The Hub coming correct: Top 50 unveiled!
(Photo: Northeast's Jeff Brinson runs for a touchdown against St.
Petersburg on Aug. 31. Scott Keeler, Times photographer. Click to
enlarge)
TIMES TOP 50
Week 5
1. (1) Armwood (5-0)
Friday: beat No.12 Jefferson 26-9.
This week: at Tampa Bay Tech.
Jefferson linebacker Gorby Loreus said his Dragons wanted to send a message to Armwood that it was beatable. The Hawks never got it, apparently.
2. (2) Largo (4 -0)
Friday: beat No.7 Dunedin 37-71 in 2OT.
This week: at Pinellas Park.
There's not too much standing in between the Packers and 8-0. Just QB Leonard Johnson's balky ankle and the next four opponents, who are a combined 4-14.
3. (3) Hillsborough (4-0)
Friday: beat No.14 Riverview 35-0.
This week: at Freedom.
Sharks running back Jahleel Addae called the Terriers' defense the Great Wall of China. So what he's saying, if we're hearing correctly, is that you can actually see the it from the moon. Now that is impressive.
4. (4) Plant (3-1)
Friday: DNP.
This week: at Blake.
Poor Plant. They guys had no game to play this week, so they had to stay home and play video ... what? Huh? They all got to go the USF game? Lucky dogs.
5. (5) Northeast (4-0)
Friday: DNP.
Next week: vs. Boca Ciega.
The Vikings needed the week of rest before this week's big game with Bogie. But we hear RB Jeff Brinson (pictured above) went out to the field Friday night and ran its full length three times anyway. Just for kicks.
6. (6) Ridgewood (4-0)
Friday: beat No.43 Gulf 49-34.
This week: at River Ridge.
Okay, so maybe our nickname for RB Byronell Arline hasn't caught on - the kids at Ridgewood seem to prefer the "Arline Express" - but after his 343-yard, seven-touchdown performance Friday, we may still be able to unload some of these "Look out! Here comes Big Daddy Delicious Destruction!" T-shirts we had printed up.
7. (8) Boca Ciega (4-0)
Friday: beat St. Petersburg 28-0.
This week: at Northeast.
Bogie quarterback Orhian Johnson still hasn't had his breakout game yet. If we had to pick a good time for it, we'd pick Friday!
8. (9) Chamberlain (2-2)
Friday: beat No.20 East Bay 31-0.
This week: at Sickles.
You think coaching has nothing to do with it? Well, without Billy Turner, Chamberlain only scored a 28-0 victory last week. With Turner back Friday, the Chiefs scored 31 points. Case closed.
9. (7) Dunedin (3-2)
Friday: lost to No.2 Largo 37-31 in 2OT.
This week: at Largo.
In the past two weeks, it has become official: Adaris Bellamy's name can be mentioned with the very best. Here, you try it. Breathe in, aaaand: JeffBrinsonBrynnHarveyByronellArlineEricSmithAdarisBellamy. Whew. That was tougher than we thought.
10. (11) Gaither
Friday: beat No.25 Jesuit 35-14.
This week: at Mitchell.
Hey Cowboys, welcome to the No.10 spot. I'm not going to say it's cursed, but our previous No.10s are 1-3-1, with Bogie the only one that managed to move up, and that was its bye week. So, yeah, have fun with that.
11. (13) Middleton (3-2)
Last week: defeated Blake 40-0
This week: idle.
Coach Harry Hubbard says Tigers are starting to jel. Blake's response: What do you mean "starting to?".
12. (17) Newsome (4-1)
Last week: defeated Robinson 35-6.
This week: at Brandon.
Wolves's showdown at Brandon will be for east Hillsborough supremacy. Oh wait, Armwood's in east Hillsborough.
13. (16) Brandon (3-2)
Last week: defeated Durant 49-38
This week: vs Newsome.
Eagles, who have equaled their 2006 win total, amassed more than 500 total yards against Durant.
