Top 25 Florida high school football final rankings: Chaminade-Madonna finishes at No. 1

The Lions complete the season at 14-0, edging out IMG Academy for the state's top spot

The end of the high school football season in the Sunshine State came to an end last week at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Ken Riley Field, with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) crowning nine state champions in a 3-day event. 

Our picks for a mythical Florida high school football CFP

Now we are in the aftermath of the 2023 season and we have to release our final Power 25 rankings based on the results from the finals. We have teams from the Florida Panhandle all the way down to South Florida included in the rankings. 

Here’s the complete breakdown of Florida's elite high school football teams, closing the chapter the 2023 season, as we see it for rankings.

1. Chaminade-Madonna (14-0)

Ranking rationale: Winning football games by an average of 39.2 points per game means the Lions won most of the time with relative ease. That's how their offense made things look most of the time: Easy. Chaminade-Madonna had impressive wins over St. Frances Academy (Maryland), Bergen Catholic (New Jersey), Miami Central and Plantation American Heritage. To cap the season, the Lions coasted past Clearwater Central Catholic 56-0 for the Class 1M state championship. 

2. IMG Academy (10-0)

Ranking rationale: While IMG Academy did finish the season undefeated through 10 games, one of those victories was a forfeiture by Life Christian Academy (Virginia). Yes, IMG Academy defeated eventual state champions like St. Joseph's Prep (Pennyslvania), Lipscomb Academy (Tennessee), Ben Davis (Indiana) and Glenville (Ohio), the rest of the slate left too much to be desired. Oh how we wish IMG Academy and Chaminade-Madonna could just play each other. 

3. St. Thomas Aquinas (14-1) 

Ranking rationale: After a season-opening loss to St. John Bosco (California) in the Broward County Elite Classic, Roger Harriott got his team to lock in and focus. That focus led them to 14 straight victories and the Raiders were able to complete the 5-peat, defeating Homestead 31-28 for the Class 3M state championship. Andrew Indorf provided steady play under center and the offensive skill set Aquinas possessed took care of the rest. Can they win six straight state championships come 2024?

4. Cocoa (14-1)

Ranking rationale: The only 'loss' this Cocoa group suffered was a 37-36 controversial contest against St. Thomas Aquinas (see above). Now if not for that technical loss, the Tigers would've finished off the season undefeated. Cocoa had wins early on against Jones, Venice before notching a couple more against Eau Gallie, Treasure Coast and Sanford Seminole. Ryan Schnieder's bunch finished off 2023 with a 20-6 victory over Bradford to complete winning back-to-back Class 2S state championships. 

5. Berkeley Prep (13-2)

Ranking rationale: Could anyone have predicted this? No is the correct answer and Berkeley Prep winning the Class 2M state championship wasn't on anyone's bingo cards. It seemed like the free space chip was to guarantee that someone from South Florida would come away with the title, but Dominick Ciao and crew had other plans. Upending Plantation American Heritage and Miami Norland in back-to-back weeks was an impressive feat. 

6. Columbus Explorers (13-2) 

Ranking rationale: One of the most well coached teams in the state is the Columbus Explorers under Dave Dunn. Up against a Mandarin Mustangs team that features some of the state's top skill players and the Explorers had an answer. Keeping the ball away with Indiana commitment Alberto Mendoza, who rushed for 141 yards in a 38-19 Class 4M state championship win. That's back-to-back state titles for Columbus. Can they clinch a 3-peat next season? 

7. Mainland Buccaneers (14-1)

Ranking rationale: Doubters, naysayers can all have a seat (myself included). The Buccaneers have won their first state championship since 2003, a team head coach Travis Roland was a part of. It's fitting that Roland was the man to lead Mainland back to the promised land and it came on the right leg of Jacob Gettman, who kicked the game-winner as time expired. With Dennis Murray Jr. making plays on offense and Florida commit LJ McCray anchoring the defense, this team seemed destined to win a title. 

