Who ranks as the best football team in the Bradenton Herald Week 11 Power Poll?
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 school rankings
1. (last week 1) Manatee, 7-2
The Hurricanes bounced back after losing two straight to clinch the Class 4S-District 13 championship with a 38-33 victory over Palmetto. Manatee trailed for most of the game, before a blitz-heavy defense coupled with some wildcat runs on fourth down engineered the Canes’ second-half comeback.
Up next: vs. Southeast
2. (2) Palmetto, 4-4
The Tigers connected in the first half against cross-river rival Manatee, but struggled in the second half to deal with the Hurricanes’ pressure defense. They’re still the second-best team in the county heading into the regular season finale and will look for a wild card playoff berth when the FHSAA unveils the playoff brackets on Sunday.
Up next: vs. Cape Coral Ida Baker
3. (3) Parrish Community, 6-3
The Bulls struggled to stop Port Charlotte’s running game. The Pirates tallied 388 rushing yards on 36 attempts with six touchdowns against Parrish Community. The 49-10 loss was for the district title, leaving the only path toward a playoff berth via a wild card selection through the FHSAA power rankings.
Up next: vs. Lakeland George Jenkins
4. (4) Braden River, 5-4
The Pirates began their three games in a week by beating Southeast 35-7, before traveling to Wildwood for a Tuesday game on Halloween. Braden River won that game 45-28. It was added after the Pirates’ game with Palmetto earlier this year was nixed.
Up next: at Tampa Robinson
5. (6) Lakewood Ranch, 4-5
The Mustangs’ 24-20 victory over Bayshore vaults them one spot in the Herald’s Power Poll, while also bumping them in the recent FHSAA power rankings. A third straight win should clinch a playoff berth via a wild card.
Up next: at Sarasota Booker
6. (5) Bayshore, 4-5
Jaden Judge’s 275 rushing yards and three touchdowns weren’t quite enough for the Bruins, who lost 24-20 to Lakewood Ranch. Bayshore needs to win and hope for some help when the FHSAA’s final power rankings are released Sunday to end its playoff drought that stretches back to the mid-2000s.
Up next: vs. Cardinal Mooney
7. (7) Southeast, 0-9
Southeast lost to Braden River to remain winless this season. The Seminoles face traditional rival Manatee this week for their final chance to get a win.
Up next: at Manatee
Private school rankings
1. (1) IMG Academy National, 7-0
The Ascenders were off last week and remain No. 4 in MaxPreps’ national rankings.
Up next: vs. St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Connecticut)
2. (2) IMG Academy White, 7-1
IMG Academy’s second team ran into the Venice buzzsaw last week, falling to 43-0 to the Indians. Clay Ash, who has been a standout tailback for the Ascenders, had another big game with 147 rushing yards on 19 carries, but two IMG turnovers and Venice’s up-tempo offense was too much.
Up next: at Sarasota
3. (3) Bradenton Christian, 7-2
The Panthers bid for a Sunshine State Athletic Conference championship fell in the first round of the playoffs last week. BCS gave up two passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter as its 11-point lead was wiped out in an 18-14 loss to Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy.
Up next: None
4. (4) Saint Stephen’s, 7-2
The Falcons routed Boca Raton Christian in the first round of the SSAC’s Class 5A playoffs. Quarterback Evan Brown threw five touchdown passes and added two rushing yards to go with his 260 passing yards and 142 rushing yards in the 56-13 win.
Up next: vs. Cape Coral Oasis
5. (5) IMG Academy Blue, 0-5
IMG’s third team was off last week and has not won a game this season.
Up next: vs. Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian (Thursday)
