PALM BEACH COUNTY – The third week of the regular season is officially in the books, which was highlighted by some marquee matchups.
With that said, we have complied a list of the top 10 teams in the county. 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. Atlantic (Delray Beach) (3-0) [Last Week: 1]
The Eagles continue to impress as they took down two former No. 1 teams and now a former No. 2 team over the past three weeks – Palm Beach Central, Dwyer, and Pahokee. This team is showing a lot of heart and grit every time they step on the field. It will be hard to see any team in Palm Beach County besting this Atlantic squad anytime soon.
Atlantic will have a much-needed bye in Week 4.
2. Dwyer (2-1) [Last Week: 3]
Dwyer took its loss to Atlantic as a wake up call and posted an impressive 42-14 victory over Glades Central in Belle Glade, which is never easy. The Panthers put together a complete game, which they’ll need to do much more of moving forward in order to make a state title run.
No. 2 Dwyer will host No. 8 Palm Beach Lakes in Week 4.
3. Pahokee (1-1) [Last Week: 2]
The Blue Devils took a hard 35-21 home loss to No. 1 Atlantic in Week 3. They don’t lose at home often, so this is definitely something they won’t get used to.
The Blue Devils have some key players out of their lineup. But in the coming weeks, they will look like a different team in conference play once healthy and at full strength.
No. 3 Pahokee will host Cardinal Newman in Week 4.
4. Palm Beach Central (2-1) [Last Week: 4]
Palm Beach Central has been a roll lately, as it took down Braddock in a 63-7 win at home in Week 3. The Broncos have been playing like the team everyone expected then to be at the beginning of the season. In the past two weeks, Central has dominated and outscored opponents 111-7 in Weeks 2 and 3.
No. 4 Palm Beach Central will look to capture another victory at home in Week 4 against its crosstown rival, No. 7 Wellington.
5. Palm Beach Gardens (3-0) [Last Week: 6]
The Gators are proving they’re a force to reckoned with on a weekly basis. They’ve posted three blowout wins against Lake Worth, John I. Leonard, and Royal Palm Beach. They have outscored their three opponents by a score of 112-13.
Palm Beach Gardens will look to get another victory and keep rolling in Week 4 against a tough Seminole Ridge squad that will be the gators first real test.
6. Forest Hill (3-0) [Last Week: 7]
The Falcons are starting to look better each week. After posting three blowout wins against Suncoast in Week 1, Santaluces in Week 2, and John I. Leonard in Week 3, Forest Hill has all of its playmakers shining. This team is dangerous and expecting to win each week.
Forest Hill will host Royal Palm Beach in Week 4.
7. Wellington (2-1) [Last Week: 10; Greatest Gainer]
Wellington squeaked out a 14-8 road win over previous No. 5 Park Vista after being blown out by Vero Beach in Week 2. The Wolverines are a scrappy squad that’s felt like they’ve had something to prove since the season started.
No. 7 Wellington will be put to the test again against No. 4 Palm Beach Central in Week 4. This is a huge rivalry game, so expect both team to fight until the end.
8. Palm Beach Lakes (1-1) [Last Week: 8]
The Rams were on a bye in Week 3. They have been working out hard to get their squad ready to go on the road and face a hot Dwyer squad in Week 4.
9. Boca Raton (2-1) [Last Week: NR; Top 10 Debut]
The Bobcats struggled a lot with Boynton Beach (0-3) in the first half, but then exploded to a 30-7 victory to close out the game. They’re starting to build a solid foundation as they get into district play.
Boca Raton will host Spanish River in week 4.
10. Seminole Ridge (2-0) [Last Week: NR; Top 10 Debut]
Seminole Ridge is coming off a bye week as it prepares for a game against No. 5 Palm Beach Gardens, which could set the tone for the rest of its season. This will be a game to watch as the Hawks and Gators always play each other tough.
