While St. Thomas Aquinas is the new No. 1 in the High School Football America Florida Top 25, powered by NFL Play Football, that’s not the big story this week.
Blanche Ely bursts into the statewide rankings at No. 9 after shocking former No. 1 Chaminade-Madonna 35-34 in overtime. The Lions drop to No. 10 in the latest rankings created with our proprietary algorithm.
It’s possible the three-time defending state champs could start 0-3 with No. 6 American Heritage (Plantation) on-deck this week.
Back to the top, STA plays No. 12 Miami Columbus this weekend. In addition, the Raiders also moved up in our national rankings from No. 7 to No. 6. Columbus is ranked No. 45 in the nation this week.
The biggest game this week is between No. 2 IMG Academy and No. 3 Cocoa. The Tigers have won bak-to-back state titles. On the national scene, IMG is No. 14 and Cocoa is No. 15.
There are three other head-to-heads in the Top 25 — No. 5 Lakeland vs. No. 21 Lake Mary; in Miami No. 7 Miami Central plays No. 18 Booker T. Washington; and No. 23 Armwood takes on No. 25 Tampa Bay Tech.
High School Football America Florida Top 25
| Ranking/Team | Record | Last Week |
| No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas | (1-1) | 2 |
| No. 2 IMG Academy | (1-1) | 3 |
| No. 3 Cocoa | (2-0) | 4 |
| No. 4 Venice | (2-0) | 8 |
| No. 5 Lakeland | (1-0) | 5 |
| No. 6 American Heritage (Plantation) | (1-1) | 6 |
| No. 7 Miami Central | (1-1) | 7 |
| No. 8 Norland | (1-0) | 9 |
| No. 9 Blanche Ely | (2-0) | NR |
| No. 10 Chaminade-Madonna | (0-2) | 1 |
| No. 11 Clearwater Central Catholic | (2-0) | 11 |
| No. 12 Columbus (Miami) | (1-1) | 10 |
| No. 13 Jones (Orlando) | (1-0) | 13 |
| No. 14 Berkeley Prep (Florida) | (1-1) | 14 |
| No. 15 St. Augustine | (2-0) | 15 |
| No. 16 Buchholz | (2-0) | 16 |
| No. 17 Mandarin | (2-0) | 18 |
| No. 18 Booker T. Washington (Miami) | (1-0) | 17 |
| No. 19 Palmetto (Miami) | (1-0) | 19 |
| No. 20 Northwestern (Miami) | (1-1) | 21 |
| No. 21 Lake Mary | (2-0) | 22 |
| No. 22 Seminole (Sanford) | (1-0) | 23 |
| No. 23 Armwood | (2-0) | 25 |
| No. 24 Monarch | (1-0) | 24 |
| No. 25 Tampa Bay Tech | (1-1) | NR |
Dropped-out: No. 12 Edgewater, No. 20 Homestead
Editor’s Note: The High School Football America national, regional and state rankings are developed using our proprietary algorithm.
