Florida High School Football Top 25 State Rankings: IMG Academy Stays No. 1, West Boca Soars

The 2026 Florida high school football season kicked off last week with dramatic finishes, dominant performances and several memorable interstate showdowns.

While IMG Academy, St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaminade-Madonna and Miami Carol City held onto the top four spots, there was plenty of movement in the High School On SI Florida Football Top 25 following Week 1.

Defending Class 6A state champion West Boca Raton delivered one of the state's most impressive victories, beating defending Class 4A champion American Heritage Plantation 24-7. The win propelled the Bulls seven spots to No. 6, while American Heritage fell 10 spots to No. 16.

Miami Northwestern made an even bigger move, climbing nine spots to No. 7 after edging Lakewood 20-18, while longtime Polk County power Lakeland moved up four spots to No. 11 after routing crosstown rival Kathleen 47-0.

Miami Central needed a last-minute TD run to beat Orange Lutheran (CA), 23-22, on the road in a wild finish.

Not to be outdone, Venice tipped away a two-point conversion pass from Rabun-Gap (GA) in overtime to prevail 42-40. The Indians jumped five spots to No. 12 with the victory.

Three schools make their debut this week in the Top 25: Mandarin (No. 23), Carrollwood Day School (No. 24) and Lake City Columbia (No. 25).

Rankings are fluid and we welcome input. Please send a direct message to Jeff on X @JMarkG1962 or email him at jgardenour1962@gmail.com

Florida high school football Top 25 state rankings — High School On SI

PREVIOUS: PRESEASON | WK1 |

1. IMG Academy (1-0)

Previous ranking: 1

Last week: Def. Lone Peak (Highland, UT), 59-3.

Next up: vs. Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, TX) (1-0), Aug. 29, 7 p.m.

The Ascenders, also ranked No. 1 nationally by High School On SI, ventured out west and got a dominating performance from its defense, which forced four turnovers.

2. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0)

Previous ranking: 2

Last week: Def. Western, 42-0.

Next up: vs. Desoto (TX) (0-0), Aug. 29, 6 p.m.

The seven-time defending state champion Raiders, ranked No. 5 nationally by High School On SI, rolled to an easy win behind a stellar defensive effort. Defensive back Samari Howard led the way with a pick-6. But they face a serious test this week when they host DeSoto (TX), ranked No. 15 nationally by High School On SI.

3. Chaminade-Madonna (1-0)

Previous ranking: 3

Last week: Def. Monarch, 49-22.

Next up: vs. Sierra Canyon (CA) (1-0), Aug. 27, 7 p.m.

Junior quarterback Brady Quinn, who transferred from Naples Lely, continues to shine for the defending Class 1A state runner-up Lions, who are ranked No. 17 nationally by High School On SI. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns. But Chaminade-Madonna faces a stern test this week when it hosts Sierra Canyon (CA), ranked No. 13 nationally by High School On SI.

4. Carol City (1-0)

Previous ranking: 4

Last week: Def. Mainland, 38-3.

Next up: at Lee County (GA) (1-0), Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.

The Chiefs, ranked No. 21 nationally by High School On SI, went on the road for their season-opener and scored 38 unanswered points to overwhelm Mainland, a longtime Volusia County power. Za’Kari Johnson ran for a touchdown and passed for another, and the Chiefs’ defense had three interceptions. Santana Blount and Malik Leonard also scored for Carol City.

5. Raines (1-0)

Previous ranking: 7

Last week: Def. Oakleaf, 24-7.

Next up: at Baldwin (0-1), Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.

The defending Class 3A state champion Vikings rumbled to their 15th consecutive victory behind a dominant defensive effort. Johdeem Jones was one of many defensive stars for Raines.

6. West Boca Raton (1-0)

Previous ranking: 13

Last week: Def. American Heritage Plantation, 24-7.

Next up: Idle this week.

