Football Hotbed Florida High School Week 1 Rankings

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After week one in Florida high school football, we have already discovered some teams that will have a say-so as to who will win a state title this year. We also found out that preseason hype is just that…hype.   We will continue to learn more about just how good teams are in the first few weeks of the season as more teams rise and fall.

This week several teams from the sunshine state will travel out of state and two, in particular, will travel to Milton, GA for the second annual Freedom Bowl.  Clearwater Central Catholic, Cocoa, Mainland (Daytona), Western (Davie) and Winter Park are among the Florida teams originally scheduled to participate.

Click Here For More Information About The Freedom Bowl  

Risers and Fallers

Riser – Columbia Starts Season With Revenge

The Tigers scored 38-straight points to blow out Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) in a much-anticipated opening game for both teams.  The Conquerers defeated Columbia 31-30 last year and were looking to continue that success against the Tigers in the regular-season opener. The Tigers had other ideas defeating TCA 38-7 and should challenge for the 6A title this season. Dual-threat quarterback and USF commit Jordan Smith is the catalyst of the offense scoring in the air and on the ground in the game.   Trinity still remains a contender for the 3A title despite the loss.

Faller  – Miami Central Loses Big At Traz

The Rockets fell out of the top five based on their performance against out of state visitor St. Frances.  Although the Maryland powerhouse is similar to a junior college team, we as spectators expect more from one of the historically great teams of Dade County. 

We moved four Dade County teams above Central this week but the green machine can bounce back strong if they can get a win over crosstown rival Miami Booker T. Washington.  St. Frances came in ranked 6th in the nation, built a 23-0 lead in the second quarter and went back to the DMV with a 49-13 win.

Faller – Not Much Deerfield Offense Made In Dade

In a nationally televised game on ESPNU Saturday, the Bucks did not live up to the preseason hype.  The Deerfield Beach offense practically has a D-1 player at every position but were still shutout by Miami Carol City for most of the game at Traz Powell Stadium. 

Bucks scored once out of five trips to the red zone on the day. Chances for an 8A title are still very possible but the Bucks are off to a very slow start.  Behind some timely running by Katravis Geter, and cathes and runs by Alabama committ Thaiu Jones-Bell, Carol City eased into the W column with a 24-12 victory in the Best of Dade Vs. Broward matchup.

Riser – Raines Not Keeping Up With Jones

Jones (Orlando) battled 2018 5A champions Cardinal Gibbons up until the final moments in last year’s playoffs and scheduled 2018 4A state champion Raines (Jacksonville) to start this season.  Jones with a 40-15 win over the Vikings, are a legitimate contender for the 5A state title. It was the first win for Fightin’ Tigers against Raines since 1967. Raines did, however, lose their season openers to Lee (Jacksonville) the past two season before going on to win back-to-back state titles.

Teams Destined For Championship Runs

The number one team in our rankings is an absolute machine and I fear for any team that comes in its path.  Lakeland crushed Manatee (Bradenton) in the opening game and it was all over by the end of the first half as the Dreadnaughts scored 28 points in the first quarter and added a field goal before halftime.  Lakeland held Manatee to 36 total yards in a 45-0 romp. 

Armwood is another one of those extremely deep teams on both sides of the football.  So much so, that the majority of all of the starters were pulled for the second half against Plant (Tampa).  The Panthers are no slouch in the Tampa Bay area, but the Hawks sure made them look like they were subpar last Friday night.  The Hawks put on a running clock early as the score was 38-0 at halftime.   Game ended with a 38-3 final score.

Miami Northwestern was slow getting out of the gate offensively but the Bulls have reloaded on defense and diminished any hopes of the visiting Chiefs to score.  ‘The West’ opened up their season with a 32-0 shut out of 2018 5A state champion Cardinal Gibbons and can actually get much better overall. If the offense can get it going a three-peat is well within reach.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) traveled to the opposite end of the country to Oakland, CA to take on perennial power De La Salle.  The Raiders came back home victorious with a 24-14 victory. Aquinas executed their game plan to perfection using a conservative but effective offensive approach.  The Raiders did give up big runs as the leading rusher for De La Salle, Shamarr Garrett rushed for 167 yards on 13 carries.

Biggest Upset

Miami Christian fell to Cavalry Christian (Fort Lauderdale) Friday night 13-6.  The Victors were considered one of the favorites to take the 2A state title going into this season and got a rude awakening in game one.  Junior quarterback Gabe Contento did just enough for the Eagles to escape with the victory.  

Top Performers

Avarius Sparrow, RB, Jones (Orlando) – The senior had 12 carries for 204 yards with 62, 36 and 47-yard touchdown runs in a win over Raines (Jacksonville).

Avarius Sparrow Raines Game Film

Derek Wingo, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas – The Florida commit finished with 10 tackles and a sack in a 24-14 win over De La Salle (CA).

