Top 25 Florida high school football rankings: Hawthorne, Jesuit enter rankings

Hawthorne has been the class of 1R and Jesuit’s win over Tampa Bay Tech catapults them into the ranks

We’re now in the second half of the season here and some things have become clearer than others when it comes to the Top 25 Florida football rankings.

We've seen some surprising results across the board and to take any given week for granted would be a mistake. Any one of these teams in our 25 can beat the other seemingly and this week provides a great glimpse as there's many that will be facing one another.

The matchup that stands out in the Sunshine State this week featuring Power 25 teams is between Central Florida powers Lake Mary and Sanford Seminole.

Here’s the complete breakdown of Florida's elite high school football teams, heading into Week 10 of the 2023 season, as we see it. 

1. IMG Academy (7-0)

Next game: vs. St. Thomas More (Connecticut), Nov. 3rd

Ranking rationale: The Ascenders keep on winning and for all intents and purposes will likely go undefeated. IMG Academy is coming off a 53-7 victory against Gray Collegiate Academy (South Carolina) at the friendly confines of home. 

2. Chaminade-Madonna (8-0)

Next game: at St. John Paul II Academy 

Ranking rationale: After all the dust and smoke settled, it would be the Lions upending the neighborhood heros. Defeating Miami Central in a nail biter 31-28 is the most impressive win to date for Dameon Jones' crew. Now the Lions will focus on finishing the remaining couple of games and going undefeated. 

3. Plantation American Heritage (6-1)

Next game: at Hallandale

Ranking rationale: Losing to Chaminade-Madonna a few weeks ago is no shame for a youthful Plantation American Heritage team. They'll be at the top in the years to come. Mike Smith's team are started to find their groove and are now on a roll behind sophomore quarterback Dia Bell. 

4. St. Thomas Aquinas (8-1)

Next game: vs. Dillard

Ranking rationale: If anyone thinks the Raiders are going to let a team come within striking distance of them again this season, think again. St. Thomas Aquinas continue to make statements and a 42-0 win over Fort Lauderdale was another one a couple weeks ago. Any more questions about how good this group can still be?

5. Miami Norland (8-0)

Next game: at North Miami Beach

Ranking rationale: We've been saying it since after the season opening win over Lakeland that these Vikings would likely be undefeated before facing Miami Booker T. Washington and Miami Central. Norland made it through the toughest stretch of the season, the Vikings notched a huge 29-26 win over the Rockets and then defeated Columbus for the GMAC championship. 

6. Miami Central (5-3)

Next game: at Monsignor Pace

Ranking rationale: The hopes of winning a national championship are out the window with losses now to Bishop Gorman (Nevada), Chaminade-Madonna and Miami Norland. There's still the 'Drive For Five' the Rockets are on and head coach Jube Joseph won't let this team forget everything is still there in front of them. 

7. Cocoa (7-1)

Next game: vs. Palm Bay

Ranking rationale: The Tigers are right there among the state's elite teams even though they fell out of the SBLive Sports national rankings. Something tells us they'll be back there in the future eventually. 

8. Homestead (7-1)

Next game: at Belen Jesuit

Ranking rationale: The Broncos have really started to find their stride in the second half of the season. Ronnie Thornton Jr.’s most impressive win to date was this past last Saturday’s 32-16 victory over Columbus. 

9. Mainland (8-0)

Next game: at Seabreeze 

Ranking rationale: Another tough team and another win for Travis Roland's crew. All the questions offensively have been answered and defensively, this team can ball. A home game on Nov. 3 versus Lake Mary will be the toughest game left on the slate for the Buccaneers. 

10. Lake Mary (8-0)

Next game: at No. 22 Sanford Seminole 

Ranking rationale: The Rams are the biggest movers up this list after dispatching Apopka 49-21. Behind the historic play of sophomore quarterback Noah Grubbs, who is on pace for 60 touchdowns, this Rams team has a chance to exit out of the 'District of Death' of Class 4M, District 2. 

11. Columbus (7-2)

Next game: vs. Goleman 

Ranking rationale: A contender to the GMAC championship is the Explorers, who are still in line to compete for a title despite a 32-16 setback against Homestead a few weeks ago. This team can still win it all potentially in Class 4M. 

12. Miami Palmetto (7-1)

Next game: at Miami Beach, Nov. 2nd 

Ranking rationale: Losing a heartbreaker to Columbus a few weeks ago was tough for this Panthers' team, but there's no rest for the weary. Miami Palmetto closes out the season against 

13. Edgewater (9-0)

Next game: at Boone, Nov. 3rd 

Ranking rationale: The first nine games of the season have been all reasonably challenging contests for the Fighting Eagles against Apopka, Bishop Moore, Clearwater Academy International, Jones, Wekiva, West Orange, Ocoee and Horizon. Edgewater faces Boone in the final week of the regular season for a chance to go 10-0. 

