Football Hotbed Florida High School Week 10 Rankings


Can you smell the playoffs??? I sure can.  We are less than two weeks away from the start of the postseason and every team wants to go into the second season with a healthy football team that will ride momentum to a championship.  Last week, some teams added some impressive wins to their resume to build confidence for  a championship run.   

Many teams took last week, this week off off to rest for the playoffs.  All eyes will be on the FPI rankings next week to determine the playoff field.

Get excited!

Lions Eat Rockets

In one of the most impressive wins of the season the back-to-back 3A state champions Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) show their championship pedigree with a dominant 27-7 victory over 6A title contender Miami Central.  After being shut out 21-0 in Vero Beach in the previous week, the Lions came out with something to prove on their home field. Miami commit Thaddius Franklin rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the victory and broke loose for 25 and 30-yard scores. 

Thad Franklin, RB, Chaminade-Madonna

Thad Franklin Miami Central Game Film

Fellow Canes commit and classmate Andy Borregales hit field goals from 56 and 50 yards to help get the bounce-back win for Chaminade. Borregales is the #1 ranked kicker of the 2021 class.  


Gulliver Pops Champagnat

An explosive first half by Gulliver (Miami) helped the 4A Raiders run away with a 35-21 win over a formidable opponent in Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah).  Senior athlete Gabe Taylor, the younger brother of Miami Hurricane legend Sean Taylor, set the tone with an interception (7th of the season) on defense and a 50-yard touchdown run on offense in the 1st quarter.  Taylor is hoping for an offer from the hometown Hurricanes.

Gabe Taylor Mid-Season Game Film

Champagnat still remains the favorite to win the 2A state title.

Panthers And Bucs Battle In Instant District Classic

This was a back and forth battle between district rivals that came down to the wire in a Thursday night special.  Miami Palmetto would pull out a narrow 46-42 win over South Dade (Homestead) to claim the District 16-8A title and likely a number one seed in region 4 in 8A.  Sophomore quarterback Kevin Smith found sophomore wide receiver Bob Bussey-Golden for the three-yard game-winning touchdown as time expired at Harris Field in Homestead.  

Kevin Smith, QB, Miami Palmetto

Kevin Smith Mid-Season Game Film 

Dunnellon Dominates District

The Tigers of Dunnellon clinched a district title for the first time since 2015 with their 20-14 win over 5A state runner-up North Marion (Citra) Friday night.  Dunnellon swept the district and the County of Marion going 6-0. The Tigers took out favorites Vanguard (Ocala) and North Marion to take the district crown with their only loss of the season to 1A state champion Madison CountyEmmanuel Caballero ran for 108 yards on 19 carries and also had a key interception late in the game.  

Emmanuel Caballero North Marion Game Film

Trinity Outlasts Raines In OT

The Conquerors of Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) relied on their workhorse Kyjuan Herndon who ran for 190 yards on 26 carries to beat the 2018 4A state champions in Raines (Jacksonville).  The Ole Miss commit started the second half with a 41-yard run and ended the drive with a five-yard scoring run en route to the overtime win.

Kyjuan Herndon, RB, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)

In overtime, TCA scored a field goal and registered an interception by Triston Herndon to seal the victory. The win all but guarantees a playoff spot for the Conquerors in 3A.

Kyjuan Herndon Raines Game Film 

Vero Beach Sets Regular Season Record

The Fighting Indians from Vero Beach set a state record for consecutive regular-season wins with 61 after beating Fort Pierce Central 28-3.  Vero broke the tie with Lakeland and now have sole posession of the record. Wide receiver Jermaine Dawson had another big game scoring two touchdowns. The Indians will look to extend the record next week against a tough Viera team.

Manatee Manhandles Venice

The rushing combination of seniors Tyson Phelps and Napoleon Harris to the tone of 240 rushing yards and four touchdowns was way too much for Venice to handle in a 30-13 upset win for Manatee (Bradenton).  The win clinches the 10-7A district title for the Hurricanes after starting the season 0-3.  

