PALM BEACH COUNTY – Week 9 ended with a sense of clarity.
The action that took place in our area will explain how we were able to come up with this week’s Top 10.
With that said, let us waste no time by putting the latest Top 10 out right now.
HONEST IMPRESSION: INLET GROVE
We have a milestone moment here.
Inlet Grove (6-1; 2-0 in District 9-2M) is in the midst of its most successful season in school history. As a result, we have decided to place the upstart program in our top five for the first time.
Never before has Inlet Grove been respected as a program like this. And never before has Inlet Grove been in a position to win a district title with a top five ranking to its name.
With a 26-14 win over Hollywood Hills in Week 9, Inlet Grove will be hosting eighth-ranked King’s Academy (7-1) for the District 9-2M crown and a chance to finish with the best regular season record in school history.
It is one week at a time for head coach Rashad Jackson and his team. It is one opportunity to win the district title at home tomorrow night (Oct. 28; 6:30 p.m. kickoff).
CROWN ATLANTIC NOW
Atlantic (5-3; 2-0 in District 9-3M) earned its district title in Week 9 against Dwyer (5-3; 1-1 in 9-3M) by way of a 32-14 road win.
With that, the Jamael Stewart-led team flew up four spots from No. 10 to No. 6.
Meanwhile, the Eagles dropped the Panthers five spots this week from No. 5 to No. 10.
Congratulation to the Atlantic Eagles on being the first District 9-3M champions.
QUICK CALL OUT: ALL OTHER TOP 10 TEAMS
With their convincing wins, No. 1 Cardinal Newman (9-0; 62-0 winner over SLAM; District 5-1M champion) and No. 2 Palm Beach Central (7-1; 35-14 winner over then-No. 3/now-No. 7 Palm Beach Gardens) keep their top two spots.
Palm Beach Gardens (5-3; 2-0 in District 9-4M) dropped four spots from No. 3 to No. 7. This move was made primarily because it has three losses on the season to date.
Our new No. 3-ranked team is Santaluces (8-0; District 11-4M champion). The rising program reached its highest ranking this season to date and looks to rise even further, should Cardinal Newman and/or Palm Beach Central lose a Week 10 and/or Week 11 and keeps winning its games in the process.
Pahokee (7-2) remains at No. 4, while Inlet Grove (No. 5), Atlantic (No. 6), Palm Beach Gardens (No. 7), and King’s Academy (No. 8) are ahead of Boynton Beach (6-2; No. 9), which had a bye in Week 9.
We have no new Top 10 team this week, though all five of our Close to 10 teams have a 5-3 record, including newcomer Jupiter Christian (SSAC playoff bound).
WEEK 10 ACTION: DISTRICT TITLES IN PLAY
We have one ranked vs. ranked showdown on Friday (Oct. 21). It is our Game of Week 10.
DISTRICT 9-2M
•No. 5 Inlet Grove (6–1) vs. No. 8 King’s Academy (7-1): Friday (Oct. 28) at 6:30 p.m.
This game is for the District 9-2M title. We may have a preview story on the Inlet Grove-King’s Academy clash sometime tomorrow (Oct. 28).
The other two spotlight games are for district titles, with one of the teams being ranked in both.
DISTRICT 10-4M
•No. 2 Palm Beach Central (7-1; 2-0 in District 10-4M) vs. Wellington (5-3; 2-0 in District 10-4M) – Friday (Oct. 28) at 6:30 p.m.
The Wellington Cup is for both bragging rights and the outright District 10-4M title. A lot is at stake here for both teams, especially Palm Beach Central.
A Wellington upset will give head coach Danny Mendoza and his team the respect they have been searching for all year long. The Wolverines will effectively silence everyone who has been doubting them with a win over the Broncos.
They are a scrappy team that does not back down from any challenge presented to them. They will be especially motivated for this one.
If Palm Beach Central does not take Wellington seriously enough, then we could see another loss at home on Friday night.
DISTRICT 9-4M
•Jupiter (4-4; 2-0 in 9-4M play) vs. No. 7 Palm Beach Gardens (5-3; 2-0 in 9-4M) – Friday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m. kickoff
Let us give our kudos to Jupiter head coach Jason Kradman, who has lifted a relatively young Warriors team to the cusp of a district title in his first season at the helm.
With that said, a competitive game at home against head coach Tyrone Higgins and crew will provide a huge boost to this Jupiter Warriors program for the next season ahead.
We expect the Gators to win the District 9-4M title, especially with the bevy of talent they have at almost every position on the field. They are led by senior quarterback Brand Campbell and senior athlete Malcolm Tucker, who know what it takes to come through in big-time moments.
At the same time, no games are decided on paper. They are decided on the field in real time.
We will see how this one goes down tomorrow night in Jupiter.
NEXT TOP 10 RANKINGS UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 2
PHOTO CREDITS: Future Draft Style, Jessica Bureau/Grove Watch, and Kenneth Stephens
