Who's dominating FHSAA girls soccer rankings? St. Johns County teams, yet again
St. Johns County remains atop the Sunshine State's girls soccer scene.
Creekside, Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra ranked second, third and fourth in the Florida High School Athletic Association's first set of girls soccer rankings, behind only Montverde Academy.
Ponte Vedra, ranked first in Class 6A, claimed one of the year's biggest wins last week by edging Bartram Trail 1-0 last Tuesday on a first-half goal by sophomore forward Natalie Brooks.
There's a potential collision course in both District 1-7A and Region 1-7A ahead for Creekside and Bartram Trail, who have combined for the last four championships at the top class and tied 0-0 on Nov. 29. Both the Knights and Bears still must travel to Ponte Vedra, with Creekside playing on Jan. 12 and Bartram Trail on Jan. 18.
Other teams near the top of their regions include Nease (fourth, Region 1-6A) and Beachside (second, Region 1-5A).
Elsewhere in the county, Tocoi Creek is 12th in Region 1-7A, Menendez is 14th and St. Augustine 17th in Region 1-5A and St. Joseph is eighth in Region 1-2A.
High-ranked boys teams in their regions include Creekside (third, Region 1-7A), Beachside (third, Region 1-5A), Menendez (sixth, Region 1-5A) and St. Joseph (fifth, Region 1-2A). Others are Bartram Trail (ninth, Region 1-7A), Tocoi Creek (22nd, Region 1-7A), Nease (12th, Region 1-6A), Ponte Vedra (17th, Region 1-6A) and St. Augustine (20th, Region 1-5A).
County teams know they're aiming to end a boys soccer state drought that's stretched for more than seven years, since an unbeaten Ponte Vedra won the Class 3A trophy in 2015-16. What they don't know is their final destination.
With less than a month until district tournaments kick off Jan. 24, the FHSAA has yet to announce a host for this year's championships. DeLand's Spec Martin Stadium has held finals for the last seven seasons.
Around St. Johns
St. Augustine head football coach Brian Braddock placed second in voting for Class 3S coach of the year. ... Bartram Trail running back Laython Biddle placed fourth in Class 4S player of the year balloting and St. Augustine running back Devonte Lyons came in fourth for Class 3S. ... Nease offensive lineman Demarco Blackmon committed to Warner football. … Former Bartram Trail defender Herbie Steigelman, now at North Florida, was selected to represent the Ospreys on the ASUN Conference's Winners for Life team for 2023 fall sports. … In boys basketball tournament action, St. Augustine plays in the Mainland Christmas Tournament in Daytona Beach, while Creekside takes on the Barracuda Classic in New Smyrna Beach. ... The four-day Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational in girls basketball hosts numerous area teams, including Beachside, Menendez, Nease and St. Joseph. ... Nominations for the FHSAA's Roger Dearing Heart of the Arts and Spirit of Sport awards remain open through Jan. 17.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Johns County teams lead FHSAA high school girls soccer rankings
