Here are SBLive Florida’s likely preseason No. 1 teams in 2023 Florida high school football

Florida high school fall football (2022) concluded back in December and spring scrimmages ended in May. Since then, there’s been combines, team camps and numerous 7-on-7 tournaments around the state. 

Let’s dive in as we close in on being just a month out from official practices getting underway, the odds-on 2023 preseason No. 1 football team in each FHSAA classification. 

Class 4M 

Choice for No. 1: Columbus 

Biggest reason why: Returning quarterback Alberto Mendoza to the offense. Yes, the defense will be stacked again, but the field general of the 2022 state champions has all the experience, talent in the world in order to lead Explorers back to the promise land.  

Monitor closely: Defensive edge rusher Willis McGahee IV transferred over from Miami Palmetto over the off-season. The Nebraska commitment brings plenty of pressure off the edge and packs a punch to an already stout unit. 

Class 4S

Choice for No. 1: Lakeland 

Biggest reason why: Experience throughout the program. After over five decades of Bill Castle roaming the sidelines, he’s no longer a day-to-day figure, but don’t think that’s reason for a drop off. New head coach Marvin Frazier has just as much talent as last year’s team and is the right man for the job. 

Monitor closely: Quarterback play. That’s something not many Lakeland teams have asked a whole ton out of signal callers. With Palmetto transfer Zander Smith now in as the starter, much more will be expected out of him from his previous team. Can he step up to the challenge? 

Class 3M 

Choice for No. 1: St. Thomas Aquinas 

Biggest reason why: Look no further than this all-world backfield duo of Jordan Lyle and Stacy Gage, a UCF commit. Lyle was already a stud in the backfield, but adding Gage to the equation makes this Raiders team that much more difficult to beat with ability to wear the opposition’s defense down. 

Monitor closely: A season opening matchup against SBLive Sports/Sports Illustrated’s 2022 national champion St. John Bosco (CA) is up ahead for St. Thomas Aquinas at the Broward County Classic. It’s a matchup that even though so early in the season, could decide national implications down the stretch. 

Class 3S 

Choice for No. 1: Mainland 

Biggest reason why: This defense could be something historically special over at Mainland, especially this loaded linebacking unit. Linebacker Rodney Hill (Tulane commitment) along with defensive stalwarts LJ McCray and safety Xavier Mincey makeup one of the best defenses in the state. 

Monitor closely: The offense might lack the overall punch they had from a year ago without quarterback Demarcus Creecey and wide receiver James Randle and all-everything Ajai Harrell. 

Class 2M 

Choice for No. 1: Miami Central 

Biggest reason why: Not sure there’s a better defensive line unit in the country compared to what the Rockets will be  trotting out on Friday nights. Big reason is many of them will eventually one day by playing on Saturdays and maybe Sundays in the future. Armondo Blount, brothers T.K. and T.A. Cunningham are among the standouts of a loaded front four. 

Monitor closely: Who ends up winning this 3-way quarterback battle between JC Evans (Brandeis transfer), Bekkem Kritza (Santa Margarita Catholic transfer) and Antonio Smith (Killian transfer)? This has been an interesting competition throughout the off-season and is one to keep a close eye on. 

Class 2S 

Choice for No. 1: FSU High

Biggest reason why: The return of one of the fastest running backs in the Sunshine State is a good reason, right? Micahi Danzey comes back to the backfield for the Seminoles after a solid 2022 season. Danzey rushed for 1,809 yards on 191 attempts for 17 touchdowns. Also throw in quarterback Jeremy Johnston is back in the mix and you’ve got a pretty solid backfield. 

Monitor closely: The season opener against Ocala Trinity Catholic is the top suburban game on the Week 1 slate. When the Seminoles travel over to Marion County to face the 2022 Class 1S state runner-up Celtics, it will be a tall telling validation sign if they’re the classification’s No. 1 team. 

Class 1M

Choice for No. 1: Chaminade-Madonna

Biggest reason why: What made the Lions one of the most feared teams of 2022 was their offensive skill players and the bulk of them are back this fall. From quarterback Cedrick Bailey (NC State commitment) to wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader makeup one of the top offenses in the country. 

Monitor closely: How well will the offensive line hold up? Chaminade-Madonna graduated some lineman from last season’s squad so there’s been some concern on if the Lions will be able to protect Bailey the way they did a year ago. 

Class 1S 

Choice for No. 1: Ocala Trinity Catholic 

Biggest reason why: When it comes to the Celtics’ reason of going into the season as the likely No. 1 in Class 1S is because of the defensive unit’s prowess. With players like strong safety Jeremiah Rhem (72 tackles in 2022), cornerback Courtney Patterson and linebacker Jaiden Trengrove back, the Celtics’ defense looks to be a strong group this fall. 

Monitor closely: Which way does head coach John Brantley go at quarterback? It’s either last year’s starter Preston Wright (1,274 yards, 11 touchdowns in 2022) or North Marion transfer AJ Cussins (1,890 yards, 15 touchdowns in 2022) for the Celtics under center, which both have plenty of starting experience. 

Class 1R 

Choice for No. 1: Hawthorne  

Biggest reason why: CJ Ingram is the glue on the field for the Hornets that makes this team tick so soundly. Ingram at quarterback is a dual-threat, but for what he doesn’t provide with eye-popping stats he provides in intangibles at the position. After throwing for over 1,000 yards and rushing for 504, Ingram scored 21 total touchdowns on offense, making him a deadly weapon. 

Monitor closely: There’s two games to watch for during the regular season for the Hornets that will be nice barometers. Contests against South Sumter on Sep. 15th and North Marion on Oct. 20 will help measure where Hawthorne as they look to repeat as state champions in 1R. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.