By: Ross Van De Griek
We have the entered the final four weeks of the high school football regular season. We had some good games in Week 7, so let's hope for the same as we enter week 8 of the high school football season. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. Lakeland (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Centennial, 42-6
This Week: at Durant
The Dreadnaughts' winning streak continues, as it has stretched to 23 games dating back to the 2017 season. Lakeland was led by senior running back DeMarkcus Bowman (Clemson commit), wide receiver/kick returner Fenley Graham (Florida commit) among several others in last week's win over Centennial. The Dreadnaughts look for their 24th straight win on Friday night, as they head to Durant & take on the 3-4 Durant Cougars.
2. Lakewood (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Sebring, 38-0
This Week: @ Osceola
Is this Lakewood Spartans defensive front for real? They very well could be, as their defense has pitched shutouts in five of their seven wins so far this season. Senior quarterback Greg Spann had 174 passing yards & 125 rushing yards, in the win over Sebring last week. Junior wide receiver Artez Hooker also had 6 catches, for 88 receiving yards & had a receiving touchdown in the win.
3. Gaither (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Chamberlain, 33-28
This Week: vs Land O'Lakes
The Cowboys roll into this week fresh off a narrow 33-28 win over Chamberlain (2-4). Senior quarterback Tony Bartalo finished 14/21, for 212 passing yards & had 3 touchdown passes in the win. Senior running back Chance Coleman (USF commit) would add 58 rushing yards & had a rushing touchdown in the win as well. Junior wide receiver Jayden Mendez had 6 catches, for 158 receiving yards & 3 touchdowns in the win.
4. Armwood (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Plant City, 35-0
This Week: at Tampa Bay Tech
Armwood's defense is another notable defense to watch for here in the Tampa Bay area, as they have given up a total of 3 points in their last two games. The Hawks held Plant City to just 100 total yards in the win last week & also held highly recruited wide receiver Mario Williams to no catches. The Hawks will be tested this week, heading to Tampa Bay Tech (5-1) on Friday night.
5. Bloomingdale (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Tampa Bay Tech, 26-14
This Week: @ Kathleen
Last week, the Bloomingdale Bulls are coming off what is likely their biggest win of the 2019 season so far. The Bulls will travel this week to Kathleen (2-5) who are led by sophomore running back Jordan Gant, junior wide receiver Kendrick Pinion & senior kicker/punter Jared Gonzalez.
6. Steinbrenner (6-0)
Last Week: Defeated Plant, 49-0
This Week: @ Blake
The Warriors are 6-0 for the first time in school history, coming off a 49-0 thumping over Plant (0-6) last week. Senior quarterback Haden Carlson finished 20/26, for 166 passing yards & had 4 touchdown passes in the win. Junior running back Deon Silas had 11 carries, for 126 rushing yards & had a rushing touchdown in the win. The Warriors will travel to Blake (3-3) this week, who are led by 3rd year head coach Duane Thomas.
7. Tampa Bay Tech (5-1)
Last Week: Lost to Bloomingdale, 26-14
This Week: vs Armwood
Tampa Bay Tech suffered their first loss of the season last week, 26-14 at Bloomingdale (5-1). Tampa Bay Tech junior quarterback David Wright finished 13/33, for 164 passing yards & had a touchdown pass. Bloomingdale's defense held Tampa Bay Tech to just 26 rushing yards last week. The Titans' tough stretch continues this week, as they host Armwood (5-1) who is coming off a 35-0 win over Plant City last week.
8. Berkeley Prep (5-1)
Last Week: Lost to Victory Christian, 19-13
This Week: vs Oasis
It was a defensive battle in Berkeley Prep's game last week at Victory Christian, where they were led by sophomore running back Travis Bates, junior wide receiver RJ Garcia & senior linebacker Jaylen Harrell.
Berkeley Prep will welcome Oasis (6-0) on Friday night, who are coming off a 28-13 win last week over Moore Haven.
9. Calvary Christian (5-1)
Last Week: Defeated Carrollwood Day, 46-0
This Week: at Victory Christian
It was Homecoming last week for the Calvary Christian Warriors football team, as they rolled Carrollwood Day (0-6) 46-0 last week. Senior quarterback Harold Cook finished the night 11/17 for 217 passing yards & had 2 touchdown passes in the win. Junior running back Kai Martin had 5 carries, for 97 rushing yards & had a rushing touchdown in the win. Sophomore linebacker Jaeden Atkins finished with a team leading 5 total tackles in the win. Calvary Christian will be heading to Lakeland & take on Victory Christian (6-0) who are coming off a 19-13 win over Berkeley Prep.
10. Newsome (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Robinson, 41-7
This Week: vs Haines City
The Newsome Wolves are off to their best start since 2010, where they finished 9-3 & have currently won six straight games since losing their season-opener at Bloomingdale. Sophomore running back Jason Albritton finished with 15 carries, for 139 rushing yards. The Newsome Wolves will host the Haines City Hornets (0-6) on Friday night in Lithia.
On The Bubble: Boca Ciega (5-2), Cambridge Christian (6-1), Canterbury (4-0), Clearwater (4-2), Clearwater Central Catholic (4-3), Hillsborough (4-2), Jesuit (4-2), Mitchell (5-1), Northeast (5-1), Pinellas Park (3-3), Riverview (6-1), Sickles (5-2), Wiregrass Ranch (5-1)