Derek Wingo De La Salle Game Film

Henry Parrish Jr. RB, Columbus (Miami) – The Pittsburgh commit had a day on Wednesday night. The senior rushed for 324 yards on 17 carries in a dominant 41-7 win over Belen Jesuit (Miami).

Henry Parrish Jr. Belen Jesuit Game Film

Kamren Kinchens, DB, Miami Northwestern – The 2021 safety had two intercetptions in a 32-0 win over Cardinal Gibbons.

Kamren Kinchens Cardinal Gibbons Game Film

Mario Williams, WR, Plant City – His three first-half touchdowns totaled 150 yards in a big win over Tampa Jesuit.  

Mario Williams Tampa Jesuit Game Film

Xavier Townsend, ATH, Berkeley Prep (Tampa) – The sophomore scored two touchdowns including the game-winner with 1:42 remaining against Clearwater Central Catholic.  Berkeley ended CCC’s 23-game regular-season winning streak and avenged last year’s playoff exit at the hands of the Marauders.

Xavier Townsend 17-18 Highlights

Games To Watch This Week In Florida

#3 Miami Northwestern Vs. #6 Miami Carol City At Traz Powell Stadium Thursday 7:00 PM

#7 Miami Central Vs. #17 Miami Booker T. Washington At Traz Powell Stadium Friday 7:30 PM

#20 Plant City At #21 Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30 PM

#2 St. Thomas Aquinas Vs. Bergen Catholic (NJ) Saturday 7:00 PM (Cancelled)

#4 Miami Palmetto At Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:00 PM

#5 Columbus (Miami) At Osceola (Kissimmee) Friday 7:00 PM

#10 Atlantic (Delray) Vs. Clearwater Academy International Friday 6:00 PM (Rescheduled for October 3rd)

#14 Chaminade-Madonna At Hallandale Friday 7:00 PM

#16 University School (Davie) Vs. Hialeah Friday 7:00 PM

#18 Columbia (Lake City) At Oakleaf (Orange Park) Friday 7:30 PM

#24 Gulliver (Miami) Vs. Belen Jesuit (Miami) Friday 3:30 PM

Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. Miramar Friday 7:00 PM

Lincoln (Tallahassee) Vs. Rockledge Friday 7:00 PM

McArthur (Hollywood) At Plantation Friday 7:00 PM

Raines (Jacksonville) At Pahokee Friday 6:00 PM (Reschedueld for Week 7)

All Game Times Eastern

Top 25

1. Lakeland (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Manatee (Bradenton) 45-0 

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

DeMarkcus Bowman, RB, Lakeland

2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A)

Last Week: Defeated De La Salle 24-14 

This Week: Vs. Bergen Catholic (NJ) Saturday 7:00 PM (Cancelled)

Marcus Rosemy, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas

3. Miami Northwestern (5A)

Last Week: Defeated Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 32-0

This Week: Vs. Miami Carol City Thursday 7:00 At Traz Powell Stadium

Romello Brinson, WR, Miami Northwestern

4. Miami Palmetto (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Miami Killian 41-7

This Week: At Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:30 PM

Brashard Smith, WR, Miami Palmetto

5. Columbus (Miami) (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Belen Jesuit (Miami) 41-7

This Week: At Osceola (Kissimmee) Friday 7:00 PM 

Henry Parrish, Jr., RB, Columbus

6. Miami Carol City (4A)

Last Week: Defeated Deerfield Beach 24-12

This Week: Vs. Miami Northwestern Thursday 7:00 PM At Traz Powell Stadium

7. Miami Central (6A)

Last Week: Lost to St. Frances (MD) 49-13

This Week: Vs. Miami Booker T. Washington Friday 7:30 PM At Traz Powell Stadium

Katravis Marsh, QB, Miami Central

8. American Heritage (Plantation) (5A)

Last Week: Defeated Monsignor Pace (Miami) 49-14

This Week: At Gonzaga (DC) Friday at 6:30 PM

9. Armwood (Seffner) (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Tampa Plant 38-3

This Week: At North Gwinnett (GA) Friday 7:00 PM

10. Atlantic (Delray) (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Palm Beach Central 40-13

This Week: Vs. Clearwater Academy International Friday 6:00 PM (Rescheduled for October 3rd)

11. Western (Davie) (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Everglades (Miramar) 58-0

This Week: Vs. UMS Wright Prep (AL) Saturday 7:00 PM At Milton, GA (Cancelled)

12. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) 28-12

This Week: At Ribault (Jacksonville) Friday 6:00 PM

13. Venice (7A)

Last Week: Lost to IMG Academy (Bradenton) 46-7

This Week: At St. Petersburg Friday 7:30 PM

14. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A)

