Top 25 Florida high school football rankings: Sanford Seminole makes jump after win over Lake Mary

The Seminoles become the biggest movers in this week’s rankings

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 Mainland.

Here’s the complete breakdown of Florida's elite high school football teams, heading into Week 11 of the 2023 season, as we see it. 

1. IMG Academy (7-0)

Next game: vs. St. Thomas More (Connecticut)

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 (9-0)

Next game: at Lakewood

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 undefeated on the road at St. Petersburg. 

3. Plantation American Heritage (7-1)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs

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 (9-1)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs 

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 58-0 win over Dillard was another one a couple weeks ago. Any more questions about how good this group can still be?

5. Miami Norland (9-0)

Next game: at Killian

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 (6-3)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs

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 (8-1)

Next game: at Rockledge

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 (8-1)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs

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 a few weeks ago, 32-16 victory over Columbus. 

9. Mainland (9-0)

Next game: vs. No. 17 Lake Mary

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 Friday night versus Lake Mary will be the toughest game left on the slate for the Buccaneers. 

10. Columbus (8-2)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs 

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. 

11. Miami Palmetto (7-1)

Next game: at Miami Beach

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 

12. Edgewater (9-0)

Next game: at Boone 

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. 

13. Venice (7-2)

Next game: vs. Clearwater Academy International 

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 finish the season against a tough Clearwater Academy International group.

14. Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs

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 and now await their playoff matchup. 

15. Buchholz (9-0)

Next game: at Trinity Catholic 

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 recently with a 44-7 thrashing over Bartram Trail. Now they close out the season against Class 1S state title contending Trinity Catholic. 

16. Sanford Seminole (8-2)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs 

Ranking rationale: The Seminoles picked up their biggest win of the season in a nail biter over rival Lake Mary. Karl Calhoun’s bunch has momentum at their backs heading into the postseason. 

17. Lake Mary (8-1) 

Next game: at No. 9 Mainland

Ranking rationale: The Rams dropped down seven spots after their loss to Sanford Seminole last week. Lake Mary can move back up the rankings if they can knock off No. 9 Mainland this week. Stay tuned. 

18. Lake Wales 

Next game: at Bartow 

Ranking rationale: When your team has only allowed 34 points through nine games, you’ve got an elite defense. The Highlanders will lean on that unit to carry them as the playoffs roll around. 

19. Lakeland (7-3)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs 

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 Dreadnaughts are coming off a three quarter win over Kathleen, with the game ending in an altercation between the teams. 

20. St. Augustine (8-0)

Next game: vs. Palatka 

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 few weeks ago by defeating rival Bartram Trail with backup quarterback Dylan Cook filling in for Hewlett. 

21. Treasure Coast (7-2) 

Next game: TBA/Playoffs 

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. The Titans defeated Vero Beach 22-10. 

22. Coconut Creek (8-2)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs 

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. This team will be one of the most dangerous ones in Class 3M. 

23. Clearwater Central Catholic (9-0) 

Next game: at Cardinal Gibbons 

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 this Friday on the road at Cardinal Gibbons. 

24. Jesuit (7-2) 

Next game: vs. Tampa Catholic

Ranking rationale: Wins over Armwood, Bishop Verot and Tampa Bay Tech have catapulted Jesuit back into the rankings. The Tigers have won six games in a row and are preparing for a deep playoff run in Class 3M. Jesuit will look to avenge last season’s loss to rival Tampa Catholic Friday night. 

25. Hawthorne (9-0)

Next game: TBA/Playoffs

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. Their defense has been pretty solid as well, only yielding 67 points through nine games. 

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, Golden Gate, 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