Prep football | The Bradenton Herald Week 7 Power Poll
Editor's note: Programs are ranked based on how they are performing against their own schedules, not based on hypothetical head-to-head matchups.
Voting points breakdown: 10 for first, 8 for second, 6 for third, 4 for fourth, 2 for fifth, 1 for sixth.
(Last week, school, record, points with first-place votes in parentheses)
Public schools
1. (1) Braden River, 6-0, 60 points (6)
While the FHSAA can still dish out additional punishment this week, the Pirates only lost two players to four-week suspensions for the North Port fight and face No. 2-ranked Venice in a highly-anticipated matchup with playoff implications at stake.
This week: vs. Venice, 7:30 p.m.
2. (2) Manatee, 4-2, 50
That slow start is long forgotten with the defense tightening up. The Hurricanes have allowed 20 points during a three-game winning streak, while conceding 101 during a 1-2 start.
This week: at Sarasota Riverview, 7:30 p.m.
3. (3) Palmetto, 5-1, 36
A bye week came at the right time for the Tigers, who are regrouped and rested for Homecoming against woeful North Port.
This week: vs. North Port, 7:30 p.m.
4. (4) Southeast, 3-3, 22
Kevin Johnson (247 rushing yards) pushed the Seminoles to their third straight victory, this time by outgunning Cardinal Mooney in an emotionally-charged meeting as Cougars' defensive coordinator Paul Maecthle was honored for his 40-plus years at Southeast.
This week: vs. Englewood Lemon Bay, 7:30 p.m.
5. (5) Lakewood Ranch, 1-5, 14
It's been tough sledding thus far for the Mustangs, who are on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
This week: vs. Sarasota, 7:30 p.m.
6. (6) Bayshore, 1-5, 6
Don't fret Bruin fans, because the club can still make a playoff push with a victory over district unbeaten Wauchula Hardee this Friday.
This week: vs. Wauchula Hardee, 7:30 p.m.
--Jason Dill, sports reporter
Private schools
1. (1) IMG Academy, 6-0, 60 (6)
Shea Patterson got back on track after throwing his first two interceptions of the season against New Jersey's St. Joseph Regional with a single-game program record of 270 passing yards against Louisiana's Southern Lab.
This week: off
2. (2) Saint Stephen's, 5-1, 46
The Falcons' perfect season and quest for the Sunshine State Athletic Conference's Coral Bay division title ended in Lakeland against Santa Fe Catholic as quarterback Fred Billy threw his first two interceptions of the season
This week: at Zephyrhills Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
3. (3) Bradenton Christian, 2-4, 30
The Panthers fell to Trinity Christian in Deltona, but quarterback Dominick Otteni continues to emerge as a dual threat, running for 253 yards and four touchdowns during his last two games.
This week: vs. Seffner Christian, 7:30 p.m.
T-4. (5) Out-of-Door Academy, 2-4, 22
The Thunder erased a 19-point deficit against St. Petersburg Catholic to win its second game of the season in overtime. Out-of-Ddor goes for its first district win Friday.
This week: vs. Tampa Carrollwood Day, 7 p.m.
T-4. (4) Cardinal Mooney, 1-5, 22
The Cougars might be 1-5 overall, but they can move to 2-0 in Class 3A-5 with a win against St. Petersburg Catholic on Friday.
This week: at St. Petersburg Catholic, 7 p.m.
--David B. Wilson, sports reporter
Voters: Sports reporters Jason Dill, David B. Wilson and Alan Dell; Sports correspondent Chad Brockhoff; Sports editor Andy Marks; Sports graphic designer Alex Barrett.
This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Prep football | The Bradenton Herald Week 7 Power Poll ."