As we all know by now, football is indeed a crazy game, filled with several obstacles along the way.
This past week, defending 4A state champion Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and defending 8A state champion Sanford Seminole found out that staying unbeaten and on top, especially in Florida, is not easy. Both teams were beaten at home by just three points.
On the other side of the coin, Venice moved into second place with another big win – as Miami Central, St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Gulliver Prep, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Niceville all remained hot.
With so many key matchups taking place over the next few weeks, expect things to change in the rankings every week.
Once again, we added a number of programs to the list of teams making some noise outside the Top 25.
Here is a look at the latest ranking from Florida Prep Redzone, heading into Week 7:
1. Bradenton IMG Academy (Independent, 5-0).After having last week off, the Ascenders stayed atop the state poll once again. THIS WEEK:With the next scheduled game slated for Oct. 15 against St. Thomas More, this week – as of press time – was still open.
2. Venice (8A, 5-0).The Indians continue to roll along and stay unbeaten – as they once again had no problem, beating Bradenton Lakewood Ranch, 61-7. THIS WEEK: A home game against Bradenton Manatee on Friday.
3. Tampa Jesuit (6A, 5-0).After an amazing start, the Tigers were off this past week. THIS WEEK: It’s back to it this Friday for an away game against Clearwater Central Catholic (4-1).
4. Miami Central (5A, 3-2).The Rockets continued a tough schedule – with a huge 24-21 win over No. 20 Miami Northwestern. THIS WEEK:A Thursday game against district foe Hialeah-Miami Lakes.
5. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (7A, 5-1).The Raiders rolled at home in a district game against Cooper City, 69-0. It was also a game that honored legendary coach/athletic director George Smith. THIS WEEK: Another district game on the road against South Plantation on Friday.
6. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (3A, 4-1).Another huge road win for the Lions as they upended defending 8A state champion Sanford Seminole, 26-23, on the road. THIS WEEK: A Saturday game at Lockhart Park against Fort Lauderdale.
7. Miami Gulliver Prep (4A, 5-0).The way under-the-radar Raiders continued to impress with a convincing 52-27 win over two-time defending 2A state champion Champagnat Catholic. THIS WEEK: At press time, there was no game scheduled for this week.
8. Plantation American Heritage (5A, 2-2).In stopping the defending 4A state champion Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs, 23-20, the Patriots got back on the winning track. THIS WEEK: It’s back on the road for a Friday contest against No. 19 Jacksonville Trinity Christian.
9. Niceville (7A, 6-0).In remaining unbeaten, the Eagles doubled up Crestview, 42-21. THIS WEEK: A home on Friday night against Miami Edison (4-1), which makes the over 600 mile trip to Florida’s Panhandle.
10. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (4A, 4-1).Losing for the first time in nine games, the defending 4A state champs lost to No. 8 Plantation American Heritage on the final play, 23-20. THIS WEEK:A home game against Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest on Friday.
11.Sanford Seminole (8A, 5-1).Losing for the first time in 19 games, the Seminole dropped a heart-breaker at home to 3A powerhouse and No. 6 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, 26-23. THIS WEEK:A Thursday night away game at 4-2 Lake Brantley.
12. Naples (6A, 5-0).The Golden Eagles continue to roll along, beating Naples Barron Collier, 61-0. They have outscored the opposition, 238-7 with four shutouts. THIS WEEK: A home game on Friday night against Delray Beach Atlantic.
13. Jacksonville Bolles (4A, 6-0). The Bulldogs are on fire and have turned into one of the top teams in Florida – beating No. 19 and previously unbeaten 2A power Jacksonville Trinity Christian, 35-0. They have beaten their five opponents, 223-48. THIS WEEK:A Friday night home game against a very tough Clearwater Academy International (5-1).
14. Orlando Edgewater (7A, 5-1).This football team is on a roll – and last week’s 44-14 win over Winter Haven backs that up. THIS WEEK: A Thursday away game against 5-1 Winter Park.
15. Lake Mary (8A, 5-0).After last week’s 44-20 win over DeLand, the Rams continue to roll along and remain unbeaten. THIS WEEK: A Thursday away game at Longwood Lyman.
16. Tampa Bay Tech (7A, 5-0).THIS WEEK: With another thriller, against Seffner Armwood, the Titans remained unbeaten with a 34-26 win. THIS WEEK: A big Friday game against 5-1 Lithia Newsome.
