Prep Football Power Poll Week 1
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. Manatee, 0-0, 50 points (5)
A.J. Colagiovanni’s return to the field sparked a second-half comeback for the Hurricanes in last Friday’s preseason victory against state power, Seffner Armwood. Sure, it was an exhibition game, but voters took note of how both teams viewed it seriously.
This week: at Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.), 8 p.m.
2. Braden River, 0-0, 40
The Pirates enter the 2016 regular season behind Manatee in the Herald’s weekly Power Poll just like they began the 2015 season. That’s OK with Braden River, who ended the year as the area’s top-ranked team and went the farthest in the playoffs, reaching the Class 7A state semifinals. A loaded defense coupled with an offense that gelled last Friday could key another long postseason run.
This week: at Bayshore, 7:30 p.m.
3. Palmetto, 0-0, 30
Saddled in a difficult district that features Braden River and Venice, the Tigers also boast one of the toughest schedules in Class 7A. Still, they possess a stout defense that limited Sarasota Booker’s starters to just 106 total yards of offense in last Friday’s Kickoff Classic blowout victory. The difficult slate begins with a Fort Myers club that is looking for revenge after losing its home opener, for the first time since 2006, against the Tigers last year.
This week: vs. Fort Myers, 7:30 p.m.
4. Southeast, 0-0, 20
Friday’s beatdown of Tampa Leto isn’t a true gauge of just how much better the Seminoles are under first-year head coach Rashad West, because Leto isn’t a historically solid program. However, Southeast cracking the 50-point barrier, thanks to Alex Taylor (two passing touchdowns) and Qion Birch had two rushing touchdowns. Tyler Stevenson (one receiving and one punt return touchdown), bodes well for the season.
This week: vs. Brooksville Nature Coast, 7:30 p.m.
5. Lakewood Ranch, 0-0, 9
Playing in Class 7A-District 11 with Braden River, Venice and Palmetto, it looks like the Mustangs have a difficult road ahead. Last Friday’s Kickoff Classic didn’t produce the best start with a 30-7 defeat to Week 3 opponent Sarasota Riverview. And they get a one of Tampa’s traditional private school powers to start the regular season.
This week: at Tampa Jesuit, 7:30 p.m. on Thursday
6. Bayshore, 0-0, 6
The Bruins weren’t a unanimous selection for the bottom spot in the public school rankings. That’s the silver lining in what is expected to be another rebuilding campaign, this time under first-year head coach John Biezuns. The bad part of the 2016 season-opener is facing Braden River, which has become one of the area’s elite teams in recent seasons.
This week: vs. Braden River, 7:30 p.m.
Private schools
1. IMG Academy, 0-0, 50 (5)
IMG overcame a shaky start against Miami Gardens Carol City to pull out a preseason victory. The Ascenders face the toughest schedule in the nation but also have the most talent. Their season-opening trip to Georgia to face Grayson will be televised on ESPN2.
This week: at Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), 7 p.m. on Saturday
2. Saint Stephen’s, 0-0, 38
The Falcons reached the Sunshine State Athletic Conference championship game last season and are the favorites to win the conference this year. SSES brings back eight starters on each side of the ball. The record-breaking offense from last season should continue to improve and the underrated defense could win some games this season for Saint Stephen’s.
This week: vs. Community School of Naples, 7 p.m.
3. Cardinal Mooney, 32
The Cougars reached the postseason last year despite winning just two games during the regular season. Mooney will be a playoff contender once again and in Drew Lascari’s second season as head coach it may be because of more than playing in a weak division. Fort Myers Bishop Verot in Week 1 will be a good test.
This week: vs. Fort Myers Bishop Verot, 7 p.m.
4. Bradenton Christian, 16
The Panthers begin their first season in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference and it could lead to the first playoff berth in school history. BCS’ offense should pick up where it left off after scoring 26.4 points per game in 2015 and the defense should improve with nine returning starters.
This week: vs. Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian Academy, 7:30 p.m.
5. Out-of-Door Academy, 14
Out-of-Door loses Anthony Squitieri, the impressive freshman quarterback who started down the stretch, but the schedule gets easier with a move to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. The Thunder will meet local rivals Saint Stephen’s and Bradenton Christian during the regular season once again, only now all three are conference rivals.
This week: vs. Zephyrhills Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Prep Football Power Poll Week 1."