PALM BEACH COUNTY – The eighth 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, the strength of schedule, team record, and coaches’ suggestions.
PUBLIC SCHOOL RANKINGS: TOP 10
1. Atlantic (Delray Beach) (7-0) [Last Week: 1]
The Eagles kept rolling in Week 8 against John I. Leonard in a 42-0 shutout victory on homecoming night.
They have the opportunity to go undefeated this year. They will look to handle business on the road against Lake Worth in Week 9.
2. Dwyer (7-1) [Last Week: 2]
The Panthers have gone from good to great in a matter of weeks. They have been playing lights out on both sides of the ball.
Dwyer posted an impressive 40-6 victory over previously undefeated Forest Hill. This team has been handing out more 40 pieces than Kentucky Fried Chicken and Popeye’s, as last Friday was the seventh time Dwyer posted a victory with 40 points or more, while holding opponents to 14 points or less.
Dwyer will be at home against a winless Royal Palm Beach squad in Week 9.
3. Palm Beach Central (6-1) [Last Week: 3]
Palm Beach Central was on a bye in Week 7 and came back in Week 8 to take down Seminole Ridge in a 27-14 victory.
Griffin Lampton anchored the Broncos defense with his four sacks against the Hawks.
The Broncos seem to have their two-quarterback system working, with Michael Moreland and Anarjahe Douriet splitting time to wheel them to another victory.
Central will be on the road to face Jupiter in Week 9.
4. Forest Hill (6-1) [Last Week: 4]
The Falcons took a hard loss to a blazing hot Dwyer squad in Week 8. They will look to regroup and start a new winning streak as they take on Olympic Heights at home in Week 9.
5. Pahokee (5-2) [Last Week: 5]
The Blue Devils are officially in mid-season shape as they’ve won their third game in a row, this time in a 35-0 shutout victory over West Park Prep in Week 8.
Pahokee will look to score its fourth victory in a row, as the Muck team will be on the road to take on an upset-minded Seminole Ridge in Week 9.
6. Wellington (5-3) [Last Week: 6]
The Wolverines took care of business on the road against Jupiter to capture their fifth win of the season in a 48-27 victory.
The Wolverines will be at home to face Palm Beach Gardens in Week 9 (Thursday night game at 6 p.m.).
7. Palm Beach Gardens (4-3) [Last Week: 8]
The Gators were on a bye in Week 8. They will have a chance to get a marquee District 9-8A win over an unyielding Wellington squad.
8. Santaluces (4-3) [Last Week: 9]
Santaluces was on a bye in Week 8.
The Chiefs have a great opportunity to get their fifth victory of the season against a winless Spanish River squad. It will be homecoming and senior night for this team, so expect them to come out and make a statement in Week 9 (Thursday night game at 6:30 p.m.)
9. Glades Central (4-3) [Last Week: 10]
The Raiders recorded their fourth victory of the season in a 49-7 blowout victory over Boynton Beach. They are currently on a two-game winning streak.
The Raiders will host American Heritage (Delray Beach) in Week 9.
10. Palm Beach Lakes (4-3) [Last Week: UR]
Sorry Coach Obrian Edwards, but the Rams are back!
After being humbled by a brutal schedule that had the likes of state-ranked teams, No. 23 Dwyer, No. 5 Trinity Christian, and the No. 5 Pahokee team in Palm Beach County, Lakes came back with a three-game winning streak and downing Olympic Heights 24-7 in a District 13-7A matchup.
Running back Kevon Purnell led his team with 257 total yards and three touchdowns.
Lakes will be on the road to face West Boca and go for its fourth victory in a row.
Honorable Mention: Park Vista
The Cobras (4-3) put together a complete game and captured their fourth victory of the season in a 37-8 victory over John I. Leonard.
This team is still trying to find its identity with their 2018 squad. But one thing for sure is that they are hungry and fearless.
Although the Cobras chemistry isn’t perfect, they are starting to gel at the right time as they get deep into District 10-8A play. It will be interesting to watch them the rest of the season and see what they become.
PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOL RANKINGS: TOP 10
1. Benjamin (8-0) [Last Week: 2]
It’s nice to be on top.
The Buccaneers have finally done it, thanks in large part to its undefeated season to date. They earned win No. 8 last Friday night by taking down Calvary Christian Academy, 31-13.
How did Benjamin get it done?
The new No. 1 team scored the game’s first 21 points and never let the gas off the pedal from there.
Quarterback Santino Marucci went 18-of-29 passing for 180 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He’s growing into the leader that Benjamin has envisioned him to become as a sophomore.
Benjamin’s next game will be against St. Andrews in Week 9. This team will be heavily favored to win this one and remain perched at the top.
We’ll see what happens on Friday night.
2. American Heritage (Delray Beach) [Last Week: 1]
The Stallions lost their second game in a row. This time, it was close 5-3 defeat on the road to Bishop Verot.
Even thought it was only a two-point loss to a powerhouse team, there’s no justification whatsoever to keep a two-loss team at No. 1, especially when one team is playing well and winning all of its games in convincing fashion.
The next game for American Heritage will be an annual clash against Glades Central in Week 9. This one could go either way.
3. King’s Academy (7-1) [Last Week: 3]
King’s Academy’s dreams of an undefeated season went up in smoke this past Friday night. We predicted that the Lions game against Gulliver Prep could go either way in Week 8, and we were right about it.
This one was close, but not enough for King’s Academy in a crushing 35-28 loss.
This team will have a chance to regroup and take their frustration out on the road against Key West in Week 9.
4. Cardinal Newman (6-1) [Last Week: 4]
The Crusaders had a bye in Week 8. They will play their first of two straight games against the Muck teams out of Belle Glade, with Glades Day coming to their place first in Week 9.
5. Glades Day (4-3) [Last Week: 5]
The Gators enjoyed their bye in Week 8. Now they will be well-rested in their road showdown with Cardinal Newman in Week 9.
They have a chance to climb higher in our rankings next week if they can take down the Crusaders this Friday night. We’ll see what happens.
6. St. Andrews (5-2) [Last Week: 6]
St. Andrews got win No. 5 in a 28-20 victory over Ransom Everglades this past Friday night.
The next game for this team is against top-ranked Benjamin in Week 9.
Can the Scots pull off a huge upset win this Friday night? We’ll find out for sure in a few days.
7. Jupiter Christian (6-1) [Last Week: 7]
The Eagles never trailed in their 35-14 win over Inlet Grove. They got their groove back now.
The next game for them is against St. John Paul II in Week 9.
8. Inlet Grove (5-3) [Last Week: 8]
The Hurricanes gave all they had in their Saturday night showdown with the Jupiter Christian Eagles. They never led in their 35-14 loss, but the game was close at one point, as they made the score 21-14 at halftime.
Next game for Inlet Grove: Home against Scheck Hillel Community in Week 9 on Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. kickoff.
9. Somerset Academy-Canyons (4-4) [Last Week: 10]
Canyons has moved up a spot after taking down Boca Raton Christian in a 27-21 win for their Week 8 game. It was the final game of their regular season.
The Cougars next game is a playoff matchup on the road at Palm Glades Prep Academy in Miami. They have two weeks to prepare for their first playoff game in school history, which is set for Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
10. Boca Raton Christian (3-5) [Last Week: 9]
Boca Christian’s season came to an end in a 27-21 loss to Somerset Academy-Canyons.
Week 9 team rankings release (public and private/charter): Monday, Oct. 22