14. Venice (6-2)

Next game: vs. IMG Academy White 

Ranking rationale: John Peacock’s team has a chance to run the table the remaining five games and it started with a 54-0 rout of River Ridge a month ago. A 56-24 rout of Manatee a couple weeks ago proves Venice’s dominance on the South Suncoast continues. The Indians still have tough games against IMG Academy White and Clearwater Academy International looming.

15. Miami Booker T. Washington (7-2)

Next game: vs. Westland Hialeah

Ranking rationale: If not for an injury to their starting quarterback, the Tornadoes may be higher in this poll after falling 20-19 to Miami Norland. Ice Harris' crew notched back-to-back victories over Miami Northwestern and Miami Edison in a span of five days recently. 

16. Buchholz (8-0)

Next game: 

Ranking rationale: The Bobcats broke into the Power 25 and jumped all the way to 17. We like to give them credit, though, more for some of their wins beating teams like Columbia, Sarasota Riverview, Creekside, Vanguard and now Bartram Trail. Buchholz made a statement with a 44-7 thrashing over Bartram Trail. 

17. Lake Wales (8-0)

Next game: vs. Auburndale 

Ranking rationale: The Highlanders’ defense is for real. Lake Wales has only allowed 27 points this season and they've recorded four shutout victories. Only once this season have they allowed more than 10 points. A season finale against Bartow looms large. 

18. Lakeland (6-3)

Next game: vs. Kathleen 

Ranking rationale: On the positive side for the Dreadnaughts, their losses have come against very good opponents in Miami Norland, St. Joseph’s Prep (Pennsylvania) and Clearwater Academy International. The latest loss, however, has been the most surprising of them all. 

19. St. Augustine (7-0)

Next game: at Clay

Ranking rationale: We’re convinced that the Yellow Jackets may have the most potent offense in all of Class 3S. With Wake Forest commitment Locklan Hewlett and a talented group of wide receivers, this is a team on the rise. The Yellow Jackets made a big wave a couple weeks ago by defeating rival Bartram Trail with backup quarterback Dylan Cook filling in for Hewlett. 

20. Treasure Coast (6-2)

Next game: vs. Vero Beach 

Ranking rationale: If any team on this list has had it rough during the season, it’s been the Titans. Back-to-back losses against St. Thomas Aquinas and Cocoa have been tough. Now they face rival Vero Beach on the road on a Saturday. 

21. Coconut Creek (7-2)

Next game: vs. Deerfield Beach 

Ranking rationale: How does a team lose and enter the power rankings? When you only fall 35-27 to arguably the most talented team in the country in Chaminade-Madonna, that’s how. 

22. Sanford Seminole (7-2)

Next game: vs. No. 10 Lake Mary

Ranking rationale: The Seminoles have bounced back with wins over DeLand and Lake Brantley. Now Karl Calhoun's crew must continue with the momentum as Seminole have a huge tilt with Lake Mary to close the season. 

23. Clearwater Central Catholic (8-0)

Next game: vs. Seffner Christian

Ranking rationale: It probably shouldn't have taken this long to realize the Marauders are as good as they were last year, but we digress. The Marauders have proven they're the second best team in Class 1M and will have a tough test at the end of the season on the road at Cardinal Gibbons. 

24. Jesuit (6-2)

Next game: vs. Hillsborough 

Ranking rationale: Wins over Armwood, Bishop Verot and Tampa Bay Tech have catapulted Jesuit back into the rankings. The Tigers have won five games in a row and are preparing for a deep playoff run in Class 3M. 

25. Hawthorne (8-0)

Next game: vs. Akelynn’s Angels Christian Academy

Ranking rationale: The Hornets won their first state championship last season and it looks like they’re on pace for another title this fall. Hawthorne’s offense has been an improved unit behind the maturation of quarterback CJ Ingram. 

On the outside looking in: Delray Beach Atlantic, Apopka, Armwood, Blanche Ely, Bartow, Bartram Trail, Benjamin, Bishop Verot, Bradford, Cardinal Newman, Cardinal Gibbons, Carrollwood Day, Choctawhatchee, Clearwater Academy International, Creekside, Dunbar, Escambia, Edison, FSU High, Jones, Lincoln, Manatee, Mandarin, Monarch, Naples, Newberry, Palm Beach Central, Ponte Vedra, Sebring, Sumner, Tampa Bay Tech, Tampa Catholic, Trinity Christian Academy, Vanguard, Vero Beach, Western, Williston, Winter Park, Wiregrass Ranch, Zephyrhills

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl