Blue Darters land in pre-season poll

Blue Darter Football 2017:

Apopka 5th in Associated Press Poll

The Apopka Blue Darters, coming off a 9-1 record in its 2016 season, open their 2017 campaign with a state ranking of 5th in the pre-season Associated Press Poll of Class 8A high schooll football teams. The Blue Darters spent the majority of 2016 as the #1 school on that poll.

Apopka beat Mainland High School of Daytona Beach 26-14 behind three touchdown runs and 185 rushing yards by junior running back Cornelius Williams, and a swarming Blue Darter defense.

The Blue Darters open their regular season next Friday on the road against the Ocoee Knights. Last season Apopka beat Ocoee 62-7. Kickoff is 7PM.

The first Associated Press Florida High School Football Poll is out for the 2017 season. First place votes in parentheses, records, rating points and previous ranking follow.

CLASS 8A

1. Miami Southridge (9), 0-0, 108, —

2. Deerfield Beach (1), 0-0, 93, —

3. Dr. Phillips, 0-0, 74, —

4. Osceola (Kissimmee), 0-0, 60, —

5. Apopka (1), 0-0, 55, —

6. Vero Beach, 0-0, 46, —

7. Atlantic (Delray), 0-0, 40, —

8. Columbus, 0-0, 35 —

(tie) Coral Gables, 0-0, 35, —

10. Miramar, 0-0, 15, —