

Gadsden

0

1

1

South Sumter

Sumter

0

1

1

St. Edward's

Indian River

0

1

1

St. Petersburg

Pinellas

0

1

1

Suncoast

Palm Beach

0

1

1

Tarpon Springs

Pinellas

0

1

1

Vanguard

Marion

0

1

1

Victory Christian

Polk

0

1

1

Westminster Christian

Dade

0

1

1

Wharton

Hillsborough

0

1

1