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SBLive Sports' Florida Football Power 25: Chaminade-Madonna, Miami Central remain 1-2 in the rankings

Chaminade-Madonna and Miami Central remain No. 1-2 in the rankings; Jesuit re-enters the Power 25 after win over Tampa Bay Tech

We’ve got our latest SBLive Sports Florida Power 25 rankings and the Chaminade-Madonna continues to remain the state’s top team and Miami Central at No. 2, with some movement going on throughout the state entering the Week 10 slate. Let’s take a look at this week’s the newest Power 25 rankings.

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SBLIVE SPORTS FLORIDA TOP 25 FOOTBALL RANKINGS

1. Chaminade-Madonna (7-0)

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. St. John Paul II Academy 

Ranking rationale: Scoring 63 points on Avant Garde seemed like frustration being dealt out because no one has wanted to play the Lions. They’ll be able to find a groove these last couple of weeks with games on the schedule.

2. Miami Central (8-0)

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Monsignor Pace 

Ranking rationale: The Rockets seemingly were finally challenged in the GMAC championship game against Columbus, in which Miami Central edged the Explorers 42-35. This is a candidate for Game of the Year. 

3. Plantation American Heritage (8-1) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Hallandale 

Ranking rationale: A SBLive Sports Florida Power 25 matchup that finally came to fruition is Plantation American Heritage versus Naples. The Patriots defeated the Golden Eagles 35-17 and should finish the season with only one loss. 

4. IMG Academy (5-1)

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Middletown (DE)

Ranking rationale: IMG Academy ended up facing American Collegiate after all, with the Ascenders being able to easily cruise by 55-0. Now they’ll face a tough Middletown (DE) team at home and aim for their sixth straight victory.

5. St. Thomas Aquinas (8-0) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Boyd Anderson

Ranking rationale: This Raiders team is well on their way to a 10-0 regular season. St. Thomas Aquinas breezed through a good Monarch team 37-6 and now has its sights set on Boyd Anderson. 

6. Columbus (8-1) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Goleman

Ranking rationale: Yes we know the Explorers lost and the undefeated Dreadnaughts are right below them but listen, the Rockets haven’t been challenged all year. Columbus did and that means something here. 

7. Lakeland (7-0) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Kathleen

Ranking rationale: What was supposed to be the Dreadnaughts’ toughest game of the season versus Clearwater Academy International ended up being a snoozer. A 44-6 win and practically locks up what should be an undefeated season for Lakeland. 

8. Pine Forest (8-0) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Pensacola Booker T. Washington 

Ranking rationale: Facing possibly their toughest game of the year, fourth down stops was key for the Eagles in the 28-7 win over Niceville a couple weeks ago. Pine Forest has continued to prove they will be the team to beat in Class 3A-Suburban.

9. Edgewater (9-0)

Next game: Nov. 4 vs. Boone

Ranking rationale: It will be ultimately up to the defense for Edgewater to hold things together until Cedric Baxter can become healthy once again and help the Fightin’ Eagles. They should be fine against Boone in the last regular season game. 

10. Cardinal Gibbons (8-1) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Stranahan 

Ranking rationale: The rest of the way should be a somewhat easier path for the Chiefs as they defeated Hallandale 49-6 and Manatee 31-20, with Stranahan as the finale to end the season. Cardinal Gibbons’ defense has been a strong unit.

11. Trinity Christian (8-0) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Providence School 

Ranking rationale: No Colin Hurley at quarterback? No problem for Trinity Christian Academy as they leaned upon the running game and the legs of backs Treyaun Webb and Darnell Rogers. The Conquerors should have no issues against Providence School on Friday night after drubbing Christ’s Church Academy. 

12. Tampa Bay Tech (7-2)

Next game: Oct. 28 at Armwood 

Ranking rationale: Its been rough for the Titans the last week and a half. After having to forfeit a game to Gaither due to an ineligible player, Tampa Bay Tech ended up losing its first game on the field to Jesuit 24-21. From undefeated to two losses pretty quick. 

