PALM BEACH COUNTY – The Palm Beach County football season kicked off with last week’s set of exhibition games.
With that said, we have complied a list of the top 10 teams in the county based on preseason games. The rankings are separated into public school ranks and private/charter school ranks.
Stay tuned as the list will be updated each week based on the teams’ performances, strength of schedule, team record, and coaches suggestions.
PUBLIC SCHOOL RANKINGS: TOP 10
1. Palm Beach Central
Central had a strong defensive showing against Dwyer. The Broncos offense looks to be on track for a competitive season with Michael Moreland at quarterback. He showed his capability of getting the ball to his play makers.
2. Dwyer
The Panthers will have a great season based on the sheer talent their team possesses. But at first glance they have some work to do. The powerhouse program will need to give opponents a steady dose of senior quarterback Gio Richardson after experimenting the position with Richardson and fellow senior Paul Whitley.
Dwyer’s defense had a strong performance as the defensive line and secondary showed flashes of big-time potential against a loaded Palm Beach Central squad.
3. Park Vista
The Cobras are a well-coached team as always, and it showed last Friday as they took down a talented Pahokee squad on the road. Park Vista is heavily underrated but everyone knows they’re not a team that should be slept on in any way.
4. Palm Beach Lakes
The Rams have a new look and attitude with their team pulling off a huge victory over a good Miramar team Friday night. They look to be one of the “surprise” teams in Palm Beach County.
5. Atlantic (Delray Beach)
The Eagles took a hard 39-7 loss against a loaded Miami Central squad and their starting quarterback Kalani Ilimaleota was injured in the process. The Eagles are talented but young, and will be put to the test again this week against a talented Palm Beach Central squad.
6. Pahokee
The Blue Devils took a hard loss against Park Vista. They will look to bounce back this week against Palm Beach Lakes and stay healthy for a state title run.
7. Palm Beach Gardens
The Gators have said that Palm Beach County is sleeping on them, and it may be true. Gardens captured a hard fought 38-35 win over Glades Central in the kickoff classic. In David Studstill the Gators will trust after he led his team to victory.
8. Glades Central
The Raiders will look to improve after losing to Palm Beach Gardens. They have a good amount of talent, and their quarterback Davius Richards has hit his stride with a stellar performance against Palm Beach Gardens.
9. Forest Hill
The Falcons have another talented and young team this year and they’ll be looking to make some noise in a tough 13-7A district. Forest Hill was leading 14-7 over Boyd Anderson in last Friday’s game before it was suspended during the third quarter due to field lights not working properly.
The Falcons will look to make a statement against Suncoast as they played without their top three starters in the kickoff classic -quarterback Darius McClendon, running back Bry’yon Jones, and offensive lineman Sincere McCall -due to them nursing minor bumps and bruises from camp.
10. Wellington
Wellington’s defensive unit played lights out and tallied a total of 11 sacks against Boynton Beach. Junior Stephen Passeggiata lead the Wolverines defensive charge with five sacks Friday. If the Wolverines can get consistency at the quarterback position and keep Mark Antony Richards on track for a big season, they will easily work their way up the top 10 rankings this season.
Honorable Mention: Boca Raton
The Bobcats showed flashes of being a team to reckoned with Friday night as they downed Seminole Ridge in a back-and-forth battle.
Michael Pratt will be the difference maker for the Bobcats as he gets the ball to his playmakers. The Bobcats are young but they probably won’t stay outside the top 10 for very long.
TEAMS ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Boca Raton, Olympic Heights, Santaluces
PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOL RANKINGS: TOP 10
1. American Heritage (Delray Beach)
The Stallions are loaded with talent this year on both sides of the ball. They will look to dominate their competition throughout the season.
2. King’s Academy
The Lions did not disappoint in their Kickoff Classic as they routed a good Cardinal Newman team in a 54-20 victory.
The Lions team chemistry is superb and they’ll go far with their senior leadership and talent. Senior quarterback Justin Wake will continue to lead the Kings squad as he puts up video game-type stats each and every game.
3. Benjamin
The Bucs have quietly put together a great spring and summer campaign that’s paying off. Benjamin captured a 24-8 victory over Jensen Beach last Friday.
The Bucs have plenty of talent, as senior Kaiir Elam and sophomore quarterback Santino Marucci will be just a couple players to watch.
4. Glades Day
Glades Day will travel to play Benjamin this Friday in a non-conference game. The Gators will rely heavily on their three star players in sophomore wideout/defensive back Jacob Camacho, junior athlete AJ McPhee, and junior running back/linebacker Lorenzo Powe.
5. Jupiter Christian
Jupiter Christian will travel to an away conference game at Gateway Charter in Fort Myers on Friday.
6. Cardinal Newman
The Crusaders had a tough game against King’s Academy last week, but they will look to bounce back in Week 1 against Spanish River.
7. St. Andrews
The Scots will be on the road Friday to play Palmer Trinity in Miami.
8. Boca Raton Christian
The Boca Christian Blazers took down Village Academy in a 28-6 victory on Friday. The Blazers will look to stay on a roll against Berean Christian in Week 1.
9. Berean Christian
The Bulldogs will play Boca Christian on August 25 at Wellington High School; kickoff time TBA due to school district new ruling.
10. Somerset Academy-Canyon
Somerset did not have a preseason game. But this week will be the first action the Cougars see against Inlet Grove this upcoming Friday.
Week 1 team rankings release (public and private/charter): Monday, Aug. 27
