We have reached the official second half of the high school football season in the Sunshine State. Each week throughout the season. Due to Hurricane Helene, some of the teams ranked did not play last week and have rescheduled their Week 6 games for later in the season.
The rankings are compiled by the strength of schedule, common opponents’ win-loss record, and other media outlets. Follow HSSportsFlorida on X and Instagram @hssportsfl for all your latest high school sports coverage.
#1 IMG Academy (4-1)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: at Central (Phenix City, Ala.)- Cancelled
This Week: at Venice- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Ascenders remain atop this week’s HSSportsFlorida statewide football rankings. Leading the team so far this season have been freshman wide receiver Eric McFarland, junior running back Tyson Park, senior quarterback Ty Hawkins (SMU commit), and sophomore linebacker Amarri Irvin.
#2 St. Thomas Aquinas (5-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: Defeated Bishop Moore, 50-15
This Week: vs Hollywood Hills- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Raiders have picked up their fifth consecutive win since dropping its season-opener to Bishop Gorman (Nevada) in the Broward County Showcase. Leading the team so far this season have been sophomore wide receiver Julius Jones, senior running back Chance Washington, and senior linebacker Travares Daniels.
#3 Lakeland (5-0)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: Defeated Lake Gibson, 63-0
This Week: at Sumner- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Dreadnaughts are coming off a dominant performance across all three phases in their last game defeating Lake Gibson, 63-0. Senior wide receiver Shanard Clower had a big night where he had 5 catches for 126 yards and four touchdowns.
#4 Venice (6-0)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: Defeated Lehigh, 50-7
This Week: vs IMG Academy- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Indians scored 50+ points for the sixth consecutive week to begin the season. Their first season test will come this week when they’ll host No. 1 IMG Academy at Powell-Davis Stadium. Leading the team so far this season have been senior wide receiver Winston Watkins, senior running back Jamarice Wilder (James Madison commit), sophomore running back Dorien Irving-Jones, and senior quarterback Jayce Nixon (Northern Iowa commit).
#5 Armwood (5-0)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: Did Not Play, due to Hurricane Helene
This Week: at Plant- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The Hawks have not played since September 20 when they defeated Hillsborough, 49-7 behind a stifling performance by senior running back Girard Pringle (Miami commit) where he had 13 carries for 148 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
#6 Clearwater Central Catholic (6-0)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: Defeated Indian Rocks Christian, 42-0
This Week: at Northside Christian- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Marauders improved to 6-0 on the season with a 42-0 shutout win over Indian Rocks Christian where they were led by senior running back Nasir Hutchinson having 151 rushing yards on 10 carries (15.1 yards per carry) and had a rushing touchdown.
#7 Chaminade-Madonna (4-2)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: Defeated Western, 26-9
This Week: at Monarch- Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
The Lions are finding their groove and are currently on a four-game winning streak. Their next two opponents will be a tough test as they travel to Monarch this week, followed by a marquee matchup with St. Thomas Aquinas (at FIU’s Pitbull Stadium) on October 11.
#8 Miami Central (4-1)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: at Miami Northwestern- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Rockets will be back in action this week when they take on Teddy Bridgewater’s revamped Miami Northwestern Bulls on Friday night at Traz Powell Stadium.
#9 Cocoa (3-2)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs Miami Norland- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Tigers have not played since September 20 when they lost in a thrilling finish to Venice as junior quarterback Brady Hart threw for 527 yards and four touchdowns. They’ll welcome Miami Norland to Tiger Stadium on Friday night in a battle two Top 10 teams in their respective classifications.
#10 Nease (5-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Buchholz (Gainesville), 20-17
This Week: Bye Week
Nease Panthers Head Coach Collin Drafts has his team rolling in the right direction as they picked up a marquee win over Buchholz in their last game. Leading the team so far this season have been senior wide receiver Maddox Spencer, junior athlete Brayden Felder, senior running back KJ Perry, junior linebacker Kyle Hurtado, and senior quarterback Nate Harry.
#11 Bradford (5-0)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: Defeated Keystone Heights, 40-0
This Week: vs Palatka- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Bradford Head Coach Jamie Rodgers and his Tornadoes are coming off a dominant performance, where they held Keystone Heights under 100 total yards. The Tornadoes will host Palatka this week before taking on Newberry on October 11 in a matchup that could be a battle for the District 2A-5 title.
#12 Seminole (Sanford) (5-0)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: Defeated Lake Brantley, 61-8
This Week: vs Titusville- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Seminole Head Coach Karl Calhoun calls these next two games against Titusville and Lake Mary “pivotal” games where they begin a stretch where they’ll play three games in 11 days.
#13 The First Academy (Orlando) (6-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Orlando Christian Prep, 39-13
This Week: vs Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (GA)- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Jeff Conaway and The First Academy Royals clinched the school’s first district title since 2016 with a 39-13 win over Orlando Christian Prep in their last game. Leading the team so far this season have been junior athlete Demetrice McCray, senior running back Dane Thompkins, senior linebacker Aden Hall, junior defensive back Devin Jackson (Florida commit), and junior linebacker Blaze Jones.
#14 Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) (5-0)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: Did Not Play, due to Hurricane Helene
This Week: at Lakewood (St. Petersburg)- Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
The Cougars have not played since September 20 when they defeated Bishop Verot, 49-28. On Tuesday night, The Cougars will travel up I-275 to take on Lakewood in a District 2A-9 contest.
#15 Miami Norland (4-1)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: Defeated Archbishop McCarthy, 49-16
This Week: at Cocoa- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Vikings will face a tall task this week when they hit the road to take on No. 9 Cocoa Friday night. Leading the team so far this season have been junior wide receiver Dawson Quarterman, senior quarterback Ennio Yapoor, senior wide receiver Ronald Towns, senior defensive end Adrian Farrow, and senior athlete Darryll Desir.
On The Bubble: American Heritage Plantation, Berkeley Prep, Bishop Moore, Bishop Verot, Bolles (Jacksonville), Buchholz (Gainesville), Cardinal Newman, Columbus (Miami), Dr. Phillips (Orlando), Dunnellon, Eau Gallie (Melbourne), Edgewater, First Baptist Academy (Naples), Jesuit (Tampa), Hawthorne, Lake Mary, Lake Wales, Lincoln (Tallahassee), Mandarin (Jacksonville), Manatee, Miami Northwestern, Monarch, Mosley, Naples, Niceville, Raines (Jacksonville), St. Augustine, Tampa Bay Tech, Vanguard (Ocala), West Orange, Wiregrass Ranch
