We have reached the opening week of the high school football season in the Sunshine State. Each Monday throughout the season, HSSportsFlorida will reveal their Top 15 Statewide Rankings across all classifications. Here is this week’s edition of the Top 15 teams in the state of Florida.
#1 Cocoa (1-0)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: Defeated Titusville, 42-10
This Week: at Mainland- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
We have a new No. 1 ranked team as we head into the second week of the high school football season, The Cocoa Tigers are coming off a dominant 42-10 win over Titusville. Junior quarterback Brady Hart (Michigan commit) went 15-of-18 for 270 passing yards and three touchdowns in the win.
#2 Chaminade-Madonna (0-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: Lost to St. John Bosco (CA), 34-27
This Week: at Blanche Ely- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Despite the season-opening loss to the No. 8 ranked St. John Bosco (CA) Braves, The Lions remain at No. 2 in this week’s statewide rankings. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Chance and junior running back Derrick Cooper accounted for 381 of the team’s 563 total yards.
The Lions will look to get back into the win column this week where they will travel to Blanche Ely in a non-district contest.
#3 IMG Academy (0-1)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: Lost to Corner Canyon (UT) 35-34
This Week: at Bergen Catholic (NJ)- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The Ascenders will be traveling for an accounted 12,062 miles during their road games this season which is the most they’ve traveled since their football inception began in 2010.
Senior quarterback Ty Hawkins (SMU commit) went 17-of-23 for 260 passing yards and three touchdowns in the loss to the nation’s No. 19 ranked Corner Canyon (Utah) Chargers.
#4 St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1)
Last Week: Lost to Bishop Gorman (NV) 29-21
This Week: at Boyd Anderson- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Previous Rank: 4
The Raiders had a tough test to begin the season where they faced the No. 2 nationally ranked Bishop Gorman (Nevada) Gaels who rallied from an 11-point deficit to secure the road win. Senior quarterback Andrew Indorf struggled in the season-opener going just 19-of-36 for 238 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss.
#5 Lakeland (1-0)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: Defeated Miami Central, 16-8
This Week: Bye Week
The Dreadnaughts put on a defensive clinic in their season-opener forcing four turnovers and shutting down the passing game. Junior linebacker/running back Malik Morris was the difference maker in the win for the Dreadnaughts where he had a blocked punt and a rushing touchdown in the second half.
#6 Venice (1-0)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: Defeated Tampa Bay Tech, 63-40
This Week: vs Miami Northwestern- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Indians offense looked electrifying in the season-opener where they got contributions from senior wide receiver Winston Watkins, sophomore running back Dorien Irving-Jones and senior quarterback Jayce Nixon.
The Indians will be tested this week when Miami Northwestern will pay a visit to Powell-Davis Stadium where they’re coming off a 45-0 win over Coconut Creek in their season opener.
#7 American Heritage Plantation (0-1)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: Lost to Milton (GA), 37-28
This Week: vs Western- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Patriots are coming off a back-and-forth season opener where they lost to the reigning Georgia 7A State Champions. Senior running back Byron Louis was the leader of the Patriots offense where he had 18 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
#8 Miami Central (0-1)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: Lost to Lakeland, 16-8
This Week: vs Miami Edison- Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
The Rockets offense couldn’t find any rhythm in their season-opener last week as their longest play of the game was a 56-yard catch and run by senior wide receiver Nae’shaun Montgomery (Florida commit). The Rockets are still expected to compete and are heavy favorites to win the Class 3A state title in December.
#9 Mandarin (Jacksonville) (1-0)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: Defeated Creekside, 57-13
This Week: at Atlantic Coast- Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The Mustangs put on an offensive clinic in their season-opening 57-13 win over Creekside. Senior quarterback Tramell Jones was nearly perfect going 15-of-17 for 297 passing yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore running back Shaunqueze Foster was a force in the backfield where he had 96 rushing yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
The Mustangs will look to make it back-to-back wins to start the young season as they travel to rival Atlantic Coast on Friday night.
#10 Clearwater Central Catholic (1-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Berkeley Prep, 28-14
This Week: vs Sebring- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Marauders made a statement win during their season-opener last week knocking off arguably a nationally-ranked Berkeley Prep squad.
#11 Miami Norland (1-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Miramar, 27-0
This Week: vs Carol City- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Vikings put on a dominant effort on the defensive end where they were led by sophomore defensive back Kenton Dopson III.
#12 Berkeley Prep (0-1)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: Lost to Clearwater Central Catholic, 28-14
This Week: vs Booker- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Despite the loss to Clearwater Central Catholic, The Buccaneers got their run-game going where they were led by senior running back Joseph Troupe who had 112 rushing yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.
#13 St. Augustine (1-0)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: Defeated Palatka, 42-6
This Week: at Menendez- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Yellow Jackets showed their stifling defense in their season-opening win over Palatka where they forced three turnovers including two fumble recoveries. Senior quarterback Locklan Hewlett went 10-of-15 for 135 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win.
#14 Columbus (Miami) (1-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Miami Southridge, 17-14
This Week: vs Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD)- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Explorers got into the win column with a late game-winning drive that was started by senior quarterback Jason Barket Jr. and finished with a 15-yard reception by junior wide receiver Khamari Marceus with 23 seconds left. The Explorers also shined on the defensive side with safety Bryce Fitzgerald (Miami commit) making some key stops to salvage the win.
#15 Lake Mary (1-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Cardinal Gibbons, 49-20
This Week: vs Kissimmee Osceola- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
During the Broward County Showcase last week, The Lake Mary Rams were the only Florida school to come away with a win (1-4). Junior quarterback Noah Grubbs shined as he went 11-of-16 for 162 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Senior running back Isaiah Thomas kept an explosive Rams run game intact where he had 149 rushing yards on 19 carries and a touchdown in the win as well.
On The Bubble: Armwood, Bartram Trail, Bishop Verot, Bolles (Jacksonville), Buchholz, Cardinal Newman, Choctawhatchee, Eau Gallie, Edgewater, Jesuit (Tampa), Miami Northwestern, Niceville, Plant (Tampa), Seminole (Sanford), South Sumter
