Rockledge, Cocoa included in final statewide football polls

Rockledge High dropped a fraction and Cocoa again didn't make the cut for the top of its classification in the eyes of Florida sports writers voting on statewide polls this week.

The Raiders, after a 24-17 win over the Tigers in the annual Barbecue Bowl, dropped from a tie for fourth in Class 5A to No. 5 this week. Rockledge got 71 points, nine behind No. 4 Wakulla, which completed a 10-0 regular season.

Plantation American Heritage, with eight of 11 first-place votes, was voted No. 1 in 5A in the year's final polls.

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Both Cocoa and Rockledge earned top regional seeds in the FHSAA playoff brackets announced Sunday, and they lead a Brevard contingent of eight teams advancing to the postseason.

Rockledge will host Chamberlain at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McLarty Stadium. Cocoa, with a bye, will open the postseason on Nov. 15.

The Tigers were listed among teams receiving votes this week in voting for the 4A rankings. Both Cocoa and Jacksonville Bolles, the team the Tigers beat for their latest state title in 2016, got seven points.

Miami Washington got nine of 11 first-place votes and was at the top of the 4A poll.

There were no unanimous No. 1 teams in this week's polls. Class 6A Escambia and Jacksonville University Christian in 2A came the closest with 10 of 11 first-place votes. The other top-ranked teams were Sanford Seminole in Class 8A, St. Thomas Aquinas in 7A, Chaminade-Madonna in 3A and 1A's Madison County.

Contact McCallum at 321-242-3698 or bmccallum@floridatoday.com. Follow @321preps on Twitter and Instagram. Listen to 321 Overtime on any major podcast platform.

Florida High School Football Polls

Class 5A

                                       Record  Pts. Prv.

1. Plant. American Her. (8) 8-1   107   1

2. Miami Northwestern       8-2     88    2

3. Orlando Jones                9-1     84   3

4. Walkulla (2)                   10-0    80  T4

5. Rockledge (1)                 8-1    71  T4

6. Lake Wales                   10-0    60    6

7. Dunnellon                        9-1    41   7

8. Tampa Jesuit                   8-2    28   8

9. Ocala Vanguard              7-2    22   9

10. North Marion                 8-2    15  10

Others receiving votes: DeSoto County 5, Eau Gallie 4. 

Class 4A

                                       Record  Pts. Prv.

1. Miami Washington (9)    8-2   107   1

2. Lakewood (2)                10-0    98   2

3. Gulliver Prep                 10-0    83   4

4. Cardinal Gibbons           8-2     75   3

5. Ft. Lauderdale Univ.       8-2    63    5

Others receiving votes: Cocoa 7, Bolles School 7.