Week 7 Power Poll: Palmetto closes gap on Braden River’s top spot

Editor’s note: These are power rankings, meaning hypothetical head-to-head matchups aren't considered. Actual head-to-head games, how the team is trending and recently performed are weighed. Considerations to keep teams where they were after a loss are based on the opposition's strength and how close a game was.

Public

1. (1) Braden River, 1-1

The Pirates took a hit, but remain atop the power poll for how close they came to staying unbeaten in an instant classic defeat to Venice. They just ran out of time in the closing seconds as penalties pushed them from the red zone and forced some Hail Mary heaves.

Up next: at Palmetto, Friday

2. (2) Palmetto, 3-1

The Tigers received a bigger fight from Sarasota than was originally expected on paper, perhaps showing this team plays to their opposition’s quality? If that's the case, a hungry and experienced Palmetto squad is ready to end the drought against Braden River and take over the top spot in the poll.

Up next: vs. Braden River

3. (3) Manatee, 2-1

Josh Booker and Keyon Fordham are an overpowering one-two force in Class 8A-District 6, and the Hurricanes are starting to gain confidence. The district will likely come down to the Sarasota Riverview game. Right now the Canes are starting to look the part.

Up next: vs. Palm Harbor University

4. (4) Southeast, 3-0

The Seminoles are a scary team in Class 5A-District 11. Latrell Peavy’s emergence in the backfield brings a dynamic to Southeast’s offense, coupled with explosive receivers, that can make opposing defenses pay at any time. Along with a stingy defense, the Noles are off to a fast start.

Up next: vs. Cardinal Mooney

5. (5) Lakewood Ranch, 3-0

The Mustangs haven't faced the top-half of Class 7A-District 11 (Braden River, Palmetto, Venice) yet, which is why Lakewood Ranch holds at No. 5 despite an unbeaten start. However, winning games is only adding confidence to the East Manatee County program that wasn't producing a lot of victories in the past couple seasons.

Up next: OFF

6. (6) Bayshore, 0-3

Defensively, Bayshore played well enough to earn its first regular season win under second-year head coach John Biezuns. Instead, the offense laid an egg against a woeful Sarasota Booker team. The Tornadoes won the battle of winless teams and Bayshore's season is at a critical point.

Up next: at North Port

Private

1. (1) IMG Blue, 3-0

The Ascenders are unmatched in the area, and most teams in the country can't compete. An intriguing local matchup is on the horizon with a trip to Class 7A No. 2-ranked Venice, where Indian fans are pretty loud. However, that shouldn't be an issue for IMG's nationally-ranked club.

Up next: at Venice

2. (3) Saint Stephen's, 3-0

So much for a potential threat to the Coral Bay Division title. The Falcons turned back ODA with a scorching 61-point outburst, dominating from the outset and showing just how powerful they are in their quest to repeat as Sunshine State Athletic Conference champs.

Up next: vs. Fort Myers Gateway Charter

3. (2) Cardinal Mooney, 3-1

A heartbreaking overtime loss to regional rival Clearwater Calvary Christian has the Cougars needing to regroup quickly. Unbeaten Southeast is looking for revenge from last year's game, where Minnesota committed RB Bryce Williams took over. Still in good shape for the playoff points race, but can't afford too many slip ups the rest of the way.

Up next: at Southeast

4. (4) IMG White, 1-1

The second Ascenders varsity team had a bye week, and stays put. A trip to Ocala Trinity Catholic reunites IMG with Celtics head coach Joe Sturdivant, who served as the Ascenders defensive coordinator when the program began under Chris Weinke.

Up next: at Ocala Trinity Catholic

5. (5) Out-of-Door Academy, 2-1

About nine days prior to Friday's showdown with Saint Stephen's, the Thunder were feeling great. They started 2-0 for the first time in several seasons and won a close game that usually evades them. The Falcons, though, shot the Thunder back to Earth with a mesmerizing offensive display.

Up next: vs. St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep

6. (6) Bradenton Christian, 1-3

The breakthrough to the Dan Fort era is here. The first of a difficult three-game stretch was knocked off with the victory over Fort Myers Gateway Charter on Friday. The Panthers play host to Tampa Carrollwood Day in Week 7, but need to resume their postponed game with St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep first.

Up next: vs. St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep (resumed game on Monday)

This story was originally published September 30, 2017 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Week 7 Power Poll: Palmetto closes gap on Braden River’s top spot."