High School on SI Central Florida Football Top 10 - Dec. 9, 2025

Lake Mary jumps to No. 1 after upsetting defending Class 7A state champ Venice

Lake Mary quarterback Noah Grubbs (13), shown here in an earlier game against Bishop Moore, completed 23 of 34 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to power the Rams to a 31-26 upset of defending Class 7A state champ Venice in a state semifinal game on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. The victory catapulted Lake Mary to No. 1 in this week's High School on SI Central Florida Top 10 Football rankings. / Acovan Schild

Three Central Florida high school football teams last Friday brought their “A” game to state semifinal contests, earning a trip to championship games on Saturday, Dec. 13, at FIU in Miami.

Lake Mary and Vero Beach both won Class 7A state semifinal contests and will face each other for the title at 7:30 p.m

The Rams pulled a shocker when they beat defending state champ Venice, 31-26. The victory vaulted them three spots into the top spot in this week’s High School on SI Central Florida Top 10 rankings.

Down south, unbeaten Vero Beach (14-0) held off Miami Palmetto, 45-44, in a wild double-overtime battle. The Indians dropped a spot to No. 2.

Also advancing to a state championship game was No. 4 Orlando Jones, which beat Port Charlotte, 35-23, in a Class 4A state semifinal. The Tigers will take on American Heritage Plantation for the state championship for the second consecutive year. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, No. 7 Bishop Moore (3A) and Cocoa (2A) saw their seasons come to an end with state semifinal losses. The Hornets lost to defending state champ Miami Northwestern, while three-time defending state champ Cocoa fell to Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.

The High School on SI Central Florida Football Top 10 rankings are compiled by reporter Jeff Gardenour based on research and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources. Reach Jeff on X @JMarkG1962 or email him at jgardenour1962@gmail.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA FOOTBALL TOP 10 RANKINGS WEEK 15

1. Lake Mary (11-3)

Last week: 4

Senior quarterback Noah Grubbs, a Notre Dame signee, completed 23 of 34 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to power the Rams to a 31-26 upset of defending Class 7A state champ Venice in a state semifinal game.

2. Vero Beach (14-0)

Last week: 1

Senior Efrem White completed 20 of 23 passes for 277 yards and four TDs and ran 17 times for 62 yards to lift the Indians past Miami Palmetto, 45-44, in a thrilling double-overtime battle.

Vero Beach's Efrem White (11) runs the ball against Miami Palmetto in a Class 7A state semifinal on Dec. 5, 2025, at Billy Livings Field at the Citrus Bowl. / KAILA JONES /TCPALM / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

3. The First Academy (Orlando) (5-5, final)

Last week: 2

The Royals have concluded their regular season and are not eligible for the playoffs. TFA played a mixed national/state schedule and finished the season undefeated (5-0) against Florida teams, including wins against Venice and Lakeland.

4. Jones (12-2)

Last week: 3

Jones quarterback (1) Dereon Coleman waits for a play call with wide receiver DJ Hicks (5) in a Class 4A state semifinal game against Port Charlotte on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. The Tigers won 35-23. / Acovan Schild

The defending Class 4A state runner-up Tigers outlasted Port Charlotte, 35-23, as senior quarterback Dereon Coleman, a Miami commit, completed 19 of 27 passes for 278 yards and two TDs and ran 13 times for 101 yards.

5. DeLand (12-1, final)

Last week: 5

The Bulldogs fell to Lake Mary, 40-31, in the Class 7A, Region 1 final.

6. Edgewater (Orlando) (12-1, final)

Last week: 6

The top-seeded Eagles fell to longtime state power Lakeland, 27-14, in the Class 5A, Region 2 final.

7. Bishop Moore (12-2, final)

Last week: 7

Senior wide receiver/athlete Kenyon Alston

caught three passes for 70 yards and one TD and intercepted a pass on defense in the Hornets’ 52-21 loss to Miami Northwestern.

8. Mainland (9-3, final)

Last week: 8

The Buccaneer lost to top-seeded Ponte Vedra, 27-10, in the Class 5A, Region 1 final.

9. South Lake (11-2, final)

Last week: 9

The Eagles fell to top-seeded Armwood, 42-0, in the Class 6A, Region 2 final.

10. Eau Gallie (9-4, final)

Last week: 10

The Commodores lost to Bishop Moore in the Class 3A, Region 2 final.

The Next 10

11. Boone (10-2, final)

12. West Orange (10-2, final)

13. Dr. Phillips (9-4, final)

14. Spruce Creek (9-3, final)

15. Oviedo (8-3, final)

16. Kissimmee Osceola (7-5, final)

17. Evans (8-3, final)

18. Winter Park (6-5, final)

19. Cocoa (8-5, final)

20. Merritt Island (7-5, final)

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