13. Venice (4-2) 

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. IMG Academy White 

Ranking rationale: John Peacock’s team had to play a ‘road game’ against rival Sarasota Riverview at Sarasota High School. The Indians stood tall versus an inspired Rams’ group. Now Venice has IMG Academy White and Clearwater Academy International to end the season. 

14. Sanford Seminole (7-1)

Next game: Oct. 28 at Lake Mary

Ranking rationale: The Seminoles made it look somewhat easy when they faced off against Lake Brantley last week. They’ll finish the season with games against always tough Lake Mary squad and a defensive-minded Apopka team. 

15. Homestead (6-2)

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Belen Jesuit

Ranking rationale: Redemption accomplished by the Broncos. They went into Traz Powell Stadium and picked up the all important win over Miami Northwestern. Homestead is starting to turn it around with two weeks left. 

16. Miami Northwestern (4-4)

Next game: Oct. 29 vs. LaSalle

Ranking rationale: This latest loss for Miami Northwestern was a little puzzling to the fact that the Bulls were coming off a good win over Booker T. Washington. It’s really hard to gauge this Miami Northwestern team as they have played up and down all year long. 

17. Jones (6-2)

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Horizon

Ranking rationale: Defense has been the primary reason behind the Fightin’ Tigers’ five-game winning streak as they’ve only yielded 37 points during that time. On Friday, they’ll face Horizon and end the season with Dr. Phillips. 

18. Kissimmee Osceola (5-3)

Next game: Oct. 28 vs. Tohopekaliga 

Ranking rationale: The entire regular season schedule has been one test after another for the Kowboys. They were able to nab a easy wins over Celebration, St. Cloud, Mainland, but finish the season versus Tohopekaliga and West Orange.

19. Naples (6-2) 

Next game: Oct. 28 at Bonita Springs

Ranking rationale: The Golden Eagles only two losses of the entire season have both come against Power 25 teams in Plantation American Heritage and Venice. Not bad teams to lose to as Naples have themselves a pretty good club. 

20. Booker T. Washington (7-2) 

Next game: Oct. 29 at Westland Hialeah

Ranking rationale: The Tornadoes were becoming the feel good story in the return of Tim ‘Ice’ Harris back on the sideline. Booker T. Washington was overmatched when they faced Miami Northwestern, but they bounced back with a nice win against Southridge last week. 

21. Bartram Trail (8-0) 

Next game: Oct. 28 at Oakleaf 

Ranking rationale: The Bears broke through with one of their best wins of the season when they upended Buchholz at home. This Bartram Trail team could finish undefeated as they just have games versus Oakleaf and Mandarin. 

22. Buchholz (6-1) 

Next game: Oct. 27 vs. Fleming Island 

Ranking rationale: One of the most entertaining games over in northeast Florida was between Buchholz and Oakleaf, with the Bobcats winning in a shootout. The Bobcats did lose their first game last week 21-6 to Bartram Trail and now have Fleming Island and Bolles to close the season out. 

23. Lake Wales (8-0) 

Next game: Oct. 28 at Auburndale 

Ranking rationale: Lake Wales has a couple tough games to close out the season when they face Auburndale and Bartow. The Highlanders have a great chance to finish 10-0. Lake Wales rolled past Liberty easily and expected. 

24. Jesuit (5-3)

Next game: Oct. 28 at Hillsborough 

Ranking rationale: So who saw Jesuit beating Tampa Bay Tech coming after the kind of season the Tigers have had? Starting quarterback Luke Knights transfers out, losses to Armwood, Columbus and Clearwater Central Catholic. What else could go wrong? What went right was a much needed win over the Titans, putting the Tigers back into the Power 25. 

25. Wharton (6-2)

Next game: Oct. 28 at Tampa Freedom

Ranking rationale: It was a tough loss for Wharton on the road against Tampa Bay Tech, but the Wildcats should bounce back in their final games of the regular season. Wharton bounced back versus Bloomingdale 35-8 and has Tampa Freedom and Hillsborough to end the season.

On the outside looking in: Clearwater Academy International, Winter Park, Dillard, Western, Cocoa, FSU High, Niceville, Vanguard, South Sumter, Hawthorne, Cardinal Newman, Trinity Catholic, Clearwater Central Catholic, Pahokee.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo