High School Football Power Rankings Week #6: Respect Earned…Respect Given!

YOU ARE WHAT YOUR RECORD SAYS YOU ARE! The famous words uttered by Hall of Fame Coach Bill Parcels. It resonates down to every level of football including high school. So after Week #6 and the start of Week #7 in Northeast Florida, the same philosophy holds true. It’s reflected on this week’s power rankings as the strongest teams are represented by their records.

Trinity (3-4), Raines (2-2), Lee (4-2), Sandalwood (3-2), Mandarin (3-2).. you’re not going to find them on the list this week. And why should they be? Honestly? I mean, what have they done consistently this year to suggest that “they are who we thought they were”? ( To quote the great NFL Head Coach Dennis Green). Respect should be given to the teams that earn it on the field, and these teams after mid season have earned it by their wins.

By: Andre’ Ellis

1.Columbia (5-0)

After the bye week, Columbia gears up for their toughest part of the schedule as they take on teams that have bested them in years past. First up is Madison County who defeated the Tigers in 2017. Jordan Smith, Marquez Bell, Lavontae Camiel, and Kylen Callum will want to go out with a bang to make it two in a row against the Cowboys. A team who got they got the best of last year.

2. Oakleaf (5-1)

After an impressive road win against Sandalwood, Oakleaf now turns it’s attention to the defending 8A state champions Mandarin. But they have a week to prepare as, this week they rest up on the bye. It comes at the right time, as some players are banged up and can use the rest. The Knights need their players healthy, as they just might posses the best offensive and defensive weapons in the area.

3. Bartram (5-0)

The Bears took their bye week as one of the five remaining undefeated teams in the area. They’ve finally garnered some attention from the state wide poll as well coming in at #1. Their road has undoubtedly been the toughest in the area, as they’ve wrestled with some of the best. Today they face one of those aforementioned undefeated teams in Ponte Vedra. It”s going to be a wild one in St. Johns County tonight, as quarterback Chad Dodson and running-back AJ Jones leads the highest scoring offense in the area.

4. Fleming Island (5-0)

The Rodney Dangerfields of Northeast Florida are the Golden Eagles. ” No Respect”…. They’ve quietly been flying under the radar as one of the five undefeated teams in the area. Their win over Creekside last week was impressive and gained them warranted attention. Quarterback Dean Hyams has impressed Coach Damenyum Springs with his leadership and play making ability passing for 898 yards , 6 TDs and 1 interception on the season. They take on a talented and troublesome First Coast team today, in hopes that the pressure from attention won’t burst their district title hopes.

5. Ponte Vedra (5-0)

As Sharks do, Ponte Vedra has been lurking below the surface of undefeated waters as unconquered animals. Coach Jeff DiSandro has his team looking good, as quarterback R.J Glod leads the area in passing with 1245 yards and 10 TDs on the season. However, today they venture into uncharted waters as they face their toughest test of the season by far in Bartram. A win tonight, and every other team in the state puts up a sign that says “beware of the sharks”.

6. University Christian (5-1)

UC got a huge win over Bradford last week in a close grind it out 8-7 victory. It was a win that the team needed over a very good team not only to measure itself, but to prove to everyone that they are what they’re record suggest. Max McClendon leads the team in rushing with 399 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season. They’ll host Clay today at home.

7. Bolles (4-1)

Bolles seems to be getting stronger and stronger as the season progresses. Their 47-6 win over Palatka capped off a stretch where they’ve won four in a row. In that stretch quarterback Ben Netting has led the offense on the ground. However, even more impressive is a defense whose highest points given up this year was 21 to the high powered Creekside offense. They look good, and look to go for five against Melbourne Central Catholic tonight.

8. West Nassau (4-1)

One might argue, why are the Warriors so high on this list after losing to Lee earlier in the season? Well take a look at their wins. They defeated a Yulee team, who beat Ribault last week. Ribault just happened to beat Lee last night. Everything comes full circle for West Nassau who also took down a previously undefeated Baldwin team this year. Ethan Johns and Jesse Rochay leads their rushing attack, while Blayze Padgett has managed the games well, throwing for 5 TDs and giving up only 1 interception all year. Bradford is a tough test today, and the Tornadoes won’t be happy after dropping a close one to UC last week.

9. Baldwin (5-1)

Baldwin’s loss to West Nassau earlier this year seemed like a severe let down at the time. Until we realized that West Nassau is the real deal. The Indians are the real deal as well. Their wins against Westside and Bradford proved that Quarterback Bryce Tompkins is slinging the ball all over the field to receivers Xavier McGriff and Christian Sanderson. They’ll face Jackson today.

10. Westside (5-1)

Rounding out the top of our power rankings are the Wolverines of Westside. What a nice win against Baker County last week on the road. Westside has athletes, and they’ve proven that if they all work on the same page, that it spells trouble for opponents. Their defense features three players leading the area in sacks. Angelo Philpot (8) , Chadwick Martin(9.5) and De’shun Lawrence (6). However, their quarterback D.J Otis is on fire as well, passing for 951 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. They welcome Bishop Kenny to the Westside.

Honorable Mention: Christ’s Church (5-0), Keystone Heights (5-0), Episcopal (5-1), Providence (4-1),

Makeda Lawton’s Top 10