We are approaching the midway point 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 Florida.
#1 IMG Academy (3-1)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: Defeated Mt. Zion Prep Academy (MD), 57-0
This Week: vs Mandarin- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Ascenders remain atop this week’s statewide football rankings following a 57-0 thumping win over Mt. Zion Prep Academy. Freshman running back Eric McFarland III accounted for four rushing touchdowns in the win last week.
#2 St. Thomas Aquinas (3-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: Defeated Western, 23-15
This Week: vs McArthur- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Raiders rallied for 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to escape with a win over Western.
#3 Cocoa (3-1)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: Defeated Heritage (Palm Bay), 39-13
This Week: at Venice- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Tigers got back in the win column following the loss to IMG Academy back on September 6. Junior quarterback Brady Hart (Michigan commit) accounted for 364 yards passing and threw for three touchdowns in the win.
#4 Lakeland (3-0)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: Defeated Winter Haven, 44-0
This Week: vs Booker T. Washington (Miami)- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Junior running back Jadarius Dobie led the Dreadnaught rushing attack where he had 80 yards on six carries and two touchdowns in the blowout win over Winter Haven.
#5 Venice (4-0)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: Defeated Port Charlotte, 49-41
This Week: vs Cocoa- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Indians offense continues to be electrifying to watch through four weeks this season. Through four weeks, the Indians are averaging 57.75 points per game where they’ve gotten key contributions this season from senior running back Jamarice Wilder (James Madison commit).
#6 Armwood (4-0)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: Defeated Durant, 35-0
This Week: at Hillsborough- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Junior quarterback Rhys Brush accounted for 282 passing yards (14-of-23) for four touchdowns and no interceptions in last week’s win over Durant. The Hawks defense was credited for three sacks and two interceptions in the shutout win.
#7 Clearwater Central Catholic (4-0)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: Defeated Clearwater, 42-14
This Week: at Trinity Catholic- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Senior quarterback Jershaun Newton (Illinois commit) had himself a night where he completed 8-of-17 passes for 119 yards as well as rushed for 122 yards on 13 carries and had a rushing touchdown.
#8 Chaminade-Madonna (2-2)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: Defeated Miami Edison, 56-19
This Week: vs Miami Norland- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Senior quarterback Preston Wright has emerged the starting role after heading into the season behind Zac Katz and Tyler Chance. In three games this season, Wright has thrown for 796 yards and nine touchdown passes.
#9 American Heritage Plantation (2-2)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: Defeated Naples, 23-3
This Week: at Miami Central- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Junior quarterback Dia Bell (Texas commit) is putting himself together a solid season where he has thrown for 1075 yards, 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions in the first four game. Senior running back Byron Louis has led the rushing attack where he has a team-high 65 carries for 466 yards and four touchdowns so far this season.
#10 Miami Central (3-1)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: Defeated Pompano Beach, 67-0
This Week: vs American Heritage Plantation- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Rockets have won three straight games since dropping their season-opener to Lakeland where there were questions flowing on where the production was going to come from. Junior quarterback Anthony McQueen and senior quarterback Bekkem Kritza (Penn State commit) have put themselves together a solid season so far for the Rockets.
#11 Lake Mary (2-1)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: at Dr. Phillips- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Junior quarterback Noah Grubbs (Notre Dame commit) is putting himself together a solid start to the season where he has thrown for 535 yards and seven touchdowns.
#12 Miami Norland (3-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Miami Northwestern, 21-17
This Week: at Chaminade-Madonna- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The Vikings have put themselves a nice start to the season where they’ve been led by senior quarterback Ennio Yapoor.
#13 Bishop Verot (3-1)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Calvary Christian (Clearwater), 43-13
This Week: at Cardinal Mooney- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
In four games this season, senior quarterback Carter Smith has completed 61% of his passes (52-of-85) for 710 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior running back Deshon Jenkins has accounted for the Vikings’ rushing attack where he has 41 carries for 445 yards (10.9 yards per carry) and four rushing touchdowns this season.
#14 Bradford (4-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Mandarin, 18-13
This Week: Bye Week
The Tornadoes are in the HSSportsFlorida Statewide Football rankings for the first time this season coming off a big win over Mandarin in their last game. Junior running back Jy’quez Cason accounted for two rushing touchdowns in the win over Mandarin. Senior safety Jeremiah Mckenzie (Central Michigan commit) also had a big game in the win as well.
#15 Seminole (Sanford) (3-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Monarch, 30-26
This Week: vs Lake Wales- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Junior quarterback Michael Clayton went 11-for-17 passing for 148 yards and threw for two touchdowns in the win over Monarch last week. Senior running back Khamani Robinson also clipped the 100-yard rushing mark with his 110 yards on 9 carries (12.2 yards per carry) and also had a rushing touchdown in the win.
On The Bubble: Atlantic (Delray Beach), Berkeley Prep, Bolles (Jacksonville), Buchholz, Cardinal Newman, Columbus (Miami), Dunnellon, Eau Gallie (Melbourne), First Baptist Academy, Gadsden County, Jesuit (Tampa), Kissimmee Osceola, Lincoln (Tallahassee), Manatee, Mandarin, Miami Northwestern, Naples, Nease, Niceville, Orlando Jones, Raines (Jacksonville), St. Augustine, Tampa Bay Tech, The First Academy (Orlando), Vanguard
