Tampa High School Top 10 Boys Soccer Rankings (Week 1)

By: Ross Van De Griek

Welcome to the start of a brand new high school soccer season across the state of Florida. Today we reveal the first rankings of the new season, as weekly rankings will be out every Monday throughout the regular season, with exception dates of December 23 & December 30, due to Christmas Break.

1. Wiregrass Ranch (0-0-0)

Last Week: Defeated Citrus, 7-2 in the Sunlake HS Preseason Classic

This Week: vs Zephyrhills (Mon.), @ East Lake (Wed.)

Wiregrass Ranch comes in this week, as the #1 team in the Tampa Bay area, as they are "loaded with talent", according to head coach David Wilson. The Bulls return majority of their team from last season, after graduating just two seniors last year. The Bulls will open up with a home game tonight vs Zephyrhills.

2. Steinbrenner (0-0-0)

Last Week: No games scheduled

This Week: vs King (Tues.), vs Leto (Thu.), vs TBD (Fri.)

The Steinbrenner Warriors come into the start of the season, as one of the district favorites, which includes Palm Harbor University, Plant & Wharton. The Warriors will start the season competing at the Wharton Invitational, where they'll play King & Leto.

3. Seminole (0-0-0)

Last Week: Tied 2-2 vs Osceola (Preseason)

This Week: vs River Ridge (Wed.), @ Palm Harbor University (Fri.)

The Warhawks are a team you can't sleep on in the Tampa Bay area, as they return over half of their roster from last season. Seminole is coming off a season, where they were just a win away from appearing in the state championship game.

4. Jesuit (0-0-0)

Last Week: No games scheduled

This Week: vs Sickles (Tues.), @ Land O'Lakes (Fri.)

The Tigers are coming off a season, where they were also just one win away from playing in the state championship game. "This year's team might be the most experienced team, I've ever had in my six seasons at Jesuit", said head coach Eric Sims. The Tigers will be graduating 17 seniors this season.

5. Berkeley Prep (0-0-0)

Last Week: Tied Countryside, 0-0 (Preseason)

This Week: @ Palmetto (Wed.), vs University School (Thu.)

The Buccaneers might have the toughest schedule in the Tampa Bay area this season, as they will be facing some premier competition, as they have Bolles, Lakeland Christian, Palm Harbor University, Tampa Catholic & Wiregrass Ranch on their schedule this season. Last season, the Buccaneers' 57 of their 69 goals scored were by seniors.

6. Shorecrest Prep (0-0-0)

Last Week: No games scheduled

This Week: vs Saint Stephen's Episcopal (Tues.), vs Mitchell (Thu.)

Shorecrest Prep was Tampa Bay's only representative at last year's state championships, but the goal this year is to win it all. The Chargers face a challenging schedule right out of the gate, as they welcome the Mitchell Mustangs on Thursday night.

7. Tampa Catholic (0-0-0)

Last Week: Tied Sickles, 1-1 (Preseason) & Defeated Robinson, 3-1 (Preseason)

This Week: vs Bishop Verot (Tues.), vs Bloomingdale (Wed.), vs Brooks-DeBartolo (Fri.)

Tampa Catholic is coming off a season, where they lost in the regional semifinals to Berkeley Prep, but they have some "unfinished business" to take care of this year, said head coach Kevin McCarron. Tampa Catholic returns majority of their team from last year, after losing just six seniors due to graduation. The Crusaders open up the season tomorrow night vs Bishop Verot, a team who struggled last season finishing 4-10-5.

8. Sickles (0-0-0)

Last Week: Tied Tampa Catholic, 1-1 (Preseason), Lost to Carrollwood Day, 2-1 (Preseason)

This Week: @ Jesuit (Tues.), vs Bloomingdale (Fri.)

The Gryphons open up their season against a "tall task" tomorrow night, as they head to Jesuit, and will also face another Top 10 team on Friday night, as they will host Bloomingdale.

9. East Lake (0-0-0)

Last Week: No games scheduled

This Week: vs Wiregrass Ranch (Wed.)

The Eagles will open up the regular season with a Champions League game on Wednesday night, as they host #1 Wiregrass Ranch. The Eagles have high expectations this season, as they are under 3rd year head coach Thurstan Johnson who had a team last season, that was ranked inside the Top 50 in the nation, according to MaxPreps.

10. Bloomingdale (0-0-0)

Last Week: Defeated Kathleen, 3-0 (Preseason) & Defeated Lakeland, 6-0 (Preseason)

This Week: @ Durant (Tues.), @ Tampa Catholic (Wed.), @ Sickles (Fri.)

The Bloomingdale Bulls are a team who could be on the rise this season, coming off a pair of preseason wins, where they outscored Kathleen & Lakeland, 9-0. The Bulls will start the season having three games in four nights, all on the road. "We like the early challenge & I'm sure the players are looking forward to it", said head coach Mike Lankford.

On The Bubble: Carrollwood Day, Pasco, Plant, Plant City, River Ridge, Sunlake, St. Petersburg