Preaseason: SoFLA’s Top 10

SoFLAfootball brings you our Preseason Top 10 teams.  Next week Kick-Off Classic games get underway and regular season games come shortly thereafter.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas - The defending National Champs return the top running back tandem in the area and the defense features the top secondary around. The Raiders are gearing up for another run at a state title and national title as well.

2. Miami Northwestern - The Bulls are a year older and a year better this fall. All the underclassmen that probably were a little too green to be thrown in the fire last fall are ready to make a big impact this season.

3. Miami Central - The Rockets feature trio of talented seniors, led by the tough running of Brandon Gainer, but do not over look youngsters like wide receiver Charles Gaines, wide receiver Derrick Knowles, and linebacker Miles Pace.

4. Pahokee - The Blue Devils are loaded with talent, but they lack much depth beyond the first team offense and defense. If they can find consistent quarterback play and avoid injuries the Blue Devils will be tough to handle.

5. Dwyer - The Panthers feature three of the top prospects in South Florida with Matt Elam, Gerald Christian, and Robert Clark, but those three alone cannot carry the team. The success of this team falls in the hands of a trio of 2011 prospects, quarterback Jacoby Brissett, tight end Nick O’Leary, and defensive end Curt Maggitt.

6. Glades Central - The player that keeps the Raiders rolling is quarterback Leron Thomas, and his health is critical to their season. The Raiders feature solid core of senior players in Greg Dent, Antwan Chisholm, and Thomas, but junior wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin may be the go to player.

7. Monsignor Pace - The Spartans are a balanced team with DeAndre Johnson running and Stephen Morris passing. As the season wears on this could be the surprise team in South Florida as the Spartans feature a talented group of prospects that are flying under the radar.

8. Delray Beach Atlantic - The Eagles are another team that has talent spread across the roster lead by playmaker James Louis. If the Eagles can limit their turnovers and get a consistent running attack from Donnell Kirkwood, they will be tough to stop.

9. Booker T. Washington - The Tornadoes roll out big time talent, but they have to be able to come together and perform against the top teams. The quarterback position is a question they have to answer quickly to be a successful team.

10. Miami Southridge - The Spartans feature possibly the most underrated player in South Florida with wide receiver/safety LaVaughn Whigham and have added talented prospects like linebacker Ralph Williams and running back Hosey Williams. This team should surprise a lot of teams this fall.

Just Outside the Top 10:

Pompano Beach Ely, Miami Springs, Boyd Anderson, Hialeah