Lakeland, Lake Wales, Haven are Ranked in Preseason Football Poll

Tue. August 21, 2012 at 10:33 p.m. | By Solange Reyner

By SOLANGE REYNER

THE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Lakeland, Winter Haven and Lake Wales were picked as top 10 teams in their respective classifications in The Associated Press's Florida high school preseason football poll, which was released early Tuesday evening.

The poll is voted on by state media and lists the top 10 teams in each classification.

Lakeland was voted No. 5 in Class 7A. Above the Dreadnaughts were St. Thomas Aquinas, Palm Beach Dwyer, First Coast and Manatee. Winter Haven was tabbed in the No. 6 spot in Class 6A and Lake Wales ninth in 5A.

All three Polk teams won district titles last year and are coming off solid seasons. Lakeland finished 13-1 last season and made it to the state semifinals before losing to First Coast. Winter Haven went 11-1 and lost by three points to Daytona Beach Mainland in the regional semifinals. Lake Wales also made it to the playoffs after posting a 9-1 regular season record, but lost in the regional quarterfinals to Hardee, 18-13.

Lake Gibson in 6A and Victory Christian in 2A also received votes.