By: Ross Van De Griek
Hope everyone had a good holiday & a safe new year, as we are winding down on the high school boys soccer season across the state of Florida. We have four weeks remaining in the regular season. This week's rankings are the first weekly rankings since December 16, so expect a little shuffle as holiday tournaments took place. Find out where your team is ranked below.
1. Wiregrass Ranch (12-1-2)
This Week: vs Leto (Wed.), vs Land O'Lakes (Fri.)
The Wiregrass Ranch Bulls remain the #1 team in the Tampa Bay area, as they are coming off a 3-0 win over Calvary Christian on Saturday. The Bulls will begin a three-match homestand on Wednesday night, as they host the Leto Falcons. Junior Justin Amis leads the team with 11 goals scored this season.
2. Sunlake (11-1-2)
This Week: vs Mitchell (Wed.), vs River Ridge (Fri.)
The Sunlake Seahawks come in this week, as the #2 team in the Tampa Bay area, as they get set for a district showdown vs Mitchell on Wednesday night. The Seahawks are averaging 4.6 goals per game so far this season. Junior Ethan Sternberg leads the way with 23 goals scored this season.
3. Jesuit (13-2-1)
This Week: @ Middleton (Wed.), vs Cape Coral (Fri.)
The Jesuit Tigers are coming off a 2-1-0 week last week at the Jesuit Invitational. The Tigers however will stay put at the #3 spot in this week's rankings. The Tigers will be back in action on Wednesday night, as they travel to Middleton High School. Senior Carson Bien leads the team with 12 goals scored this season.
4. Tampa Catholic (9-1-1)
This Week: @ Berkeley Prep (Tues.), @ St. Petersburg Catholic (Thu.), @ Fivay (Fri.)
The Tampa Catholic Crusaders come into the new year, on a 5-game winning streak & have gone unbeaten in seven straight. The Crusaders will be back in action tomorrow night, as they travel to Berkeley Prep. Senior Tony Watson leads the team with 13 goals scored this season.
5. Newsome (7-0-1)
This Week: vs Plant City (Wed.)
The Newsome Wolves come into this week, ranked #5 in the Tampa Bay area. The Wolves are also coming off a 3-0 win over Steinbrenner in their last game (12/20/2019). Senior Owen Lucey leads the team with seven goals scored this season. Newsome will be back in action, on Wednesday night as they host Plant City.
6. Shorecrest Prep (6-2-0)
This Week: vs St. Petersburg Catholic (Tues.), vs Seminole (Fri.)
The Shorecrest Prep Chargers come into this week, ranked #6 in the Tampa Bay area. The Chargers are also coming off a 8-0 win over Boca Ciega before the holiday break. The Chargers are averaging 3.6 goals per game this season. Shorecrest Prep will be back in action tomorrow night, as they host St. Petersburg Catholic.
7. Osceola (11-2-1)
This Week: @ Calvary Christian (Tues.), @ Seminole (Wed.), @ Northeast (Fri.)
The Osceola Warriors come into this week, as the #7 ranked team in the Tampa Bay area. The Warriors come into this week, on a four-match winning streak & defeated Pinellas Park 8-0 in their last game (12/20/2019). The Warriors average 3.6 goals per game this season. The Warriors will be back in action, tomorrow night as they travel to Calvary Christian.
8. Bloomingdale (8-3-1)
This Week: @ Armwood (Wed.)
The Bloomingdale Bulls are coming off a 2-1-0 week last week, as they competed in the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational. The Bulls average just 2.5 goals per game this season, but have gotten a team high 15 goals from junior Cade McMillen. Bloomingdale is back in action on Wednesday night, as they travel to Armwood High School.
9. Seminole (10-3-1)
This Week: vs Osceola (Wed.), @ Shorecrest Prep (Fri.)
The Seminole Warhawks come into this week ranked #9 in the Tampa Bay area, as they also defeated Boca Ciega 4-0 (12/20/2019). The Warhawks are also on a five-match winning streak & have not given up a goal in their previous four games. The Warhawks are also averaging 3.4 goals per game this season. Freshman PJ Slaughter leads the way with 12 goals scored this season.
10. East Lake (7-3-0)
This Week: vs Largo (Wed.), @ Clearwater (Fri.)
The East Lake Eagles are coming off a 3-0 week last week, at the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational. The Eagles also ride a six-game winning streak heading into this week. The Eagles are averaging just three goals per game this season. East Lake will be back in action on Wednesday night, as they host Largo.
On The Bubble: Keswick Christian, Lakeland Christian, Land O'Lakes, Leto, Mitchell, Nature Coast Tech, Northeast, Palm Harbor University, Pasco, Plant, Plant City, River Ridge, Sickles, Steinbrenner