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It’s been a September to remember and going into October, I figured I’d shake up the rankings a bit.  What we can confirm is that no one avoids anyone.  The days of “ducking” big-time opponents seem to be long gone, and cupcake schedules are scarce nowadays. 

Most of the perennial powers in the entire state have played another powerhouse already in the 2021 season.  This gives us a legitimate sample size to judge who the best teams are in the sunshine state.  

Ryan Browne, Quarterback, Venice

Tampa Jesuit has been impressive, but not quite the dominant team that we want to see from a number one team.  Venice on the other hand HAS been dominant.  Aside from a one-point victory over Cocoa, the Indians have handled its tough schedule with an unblemished record.  St. Thomas Aquinas seems like the most complete team thus far and Miami Central lost its starting quarterback in game one but history tells us that those who count the Rockets out are usually wrong. 

Cocoa Wins Instant Classic Over Treasure Coast

Treasure Coast led the entire way except for when it counted the most…at the end of the game.  Senior receiver Jmariyae Robinson caught a two-point conversion in overtime for the walk-off win for Cocoa 56-55.  

Treasure Coast was up by three touchdowns in this game and Cocoa kept chipping away at the lead to ultimately send it into OT. The big (6-5)  Cocoa quarterback Davin Wydner completed 23 of 29 for 348 yards scoring three touchdowns. 

Davin Wydner, Quarterback, Cocoa

Senior receiver Donte Cook led the Tigers in receiving with eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.  Senior running back OJ Ross had 160 yards on 26 carries scoring five touchdowns including the conversion to send the game into overtime.  

Treasure Coast’s seniors Eden James and Rico Porcha combined for six touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to remain undefeated.  In the first overtime, The Coast’s special teams blocked the extra point to give its team a chance to win in double overtime.  

Cocoa beat Vero Beach, Osceola Kissimmee, and Treasure Coast all by one point this season. The Tigers one loss, by one point to Venice.

Miami Palmetto Takes Down Columbus In Odd Ending

The ending of this one is still being talked about on social media.  Miami Palmetto athletes Jai-Ayviauyunn Celestine and Mike Jackson played both sides and willed their team to a 7-3 victory over rival Miami Columbus.

In a bizarre ending, @PantherPride305 defeats @ColumbusFtball 7-3.@MikeJacksonjr_ catches the interception but drops the ball in the end zone which is recovered by Columbus. The last play of the game is ruled an interception and end of game. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/tJDW3qcHQG

— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 25, 2021

Venice Pulls Away Late To Blowout Palmetto

Venice scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away from local rival Palmetto Friday night.  Senior Damarion Escort broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run to start the breakaway in the final period to coast to a 42-10 win. Escort rushed for 170 yards on 16 carries.  The (6-5) Indian quarterback Ryan Browne threw for 268 yards and senior receiver Omari Hayes caught 11 for 162 yards.  

St. Thomas Cruise To Win Over Wildcats

Quarterback Zion Turner and running back Anthony Hankerson accounted for four touchdowns in a 31-21 win over Western (Davie).  Hankerson ran 18 times for 106 yards.  

Top Games To Watch This Week

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. American Heritage (Plantation)

Miami Central Vs. Miami Northwestern

Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) At Seminole (Sanford)

Tampa Bay Tech Vs. Armwood (Seffner)

Miami Killian Vs. Miami Booker T. Washington

Gulliver (Miami) Vs. Champagnat Catholic

Bolles (Jacksonville) Vs. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)

State Rankings

1. Venice (4-0) (8A)

Last Game: Beat Palmetto 42-10

Best Win: Cocoa 21-20

Next Game: Lakewood Ranch

2. Tampa Jesuit (5-0) (6A)

Last Game: Beat Plant City 35-13

Best Win: St. Thomas Aquinas 24-21

Next Game: Clearwater Central Catholic (10/8)

3. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (4-1) (7A)

Anthony Hankerson, Running Back, St. Thomas Aquinas

Last Game: Beat Western (Davie) 31-21

Best Win: St. Frances Academy (MD) 38-23

Next Game: Cooper City

4. Miami Central (2-2) (5A)

Last Game: Beat Miami Springs 55-0

Best Win: Miami Booker T. Washington 51-7

Next Game: Miami Northwestern

5. Cocoa (3-1) (4A)

Last Game: Beat Treasure Coast 56-55

Best Win: Treasure Coast 56-55

Next Game: Dr. Phillips (Orlando) (10/7)

6. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) (3-1) (8A)

Eden James, Running Back, Treasure Coast

Last Game: Lost to Cocoa 56-55

Best Win: American Heritage Plantation 29-21

Next Game: Fort Pierce Central

7. American Heritage Plantation (1-2) (5A)

Last Game: Lost to St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 24-16

Best Win: Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 26-24

Next Game: Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 

8. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3-1) (3A)

Davion Gause, Running Back, Chaminade-Madonna

Last Game: Beat Buford (GA) 7-0

Best Win: Buford (GA) 7-0

Next Game: At Seminole (Sanford)

9. Seminole (Sanford) (5-0) (8A)

Last Game: Beat Mainland (Daytona) 27-13

Best Win: Beat Riverview (Sarasota) 35-6

Next Game: Chaminade-Madonna 

10. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (4-0) (4A)

Last Game: Beat Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) 35-21

Best Win: Bucholz (Gainesville) 16-7

Next Game: American Heritage (Plantation)

Top Four Teams By Class

8A

1. Venice

2. Treasure Coast

3. Seminole (Sanford)

4. Osceola (Kissimmee)

7A

1. St. Thomas Aquinas

2. Orlando Edgewater

3. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)

4. Tampa Bay Tech

6A

1. Jesuit

2. Miami Northwestern

3. Orlando Jones

4. Naples

5A

1. Miami Central

2. American Heritage Plantation

3. Miami Killian 

4. Rockledge

4A

1. Cocoa

2. Cardinal Gibbons

3. Gulliver (Miami)

4. Bolles (Jacksonville)

3A

1. Chaminade-Madonna

2. Miami Edison

3. Berkeley Prep (Tampa)

4. Florida High (Tallahassee)

2A

1. Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah)

2. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)

3. Dade Christian

4. University Christian (Jacksonville)

1A

1. Madison County 

2. Pahokee

3. Blountstown 

Tied for 4. Baker and Hawthorne