By: Ross Van De Griek
We are down to our final week of the high school football regular season, so this will be our final rankings display for the 2019 season. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. Lakeland (10-0)
Last Week: Defeated Kathleen, 51-6
This Week: Bye Week
The Dreadnaughts started as the #1 preseason ranking & will finish as the #1 ranked team in the Tampa Bay area. Expect the Dreadnaughts to be a top seed when the FHSAA Football rankings come out next week.
2. Gaither (9-0)
Last Week: Defeated Freedom, 48-0
This Week: vs Armwood
The Cowboys are one win away from finishing the regular season undefeated, which will be the first time in school history they would accomplish the feat. Senior quarterback Tony Bartalo finished 8/15, for 152 passing yards & had 4 touchdown passes in the win last week. The Cowboys defense forced three turnovers, in their win last week.
3. Steinbrenner (9-0)
Last Week: Defeated Wharton, 63-3
This Week: vs Chamberlain
The Warriors have not allowed a touchdown in their last two games, as they outscored Palm Harbor University & Wharton, 113-3. Senior quarterback Haden Carlson finished 12/15, for 226 passing yards & had 5 touchdown passes in the win (all in the first half). Freshman running back Kirby Vorhees had a team high 64 rushing yards & a rushing touchdown in the win.
4. Armwood (8-1)
Last Week: Defeated East Bay, 49-0
This Week: at Gaither
Throughout the month of October, the Armwood Hawks defense pitched four straight shutouts with wins over Plant City, Tampa Bay Tech, Jefferson & East Bay. However, Armwood's defense faces a tough task on Friday night, as they travel to Gaither (8-1) led by senior quarterback Tony Bartalo who leads the area in passing yards.
5. Lakewood (9-0)
Last Week: Defeated Largo, 35-3
This Week: vs Dunbar
The Spartans are coming off a "marquee" win on Friday night, as they will likely have a home playoff game in the first round. Senior quarterback Greg Spann finished 12/25, for 203 passing yards & had 4 touchdown passes in the win. Senior running back Derrel Kelley III led the rushing attack, with 165 rushing yards on 22 carries & had a rushing touchdown in the win.
6. Berkeley Prep (6-1)
Last Week: Bye Week
This Week: vs Astronaut (Mon.) (Make-up of 10/18), @ Middleton (Fri.)
The Buccaneers' will play two games this week, as they have to makeup a game tonight vs Astronaut (that was originally scheduled for October 18). Berkeley Prep has not played a game since defeating Oasis, 42-13 back on October 11. The Buccaneers are in good position to be a #1 seed in Region 3A-3.
7. Calvary Christian (7-2)
Last Week: Defeated Trinity Catholic, 35-28
This Week: vs Oasis
The Warriors' are coming off an "impressive win" last week, as they knocked off the #5 ranked team in Class 3A. Despite giving up 369 rushing yards to Trinity Catholic junior running back Jamarian Samuel, the Warriors defense stood tall when it mattered most. Senior linebacker David Crossan came up with a huge 4th down stop that sealed the victory for Calvary Christian. The Warriors will close out the regular season, against Oasis who is led by second year head coach Mack Mitchell.
8. Clearwater (7-2)
Last Week: Defeated Osceola, 42-0
This Week: at Boca Ciega
The Tornadoes are coming off their second win in a span of five days, as they outscored Seminole & Osceola, 79-7. Senior quarterback Rent Montie finished just 11/18, for 149 passing yards & had 3 touchdown passes in the win (only played the first half). Senior wide receiver Keedrik Murray led the way with 5 catches, for 113 receiving yards & 3 receiving touchdowns in the win last week. Clearwater will conclude the regular season schedule on Friday, as they travel to Boca Ciega (6-3).
9. Tampa Bay Tech (6-3)
Last Week: Defeated Wiregrass Ranch, 48-16
This Week: at Jefferson
The Tampa Bay Tech Titans are coming off what could be a win, that gets them into the Class 7A playoffs this year as they defeated Wiregrass Ranch, 48-16 last week. Junior quarterback David Wright finished 20/25, for 251 passing yards & had 3 touchdown passes in the win. Sophomore running back Christopher Perkins led the way with 89 rushing yards, on 14 carries & had 2 rushing touchdowns in the win. The Titans close out the regular season on Friday night, as they travel to Jefferson (5-4).
10. Riverview (8-2)
Last Week: Defeated Lennard, 28-21
This Week: Bye Week
The Riverview Sharks had their best regular season since 2005 & are now likely to have a home game in the first round of the 2019 FHSAA Football Class 8A playoffs. "I couldn't be more proud of this group of guys & we are not done yet", said head coach William Mosel following the 28-21 win over Lennard last Friday.
On The Bubble: Bloomingdale (7-2), Clearwater Central Catholic (6-3), East Lake (6-3), Fivay (6-3), Largo (6-3), Mitchell (8-1), Hillsborough (7-2), Jesuit (7-2), Seffner Christian (6-3), Wiregrass Ranch (7-2), Tampa Catholic (5-4), Zephyrhills Christian (6-3), Cambridge Christian (8-2), Newsome (8-2)