Top 25 Florida high school football rankings: IMG Academy & Chaminade-Madonna remain 1-2

The Ascenders stay at No. 1 as the playoffs begin in Florida

Now the postseason is here in the Sunshine State 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.

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

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1. IMG Academy (8-0)

Next game: vs. St. Frances Academy (Maryland), Nov. 17th

Ranking rationale: The Ascenders keep on winning and for all intents and purposes will likely go undefeated. IMG Academy is coming off a 47-0 victory against St. Thomas More (Connecticut) at the friendly confines of home. Next up is rival St. Frances Academy.

2. Chaminade-Madonna (10-0)

Next game: vs. Avant Garde, Nov. 17th

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 the Class 1M playoffs, beginning with Avant Garde. 

3. Plantation American Heritage (7-1)

Next game: vs. North Broward Prep

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. Could a run to the state championship be on tap for Heritage?

4. St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1)

Next game: vs. Plantation 

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 continued 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 (10-0)

Next game: vs. St. Brendan

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: vs. Miami Edison 

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 (9-1)

Next game: vs. Eustis 

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: vs. McArthur 

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 then undefeated Columbus. Can Homestead make it back to the Class 3M state championship?

9. Columbus (8-2)

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. 

10. Miami Palmetto (8-1) 

Next game: vs. Doral Academy 

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 starts off the playoffs at home against Doral Academy. 

11. Edgewater (10-0)

Next game: vs. First Coast 

Ranking rationale: The Fighting Eagles have finished the regular season with an undefeated record. Edgewater now begins its quest to trying to win a Class 3M state championship facing First Coast at home. 

12. Venice (8-2)

Next game: vs. Lakewood Ranch 

Ranking rationale: John Peacock’s team ran the table the remaining eight games and it started with a 54-0 rout of River Ridge over a month ago. A 56-24 rout of Manatee a couple weeks ago proves Venice’s dominance on the South Suncoast continues. The Indians finished the regular season with a 53-42 win over Clearwater Academy International. 

13. Miami Booker T. Washington (8-2) 

Next game: vs. North Miami Beach 

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 start the postseason as a very dangerous team in Class 2M. 

14. Buchholz (10-0)

Next game: vs. Mosley 

Ranking rationale: The Bobcats broke into the Power 25 over a month ago 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. They closed out the season against Class 1S state title contending Trinity Catholic, winning 43-20. 

15. Sanford Seminole (8-2)

Next game: vs. Hagerty 

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, with a chance to win it all.

16. Lake Mary (9-1)

Next game: vs. Boone

Ranking rationale: The Rams won in impressive fashion, 33-0 over previous No. 9 Mainland. Now the Rams begins the postseason as a potential favorite to win it all in Class 4M. 

17. Lake Wales (10-0)

Next game: vs. Gulf 

Ranking rationale: When your team has only allowed 37 points through nine games, you’ve got an elite defense. The Highlanders will lean on that unit to carry them as the playoffs begin.

18. Mainland (9-1) 

Next game: vs. Satellite 

Ranking rationale: The Buccaneers lost their first game of the season, 33-0 against Lake Mary, last week. Mainland now starts the postseason aiming to try and get back to the Class 3S state championship. 

19. Lakeland (7-3)

Next game: vs. Mitchell 

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. They will be without a few players in the opening round. 

20. St. Augustine (9-0)

Next game: vs. Middleburg 

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: vs. Kissimmee Osceola 

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 in their last game. 

22. Coconut Creek (8-2)

Next game: vs. Piper 

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 (10-0)

Next game: vs. Indian Rocks Christian, Nov. 17th

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 passed a tough test last Friday on the road at Cardinal Gibbons, winning 34-14. 

24. Jesuit (8-2)

Next game: vs. Pinellas Park

Ranking rationale: Wins over Armwood, Bishop Verot and Tampa Bay Tech have catapulted Jesuit back into the rankings. The Tigers have won seven games in a row and are preparing for a deep playoff run in Class 3M. Jesuit will look to start the playoffs off strong against Pinellas Park. 

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. 

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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