8. Lakeland Dreadnaughts (12-3) 

Ranking rationale: It wasn't an easy road to Tallahassee for first-year head coach Marvin Frazier. The Dreadnaughts had to overcome a ton of lineup changes due to injuries, early losses and they made it happen nonetheless. Frazier led Lakeland to the program's 10th state championship in a dominating 60-48 romp of Venice. What's scary for potential opponents next season is the rise of 2026 RB/LB Malik Morris. Morris is the real deal and will be a name to remember. 

9. Miami Norland (14-1) 

Ranking rationale: Many folks back in Dade County were stunned by the outcome of the Class 2M state championship game. The thought process heading in was this was more of a coronation for the Vikings than a title game. Berkeley Prep approached the game ready to out-hustle and out-coach Norland and they did both. It was honestly a disappointing finish for a team that defeated eventual state champions Columbus, Lakeland and beat Miami Central twice. 

10. Homestead Broncos (12-2) 

Ranking rationale: Making a return trip to the state championship game in a rematch against St. Thomas Aquinas, Homestead gave the Raiders everything they could handle. Behind the play of quarterback Joshua Townsend, running back Isaac Brown and dynamo Cortez Mills, the Broncos nearly upended the defending champions. Ronnie Thornton Jr. did a solid job in Year 1 as head coach. 

11. Mandarin Mustangs (11-4) 

Ranking rationale: A team that was really hard to gauge all season long was these Mandarin Mustangs. Filled with talent on both sides of the ball, most of the time, the Mustangs' worst enemy was themselves. An impressive 51-21 victory over Monarch in the state semifinals led many to believe this Mandarin crew would be able to take that momentum to a state championship. Despite the loss, this team will be an early favorite as they return quarterback Tramell Jones (FSU commit) and Jaime Ffrench (Alabama commit). 

12. St. Augustine Yellow Jackets (13-1)

Ranking rationale: The Yellow Jackets were one of the hottest teams heading into the state championships in Tallahassee, especially on the offensive end. St. Augustine's offense fizzled against Mainalnd's defense and it came at the worst time. Brian Braddock might have another shot with this team as he returns Locklan Hewlett (Wake Forest commit) at quarterback. 

13. Venice Indians (12-3)

Ranking rationale: Another matchup against the Lakeland Dreadnaughts for the Class 4S state championship and another loss. It was a disappointing end to the season for an Indians team looking to avenge last year's loss. Venice absolutely dominated Deland in a Class 4S state semifinal, which was a display of how good this Indians' team can be. A bad third quarter did Venice in against Lakeland at Bragg Memorial Stadium. 

14. Plantation American Heritage Patriots (10-2)

Ranking rationale: Like Norland after them, it was stunning to see Plantation American Heritage fall to Berkeley Prep in the Class 2M state semifinal round. It looked like a forgone conclusion they'd be returning to the state title game. Despite falling short, head coach Mike Smith has to like what he's got coming back for 2024. Quarterback Dia Bell, running back Byron Louis and wide receiver Malachi Toney are the main pieces in place for the next two seasons. 

15. Buchholz Bobcats (13-1) 

Ranking rationale: It looked at one time inevitable that Buchholz would be making its way to the state championship game. With the Road to Tallahassee all going through Citizens Field, it seemed like the Bobcats' time. A 21-20 loss to eventual champion Lakeland derailed those plans. Takes nothing away from the job first-year head coach Chuck Bell has done this season, with players like Florida commit Myles Graham and sophomore quarterback Trace Johnson. 

16. Jones Fightin' Tigers (10-4)

Ranking rationale: Elijah Williams scheduled a pretty tough start to the regular season for a reason. Shrugging off a 1-3 start, Williams led this talented team to a 9-1 record the rest of the way, highlighted by victories over Edgewater and Tampa Bay Tech in the Class 3M playoffs. The Fightin' Tigers should be a team to watch for in 2024, with sophomore quarterback Dereon Coleman slated to return. 

17. Bradford Tornadoes (14-1) 

Ranking rationale: Any team that plays 15 games and allows less than 100 points, has to be commended. The Bradford Tornadoes were able to reach the Class 2S state championship game with arguably one of the best defenses in all of Florida. Jamie Rodgers' team limited Cocoa to 20 points, their lowest point total of the entire season. All of Starke practically showed up to the state championship game to see an all-time defensive unit on a very special team. 

18. Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders (13-1)

Ranking rationale: Many around the state have given Clearwater Central Catholic a lot of flack for losing to Chaminade-Madonna 56-0 in the Class 1M state championship game. Thing is, there's a lot of teams on this list that would lose in similar fashion to the Lions' generational team. Chris Harvey did a really nice job getting this Marauders club back to the state title game and got another 1,000-1,000 season from Jershaun Newton at quarterback. 

19. Miami Central Rockets (8-4)

Ranking rationale: This Miami Central team started the season off with national championship aspirations. It ended with a regional semifinal exit. Make no mistake about what kind of talent this team has. If this Rockets' club could've gotten by Miami Norland, we could be talking a totally different story with Class 2M. Losses to the Vikings will haunt the Rockets as they were in search of an elusive 5-peat. 

20. Plant Panthers (11-3)

Ranking rationale: By the looks test, you probably weren't blown away by the Plant Panthers. It's the kind of coaching job done by Plant's Hank Brown and his staff that makes a huge difference. In defeating Sumner 20-14 in a Class 4M region final, the Panthers played most of the game without star running back Waltez Clark (Florida commit). Though Plant's season ended in a 27-7 loss to eventual champion Columbus, this team will be in the mix again in 2024.

21. Bolles Bulldogs (8-6)

Ranking rationale: An 0-3 start looking back at it really was against some of the Southeast's top clubs. Bolles started off the season losing to St. Augustine (3S finalist), Mandarin (4M finalist) and Coffee (Georgia 5A state champion). The Bulldogs ended up finding their stride as the season moved along and making a playoff run. Though Matt Tobin wasn't able to reach the state championship, the Bulldogs definitely showed they're getting closer. 

22. Dunbar Tigers (11-3) 

Ranking rationale: Other than losses to Bishop Verot and Lowndes (Georgia), you have to like what this Dunbar Tigers' team did during its playoff run. Sam Brown did a masterful job once again in leading his team back into the Class 3S state semifinals, including an unbelievable 12-10 walkoff victory against Naples in a 3S, Region 4 final. 

23. Hawthorne Hornets (13-0) 

Ranking rationale: Make it back-to-back state championships in Class 1R for the Hawthorne Hornets as they did it again in a strong defensive effort. Cornelius Ingram guided a team that got better as the season progressed behind the play of CJ Ingram at quarterback and other skill talent like running back Keenon Johnson and wide receiver Alvon Isaac (USF commit). 

24. Deland Bulldogs (11-3) 

Ranking rationale: We knew Rock Darlington would have Deland competing for a state championship eventually, but in Year 2? An incredible coaching job by Darlington in his second season back in Florida and getting the Bulldogs to the Class 4S state semifinals was just another step in the right direction. What will Year 3 under Darlington bring?

25.  Cardinal Mooney Cougars (12-2) 

Ranking rationale: Party like it's 1972, Sarasota County. The only other state championship Cardinal Mooney has ever won was when they defeated Wewahitchka 18-13. Now Jared Clark and his boys are celebrating the program's second state championship in the 941 this week. The Cougars having players like Teddy Foster (Florida commit) and Chris McCorkle definitely played a big part in winning the Class 1S state title. 

On the outside looking in: Apopka, Armwood, Bartram Trail, Bishop Moore, Cardinal Newman, Cardinal Gibbons, Carrollwood Day, Choctawhatchee, Clearwater Academy International, Clearwater Calvary Christian, Coconut Creek, Creekside, Escambia, Edison, Naples, Niceville, First Baptist, FSU High, Jesuit, Lake Mary, Lake Minneola, Lake Wales, Monarch, Naples, Palm Beach Central, Pensacola Catholic, Ponte Vedra, Raines, Sanford Seminole, Sarasota Booker, Sarasota Riverview, Sebring, South Sumter, Sumner, Tampa Bay Tech, Treasure Coast, Trinity Catholic, Trinity Christian Academy, Vanguard, Western, Williston, Wiregrass Ranch

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