Tyson Phelps Game Film

Napoleon Harris Game Film

Top Performers

Boogsie Silvera, DB, American Heritage (Plantation) – The junior (brother of Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Nesta Silvera) had seven tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks in the 53-0 win over Hallandale.

Boogsie Silvera Hallandale Game Film

RJ Glod, QB, Ponte Vedra – The senior went 20 of 23 for 346 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-35 win over St. Augustine.

RJ Glod Game Film

DeMarkcus Bowman, RB, Lakeland – The Clemson commit had 143 yards on 10 carries scoring two touchdowns in a 51-6 rout of Kathleen.

DeMarkcus Bowman Kathleen Game Film

Jaylan Knighton, RB, Deerfield Beach – The Florida State commit had 114 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries in a 41-0 win over Monarch (Coconut Creek)

Jaylan Knighton Monarch Game Film

Games To Watch This Week In Florida 

(All Game Times Eastern)

#2 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) At Western (Davie) Friday 7:00 PM

#5 Armwood (Seffner) At #22 Gaither (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM

#10 Rockledge Vs. #19 Cocoa Friday 7:00 PM

#11 Vero Beach Vs. Viera Friday 7:00 PM

#18 Atlantic (Delray) Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 6:00 PM

Baker At Blountstown Saturday 8:00 PM

Top 25

1. Lakeland (7A) (10-0)

Last Week: Defeated Kathleen (Lakeland) 51-6

This Week: Bye

Fenley Graham, ATH, Lakeland

2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (8-0)

Last Week: Defeated Fort Lauderdale 42-0

This Week: At Western (Davie) Friday 7:00 PM

3. Miami Northwestern (5A) (7-2)

Last Week: Defeated Miami Jackson 49-6

This Week: Vs. Miami Edison Friday 7:30 PM At Curtis Park

4. American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (8-1)

Last Week: Defeated Hallandale 53-0

This Week: Bye

5. Armwood (Seffner) (7A) (8-1)

Last Week: Defeated  East Bay (Gibonston) 49-0

This Week: At Gaither (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM

Agiye Hall, WR, Armwood

6. Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (8-1)

Last Week: Defeated Forest (Ocala) 56-0

This Week: At Boone (Orlando) Friday 7:00 PM

7. Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (8-2)

Last Week: Defeated Miami Edison 28-6

This Week: Bye

8. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (4A) (7-2)

Last Week: Defeated Piper (Sunrise) 47-6

This Week: At Monarch (Coconut Creek) Thursday 7:00 PM

Brody Palhegyi, QB, Cardinal Gibbons

9. Jones (Orlando) (5A) (8-1)

Last Week: Defeated Tavares 50-0

This Week: Vs. West Orange (Winter Garden) Friday 7:00 PM

Dominik Hill, WR, Jones

10. Rockledge (5A) (7-1)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. Cocoa Friday 7:00 PM

Ladarius Tennison, RB/LB, Rockledge

11. Vero Beach (8A) (8-0)

Last Week: Defeated Fort Pierce Central 28-3

This Week: Vs. Viera Friday 7:00 PM

12. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (7-2)

Last Week: Defeated Miami Central 27-7

This Week: Vs. Everglades (Miramar) Friday 7:00 PM

13. Seminole (Sanford) (8A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated University (Orange City) 37-21

Next Week: Vs. Lyman (Longwood) Tuesday 7:00 PM

14. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (8A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated Sandalwood (Jacksonville) 49-21

This Week: Vs. Raines (Jacksonville) Friday 7:00 PM

15. Miami Central (6A) (7-3)

Last Week: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 27-7

This Week: Bye

16. Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (4A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated Largo 35-3

