Tohopekaliga and St. Cloud look to be the kingpins in this Class 7A district, both coming off 2023 bowl victories. This could be the first season either of them make the playoffs since Anthony Paradiso and Mike Short have been head coaches for the Tigers and Bulldogs.

Paradiso, the quarterback whisperer who is in his third year at Toho after 11 seasons at Lake Nona, has junior quarterback Sabby Meassick at the helm. A third-year starter, Meassick (6-foot, 175 pounds) threw for 3,843 yards and 39 touchdowns last season while completing 67% of his passes.

Toho will need senior receivers Emanuel Theagene and Isaiah Brutus to step up, and freshman Tony Brown could provide help. Toho lost receiver/defensive back Naeem Woulard via transfer to Wekiva.

Junior Jaxson Hardnett, a hard-nosed, speedy running back, should give the Tigers enough to offset the passing game and keep teams honest.

Defensively, the Tigers have stud defensive lineman Andrew Hines, a USF commit, as well as defensive backs Brutus, Christ Guerrier and Brandon Monroe. Hines had 112 tackles last season.

St. Cloud also has a prolific quarterback in senior Logan King, who passed for 2,112 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago. Also back is talented receiver Alex Springs (57 catches, 874 yards, 14 TDs) and running back TJ Griffin (57 carries, 548 yards, 9 TDs).

The Bulldogs went 7-3 in 2022 and 8-3 last season but lost to Tohopekaliga both years.

St. Cloud’s lone district title in the past 15 seasons came in 2015.

Harmony will be looking to get things rolling in year two under coach Nick Lippert. The Longhorns return talented defensive back Chase Adams.

Lake Nona had good reason to be hopeful, but that was before several key players transferred The Lions lost quarterback Emanuel Carter, running back Josh Perry and offensive lineman Jaden Wilkerson to Edgewater, which left plenty of holes to fill.

The Lions do have a new quarterback in Michael Dove, who comes over from Foundation Academy. On defense, talented defensive end DeAnthony Lafayette, who has had a tremendous offseason, and standout linebacker Dalton Phelan return.

Harmony Longhorns

Coach: Nick Lippert (2nd year, 2-8).

2023: 2-8, missed 4S playoffs.

Lake Nona Lions

Coach: David Aubrey (2nd year, 4-6).

2023: 4-6, missed 4M playoffs.

St. Cloud Bulldogs

Coach: Mike Short (4th year, 17-9; career 23-30).

2023: 8-3, won bowl game.

Note: Last year was first 8-win season since 2009.

Tohopekaliga Tigers

Coach: Anthony Paradiso (3rd year, 12-9; career 94-72).

2023: 6-5, won bowl game.