17. Fort Lauderdale Dillard (7A, 6-0). In winning for the 24th time in 25 games – 12thstraight win – the Panthers shutout Nova, 62-0, for the fifth shutout this year. The Panthers have outscored the opposition, 258-7. THIS WEEK: After an amazing start to the season, they will be off.
18. Lynn Haven Mosley (7A, 5-0).In scoring over 40 points for the 6thconsecutive game, the Dolphins traveled beat Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee, 41-14. THIS WEEK: A Friday away game on Oct. 8 against 3-1 Navarre.
19. Jacksonville Trinity Christian (2A, 5-1). In being shocked by No. 13 Jacksonville Bolles, 35-0, the Conquerors are ready to get back at it. THIS WEEK:It gets no easier as the defending 5A state champion and No. 8 Plantation American Heritage come in for a Friday night game.
20. Miami Northwestern (6A, 4-2).Losing a tough game against No. 4 and two-time defending state champion Miami Central, 24-21, the Bulls are ready to start a run toward the playoffs. THIS WEEK:It’s an off week for this team as they get ready for the stretch run.
21. Cocoa (4A, 3-1).After spending last week off to recover from a tremendous start, the Tigers are back in action.had the week off after three impressive games to start the season. THIS WEEK: A Thursday night game at Orlando Dr. Phillips.
22. Lakeland (7A, 4-1).The Dreadnaughts spent last week off – getting ready for the stretch run. THIS WEEK:A home game against No. 25 Apopka on Friday night.
23. St. Petersburg Lakewood (4A, 6-0).After a great start to the season, the Spartans struggled against 1-4 Largo, 32-29. THIS WEEK:A home game this Friday against Tarpon Springs East Lake.
24. Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (8A, 3-1).Bouncing back from that thrilling loss to Cocoa, the Titans rolled over Fort Pierce Central, 35-7. THIS WEEK: A road game against a very competitive (4-1) Pahokee team on Friday evening.
25. Apopka (8A, 4-1).Bouncing back from a loss to Edgewater, the Blue Darters beat Orlando Evans, 20-6. THIS WEEK:A road game against No. 22 Lakeland on Friday night.
(tie) Miami Killian (5A, 6-0). The Cougars were tested this past week by traditional power Miami Booker T. Washington, 23-14. THIS WEEK: It’s a Saturday night district game at home against Key West.
OTHER TEAMS TO CONSIDER: Auburndale (6A, 5-0), Clearwater Academy International (Independent, 4-1), Clearwater Central Catholic (3A, 4-1), Coconut Creek (6A, 4-1), Fort Myers Dunbar (6A, 4-0), Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (6A, 4-2), Doral Academy (7A, 6-0), Gainesville Buchholz (7A, 4-1), Hawthorne (1A, 5-0), Hialeah Champagnat Catholic (2A, 3-2), Jacksonville Riverside (6A, 6-0), Kissimmee Osceola (8A, 5-1), Lakeland Christian (3A, 5-0), Lake Butler Union County (1A, 5-0), Lake Wales (6A, 4-1), Lithia Newsome (8A, 5-1), Martin County (7A, 4-0), Merritt Island (5A, 4-1), Miami Edison (3A, 4-1), Miami Florida Christian (4A, 5-0), Miami Palmetto (8A, 4-1), Navarre (7A, 3-1), Ocoee (8A, 3-0), Orange City University (8A, 4-0), Orlando Boone (8A, 4-1), Orlando Jones (6A, 4-2), Ocala Vanguard (6A, 5-0), Pahokee (1A, 4-1), Palm Beach Central (8A, 5-0), Port Orange Spruce Creek (7A, 6-0), Quincy Munroe (2A, 5-1), Sarasota (8A, 4-2), Satellite (5A, 6-0), Seffner Armwood (7A, 4-2), South Fort Myers (6A, 5-0), St. Johns Bartram Trail (8A, 5-1), St. Johns Creekside (8A, 6-0), Tallahassee Florida High (3A, 5-1), Tampa Berkeley Prep (3A, 5-0), Rockledge (5A, 6-0), Vero Beach (8A, 4-1), Viera (7A, 4-1), Winter Garden West Orange (8A, 5-1), Winter Park (8A, 4-1), Zephyrhills (5A, 5-0)
TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.