14. (12) Jefferson (1-3)
Last week: lost to No. 1 Armwood 26-9.
This week: at Leto.
Three of Dragons' first four opponents currently are ranked in our top 10.
15. (18) Alonso (4-1)
Last week: beat Freedom 41-0.
This week: vs. King
We're starting to believe Ravens' Mike Heldt may be one of Hillsborough County's most underrated coaches.
16. (10) Tarpon Springs (3-1)
Last week: Beat River Ridge 37-0.
This week: vs. Countryside.
Only top 10 team that has beaten two teams not even in the Top 50. So that's not a ringing endorsement, but our top 10 teams keep losing, and the Spongers keep winning.
17. (15) Durant (2-3)
Last week: lost 49-38 to Brandon.
This week: vs. Sarasota.
Cougars' top receiver is Royce Rose. We just like saying that name.
18. (22) East Lake (3-2)
Last week: beat Pinellas Park 28-13.
This week: Bye.
Have week off before taking on Northeast.
19. (28) Countryside (3-2)
Last week: beat Tarpon Springs 21-14.
This week: vs. Palm Harbor University.
Cougars still looking for QB of future, but winning while they do.
20. (23) Land O’Lakes (4-1)
Last week: beat Sunlake 26-0.
This week: vs. Tarpon Springs.
Nine points allowed and two shutouts in last three weeks.
21. (19) Riverview (1-3)
Last week: lost 35-0 to No. 3 Hillsborough.
This week: at Sarasota Riverview.
That shutout of injury-depleted Plant City really starting to look like an aberration.
22. (19) Plant City (3-2)
Last week: lost to Wharton 15-14
This week: at East Bay.
Plant City had 5 passing yards last week; East Bay had none. Translation: The Raiders-Indians game should end, oh, around 9 p.m.
23. (21) Gibbs (3-2)
Last week: lost to Clearwater 15-7.
This week: at St. Petersburg.
Who was the knucklehead that predicted Gibbs would be 7-1 heading into Largo game?
Last week: lost to Fort Meade 21-3.
This week: vs. Berkeley Prep.
Only scored 10 points last two weeks.
25. (25) Jesuit (3-2)
Last week: lost to Gaither 35-14.
This week: vs. Sarasota Booker.
Tigers tough schedule could pay dividends down the road.
26. (31) Tampa Catholic (3-1)
Last week: DNP.
This week: vs. St. Petersburg Catholic.
Stingy defense could get a test from Barons, who have scord 66 points the last two weeks.
27. (30) Zephyrhills (3-1)
Last week: beat Wesley Chapel 24-17.
This week: vs. Pasco.
One final-play-of-game-Hail-Mary away from being undefeated.
28. (NR) Sickles (4-1)
Last week: beat Bloomingdale 24-6.
This week: vs. Chamberlain.
Dear Sickles, Sorry we left you out last week. Hope this means we can be friends again. Sincerely, Times Poll Guy. P.S. Did you get the flowers?
29. (29) Wharton (3-2)
Last week: beat Plant City 15-14 (OT)
This week: at Wesley Chapel.
Wildcats take on Wildcats this week in a game so close, Wharton will walk to it.
30. (20) East Bay (1-4)
Last week: lost 31-0 to Chamberlain
This week: vs. Plant City
Overheard on Indians sideline Friday night at Chamberlain: "Man, these plays aren't working." Profound words, indeed.
31. (33) Nature Coast (3-1)
Last week: Beat Pasco 13-10.
This week: at Lecanto.
Sharks swim back into Citrus County this week, home of their only loss. Careful, fellas.
32. (27) Tampa Bay Tech (4-1)
Last week: lost to Spoto 21-18
This week: vs Armwood.
Titans must lick their wounds quickly -- they host No. 1 Armwood Friday night.
33. (32) Central (3-2)
Last week: beat Lecanto 41-7.
This week: vs. Springstead.
Beat Lecanto, but let Panthers get a season-high in points.
34. (36) Hudson (2-2)
Last week: beat Mitchell 36-27.
