TREASURE COAST – After six regular season weeks played, we are seeing more clearly which teams represent the class of the Treasure Coast area.
As with any other week, we look at a few factors in ranking our area’s programs. So with that said, here are the top three determinants on how the Top 10 turned out this week – in order:
•Strength of overall team
•Strength of schedule
•Wins and losses
A fourth determinant serves as a key to how far a team will drop – if it loses a game in a blowout:
•Margin of loss
In consultation with a host of coaches from the entire Treasure Coast area, we have decided on the Top 10 will look like this week.
After reading the entire Top 10 for yourself, read on for all the details of how we assembled this particular team ranking iteration.
HONEST IMPRESSIONS
1. Centennial reaches high point
A blocked field goal attempt to seal Centennial’s 14-13 road win on Monday night (Oct. 3) over Martin County did at least two things for this team:
•It moved to 2-0 in District 12-4S play as it goes into a much-welcome bye for Week 7.
•It allows the rest of the Treasure Coast area to see that the 5-1 record after six games is no joke.
There is a lot of respect that comes with a win like that – especially since it was on the road as an underdog.
We can honestly say that Centennial deserves to move up one spot from No. 4 to No. 3 this week – and possibly next week as well.
It is well-earned, to say the very least.
2. Treasure Coast returns to No. 2 after first of two bye weeks
It has been a tough first half of the season for Treasure Coast (1-4).
Aside from an easy 28-7 home win over Martin County in Week 4, most of the other games – save for one – have been close losses to state powerhouse programs.
The first three regular season games against Kissimmee-Osceola (14-5 defeat in Week 1), Tampa Jesuit (14-13 defeat in Week 2), Sanford-Seminole (41-22 defeat in Week 3) were all on the road.
The Week 5 game at home against St. Thomas Aquinas (21-7 loss) was much, much closer than the final score indicated.
No team played a first half against St. Thomas Aquinas as well as Treasure Coast did.
To make the recap brief, Treasure Coast held St. Thomas Aquinas to zero points in the first half.
Nothing else needs to be said about that.
And now with the Top 10 in self-correction mode, it is time for Treasure Coast to return to the No. 2 spot – right behind our Vero Beach, our No. 1-ranked team from the start of this season.
The next game for Treasure Coast is Week 8 against No. 10 Fort Pierce Central (1-5) on Thursday, Oct. 13.
3. Tough ones for John Carroll, Martin County
Two of the Treasure Coast’s best teams played in promising games that had win potential.
While then-No. 2/now-No. 4 John Carroll (4-1) suffered a 40-7 road loss to Palm Beach County No. 1 Cardinal Newman (6-0), it is not a bad loss at all.
Games against tougher competition matter a lot – especially when it comes to postseason play and anything that has to do with positioning for a late fall stretch.
In short, John Carroll (Class 1S) is in good hands.
As for Martin County (4-2), we will need to wait until after Week 9 to fully assess this young and dangerous collective. This is the time when all of its District 12-4S games will have been played.
FINAL CALL OUT: Fort Pierce Westwood (4-1) moves up one spot to No. 6 after its 21-14 road win over Okeechobee (1-4), while every other Top 10 team remains in their places from last week.
PLEASE NOTE: We will consult with coaches from the majority of our 14 Treasure Coast teams before each weekly Top 10 list is released. This ensures that the best possible order is published and all 14 teams are fairly represented.
NEXT RELEASE: Tuesday, Oct. 10 or Wednesday, Oct. 11.
PHOTO CREDITS: Future Draft Style
