As we race toward another week in the state of Florida, the elite teams continue to separate themselves from the pack, and over the next two weeks, you will see things starting to take shape as those eight teams that will compete in the inaugural “Open Division” are going to face some tough competition.
As you will see from a few new faces in this Top 30, each week, there are going to be programs that will step up and make an impact. There are still 16 unbeaten programs out of this impressive group and that will shrink each week.
Here is a look at the Top 30 programs for Week 5 – with additional teams that have a chance to be special this year:
1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (5A, 4-0). The nation’s No. 1 team rolled on the road against Fort Lauderdale Dillard, 49-0. THIS WEEK: @Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (9/18). NEXT WEEK: The Raiders will have the week off.
2. Bradenton IMG Academy (Independent, 3-0). The Ascenders enjoyed the week off. THIS WEEK: A showdown with No. 15 Orlando The First Academy. NEXT WEEK: A home game against Spring Legacy School of Sport Sciences (9/25).
3. West Boca Raton (5A, 3-0). The Bulls remained unbeaten with a convincing 24-7 win against No. 19 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman. THIS WEEK: The schedule continues to get tougher with a home game against St. John’s Prep of Washington D.C. (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Boca Raton Olympic Heights (9/24).
4. Venice (6A, 4-0). The Indians had no problem with Lehigh, 69-0. THIS WEEK: A home game against an unpredictable Cape Coral team (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Sarasota (9/25).
5. Miami Christopher Columbus (6A, 3-1). After two straight games against the No. 1 team in the country, the Explorers won a key road district game against No. 29 Miami Palmetto, 34-7. THIS WEEK: The team stays on the road for another district game against Homestead South Dade (9/18). NEXT WEEK: Another district game – at home against Homestead (9/24).
6. Miami Central (3A, 2-1). The Rockets lost for the first time this season – on the road – against national power Buford, Georgia, 18-7. THIS WEEK: A home game against Miami Jackson (9/19). NEXT WEEK: The annual showdown against Miami Northwestern (9/26).
7. Gainesville Buchholz (5A, 4-0). The Bobcats remained unbeaten with a lightning-shortened win against remained unbeaten with a convincing 49-7 win against Ocala West Port. THIS WEEK: It will be another road test against an emerging No. 28 Tampa Jesuit team (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home game against a much-improved Ocala Forest team (9/24).
8. Jacksonville Raines (3A, 4-0). The defending state champions remained unbeaten with a 43-8 win against Jacksonville Terry Parker. THIS WEEK: A Top 30 matchup at home against No. 14 Jacksonville Mandarin (9/18). NEXT WEEK: Off.
9. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (2A, 3-1). The Lions got hot in the second half and beat Miami True North Classical Academy, 42-30. THIS WEEK: A trip to Fort Lauderdale to take on Cardinal Gibbons (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s (9/25).
10. DeLand (6A, 2-1). The Bulldogs got their get back against defending state champion Lake Mary with a convincing 33-0 win. THIS WEEK: A home game against a competitive Deltona team (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home game against the always competitive Port Orange Spruce Creek team (9/25).
11. Vero Beach (6A, 3-1). The defending state runner up Indians rolled to a 56-0 win against Port St. Lucie Centennial. THIS WEEK: A home contest against Boca Raton Spanish River (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A huge district showdown against Fort Pierce Central at home (9/25).
12. Lakeland (5A, 1-1). The Dreadnaughts rebounded from the tough overtime loss to Venice with a big road district game against Kissimmee Osceola, 40-6. THIS WEEK: A home game against two-time defending state champion No. 21 Plantation American Heritage (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Auburndale (9/25).
13. Seffner Armwood (5A, 3-1). The Hawks had no problem with Riverview Spoto in a home district contest, 51-0. THIS WEEK: A big matchup at home against Riverview Sumner (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A road district matchup with Tampa Plant (9/25).
14. Jacksonville Mandarin (5A, 3-0). The Mustangs remained unbeaten with a 32-14 road district game against Ponte Vedra Nease. THIS WEEK: The game of the year when they travel to play No. 8 Jacksonville Raines (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Neptune Beach Fletcher (9/25).
15. Orlando The First Academy (2A, 4-0). The Royals have gotten out of the gate quickly this season and remained unbeaten on Saturday with a 42-0 win against Groveland South Lake.