This week: vs. Wiregrass Ranch.
Cobras 1-2 punch of QB Zack Wynn and RB Sean Scott has rolled up 108 points in last three games.
35. (37) Lakewood (2-2)
Last week: DNP.
This week: vs. Bradenton Bayshore.
Spartans' defense haven't allowed any opponent to score more than 14 points this season.
36. (38) Clearwater(3-2)
Last week: beat Gibbs 15-7.
This week: vs. Dunedin.
Pass-happy Tornadoes can still resort to old-fashioned Bostic Ball when they have to.
37. (34) Wesley Chapel (3-2)
Last week: lost to Zephyrhills 21-14.
This week: vs. Wharton.
Injury to QB Greg Jenkins, if serious, would be some seriously bad news.
38. (42) Osceola (2-3)
Last week: beat Seminole 43-7.
This week: vs. Bradenton Southeast.
Nothing says Get Well Soon better than winning against your neighborhood rivals.
39. (39) Keswick (4-0)
Last week: Beat Cambridge 28-7.
This week: vs. Calvary Christian.
Held to season-low in points, and still wins by 21. Nice.
40. (39) Pasco (2-3)
Last week: Lost to Nature Coast 13-10.
This week: at Zephyrhills.
Now 0-2 in games they score only 10 points.
42. (41) Dixie Hollins (0-4)
Last week: Beat PHU 37-34.
This week: vs. Seminole.
Rebels win the first-ever "Stay In The Poll" Bowl...barely.
43. (27) Mitchell (2-2)
Last week: lost to Hudson 36-27.
This week: vs. Gaither.
Great offense, but defnese has allowed 30+ points nine times in last 14 games.
43. (48) Northside Christian (3-1)
Last week: beat Orlando First Academy 35-12.
This week: at Admiral Farragut.
One failed two-point conversion away from OT away from a possible upset away from being unbeaten.
Last week: Lost to Lake Highland Prep 27-17.
This week: at CCC.
Bucs blow 17-0 lead thansk to seven turnovers. Yuck.
45. (43) Gulf (2-3)
Last week: lost to Ridgewood 49-34.
This week: vs. Sunlake.
Reprieve this week for Buc defense, which tries to stop an offense that has scored once.
46. (45) Springstead (2-2)
Last week: DNP.
This week: at Central.
Didn't score again this week, but at least had bye week to use as excuse.
47. (46) Hernando (1-3)
Last week: DNP.
This week: at Crystal River.
Have had to stew over 35-3 loss to Wesley Chapel for two weeks now.
48. (NR) Spoto (3-2)
Last week: Beat Tampa Bay Tech 21-18.
This week: Bye.
Has more wins than all other first-year teams combined.
49. (NR) Leto (2-3)
Last week: Beat Lennard 28-6.
This week: vs. Jefferson.
Probably just a one-week stop in poll with Jefferson next, but Falcons have equaled 2006 win total.
50. (NR) Shorecrest (3-2)
Last week: Beat Mount Dora 56-8.
This week: vs. Indian Rocks Christian.
Only losses are to teams ranked in their respective classifications.
Who got disrespected? Who got overrated? Or did we nail them all? Let us know.
The St. Petersburg Times High School Sports blog is written and compiled by the Times preps sports staff from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. We invite your participation in the comments area.
Solid point. But are all records created equal?
Personally, a 1-4 team may be better than a 4-1 team. I'd take Jefferson's 1-3 record against Sickles 4-1 record any day, and there's other examples too. East Bay is still up there (and I'll give you that maybe they are too high) because two of their losses were on last second field goals, so they dropped a little.
Nature Coast lost to Crystal River, they dropped a lot. Tarpon lost to Countryside, still a pretty decent team, they dropped a little.
It's not perfect, no poll is. But I do enjoy the debate.
I'm just hoping nobody notices Sickles is ahead of TBT, even though they lost to the Titans 47-0. Wait...was that out loud?
