SBLive Sports' Florida Football Power 25: A crazy week keeps most of the rankings intact

The Wharton Wildcats make their way into the rankings after picking up a narrow win over the Armwood Hawks

Last week was tough for the entire Sunshine State community in preparing and going through the powerful storm that Hurricane Ian ended up being. The southwest Florida region took the biggest hit, but is starting the recovery process with Collier County getting back to games this week. 

Lee, Sarasota counties are still in flux and it remains a big question mark on how it will affect the playoffs down the road. Power 25 ranked Naples will be playing this Friday versus Barron Collier, bringing some good news to the region high school football wise. 

We’ve got our latest SBLive Sports Florida Power 25 rankings and the Chaminade-Madonna continues to remain the state’s top team, Cardinal Gibbons drops just slightly and Wharton enters the chat. Let’s take a look at the rankings.

Plantation American Heritage made a statement with its 21-2 win over Cardinal Gibbons.  / Photo by Matt Christopher

SBLIVE SPORTS FLORIDA TOP 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS

1. Chaminade-Madonna (4-0)

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. Somerset Academy Key

Ranking rationale: The Lions remain the best team in the state of Florida with that ‘light switch’ type of mentality. They’re literally a sleeping giant that can wake up at any moment during a game depending on opponent. 

2. Miami Central (5-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Miami Northwestern 

Ranking rationale: Miami Central head coach Jube Joseph said after his team rolled past North Miami Beach after about a quick lunchtime worth of practice that they’ll play anyone, anywhere at any time. They’ll be at Traz Powell this Friday against Miami Northwestern. 

The Rockets will play anyone, anywhere at any time per head coach Jube Joseph.  / Photo by Alex Walworth

3. Plantation American Heritage (4-1)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Western

Ranking rationale: Plantation American Heritage got back on the field and boy did Brandon Inniss make sure Cardinal Gibbons knew he was not to be trifled with. Inniss scored on a touchdown reception and notched an interception. 

4. IMG Academy (3-1)

Next game: Oct. 7 at St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Ct.)

Ranking rationale: Beating Phenix City of Alabama a couple weeks ago made it three wins in a row for the Ascenders. IMG Academy will play St. Thomas More of Connecticut this Friday. The game versus Jones is officially canceled.

IMG Academy will hit the road for a game in Connecticut this week.  / Photo by Alex Walworth

5. St. Thomas Aquinas (5-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Dillard

Ranking rationale: In the Raiders most recent outing against Treasure Coast, the game was never in doubt in a 21-7 decision. Now they’ll face a very talented Dillard club. Should be interesting. 

6. Columbus (6-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Homestead

Ranking rationale: The Explorers made easy work of South Miami in a 54-14 romp. Now the real test comes to the table when they travel down south to face a surging Homestead 

7. Lakeland (4-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Bartow

Ranking rationale: Now with all the hoopla surrounding the rivalry matchup against Lake Gibson, Lakeland made sure they left no doubt after losing twice to the Braves in 2021. The Dreadnaughts rolled to a 47-14 victory on a Monday night game. 

8. Tampa Bay Tech (6-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Hillsborough 

Ranking rationale: The Titans showed no mercy against Freedom in a 75-0 beat down. Tampa Bay Tech gets Hillsborough this Friday before a titanic matchup against Wharton at home. Bring your popcorn for that one.

Tampa Bay Tech rolled by Freedom in a 75-0 blowout.  / Photo by Matt Christopher

9. Pine Forest (6-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Niceville

Ranking rationale: It was all fun and games, but now the Eagles face their toughest test of the season when they welcome Niceville into town. This one should be a doozy. 

10. Edgewater (5-0)

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. Timber Creek

Ranking rationale: The Fightin’ Eagles’ last game was a 28-19 win over Apopka, but haven’t played since then. They’ll have a Thursday night game against Timber Creek with a chance to go 6-0. 

11. Cardinal Gibbons (5-1)

Next game: Oct. 13 at Hallandale

Ranking rationale: Yeah, we know it was a tough battle between the Chiefs and the Patriots of Plantation American Heritage. They only drop a few spots and get some time off before Hallandale. 