THIS WEEK: A huge home game against No. 2 Bradenton IMG Academy. NEXT WEEK: After a busy start, they will have the week off.
16. Clearwater Central Catholic (2A, 3-0). After having the week off, the Marauders had no problem with Clearwater Calvary Christian, 42-7. THIS WEEK: A trip to St. Petersburg Catholic (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A key road game against a much-improved Tampa Catholic squad (9/25).
17. Tampa Carrollwood Day (1A, 4-0). One of the hottest teams in the state once again remained that way with a 56-14 win against Lutz Steinbrenner. THIS WEEK: A home game against Tampa Chamberlain (9/18). NEXT WEEK: Back on the road to play Zephyrhills Christian Academy (9/25).
18. Tampa Bay Tech (5A, 4-0). The Titans remained unbeaten with a 48-0 win against Tampa Plant. THIS WEEK: A competitive matchup against Tampa Gaither (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home game against Valrico Bloomingdale (9/25).
19. West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (2A, 3-1). The longest winning streak in Palm Beach County came to an end with a road loss to No. 3 West Boca Raton. THIS WEEK: A home game against a competitive Jensen Beach team (9/18). NEXT WEEK: The defending state champions will have the week off.
20. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (3A, 3-1). The Cougars turned on the offense once again with a convincing 67-10 win against Venice Wellen Park. THIS WEEK: After a challenging start, they will enjoy the week off. NEXT WEEK: Another big home game against Bradenton Braden River (9/25).
21. St. Augustine (4A, 3-0). The Yellow Jackets rolled to their fourth straight win – against Middleburg, 48-6. THIS WEEK: A home game against a dangerous Orlando Evans squad (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home game against much-improved Green Cove Springs Clay (9/24).
22. Lake Wales (4A, 3-1). One of the best kept secrets in the state, the Highlanders rolled over Eagle Lake – Lake Region, 65-0. THIS WEEK: A big home game against Kissimmee Osceola (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home district game against Brandon (9/25).
23. Plantation American Heritage (4A, 2-2). After losing to rival Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, the two-time defending state champions stayed on the road to win a thrilling overtime contest against Jacksonville Trinity Christian, 15-14. THIS WEEK: They stay on the road to play a huge game against No. 12 Lakeland (9/18). NEXT WEEK: Back home for a contest with Miramar (9/25).
24. Port Charlotte (4A, 2-2). The Pirates rebounded after two straight losses, beating Fort Myers Dunbar, 35-6. THIS WEEK: Off. NEXT WEEK: A trip to play a solid South Fort Myers (9/26).
25. Lake City Columbia (4A, 4-0). How about them Tigers! Stayed unbeaten with a 49-0 win against previously unbeaten Jacksonville Ribault, 49-0. THIS WEEK: Another huge trip to Jacksonville to play Trinity Christian (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home game against Jacksonville Riverside.
26. Lynn Haven Mosley (4A, 4-0). The Dolphins also continued to roll along with a 36-0 win against Tallahassee Chiles. THIS WEEK: A home game against Havana Gadsden County (9/17). NEXT WEEK: A home contest against Tallahassee Lincoln (9/25).
27. Sanford Seminole (4-0). The Seminoles continued to roll along with a 42-7 win against Orange City University. THIS WEEK: A trip to play Daytona Beach Mainland (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A home game against Apopka (9/25).
28. Tampa Jesuit (4A, 3-0). The Tigers move into the Top 30 this week after three straight wins – the latest coming against Tampa Blake, 52-7. THIS WEEK: Welcome to the elite group as they will host No. 7 Gainesville Buchholz (9/18). NEXT WEEK: A trip to play Tampa Middleton (9/25).
29. Miami Palmetto (6A, 3-1). The Panthers tasted defeat for the first time this season to No. 5 Miami Christopher Columbus, 34-7. THIS WEEK: Another district game – at home – against Coral Gables (9/18). NEXT WEEK: The district schedule continues with a game against Southwest Miami (9/25).
30. Miami Carol City (2A, 1-2). While the Chiefs were off this past week, they were stripped of a 38-3 win against Daytona Beach Mainland. THIS WEEK: A home game against Miami Edison (9/17). NEXT WEEK: A home contest against Miami Booker T. Washington (9/24).
