By: Ross Van De Griek
1. Lakeland (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated George Jenkins, 38-6
This Week: @ Plant City
Lakeland won their 23rd consecutive regular season game, dating back to 2016. The first half Lakeland was tested by the George Jenkins defense' leading 12-6 at the half. However, Lakeland would prevail in the second half outscoring the Eagles' 24-0.
2. Berkeley Prep (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Cardinal Mooney, 35-7
This Week: Bye Week
Berkeley Prep was in control of this game right from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. The Buccaneers were led by junior quarterback Gavin Rupp, junior wide receiver RJ Garcia & sophomore running back Xavier Townsend. In their first 3 games, the Buccaneers are allowing an average of 11.3 points per game.
3. Tampa Bay Tech (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Hillsborough, 37-7
This Week: @ Plant
Tampa Bay Tech junior quarterback David Wright went 14/24, for 226 passing yards & had 3 touchdown passes in the win vs Hillsborough. Senior running back Osmanis Aguilera had 15 carries, for 101 yards & found the end zone twice, in Saturday's 37-7 win over Hillsborough. Sophomore wide receiver Gregory Gaines III had 7 catches, for 112 receiving yards & had 2 touchdowns.
4. Clearwater (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Jesuit, 14-10
This Week: @ Largo
The Tornadoes' defense might be the "most disciplined" and well balanced defenses in the Bay area, according to Clearwater defensive coordinator John Scargle. Despite senior quarterback Rent Montie only passing for 97 yards, Clearwater's defense was in lockdown mode all night vs Jesuit. The Tornadoes held Florida commit Jonathan Odom to just 3 catches for 30 yards.
The rivalry is renewed on Friday, where Clearwater will travel & look to beat Largo for the first time since 2016.
5. Mitchell (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Land O'Lakes, 48-7
This Week: @ Pinellas Park
The Mustangs' cruised to their 3-0 start, with a thrashing 48-7 win over Land O'Lakes on Friday night at Mustang Stadium in Trinity. Mitchell junior quarterback Ezra Brennan finished 8/14, for 169 passing yards & had 3 touchdown passes in the win. Senior running back Tyler Williams had 14 carries, for 144 rushing yards & had 2 rushing touchdowns in the win.
Mitchell will travel to Pinellas Park this week, who are coming off a narrow 26-22 win over Largo.
6. Armwood (2-1)
Last Week: Defeated Bloomingdale, 28-0
This Week: Bye Week
The Hawks' responded following a tough, heartbreaking double-overtime loss at North Gwinnett a couple weeks ago, with a "dominant" 28-0 win over Bloomingdale. Armwood will have a couple weeks to regroup, as they are back in action on September 20 vs Chamberlain.
7. Tampa Catholic (2-1)
Last Week: Lost to Clearwater Central Catholic, 27-9
This Week: @ Land O'Lakes
Tampa Catholic quarterbacks Dylan McCain & Xavione Washington combined to go 11/23, for 212 passing yards & had a touchdown pass. Freshman running back Antonio Hill led the way with 5 carries, for 40 rushing yards. Senior wide receiver Marcellus Crutchfield led the way with 6 receptions, for 80 receiving yards.
8. Wiregrass Ranch (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated St. Petersburg, 43-7
This Week: vs Nature Coast
The Bulls are allowing an average of 13.6 points per game through their first 3 games of the season, where they have had wins over Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel & St. Petersburg to start the season. Sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht finished 14/23, for 213 passing yards & had 3 touchdown passes in the win. Sophomore running back Corneil McCray had 15 carries, for 67 rushing yards & had 2 rushing touchdowns in the win. Senior linebacker Nick Gaziano led the Bulls' defense with 11 tackles last week.
9. Gaither (3-0)
Last Week: Defeated Plant City, 28-23
This Week: vs East Bay
Last week, the Gaither Cowboys improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2014, with a thrilling 28-23 win over Plant City. Gaither senior quarterback Tony Bartolo went 18/29, for 316 passing yards & had 4 touchdown passes in the win. Bartolo also had 5 carries, for 26 rushing yards in the win. Senior wide receiver Deveon Knighton had 5 receptions, for 94 passing yards & had 2 receiving touchdowns in the win.
10. Steinbrenner (2-0)
Last Week: @ Spoto (Tonight @ 7PM)
This Week: vs Alonso
The Warriors are 2-0 for the first time since 2016, and are looking for their first 3-0 start since 2015 (5-0) with their game for this week to still be played tonight at Spoto. The Warriors will be on a short week this week, as they will also play on Friday at home vs Alonso. FIU commit Haden Carlson has completed nearly 61% of his passes & has thrown for 3 touchdown passes so far this season.
On The Bubble: Admiral Farragut (1-1), Cambridge Christian (2-0), Clearwater Academy (2-0), Hillsborough (1-1), Plant (0-2), River Ridge (1-1)