Power poll: Braden River leads way after ‘probably best performance of the season’
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, 4-1
Head coach Curt Bradley called it, “probably (the) best performance of the season,” after his Pirates throttled East Manatee rivals Lakewood Ranch, 55-7. QB Bryan Gagg delivered in the passing game and the defense was stifling. More games like that should see the Pirates do more than qualify for the playoffs, but make a deep run.
Up next: at North Port
2. (2) Palmetto, 5-2
It took a little while before the Tigers pulled away from an overmatched North Port team. Palmetto’s had a habit of playing to the level of the competition, which should help with this week’s game against powerful Venice. If they take the same time to find their form like they did against North Port, then it’s a long night ahead for the Tigers.
Up next: at Venice
3. (4) Manatee, 4-2
Even without QB Keyon Fordham, the Canes weren’t at risk against Hillsborough County’s Riverview High. The defense was stout, too. Heading into their bye week, the Canes are likely needing to win out against Lithia Newsome (Oct. 30 makeup game) and Venice (Nov. 3) to earn a wild card berth into the playoffs.
Up next: OFF
4. (3) Southeast, 5-1
Penalties and turnovers doomed the Seminoles in their trip to Wauchula, but they can’t waste any time sulking. They can still get into the playoffs under the new points system but must win their remaining two games before getting out a calculator to tabulate their average points.
Up next: at Sarasota Booker
5. (6) Lakewood Ranch, 3-3
The good news is the brutal three-game stretch against Venice, Palmetto and Braden River is over. The bad news is the three losses probably ended any playoff hopes.
Up next: vs. Sarasota
5. (5) Bayshore, 1-5
It’s hard dropping a team after a narrow loss, but the Bruins weren’t overmatched with Arcadia DeSoto like Lakewood Ranch was with Braden River. Bayshore’s defense continues to put the team in position to win, while the offense is inconsistent.
Up next: at Englewood Lemon Bay
Private
1. (1) IMG Academy Blue, 6-0
The Ascenders lived up to their No. 2 national ranking with a trip to Utah to take down nationally ranked Salt Lake City East High. A tight first half turned into a rout with IMG’s immense depth. Now the Ascenders get a week off before a trip to Alabama to play perennial state power Hoover.
Up next: OFF
2. (2) Saint Stephen’s, 6-0
Fred Billy struck for four more touchdown a week after getting his 100th career TD on an emotional senior night. The QB and the Falcons are clicking as they enter the Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs.
Up next: vs. Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin
3. (3) Cardinal Mooney, 2-5
Heading into Week 9, it was likely the Cougars needed to win out to have any chance of making the playoffs. A tall test stood in the way with Class 7A Winter Haven coming to town. The loss probably crushed any playoff hopes for a team that was forced to forfeit two early-season wins.
Up next: at Clearwater Central Catholic
4. (4) Out-of-Door Academy, 5-1
The Thunder won a close game that was tied at 28-28 for a long stretch. It’s precisely the proof needed that they’re capable of winning when the pressure hits a boiling point. And that’s what they’ll find with the SSAC playoffs beginning this week.
Up next: vs. Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic
5. (5) IMG Academy White, 2-3
Not much was known about IMG’s second varsity team to begin the year. The inaugural campaign has had highs and lows. Expect a high this week against first-year program Hollywood West Park.
Up next: vs. Hollywood West Park Prep
6. (6) Bradenton Christian, 3-5
It definitely wasn’t the performance you want heading into the playoffs. Clearwater International Academy outclassed BCS, and the Panthers need a quick turnaround to pull off an upset at No. 2 seed Mount Dora Christian in this week’s SSAC first-round playoff game.
Up next: at Mount Dora Christian
This story was originally published October 21, 2017 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Power poll: Braden River leads way after ‘probably best performance of the season’."