By: Ross Van De Griek
As we are approaching the final three weeks of the high school football regular season across the state of Florida. Some district champions have already been crowned for this season. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. Lakeland (8-0)
Last Week: Defeated Durant, 27-0
This Week: @ Bloomingdale
The Dreadnaughts have not lost a regular season game since 2016 & are expected to be a favorite again this week, as they take on a "scrappy" Bloomingdale (6-1) team on Friday night. Lakeland's defense has allowed a total of 12 points over their last four games.
2. Gaither (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Land O'Lakes, 40-0
This Week: @ Tampa Bay Tech
The Cowboys clinched the District 6A-6 title last week, with their 40-0 thumping win over Land O'Lakes (1-6). Senior quarterback Tony Bartalo finished 9/14, for 151 passing yards & had 4 touchdown passes in the win. Senior running back Chance Coleman (USF commit) had 2 carries, for 108 rushing yards & had 2 rushing touchdowns in the win.
Head football coach Kirk Karsen on TBT. "This will be our biggest test of the season, but I expect my boys to be ready for the challenge."
3. Steinbrenner (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Blake, 54-6
This Week: vs Palm Harbor University
The Warriors can clinch the District 8A-7 title with a win this week over Palm Harbor University. Senior quarterback Haden Carlson didn't play in the second half of their win over Blake, but finished 9/18, for 120 passing yards & had 2 touchdown passes in the win. Senior running back Jonathan Mallan led the way with 7 carries, for 130 rushing yards & he had 2 rushing touchdowns in the win. The Warrior defense forced three turnovers in their win over Blake last week.
4. Armwood (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Tampa Bay Tech, 32-0
This Week: vs Jefferson
Armwood has not given up a touchdown in almost a month, as they've also pitched back-to-back shutout wins over Plant City & Tampa Bay Tech. Armwood allowed a total of just 12 rushing yards in their win last week over Tampa Bay Tech.
Expect the Hawks to be favored in their matchup this week vs Jefferson (4-3).
5. Wiregrass Ranch (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated East Bay, 35-0
This Week: at Land O'Lakes
The Wiregrass Ranch Bulls responded after suffering a "tough" loss at Armwood a few weeks back, with a thumping 35-0 win over East Bay in a District 7A-9 contest. Sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht finished 11/20, for 266 passing yards & had 2 touchdown passes in the win. Senior running back Nate Miller finished with 9 carries, for 158 rushing yards & had 2 rushing touchdowns in the win. Senior wide receiver Julian Gonzalez had 200 receiving yards & 2 touchdowns in the win.
6. Springstead (7-0)
Last Week: Defeated Lecanto, 40-0
This Week: @ South Lake
The Springstead Eagles enter the rankings for the first time this season, as they are off to their best start since 2013 (Finished 11-2). Springstead's defense doesn't get talked about enough, as they are allowing an average of five points per game this season. Senior running back Toby Rahman had 68 rushing yards & 2 rushing touchdowns in last week's win over Lecanto. Senior linebacker Adrian Cabrera led the way with 13 total tackles in the win.
7. Newsome (7-1)
Last Week: Defeated Haines City, 43-13
This Week: vs Riverview (Sarasota)
The Newsome Wolves are off to their best start since the 2010 season, where they finished 9-3. The Wolves can clinch the District 8A-8 title with a win this week over Sarasota Riverview (5-2). Junior quarterback Nick Felice finished 9/15, for 125 passing yards & had a touchdown pass in the win last week. Sophomore running back Jason Albritton had 8 carries, for 102 rushing yards in the win.
8. Mitchell (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Leto, 69-6
This Week: vs Sunlake
The rout was on right from the opening kickoff in their win over Leto last week. Junior quarterback Ezra Brennan finished just 5/7 for 127 passing yards, but did have three touchdown passes in the win. Sophomore running back Andy Treto had 6 carries, for 71 rushing yards & had a rushing touchdown in the win. Junior linebacker Jonathan Fairbank & senior linebacker Noah Midthun each had six total tackles in the win.
9. Bloomingdale (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Kathleen, 46-10
This Week: vs Lakeland
The Bulls were in complete cruise control right from the opening kickoff in their win last week over Kathleen. Bloomingdale was led by senior quarterback Lance Alderson, senior running back Dominic Gonnella (North Dakota State commit), senior wide receiver Maurice Frost II (Navy commit) & junior linebacker Wa'myron Howard. This week's game against Lakeland, will be "the toughest competition", we face all year, according to head coach Jake Coulson.
10. Berkeley Prep (6-1)
Last Week: Defeated Oasis, 42-13
This Week: vs Astronaut
The Buccaneers got back on the winning track last week, as they defeated Oasis (6-1), 42-13. Junior quarterback Gavin Rupp finished just 5/9 for 164 passing yards & had 2 touchdown passes in the win last week. Sophomore running back Xavier Townsend had 13 carries, for 83 rushing yards & had 2 touchdowns in the win last week. Junior wide receiver RJ Garcia had 5 catches, for 164 receiving yards & had 2 touchdowns in the win last week.
On The Bubble: Calvary Christian (5-2), Cambridge Christian (7-1), Clearwater (5-2), Clearwater Central Catholic (5-3), Dixie Hollins (6-1), Northeast (5-2), Riverview (6-2), River Ridge (5-2), Sickles (5-3), Tampa Bay Tech (5-2), Wharton (6-2)