Honorable Mention: Park Vista (1-2)
The Cobras had a tough pill to swallow in Week 3 as they lost at home to previous No. 10 Wellington. They are still on a mission to win a district title despite losing a close game.
Park Vista will breathe a little easier in Week 4 it gets on the road to play Lake Worth. This team will look to get back in the top 10 in the coming weeks.
TEAMS ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Olympic Heights (2-1), Former No. 5 Park Vista (1-2), Former No. 9 Glades Central (1-2)
PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOL RANKINGS: TOP 10
1. American Heritage (Delray Beach) (2-0) [Last Week: 1]
Heritage had a bye in Week 3 as it prepares to take on Monsignor Pace (3-0) in Week 4.
2. King’s Academy (4-0) [Last Week: 2]
The King’s Academy Lions had a slow start against Glades Day, but got things rolling with their running game and manage to beat their opponent in a 26-0 shutout on the road in Belle Glade.
Emerging running back Presley Almond would be the difference maker for the Lions in Week 3, as he racked up 18 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns.
Almond got the Lions started in the second quarter with two touchdown runs. The defense would get in on the action for a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by Isaac Scroggins. Athlete Cory Croteau would score the Lions last touchdown on a 6-yard run. Stille Higgins led the defensive charge with five tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
King’s will face off against LaSalle in Week 4.
3. Benjamin (3-0) [Last Week: 3]
The Bucs looked dominant once again in Week 3 as they took down LaSalle, 41–0.
Quarterback Santino Marucci was 5-of-7 for 80 yards and two passing touchdowns, while adding nine carries for 89 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He only played in the first half.
Josh Pierre-Louis has made a name for himself at Benjamin, as he had another stellar game by racking up nine carries for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Cameron Williams led the team’s defensive charge with three tackles, two assists, one sack and two tackle for loss. Luke Cannata would also be a defensive leader, as he recovered two fumbles (one off Kaiir Elam’s corner blitz sack that caused fumble).
Benjamin will be on the road to face Gulliver Prep in Week 4.
4. Cardinal Newman (3-1) [Last Week: 4]
Cardinal Newman scored a huge 40-20 victory over Olympic Heights in Week 3.
Newman’s offensive charge was led by junior running back Chris D’Or, who totaled 19 carries for 213 yards and three touchdowns, while tallying almost 10 yards per carry for his team. D’Or is a versatile player for Newman that’s exploded on the scene this year.
Newman will be on the road to face Pahokee in Week 4.
5. Jupiter Christian (2-0) [Last Week: 6]
Jupiter Christian posted a 50-6 win over Pinecrest Prep. This team will look to keep rolling on the road against Berean Christian in Week 4.
6. St. Andrews (2-1) [Last Week: 8]
St. Andrews took down Inlet Grove in a 24-8 victory. The game was close up until the third and fourth quarters, when the Scots scored 14 unanswered points.
St. Andrews will host Glades Day in Week 4.
7. Glades Day (1-2) [Last Week: 5]
The Gators were shut out 26-0 at home against No. 2 Kings Academy. They will look to get back on track in Week 4 against St. Andrews.
8. Inlet Grove (2-1) [Last Week: 8]
The hot Inlet Grove team fire was put out on the road against a emerging St. Andrews squad in a 24-8 loss. Inlet Grove will host Boca Raton Christian in Week 4 to try and get back on track.
9. Berean Christian (1-2) [Last Week: 9]
The Bulldogs were downed by Holy Trinity Episcopal in a 78-0 blowout loss on the road. They will look to bounce back at home against Jupiter Christian in Week 4.
10. Somerset Academy-Canyons (1-2) [Last Week: 10]
Somerset Academy-Canyons lost their home opener to Somerset Academy-Pembroke Pines 31-7. Somerset Academy-Canyons will be on the road to face Westminster Academy in Week 4.
Week 4 team rankings release (public and private/charter): Monday, Sept. 17