Posted by: Cotey | October 01, 2007 at 09:29 PM
Cotey,
I believe Bob is just trying to express that teams who only have one win shouldnt be ranked so high. He isn't saying that you missed anyone in the region who should be on there or that you aren't doing a good job. It's evident they aren't doing real well, so he is saying he doesn't know why they don't move to lower spots on the poll and teams with better records don't move higher
Posted by: | October 01, 2007 at 08:52 PM
Anon 8:02 p.m.: You have a mild point. But just because the No. 35 beats a No. 10, doesn't mean that 35 is the new No. 10. Or even that it will move up past the No. 10.
That would like USF beating the No. 5, and then moving all the way up to No. 6....oh...wait.
Posted by: Cotey | October 01, 2007 at 08:07 PM
Bob,
Tell me who I'm missing and shud be in? I mean, it's 50 teams of our 72 teams, there's gonna be a 1-4 team or two in there...
And come on, Dixie won the Stay in the Poll Bowl. We can't drop them now!
Seriously though: who shud be in there that isn't?
Posted by: Cotey | October 01, 2007 at 08:05 PM
You might want to rethink the Tarpon Springs ranking seeing as how Countryside beat them.......yet the Cougars are ranked well below them. Hmmm.....
Posted by: | October 01, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Here are the most glairing discrepancies on the week’s “poll”:
>>24. (24) CCC (3-2)
Last week: lost to Fort Meade 21-3.
This week: vs. Berkeley Prep.
Only scored 10 points last two weeks.
Come on Cotey…I, among others are beginning to believe the NCS and Keswick hype and think both those teams could beat this season’s CCC squad. You have the undefeated Crusaders (4-0) at #39 and the Mustangs who have are averaging over 34 points per game and only lost to Ft. Meade by two points at #44?!? CCC did not move down even one spot on this week’s poll after loosing by +2 TDs?
How about East Bay (1-4)? Only one win for the year so far yet ranked #30?
>> 30. (20) East Bay (1-4)
Last week: lost 31-0 to Chamberlain
This week: vs. Plant City
Overheard on Indians sideline Friday night at Chamberlain: "Man, these plays aren't working." Profound words, indeed.
This defies logic too, Dixie Hollins (1-4). Another ONE win wonder, yet still ranked #41?
>> 41. (41) Dixie Hollins (0-4)
Last week: Beat PHU 37-34.
This week: vs. Seminole.
Rebels win the first-ever "Stay In The Poll" Bowl...barely.
I understand you wanting to give deference to the bigger schools but I am starting to think certain schools are fighting against more than just their small student population.
Posted by: Bob | October 01, 2007 at 07:49 PM
Alonso record fixed. Sorry, FHSAA has it 3-2 and I happened to be looking something up there. My bad. 4-1 it is.
Posted by: Cotey | October 01, 2007 at 07:43 PM
Alonso is 4-1(not 3-2) and yes the Alonso football squad is very underrated including the coaching of Coach Heldt and his personel
Posted by: Teddy Eumo 93 | October 01, 2007 at 07:27 PM
Central let Lecanto score because they were playing 3rd string.
Posted by: | October 01, 2007 at 07:21 PM
Bogie . . . no chance against NE. Based on their talent, they should have no trouble beating the other teams on their schedule but NE is gonna kill 'em.
Posted by: fb fan | October 01, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Soo whats the conclusion, move gibbs down they suck, there way overrated. these are the dumbest rankings ive ever seen
Posted by: ct | October 01, 2007 at 06:33 PM
That was a tough one. But if Clearwater had moved up any more than it did, it would have passed Lakewood, who had a bye this week...and Lakewood beat Clearwater, right? So using your argument, they couldn't...unless Lakewood moved up 20 spots with Clearwater, to remain ahead of the Tornadoes...but Lakewood didn't even play this week. So that couldn't happen.
Posted by: Cotey | October 01, 2007 at 06:26 PM
how does clearwater beat gibbs but is ranked 13 spots behind them?
Posted by: ct | October 01, 2007 at 05:21 PM