Florida high school football has had plenty of ups and downs through the first nine weeks and now with an extra week added to the schedule, things will get a bit more hectic before the playoffs.
Upsets and close calls have filled the scoreboards as we try and configure every week who are exactly the Sunshine State’s top football programs week in and week out.
This past week was no different. Plenty of exciting games were on tap, bringing to you a whole new perspective on the best out of Florida. This is the final week of the regular season in the Sunshine State and teams are ramping up for the playoffs.
Here’s the Top 25 Florida high school football teams after Week 11, as we see it.
Probably wondering how on earth can a team that didn’t play leapfrog not one, but two teams. Well, we got to thinking and came up with that the Dreadnaughts own victories over Miami Central and Lake Mary, two ranked clubs. Unfortunately, Lakeland doesn’t play Chaminade-Madonna or IMG Academy, but whose to say each one of these teams couldn’t beat one another? The Dreadnaughts take the top spot with a chance at a district title against Sebring this week.
Sooner or later, you had to imagine these guys would be back near the top of the rankings. The Lions concluded the regular season with a 62-17 thumping of Broward County foe Cardinal Gibbons.
Of course the argument is there on why IMG Academy could be second or even still the top-ranked club, but last week’s blowout loss to St. Frances Academy has us taking a step back on the Ascenders as their season comes to a close this week when they face St. Thomas More (Connecticut).
Armwood was another team that was able to run away with a win, as the Hawks blasted Riverview, 48-0. Evan Davis’ group should easily finish 10-0.
John Peacock’s crew took care of business when they crushed Sarasota Riverview, 43-6. Next up is awaiting the FHSAA playoff reveal for Class 7A.
The Rockets cap the regular season with two victories last week against Stranahan and Somerset Academy, both blowouts.
There’s no reason to drop the Patriots too far down the rankings as they lost in the final seconds to Miami Norland a couple weeks ago, only to get a win from that contest via a forfeit. Mike Smith’s team then ended the regular season with a wild 42-38 come-from-behind win over St. Thomas Aquinas.
Yes, we know they Vikings just lost a game, but their two losses are to teams that were ranked ahead of them to begin with. Miami Norland finished the regular season with a 37-20 win over Plantation. The Vikings were forced to forfeit a game to Plantation American Heritage due to use of an ineligible player.
Last time the Raiders had three losses in a season was 2017, when they lost to Venice in the Class 7A state championship.
The Fightin’ Tigers got a historical performance from Miami (FL) commit Dereon Coleman, who threw seven first half touchdowns in a 77-0 win over Lake Region a couple weeks ago. Followed it up with a solid 14-0 victory over Ocoee.
Cocoa ended the regular season against Rockledge, winning the rivalry game handily. Now the Tigers await where they will finish in Class 2A.
Teddy Bridgewater’s bunch ended the regular season with a 54-7 thrashing of St. Brendan.
There’s no shame in the latest loss for the Marauders, falling to arguably one of the nation’s most talented teams in St. Frances Academy (Maryland). Chris Harvey’s crew bounced back with a big victory over Boca Ciega.
In what was a strong quarterback matchup game between Noah Grubbs and Bishop Moore’s Bjorn Jurgensen, the Rams came away with a 34-16 victory.
The Seminoles one loss against Lake Mary, with the other against The First Academy now being reversed due to rules violations. We could easily see the ‘Noles making a playoff run if they can get healthy.
Manatee locked up the Class 5A, District 9 championship with a win over Braden River last week. The Hurricanes have no more games remaining, thus concluding their season until the playoffs.
Nease kept its undefeated ways intact and rolled to a 42-20 defeat of Beachside. The Panthers have one last games remaining against Bartram Trail.
The Cougars ended their regular season with a dominating 34-10 victory over Sebring last week. Cardinal Mooney will be a serious contender in Class 2A.
Stop stratching your head on this one. The Jaguars deserve to be in this list and we should’ve realized it sooner rather than later when they played Venice somewhat tight, 34-19, in the preseason. The Jaguars have compiled wins over McCallie (Tennessee), Lincoln and now FSU High. A chance to go 9-1 is within sight when they face Taylor County.
There’s no doubting the talent that’s there at Monarch, with players like Jabari Brady and Samari Reed. The Knights earned themselves a 52-42 victory over a talented Blanche Ely club last week.
There’s really a lot to like about this Vikings squad. Raines finished out the regular season undefeated after notching a 48-0 victory over Atlantic Coast.
The Bulls end up being undefeated after all, with news that Western will be forfeiting its win to West Boca Raton. Dylan Potts’ bunch followed it up with a victory over a very good Delray Beach Atlantic crew.
Two forfeit losses by Western gives back games to Goleman and West Boca Raton, respectively. Instead of staring at the ‘six’ losses, understand that this Western team is still a very talented team and can absolutely make noise in the Class 7A playoffs.
Edgewater makes their way back into the rankings after finishing the regular season strong and will get a victory from The First Academy forfeiture. Only loss has come at the hands of Jones, 31-21.
The Pirates re-enter the rankings after wrapping up the Class 4A, District 12 championship with a 21-18 win over Naples. Port Charlotte finishes the season with the Peace River Rivalry against Charlotte.
On the outside looking in: Bishop Moore, Bishop Verot, Blanche Ely, Bolles, Bradford, Buchholz, Cardinal Newman, Chiefland, Choctawhatchee, Delray Beach Atlantic, Dr. Phillips, Eau Gallie, Kissimmee Osceola, Lincoln, First Baptist Academy, FSU High, Glades Central, Goleman, Jesuit, Lake Wales, Madison County, Mandarin, Miami Booker T. Washington, Mitchell, Mosley, Naples, Newberry, Niceville, Pensacola Catholic, Piper, Plant, Southridge, St. Augustine, Tampa Bay Tech, Union County, Vanguard, Wiregrass Ranch
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.
To get live updates on your phone – as well as follow your favorite teams and top games – you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App
— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
