Florida high school football has had a ton of movement in the statewide rankings the last couple weeks. We are through seven weeks of the high school football season, and with the approaching of Hurricane Milton are making things crazier.
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.
Here’s the HSSportsFlorida Top 15 statewide football rankings through Week 7:
#1 IMG Academy (5-1)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: Defeated Venice, 21-16
This Week: Bye Week
The Ascenders were battle-tested against a Top 5 team in Venice where they could come away with the 21-16 victory on the road. Head Coach Billy Miller, and the rest of his squad will have nearly two full weeks before they’re back in action on October 25 when they’ll travel to East St. Louis (Illinois).
#2 St. Thomas Aquinas (6-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: Defeated Hollywood Hills, 64-0
This Week: vs Chaminade-Madonna- Friday at 7:00 p.m. (at FIU’s Pitbull Stadium)
The Raiders were in complete cruise control in their previous game against Hollywood Hills, where they took a 49-0 lead heading into halftime. They have a pivotal showdown against Chaminade-Madonna on Friday night in what could be arguably the game of the year across the Sunshine State.
#3 Lakeland (6-0)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: Defeated Sumner, 28-0
This Week: at Sebring- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Dreadnaughts defense has been stifling in each of the last two weeks where they’ve picked up back-to-back shutouts. Now, the focus is on Sebring who is coming off a 31-14 win over Sarasota Booker in their last game.
#4 Armwood (6-0)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: Defeated Plant, 26-0
This Week: vs Sickles- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The Hawks had no issues in their last game, as they went on the road to Dads Stadium pitching a shutout. They have a favorable schedule in each of their last four games, and will start a three-game homestand on Thursday night when they host Sickles.
#5 Miami Central (5-1)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: Defeated Miami Northwestern, 24-21
This Week: vs Stranahan- Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
It was a Battle of the 305 in the Rockets’ last game, where they were able to come away with a 24-17 victory. They will host Stranahan in their next game on Thursday night.
#6 Clearwater Central Catholic (7-0)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: Defeated Northside Christian, 42-7
This Week: Bye Week
The Marauders have been one of the most consistent teams in the state through the first seven weeks. They will return to action on October 18 for a matchup between two Top 10 teams hosting Venice.
#7 Venice (6-1)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: Lost to IMG Academy, 21-16
This Week: at Sarasota Riverview- Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Indians hung around with nationally-ranked IMG Academy through all four quarters in their last game. They kick off a two-game road swing on Thursday night when they’ll travel to Sarasota Riverview in a District 7A-8 tilt.
#8 Chaminade-Madonna (5-2)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: Defeated Monarch, 37-8
This Week: vs St. Thomas Aquinas- Friday at 7:00 p.m. (Game at FIU’s Pitbull Stadium)
The Lions battled adversity as they were down to their third-string quarterback, Jacari Lewis, who finished 8-for-18 with 108 passing yards and a touchdown in the win. The Lions will be back in action on Friday night when they take on St. Thomas Aquinas in a Top 10 heavyweight showdown.
#9 Nease (5-0)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs Bartram Trail- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Nease Head Coach Collin Drafts and his squad haven’t played since September 30 when they defeated Buchholz. The Panthers will return to acton on Friday night when they host Bartram Trail in a District 6A-3 tilt.
#10 Miami Norland (5-1)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: Defeated Cocoa, 33-14
This Week: vs American Heritage Plantation- Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
The Vikings dominated in all three phases last week vs Cocoa, where they were led by senior quarterback Ennio Yapoor who had two rushing touchdowns in the win.
#11 Orlando Jones (6-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs Lake Wales- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The Fightin’ Tigers have been on a mission this season through the first seven weeks coming off a dominant performance back on September 28. They’ll host Lake Wales in a pivotal District 4A-7 matchup on Thursday night.
#12 Cocoa (3-3)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: Lost to Miami Norland, 33-14
This Week: at Apopka- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The Tigers are coming off their second consecutive loss and will look to turn the page on Thursday night when they travel to Apopka. Junior quarterback Brady Hart (Michigan commit) and senior wide receiver Jayvan Boggs (UCF commit) shined for the Tigers offensively despite the loss to Miami Norland in their last game.
#13 Seminole (Sanford) (6-0)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: Defeated Titusville, 33-10
This Week: vs Lake Mary- Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The Seminoles picked up another win to remain undefeated, beating Titusville 33-10 in their last game back on October 4. They’ll put their undefeated stretch to the test on Thursday night where they’ll host Lake Mary.
#14 Cardinal Mooney (6-0)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: Defeated Lakewood (St. Petersburg), 40-16
This Week: vs Specially Fit Academy- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Cougars didn’t miss a beat playing on a Tuesday night, throttling Lakewood 40-16. Sophomore running back Connail Jackson led the way with 142 rushing yards on 13 carries (10.9 yards per carry) and had two rushing touchdowns.
#15 American Heritage Plantation (3-3)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: at Miami Norland- Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
The Patriots reached the .500 mark for the first time this season when they defeated Plantation, 35-0 in their last game back on September 27. The focus has now shifted towards Miami Norland in a pivotal matchup on Saturday night that could determine the District 4A-15 champion.
On The Bubble: Atlantic, Bishop Moore, Bishop Verot, Bradford, Buchholz (Gainesville), Bolles (Jacksonville), Bradford, Cardinal Newman, Columbus (Miami), Dr. Phillips, Edgewater, First Baptist Academy (Naples), Hawthorne, Lake Mary, Lincoln (Tallahassee), Manatee, Mandarin (Jacksonville), Miami Northwestern, Miami Southridge, Monarch, Mosley, Naples, Niceville, Pace, Palmetto, Pensacola Catholic, St. Augustine, The First Academy (Orlando), University (Orange City), West Boca Raton, Western, Wiregrass Ranch
