The more things change, the more they stay the same.

It's a new high school football season with new stars emerging, but the state's elite programs remain at the top of the polls.

Defending state champions Venice (Class 7A), West Boca (6A), St. Thomas Aquinas (5A), American Heritage (4A), Miami Northwestern (3A) and Chaminade-Madonna (Class 1A) all are No. 1 selections in their respective classes in the preseason USA Today Florida Network poll.

Bolles (Class 2A) and Hawthorne (Rural) are the only No. 1 teams in the preseason poll that did not win a state title in 2024.

Venice, West Boca, Aquinas, Northwestern and Chaminade-Madonna all were unanimous selections.

Class 7A

1. Venice (11 first-place votes)

2024: 14-1. Kickoff Classic: vs. Gadsden County.

2. Columbus

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