Not a ton of movement in this week’s Florida High School Football Top 15 rankings as games were canceled or re-scheduled, due to the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
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 8:
#1 IMG Academy (6-1)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: Bye Week
The Ascenders are atop this week’s statewide football rankings as they’ll likely face their next test in St. Frances Academy (MD) on November 1. Head Coach Billy Miller has his Ascenders rolling in the right direction as they’ve won six straight since dropping their season-opener to Corner Canyon (Utah).
#2 Lakeland (6-0)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: vs Specially Fit Academy- Monday, 10/21 at 7:00 p.m.
The Dreadnaughts were affected by Hurricane Milton with their district game against Sebring being moved to November 6. The Dreadnaughts also have recorded back-to-back shutouts over Lake Gibson and Sumner the last two games.
#3 Chaminade-Madonna (6-2)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: Defeated St. Thomas Aquinas, 29-22
This Week: vs Avant Grande Academy- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Lions make the biggest jump in this week’s statewide football rankings, following their 29-22 win over St. Thomas Aquinas on October 11. The Lions will close out their last two games of the regular season at home, starting with a tilt with Avant Grande Academy where we can expect them to be a heavy favorite.
#4 Armwood (6-0)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: vs Steinbrenner- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Hawks were one of several schools affected by Hurricane Milton. Their last game was a 26-0 win over Plant on October 3.
#5 St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna, 29-22
This Week: vs Monarch- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Raiders drop three spots in this week’s rankings following a 29-22 loss to Chaminade-Madonna on October 11. They will look to bounce back this week as they host Monarch on Friday night at Brian Piccolo Stadium.
#6 Miami Central (5-1)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: at Miami Norland- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Rockets are coming off a bye week and will shift their focus to Miami Norland which will be a battle for the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) Championship. The Rockets last played on October 4 where they defeated Miami Northwestern, 24-21.
#7 Clearwater Central Catholic (7-0)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: vs Venice- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Marauders have yet to be tested at this point in the season but expect that to change when they’ll host a high-powered offense in Venice on Friday night.
#8 Venice (6-1)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: at Clearwater Central Catholic- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Indians were also affected by Hurricane Milton last week, as they look to shift their focus into this week’s Top 10 tilt as they travel to Clearwater to take on the unbeaten Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders. Their last game was a 21-16 loss to No. 1 IMG Academy back on October 4.
#9 Nease (5-0)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: vs Atlantic Coast- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
It has been nearly three weeks since the Panthers took the field for a game as they were impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton the last two weeks. The Panthers will be back in action on Friday where they’ll host Atlantic Coast.
#10 Miami Norland (6-1)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: Defeated American Heritage Plantation, 32-27
This Week: vs Miami Central- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Vikings are playing two games in five days to make up for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They got the week off to a great start, defeating American Heritage Plantation 32-27 when senior wide receiver Jade Card (FAU commit) scored the game-winning touchdown with 24 seconds left in regulation. The Vikings will be back in action on Friday as they take on Miami Central for the GMAC Championship.
#11 Orlando Jones (6-0)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: vs Lake Wales- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Fightin’ Tigers did not play last week, due to Hurricane Milton as they have re-scheduled their contest against Lake Wales from October 10 to October 18. The Fightin’ Tigers have not played since September 28 when they dethroned Auburndale, 49-7.
#12 Cocoa (3-3)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: at The Villages Charter- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Tigers did not play last week, due to Hurricane Milton. They’ll return to action on Friday night where they’ll hit the road to take on The Villages Charter.
#13 Cardinal Mooney (6-0)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: at Sarasota Riverview- Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Cougars will look to put their unbeaten run to the test this week where they’ll travel to Sarasota Riverview. The Cougars have not played since defeating Lakewood (St. Petersburg) back on October 1.
#14 The First Academy (Orlando) (6-1)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Did Not Play
This Week: vs Seminole (Sanford)- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Royals are coming off their first loss of the season to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (GA) 49-42 back on October 4. This Friday’s tilt against Sanford Seminole could be one of the marquee matchups to watch in Central Florida.
#15 Lake Mary (5-2)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
Last Week: Defeated Seminole (Sanford), 29-14
This Week: at Evans (Orlando)- Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Junior quarterback Noah Grubbs (Notre Dame commit) continues to put the state of Florida on notice, as he had a two-touchdown performance against Seminole on Monday night. The Rams will be back in action on Friday night for their second game in five days, as they hit the road to take on Evans.
On The Bubble: American Heritage Plantation, Atlantic (Delray Beach), Bishop Moore, Bishop Verot, Bolles (Jacksonville), Bradford, Buchholz (Gainesville), Cardinal Newman, Columbus (Miami), Dr. Phillips, Eau Gallie, Edgewater, First Baptist Academy (Naples), Gadsden County, Lincoln (Tallahassee), Manatee, Mandarin (Jacksonville), Miami Northwestern, Miami Palmetto, Miami Southridge, Mitchell (New Port Richey), Monarch, Mosley, Naples, Niceville, Pace, Palmetto, Pensacola Catholic, Ponte Vedra, Raines (Jacksonville), St. Augustine, Tampa Bay Tech, University (Orange City), Vanguard (Ocala), West Boca Raton, Western, Wiregrass Ranch