The two-time defending Class 6A state champion Bulls received a strong overall effort in dispatching defending Class 4A state champion AHP. The West Boca defense intercepted quarterback Niemann Lawrence twice and did not allow a first down until the second half.

Trey Moran passed for two TDs and ran for another score for the Bulls.

7. Northwestern (1-0)

Previous ranking: 16

Last week: Def. Lakewood, 20-18.

Next up: vs. Miami Jackson (1-0), Aug. 27, 7 p.m.

The defending Class 3A state runner-up Bulls gave first-year coach Jerome Thomas his first victory. Northwestern rallied from a 6-0 halftime deficit to win.

8. Cardinal Newman (1-0)

Previous ranking: 8

Last week: Def. Community School of Naples, 37-7.

Next up: at Cardinal Mooney (1-0), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

After last week's big opening win over the Community School Naples, Newman takes part in a battle of defending state champions. The defending Class 2A state champion Crusaders travel to play defending Class 1A state champion Cardinal Mooney this week. Cardinal Newman honored coach Sam Budnyk before the start of its game against Community School of Naples.

9. Miami Central (1-0)

Previous ranking: 5

Last week: Def. Orange Lutheran (CA), 23-22.

Next up: Idle this week.

The Rockets won one of the most thrilling interstate games in Week 1 as senior quarterback James Perrone, who has offers from Pitt, East Carolina, UConn and Memphis, raced 40 yards for the winning TD with 28 seconds left.

10. Cardinal Mooney (1-0)

Previous ranking: 14

Last week: Def. Berkeley Prep, 39-21.

Next up: vs. Cardinal Newman (1-0), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

Senior Connail Jackson ran wild, rushing 14 times for 222 yards and three TDs against Berkeley Prep. Senior quarterback Davin Davidson, a Florida commit, completed 20 of 26 passes for 265 yards and two TDs; and CJ King caught six passes for 150 yards and two scores.

11. Lakeland (1-0)

Previous ranking: 15

Last week: Def. Kathleen, 47-0.

Next up: Idle this week.

The defending Class 5A state runner-up Dreadnaughts sailed past crosstown rival Kathleen as senior quarterback Kelin Hendrix completed 11 of 14 passes for 193 yards and two TDs.

12. Venice (1-0)

Previous ranking: 17

Last week: Def. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (GA), 42-40, overtime.

Next up: vs. SESA (SmartEn Sports Academy) (1-0), Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.

This interstate game was a late addition when both schools’ Week 1 opponents canceled. The teams didn’t disappoint as Venice won the game on a tipped two-point conversion pass by defender Micah Hayes in overtime. Dorien Jones ran for five TDs for the Indians.

13. Armwood (1-0)

Previous ranking: 11

Last week: Def. Lennard, 17-7.

Next up: at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) (0-0), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

Rondai Dile rushed for 126 yards to lead the Hawks past Lennard. Armwood, however, faces a much more difficult test this week when it travels to play Don Bosco Prep, ranked No. 16 nationally by High School On SI.

14. Buchholz (1-0)

Previous ranking: 19

Last week: Def. Ocala Vanguard, 34-28, overtime.

Next up: vs. Gainesville (0-1), Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Junior quarterback Andrew Whittemore saved the day for the Bobcats, completing 12 of 18 passes for 215 yards and three TDs and rushing 11 times for 63 yards and a score.

15. Vero Beach (1-0)

Previous ranking: 10

Last week: Def. Jensen Beach, 34-0.

Next up: vs. Atlantic (Delray Beach) (1-0), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

The defending Class 7A state runner-up Indians had no trouble with Treasure Coast opponent Jensen Beach, racing to a 27-0 halftime lead and never looking back. Notre Dame quarterback commit Champ Monds completed 12 of 14 passes for 195 yards and three TDs.

16. American Heritage Plantation (0-1)

Previous ranking: 6

Last week: Lost to West Boca Raton, 24-7.

