PALM BEACH COUNTY – The fifth week of the regular season is officially in the books, which was highlighted by some marquee matchups.
With that said, we have compiled 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) (4-0) [Last Week: 1]
The Eagles kept rolling in Week 5. They were able to pull away in a 21-7 win over Park Vista late to capture their first district win.
Atlantic will be on the road in Week 6 to take on Spanish River.
2. Dwyer (4-1) [Last Week: 2]
The Panthers look as focused as ever after posting their fourth 40-piece last week against a good Palm Beach Gardens team. They downed the Gators 42-7.
Dwyer’s defense is only giving up an average of 12.8 points per game, while the offense is averaging 35.4 points per game.
Dwyer will be on the road against Olympic Heights in Week 6 to try and make it four games in a row with a victory.
3. Palm Beach Central (4-1) [Last Week: 4]
Palm Beach Central went on the road and captured a tight 20-12 victory over Palm Bay to extend its winning streak to four games.
The Broncos showed resiliency in their come from behind win after being down 12-0 at halftime and scoring 20 unanswered points in the second half.
Central will be at home to face Boca Raton in Week 6.
4. Forest Hill (5-0) [Last Week: 5]
Hail to the Hill!
The Falcons don’t have the toughest schedule in the county, but they haven’t faltered in any game either. The Falcons have outscored opponents 207-45 through five games.
Forest Hill has handled each and every team it faced this year, including its most recent 49-14 victory over West Boca Raton in Week 5.
Forest Hill will be on a bye in week 6.
5. Pahokee (2-2) [Last Week: 3]
The Blue Devils suffered another loss, and this time it was to Vero Beach in 27-20 thriller that would have been a marquee win for the Pahokee squad. Yes, Pahokee has two losses and is still a top five team because both losses were close ones to 8A powerhouses in Atlantic (No. 12 in the state of Florida) and Vero Beach (No. 9 in the state).
Pahokee will look to score its third victory of the season as the Muck team goes on the road to take on Boynton Beach this Thursday for its Week 6 matchup.
6. Seminole Ridge (4-0) [Last Week: 7]
Kaimyn Castilla and the Hawks are on a hot four-game winning streak. They posted a 63-35 victory on the road against Boynton Beach.
The Hawks will have a big test in Week 6 as they go on the road to face Wellington in a marquee District 9-8A game.
7. Wellington (3-2) [Last Week: 9]
Wellington took care of business on the road against John I. Leonard in a 49-21 victory in Week 5.
The Wolverines will host conference foe Seminole Ridge in Week 6.
8. Palm Beach Gardens (3-2) [Last Week: 8]
Gardens was trounced by Dwyer in a 42-7 loss and has suffered its second loss in a row.
This team will need to get back on track in Week 6 as they host a fellow District 9-8A opponent in Jupiter.
9. Glades Central (2-2) [Last Week: NR; Top 10 return]
The Raiders have worked their way back into the Top 10 by upending Clewiston in a 35-21 road victory. They may two bad losses on their resume to top teams in the state – No. 16 University School and No. 27 Dwyer – but they’ll have another chance to get a marquee win against a tough Cocoa squad in Week 6.
10. Santaluces (3-2) [Last Week: NR; Top 10 debut]
The Chiefs have a good three-game winning streak going right now after defeating previous No. 6 Boca Raton last week in a 22-17 victory. After only winning two games in 2017, the Chief Squad just looks different by playing with a purpose.
Santaluces will host Lake Worth in Week 6 to try and make it four games in a row with a victory.
Honorable Mention: Olympic Heights
The Lions (3-1) have put together a pretty good season thus far with victories over Boynton Beach, Spanish River, and West Boca Raton. But they have been somewhat inconsistent this season and haven’t had a marquee win to give them a Top 10 nod.
Olympic Heights will play its biggest game of the season as they travel on the road to take on No. 2 Dwyer. This team will try to pull off an upset like the 2017 squad did, when they knocked the Panthers off in a 25-22 victory to make their mark in the county.
Dropped from Top 10 rankings: Former No. 6 Boca Raton (3-2), Former No. 10 Park Vista (2-3)
Teams on the outside looking in: Olympic Heights (3-1), Boca Raton (3-2)
PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOL RANKINGS: TOP 10
1. American Heritage (Delray Beach) (4-0) [Last Week: 1]
Heritage keeps rolling as it downed Archbishop McCarthy in a 44-0 blowout victory to make it four games in a row with a victory.
The Stallions will be on the road to take on Pensacola Catholic (3-2), which is on a three-game winning streak coming into the Week 6 matchup.
2. Benjamin (5-0) [Last Week: 3]
The Bucs posted an impressive 47-18 win over an always good Key West team. They are a very dangerous team that has athletes all over the field, with players who are capable of making big plays when their number is called.
Benjamin will be on the road to face Pine Crest (2-2) in Week 6 as it look to score its sixth victory in a row.
3. King’s Academy (5-0) [Last Week: 2]
King’s took down North Broward Prep in 35-0 victory in Week 5. The offense racked up an impressive 252 rushing yards against North Broward Prep.
This marks the third week in a row an opponent has failed to score on the Lions. They have outscored their opponents 98-0 in the last three weeks.
King’s Academy will be on the road to face Calvary Christian (2-2) in Week 6.
4. Cardinal Newman (4-1) [Last Week: 4]
The Crusaders bounced back in a big way in Week 5.
They picked up its fourth win of the year and now have a 2-0 record against public school opponents. Newman scored a 40-20 victory over Olympic Heights, and its most recent one was a 45-12 victory over Royal Palm Beach.
Newman will be on the road to face St. John Paul II (0-4) in Week 6.
5. Jupiter Christian (4-0) [Last Week: 5]
Jupiter Christian posted another blowout in Week 5 as it took down St. Edward’s (Vero Beach) 47-7.
The Eagles are on roll as they’ve won four games in a row by outscoring opponents 183-34 in the process. This team is slowly rising in the private school ranks.
Jupiter Christian will be on the road to face Boca Raton Christian (2-3) in Week 6.
6. Glades Day (3-2) [Last Week: 7]
Glades Day posted another blowout victory, this time over Berean Christian in Week 5 as it scored 49 unanswered points.
The Gators have looked dominant these last two weeks and look to keep rolling as they host Moore Haven (2-1) in Week 6.
7. St. Andrews (2-2) [Last Week: 6]
St. Andrews was on a bye in Week 5. The Scots will travel to Somerset Academy-Canyons for their Week 6 matchup.
8. Boca Raton Christian (2-3) [Last Week: 8]
Boca Raton Christian lost 23-13 to a very good Westminster Academy squad. That is never an easy outing.
The Blazers have three losses on their resume, but they’ll have another week to prove they’re a threat as they take on undefeated Jupiter Christian in Week 6.
9. Inlet Grove (3-2) [Last Week: 9]
Inlet Grove was able to come out of its two-game slump and get a 20-6 victory over a winless Gateway Charter squad in Week 5.
The Hurricanes will look to make it two games in a row with a victory as they take on Florida Christian (0-5) in Week 6.
10. Somerset Academy – Canyons (2-3) [Last Week: 10]
Canyons was able to get its second win of the season at home against Village Academy in a 16-13 victory. It effectively stopped the Cougars from going on a three-game losing skid.
Somerset will have a tall task ahead of them as it faces St. Andrews (2-2) in Week 6.
Week 6 team rankings release (public and private/charter): Monday, Oct. 1