Last Week: Defeated McArthur (Hollywood) 21-12

This Week: At Hallandale Friday 7:00 PM

15. Cocoa (4A)

Last Week: Defeated Viera (Melbourne) 27-10

This Week: Vs. Hoover (AL) 4:30 PM At Milton, GA

16. University School (Davie) (4A)

Last Week: Defeated Pahokee 44-7

This Week: Vs. Hialeah Friday 7:00 PM

17. Miami Booker T. Washington (4A)

Last Week: Defeated Lehigh 44-7

This Week: Vs. Miami Central Friday 7:30 PM At Traz Powell Stadium 

18. Columbia (Lake City) (6A)

Last Week: Defeated Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 38-7

This Week: At Oakleaf (Orange Park) Friday 7:30

19. Jones (Orlando) (5A)

Last Week: Defeated Raines (Jacksonville) 40-15

This Week: At Johns Creek (GA) Friday at 7:00 PM

20. Plant City (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Tampa Jesuit 37-29

This Week: At Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30 PM

21. Tampa Bay Tech (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Chamberlain (Tampa) 25-0

This Week: Vs. Plant City Friday 7:30 PM

22. Deerfield Beach (8A)

Last Week: Lost to Miami Carol City 24-12

This Week: At St. Johns (DC) Saturday 2:00 PM 

23. Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (2A)

Last Week: Defeated New Smyrna Beach 41-0

This Week: At Lowndes (GA) Friday 8:00 PM

24. Gulliver (Miami) (4A)

Last Week: Defeated Coral Gables 27-6

Next Week: Vs. Belen Jesuit (Miami) Friday 3:30 PM

25. Madison County (1A)

Last Week: Defeated Crescent City 41-0

This Week: At Jefferson City Friday 7:30

Others Receiving Votes:

Berkeley Prep (Tampa) (3A)

Last Week: Defeated Clearwater Central Catholic 21-14

This Week: At Calvary Christian (Clearwater) Friday 7:30 PM

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (4A)

Last Week: Lost to Miami Northwestern 32-0

This Week: Vs. Miami Palmetto Friday 7:00 PM

Deland (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Mainland (Daytona) 21-18

This Week: Bye

Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) (6A)

Last Week: Defeated Piper (Sunrise) 55-0

This Week: Vs. Miramar Friday 7:00 PM

Edgewater (Orlando) (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Bishop Moore (Orlando) 34-21

This Week: Vs. Oak Ridge (Orlando) Friday 7:00 PM

Florida State High (3A)

Last Week: Defeated FAMU High 41-0

This Week: Vs. Taylor County Friday 7:30 PM

Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (4A)

Last Week: Defeated St. Petersburg 48-0

Next Week: Vs. Pinellas Park Friday 7:30 PM

Lincoln (Tallahassee) (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Godby (Tallahassee) 32-12

This Week: At Rockledge Friday 7:30 PM

Miami Southridge (6A)

Last Week: Lost to St. Johns (DC) 48-0

This Week: Bye

Miramar (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Miami Norland 25-10

This Week: At Dillard Friday 7:00 PM

McArthur (Hollywood) (7A)

Last Week: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 21-12

This Week: At Plantation Friday 7:00 PM

North Marion (Citra) (5A)

Last Week: Defeated Forest (Ocala) 46-0

This Week: Vs Palatka Friday 7:30 PM

Oakleaf (Orange Park) (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Orange Park 42-21

This Week: Vs. Columbia (Lake City) Friday at 7:30 PM

Osceola (Kissimmee) (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Harmony (St. Cloud) 45-0

This Week: Vs. Columbus (Miami) Friday 7:00 PM

Plant (Tampa) (8A)

Last Week: Lost to Armwood (Seffner) 38-3

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

Plantation (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Taravella (Coral Springs) 42-3

This Week: Vs. McArthur (Hollywood) Friday 7:00 PM

Raines (Jacksonville) (5A)

Last Week: Lost to Jones (Orlando) 40-15

This Week: At Pahokee Friday 6:00 PM (Rescheduled for Week 7)

Rockledge (5A)

Last Week: Defeated Ware County (GA) 19-7

This Week: Vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee) Friday 7:00 PM

Seminole (Sanford) 8A

Last Week: Defeated Dr. Phillips (Orlando) 35-3

Next Week: At Lake Mary Friday 7:00 PM

South Dade (Homestead) (8A)

Last Week: Defeated Doral Academy 37-0

This Week: At Homestead Friday 7:30 PM

Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (3A)

Last Week: Lost to Columbia (Lake City) 38-7

This Week: At Godby (Tallahassee) Thursday 7:00 PM 

Vanguard (Ocala) (5A)

Last Week: Defeated Gainesville 33-15

This Week: At Buchholz (Gainesville) Friday 7:30 PM

Wekiva (Apopka) (7A)

Last Week: Defeated Winter Park 35-21

This Week: Vs West Orange Friday 7:00 PM

Football Hotbed Florida High School Preseason Rankings