This Week: Vs. Dunbar (Fort Myers) Friday 7:00 PM

17. Madison County (1A) (7-2)

Last Week: Bye 

This Week: Vs. Crestview Friday 7:30 PM

18. Atlantic (Delray) (7A) (6-2)

Last Week: Defeated Blanche Ely (Pompano) 34-16

This Week: Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 6:00 PM

19. Cocoa (4A) (6-2)

Last Week: Defeated Holy Trinity (Melbourne) 58-0

This Week: At Rockledge Friday 7:00 PM

20. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) (6A) (9-0)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: At Blanche Ely (Pompano) Saturday 5:00 PM

21. Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (7-2)

Last Week: Defeated Middleburg 48-23

This Week: Vs. North Marion (Citra) Friday 7:30 PM

22. Gaither (Tampa) (6A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated Freedom (Orlando) 48-0

Next Week: At Armwood (Seffner) Friday 7:30 PM

23. Miami Palmetto (8A) (8-1)

Last Week: Defeated South Dade (Homestead) 46-42

This Week: At Homestead Thursday 7:00 PM At Harris

24. Gulliver (Miami) (4A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) 35-21

Next Week: Vs. American Heritage (Delray) Friday 3:30 PM

25. Dunnellon (5A) (8-1)

Last Week: Defeated North Marion (Citra) 20-14

This Week: Vs. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) Friday 7:30 PM

Others Receiving Votes:

Apopka (8A) (7-1)

Last Week: Defeated Lake Mary 45-11

This Week: Vs. Wekiva (Apopka) Friday 7:00 PM

Bloomingdale (Valrico) (7A) (7-2)

Last Week: Defeated Strawberry Crest (Dover) 60-6

This Week: At East Bay (Gibonston) Friday 7:30 PM

Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (2A) (6-3)

Last Week: Lost to Gulliver (Miami) 35-21

This Week: Bye

Deerfield Beach (8A) (6-3)

Last Week: Defeated Monarch (Coconut Creek) 41-0

This Week: Vs. Hallandale Friday 7:00 PM

Escambia (Pensacola) (6A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated Washington (Pensacola) 50-7 and Fort Walton Beach 42-0

This Week: Vs. Pensacola Friday 8:00 PM

Florida State High (Tallahassee) (3A) (8-1)

Last Week: Bye 

This Week: At Leon (Tallahassee) Friday 7:00 PM

Lake Wales (5A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated Lake Region (Eagle Lake) 42-0

This Week: At Bartow Friday 7:30 PM

Miami Carol City (4A) (4-5)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. American (Hialeah) Friday 7:30 PM

Naples (6A) (9-0)

Last Week: Defeated Immokalee 36-7

This Week: Bye

Niceville (7A) (10-0)

Last Week: Defeated Leon (Tallahassee) 48-0

This Week: Bye

Palm Beach Lakes (7A) (8-0)

Last Week: Defeated Martin County 53-23

This Week: At Palm Beach Gardens Friday 6:30 PM

Plantation (7A) (7-1)

Last Week: Defeated Cypress Bay (Weston) 40-0

This Week: At Stoneman Douglas Friday 7:00 PM

South Dade (Homestead) (8A) (7-2)

Last Week: Lost to Miami Palmetto 46-42

This Week: At Hialeah Friday 7:30 PM

Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A) (5-5)

Last Week: Defeated Raines (Jacksonville) 17-14

Next Week: Bye

University School (Davie) (4A) (7-2)

Last Week: Defeated Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) 21-13

This Week: At Immokalee Friday 6:00 PM

Venice (7A) (5-4)

Last Week: Lost to Manatee (Bradenton) 30-13

This Week: Bye

8A

Vero Beach

Seminole (Sanford)

Bartram Trail (St. Johns)

7A 

Lakeland

St. Thomas Aquinas

Armwood (Seffner)

6A

Miami Central

Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)

Columbia (Lake City)

5A

Miami Northwestern

American Heritage (Plantation) 

Jones (Orlando)

4A

Miami Booker T. Washington

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)

Lakewood (St. Petersburg)

3A

Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)

Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)

Florida State High (Tallahassee)

2A

Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) 

University Christian (Jacksonville)

Victory Christian (Lakeland)

1A

Madison County

Baker

Blountstown

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings


Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

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