12. Miami Northwestern (3-2)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Miami Central

Ranking rationale: The battle at Traz Powell Stadium between the Bulls and Miami Central Rockets will be a packed out event. Northwestern quarterback Taron Dickens just picked up an offer from Jacksonville State and will have a tough task vs. the Rockets’ defense. 

13. Trinity Christian (5-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Riverside

Ranking rationale: The Conquerors got a game versus Riverside this weekend before a big matchup next week on Oct. 14 showdown with University Christian Christians. 

14. Venice (2-2)

Next game: TBA

Ranking rationale: One of the areas Hurricane Ian hit the hardest was south Sarasota County and Powell-Davis Stadium took on a lot of damage. Sarasota County Schools do not have a plan on when teams will be back on the field. 

With Hurricane Ian hitting Venice, Florida hard, there’s no set timetable on when the Indians will be back.  / Photo courtesy of Venice Football Instagram

15. Sanford Seminole (4-1)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs Cocoa 

Ranking rationale: At the beginning of the season, the matchup with Cocoa would’ve seemed to make it a big game. It’s still a good one, but the Seminoles should come away in this one. 

16. Buchholz (4-0)

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. Gainesville

Ranking rationale: It’s been a really tough season for Gainesville and Buchholz isn’t about to make life any easier. The Bobcats will be 5-0 very soon. 

17. Homestead (5-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Columbus 

Ranking rationale: The Broncos were able to get their game in against South Miami, avoiding any kind of cancellation. Now Homestead gears up for its toughest test when they host No. 6 Columbus. 

18. Kissimmee Osceola (2-2)

Next game: Oct. 10 at Jones

Ranking rationale: In what will be one of the more interesting matchups of next week, the Kowboys will face No. 19 Jones on the road. In our rankings, the two teams are right there with one another. 

19. Jones (2-2)

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. University

Ranking rationale: The Fightin’ Tigers will be playing two games in a matter of four days as they’ll face University on a Thursday night before facing off against Kissimmee Osceola. 

20. Booker T. Washington (5-1)

Next game: Oct. 6 vs. Norland

Ranking rationale: The next two games for the Tornadoes will be tall telling on how the second of their season will go. Booker T. Washington faces Norland and then next week Miami Northwestern. 

21. Naples (4-1)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Barron Collier

Ranking rationale: Collier County was another one hit hard by Hurricane Ian. The Golden Eagles announced via Twitter they’d be back on the field this Friday at home vs. Barron Collier. 

We will play @BarronCollier this Friday at Staver Field.

Kickoff at 7:30 🦅🏈💪🏾@FlaHSFootball @NaplesHS @NHSEaglesNews

— Naples Golden Eagle Football (@naplesfootball) October 4, 2022

22. Wharton (4-1) 

Next game: Oct. 7 at Newsome

Ranking rationale: So Wharton did start off the season with a loss to Jesuit, but as we thought, the Wildcats were only going to become better because of it. The Wildcats’ 20-13 win over the Armwood Hawks was proof of that. 

23. Armwood (3-2)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Steinbrenner 

Ranking rationale: Consistency is something Armwood head coach Evan Davis has been preaching and though they were right there with Wharton, a loss drops them just a spot in our rankings. Armwood, Jesuit, Wharton are all right there with one another. 

24. Jesuit (3-2)

Next game: Oct. 7 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic 

Ranking rationale: The Tigers looked more in sync offensively against Leto, but that’s not saying a whole ton. We expected Jesuit to do that. Now comes the real test when the Marauders come to town. 

Joquez Smith and the Tigers have a huge test Friday against CCC.  / Photo by Gio Alvarez

25. Clearwater Academy International (4-0)

Next game: Oct. 7 at Madison County

Ranking rationale: The Knights found their way onto the field for a special Sunday afternoon game, cruising past Tru Prep Academy. A trip to Boot Hill won’t be easy this Friday. 

On the outside looking in: Winter Park, Dillard, Western, Cocoa, Bolles, Niceville, Lake Wales, Vanguard, South Sumter, Vero Beach, Hawthorne, Bartram Trail, Creekside, Pahokee. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo