From MaxPreps and Staff Reports
Over the last 20+ years, the Apopka Blue Darters football team has solidified its legacy as a powerhouse in high school football. In 2001, it won the class 6A State Championship and two more 8A state titles in 2012 and 2014, along with a 2013 state runner-up.
The Blue Darters have consistently showcased their skill and determination on the field. Additionally, they claimed the title of state runner-up in 2019 and 2021 in the 8A division, as well as in 2022 in the 4M division, demonstrating their unwavering competitive spirit.
Their consistent presence in the state's top 25 rankings is a testament to their sustained excellence. They ranked in the state top 25 in 2007 (18th), 2009 (13th), 2012 (7th), 2013 (6th), 2014 (6th), 2015 (25th), 2019 (8th), 2021 (8th), and 2022 (16th), further solidifying their status as one of the top high school football programs in the state.
That's the reason the Blue Darters made the MaxPreps Most Dominant Football Programs in Florida list.
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Powered by 12 state championships, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) is the most dominant high school football team from Florida over the last 20 years., according to the MaxPreps rankings.
Based on its methodology, the Raiders amassed 1,127 points from 2004 to 2023 to edge Central (Miami), which finished second with 818 points.
Central won nine state championships since 2004 and finished in the national top 25 on nine occasions.
The methodology includes:
• Top 25 finishes in the MaxPreps state computer rankings (25 points awarded to the No. 1 team, 24 for No. 2 and so on).
• Top 25 finishes in the MaxPreps national computer rankings (50 points for No. 1, 49 for No. 2 and so on).
• State championships (20 points).
• State championship game appearances (10 points).
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), 1,127
State championships: 2008 (5A), 2010 (5A), 2012 (7A), 2013 (7A), 2014 (7A), 2015 (7A), 2016 (7A), 2019 (7A), 2020 (7A), 2021 (7A), 2022 (3M), 2023 (3M)
State runner-up: 2004 (5A), 2005 (5A), 2006 (5A), 2018 (7A)
State top 25: 2004 (12), 2005 (8), 2006 (8), 2007 (6), 2008 (1), 2009 (5), 2010 (1), 2011 (12), 2012 (4), 2013 (17), 2014 (1), 2015 (3), 2016 (2), 2017 (15), 2018 (3), 2019 (1), 2020 (2), 2021 (4), 2022 (3), 2023 (3)
Nationally ranked: 2008 (1), 2010 (4), 2014 (8), 2015 (21), 2016 (7), 2019 (5), 2020 (14), 2021 (9), 2022 (6), 2023 (9)
The Blue Darters finished 15th, ahead of any other Central Florida school.
15. Apopka, 217
State championships: 2012 (8A), 2013 (8A), 2014 (8A)
State runner-up: 2019 (8A), 2021 (8A), 2022 (4M)
State top 25: 2007 (18), 2009 (13), 2012 (7), 2013 (6), 2014 (6), 2015 (25), 2019 (8), 2021 (8), 2022 (16)
Nationally ranked: N/A
The Blue Darters finished 8-4 last year and open the 2024 season at home against the Ocoee Knights on August 23rd. Apopka beat Ocoee 2-0 in 2023. The Knights finished 4-6 last year.
