By: Ross Van De Griek
As we have reached the official halfway point in the high school football season, a couple of new teams have crept inside the Top 10. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. Lakeland (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Hialeah, 37-6
This Week: vs Strawberry Crest
The Dreadnaughts have put another win to their current streak, which now extends to 21 straight games, dating back to November 24, 2017. Lakeland was led by Clemson commit DeMarkcus Bowman & Florida commit Fenley Graham in the win. The Dreadnaughts look for their 22nd straight win on Friday night, hosting Strawberry Crest (1-3).
2. Berkeley Prep (4-0)
Last Week: Defeated IMG Academy White, 42-7
This Week: vs Tampa Catholic
The Buccaneers put on a defensive clinic, in their 42-7 win over IMG Academy White. Sophomore running back Travis Bates & junior wide receiver RJ Garcia contributed for the Buccaneers in the win. Berkeley Prep will look to improve to 5-0 on the season with a tough task on Friday night, as they host Tampa Catholic.
3. Tampa Bay Tech (4-0)
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs East Bay
District play is on the horizon for the Tampa Bay Tech Titans, as they were idle last week. Tampa Bay Tech opens up District 7A-8 play on Friday night, hosting the East Bay Indians (1-4).
4. Lakewood (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Braden River, 38-20
This Week: vs Madison County
The Lakewood Spartans might be the biggest surprise of the 2019 season, as they entered last week having not allowed any points through the first 4 weeks of the season. The Spartans are 5-0 for the first time since the 2012 season (Finished 10-3), have outscored their opponents 204-20 so far this season.
5. Wiregrass Ranch (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated River Ridge, 35-7
This Week: at Armwood
The Wiregrass Ranch Bulls also are entering their first week of District 7A-8 play, as they will head to Armwood for the first time in school history on Friday night. The Bulls have allowed an average of 11 points per game through the first 5 games of the season. Wiregrass Ranch sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht has thrown for 936 passing yards this season.
6. Armwood (3-1)
Last Week: Defeated Chamberlain, 41-21
This Week: vs Wiregrass Ranch
The Armwood Hawks are coming off a 41-21 win last week vs Chamberlain (2-2). The Hawks were led by junior wide receivers Agiye Hall & Charles Montgomery. The Hawks will welcome in Wiregrass Ranch (5-0) to Lyle Flagg Stadium on Friday, as they open up District 7A-8 play.
7. Tampa Catholic (4-1)
Last Week: Defeated North Port, 67-0
This Week: at Berkeley Prep
The Tampa Catholic Crusaders have gone 2 straight games with shutting out their opponents (Land O'Lakes & North Port). Senior quarterback Dylan McCain, junior running back Raphael Ekechi, freshman athlete Xavier Washington & sophomore wide receiver Dominic Reeves all contributed in the win. Tampa Catholic travels to Berkeley Prep (4-0) on Friday night.
8. Gaither (4-0)
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs Fivay
The Gaither Cowboys were idle last week & haven't played since defeating East Bay, 39-15 back in Week 4. The Cowboys will open up District 6A-6 play on Friday night, as they host the Fivay Falcons (3-1).
9. Cambridge Christian (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Bradenton Christian, 49-13
This Week: vs Zephyrhills Christian
On Friday night, the Cambridge Christian Lancers held Bradenton Christian, to just 81 total yards in the win. Junior quarterback Titan Williamson, senior running back Julian Suriel & junior wide receiver Preston Snider all contributed in the win last week. The 5-0 start for Cambridge Christian is their best start to a season since 2016, where they finished 9-1 & fell to Northside Christian in the second round.
10. Riverview (5-0)
Last Week: Defeated Strawberry Crest, 49-6
This Week: vs Newsome
The Riverview Sharks are off to their best start since the 2006 season, where they finished 7-4, but have much higher goals for this season. Riverview is giving up an average of 12.8 points per game this season, which is the lowest they've allowed under head coach William Mosel, who is in his 3rd season. Sophomore quarterback Stazion Gage has thrown for 675 passing yards this season.
On The Bubble: Calvary Christian (3-1), Clearwater (3-1), Clearwater Central Catholic (3-2), Dixie Hollins (3-1), Fivay (3-1), Newsome (4-1), Sickles (4-1)