As the playoffs begin, let’s start this week’s rankings by acknowledging two teams that play area teams, but are slightly out of our consistent overage area and that’s Suwannee (6-2) and Flagler Palm Coast (3-3). Both teams have won some impressive games and look competitive on both sides of the ball. Suwannee’s only losses have come to top teams in Madison County and Buchholz. FPC upset the 1A 3-time defending state champion Madison County Cowboys last Friday. They both would be in this week’s rankings if they played in Northeast Florida consistently. However, area teams should look for both of these teams in the playoffs, as everyone eyes the prize of a state championship.
#1. Trinity (6-1)- After being the first team this year to shutout Raines (21-0) last week, Trinity remains atop our power rankings at #1. Their offense has been a concern with injuries, but as long as their defense continues to play lights out, they’ll continue to put teams to sleep. Ribault is up next today. Last Week #1
#2. Bolles (6-1)- Someone asked the question, “how can Bolles be behind Trinity if they lost to them head to head”? Albeit a great question, this power rankings doesn’t just factor in head to head matchups. It also factors in strength of schedule, common opponents, point differential and current trends. Bolles has a strong argument for #1 as they continue to win convincingly (33-19 over UC on 10/23). But Creekside lost big to a Buchholz team that Trinity easily shutout in their kickoff classic. Every loss the Knights accumulate worsens Bolles strength of schedule considering the Bulldogs untimely loss to them at home. Next up, Mainland (Daytona). Last Week #2
#3. Bartram (7-1)- We’ve gotta be honest, Bartram didn’t overwhelm against Sandalwood last week, a team headed in the wrong direction. Still, a 28-13 win over the Saints gave Bartram 20 straight victories over Northeast Florida teams. They look to make it 21 straight win when they face Raines tonight.
#4. Lee (5-1) – The Generals bounced back against Gainesville 29-3 after their loss to Trinity at home. They now get a week to heal from some bumps and bruises to key players in preparation for their playoff matchup against Ft Walton Beach on 11/13.
#5. Oakleaf (5-3)- The Knights might’ve been suffering the lingering affects from their stunning loss to Bartram the week before when they went into half time versus Nease leading 21-14 last week. They would go on to handle business winning 35-14, perhaps looking ahead to this week’s Clay County showdown between undefeated Clay.
#6. Clay (7-0)- A blowout win last week over Ridgeview was great, but lets be honest, this game coming up is the one they’ve been waiting on all year. It’s their toughest test by far this year, as they travel to Oakleaf. This game is many things for Coach Kyle Kennard and company. A test on how they handle big games. A measure of how they stack up against a team with several athletes. And finally, it’s validation of the Blue Devil’s undefeated mark so far. Clay can learn a lot about themselves this week. And so will we.
#7. Baker County (7-1)- Baker County handled business against Bishop Kenny last week. Now they have their toughest test since losing to Bolles in Suwannee (6-2). Can the Wildcat’s offense stand up to a top ranked defense? We’ll find out.
#8. Fleming Island (6-2)- Coach Springs is one of the most competitive coaches in our area. So those losses to Oakleaf and Buccholz are still lingering, but you can bet that he’s using them to motivate his team It worked last week as the Golden Eagles handled Atlantic Coast 35-14. They now await Tate in the first round of the playoffs on 11/13.
#9. St. Augustine (5-2) – The Jackets remain in the top 10 after handling rival Ponte Vedra 44-14 last week. Palatka is up next, one of the oldest rivalries in the state. The Palatka-St. Augustine game dates back to the year 1922.
#10. Fletcher (5-1) – We finally welcome Fletcher back to the field and back to the Top 10 after a bout with Covid-19. A 42-6 shellacking of First Coast last week proved that the Senators used that time to get even better. They’ll need to play they’re best against a hot team in Mandarin.
Outside Looking In: Baldwin (8-0), Mandarin (3-4), Westside (4-3)