Next up: vs. East St. Louis (ILL) (1-0), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

The defending Class 4A state champion Patriots struggled offensively, against a stout West Boca Raton team. Things don’t get any easier for AHP, which next hosts Illinois power East St. Louis. The Flyers have won a whopping 11 state championships, including two in the last four seasons.

17. Lake Mary (0-0)

Previous ranking: 9

Last week: Idle

Next up: vs. Oviedo (0-1), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

The Rams lost more than 30 seniors from their Class 7A state championship team and it showed in a 26-17 preseason Kickoff Classic loss to Buchholz a few weeks ago. But the Rams hope to bounce back against an Oviedo team that lost to Titusville, 24-22, on a 42-yard field goal with time running out.

18. Jones (0-1)

Previous ranking: 12

Last week: Lost to Santa Margarita (CA), 27-0.

Next up: Idle

The two-time defending Class 4A state runner-up gets a break after dropping a preseason Kickoff Classic game to Miami Central and a regular-season opener against national power Santa Margarita (CA). Ke’Sean Williams had an interception for Jones.

19. St. Augustine (1-0)

Previous ranking: 25

Last week: Def. Palatka, 49-0.

Next up: vs. Nease (0-1), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

Senior Cash Downey completed 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards and three TDs to lead the Yellow Jackets past Palatka. Durell Preston Jr., ran for two scores.

20. Edgewater (1-0)

Previous ranking: 23

Last week: Def. Ocoee, 34-6.

Next up: vs. The First Academy, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

Sophomore running back Jahmari Hammonds, a transfer from Central Florida Christian Academy, ripped off a long TD in the first quarter and the Eagles coasted from there. But the Eagles face a serious challenge this week against The First Academy, which plays a demanding in-state schedule and is eligible for the playoffs again following a two-year ban.

21. DeLand (1-0)

Previous ranking: 20

Last week: Def. Lake Wales, 35-34.

Next up: vs. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) (0-0), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs needed a defensive stand to edge Lake Wales in a battle of 2025 state playoff teams. Junior running back Taihj Moore ran for three TDs, and Kaveon Johnson rushed for two scores. Things get considerably tougher this week when the Bulldogs host St. Frances Academy, ranked No. 2 nationally by High School On SI.

22. Jesuit (1-0)

Previous ranking: 22

Last week: Def. SFA, 37-0.

Next up: at Bishop Verot (0-1), Aug. 28, 7 p.m.

Freshman quarterback Jack Griffin shredded SFA for 225 yards and four TDs to lead the Tigers in their season-opener.

23. Mandarin (1-0)

Previous ranking: Unranked

Last week: Def. McArthur, 38-21.

Next up: at Atlantic Coast Jacksonville (0-1), Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.

The Jacksonville school makes its Top 25 debut after beating McArthur. Shaunqueze Foster ran 25 times for 156 yards and three TDs and Knox Annis passed for two TDs.

24. Carrollwood Day School (1-0)

Previous ranking: Unranked

Last week: Def. Eau Gallie, 41-7.

Next up: at River Ridge (1-0), Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.

The Tampa school overwhelmed Brevard County’s top team behind junior running back Kameron Battle, who rushed 14 times for 145 yards and three TDs.

25. Lake City Columbia (1-0)

Previous ranking: Unranked

Last week: Def. Bolles, 20-19.

Next up: vs. Lakewood (0-1), Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers won one of their biggest regular-season openers in years by edging longtime power Bolles. Columbia’s defense came up big in the final minute when Mekah Combs-Turner picked off a Bolles pass to clinch the victory.

Dropped Out

No. 18 The Bolles School

No. 21 Choctawhatchee

No. 24 Norland

Under Consideration

Bolles

Norland

Miami Columbus

West Broward

Hawthorne

Jeff Gardenour can be reached via email at jgardenour1962@gmail.com or X @JMarkG1962

Add us as a preferred source on Google