KEEP AN EYE ON:
1A
Blountstown (3-1)
Fort Pierce John Carroll (3-1)
Hawthorne (4-0)
Jacksonville Trinity Christian (2-2)
Jacksonville University Christian (2-1)
Lakeland Christian (4-0)
Madison County (3-1)
Melbourne Central Catholic (2-1)
Miami Westminster Christian (3-0)
Naples First Baptist (4-0)
Naples St. John Neumann (3-1)
Pahokee (3-1)
St. Petersburg Catholic (2-2)
Wildwood (3-0)
2A
Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s (2-2)
Cocoa (0-2)
Jacksonville Bolles (2-1)
Miami Immaculata LaSalle (4-0)
Pensacola Catholic (3-1)
Starke Bradford County (3-0)
Tallahassee Florida High (3-0)
Tampa Berkeley Prep (2-2)
Tampa Catholic (4-0)
3A
Bradenton Braden River (3-0)
Brooksville Nature Coast Tech (3-1)
Bushnell South Sumter (3-1)
Crawfordville Wakulla (3-1)
Eau Gallie (2-2)
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2-2)
Fort Lauderdale Dillard (2-2)
Jacksonville Bishop Kenny (1-2)
Merritt Island (3-1)
Miami Springs (4-0)
North Miami Beach (3-1)
Santa Rosa Beach South Walton (3-1)
The Villages Charter (3-0)
Titusville (3-1)
4A
Clearwater (4-0)
Delray Beach Atlantic (3-1)
Fort Myers Dunbar (2-2)
Fort Pierce Westwood (2-1)
Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (1-2)
Hialeah American (3-1)
Hollywood McArthur (1-2)
Jacksonville Ed White (1-1)
Jensen Beach (3-1)
Miami Norland (2-2)
Miami Northwestern (3-1)
Middleburg (2-2)
Milton (1-2)
Naples (2-2)
New Smyrna Beach (3-0)
Ocala Vanguard (2-2)
Orlando Bishop Moore (2-2)
Orlando Jones (2-1)
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (2-2)
South Fort Myers (3-0)
Tallahassee Godby (2-2)
Tallahassee Lincoln (2-2)
Tallahassee Rickards (1-2)
Zephyrhills (2-2)
5A
Auburndale (2-1)
Bradenton Manatee (3-1)
Clermont East Ridge (3-1)
Coconut Creek (3-1)
Coconut Creek Monarch (2-1)
Fort Myers Riverdale (2-2)
Immokalee (3-1)
Kissimmee Osceola (2-2)
Melbourne (2-2)
Miami Southridge (1-2)
Niceville (2-2)
Ocala Forest (4-0)
Orange Park Oakleaf (2-1)
Orlando Evans (2-2)
Oviedo (2-2)
Pace (2-2)
Palmetto (2-2)
Riverview Sumner (3-1)
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy (2-1)
St. John Bartram Trail (3-1)
Stuart Martin County (2-2)
Tampa Gaither (3-1)
Trinity Mitchell (3-0)
Viera (3-1)
Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch (0-2)
6A
Daytona Beach Mainland (1-1)
Flagler Palm Coast (4-0)
Fort Pierce Central (3-0)
Jupiter (3-0)
Lake Mary (1-2)
Lantana Santaluces (2-2)
Orlando Edgewater (2-2).
Orlando Lake Nona (3-1)
Palm Beach Lakes (3-0)
Port Orange Spruce Creek (4-0)
Ruskin Lennard (3-1)
Sarasota Riverview (3-1)
St. Cloud (3-1)
Tampa Alonso (3-0)
Wellington (3-1)
Wellington Palm Beach Central (4-0)
Weston Cypress Bay (4-0)
Winter Garden West Orange (4-0)
Winter Park (2-2)
Week 1 State Football Rankings: St. Thomas Aquinas Is The One. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-1-state-football-rankings-st-thomas-aquinas-is-the-one
Week 2 State Football Rankings: Top Teams Get Off To A Fast Start. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-2-state-football-rankings-top-teams-get-off-to-a-fast-start
Week 3 Florida State High School Football Rankings: The Nation Was Watching. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-3-state-football-rankings-the-nation-was-watching
Week 4 Florida State Football Rankings: Elite Teams Stay On Top. https://larryblustein.com/news/week-4-florida-state-football-rankings-elite-teams-stay-on-top
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 56 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..