PALM BEACH COUNTY – We are headed toward the end of the regular season, as many of our teams are playing in peak form and others are simply put on notice, regardless of the final score.

Palm Beach Central (7-0), a 26-21 winner this past Friday night (Oct. 22) over Palm Beach Gardens, will remain at No. 1 – at least for now.

The reason for this is because we got quite a scare from Palm Beach Gardens (5-3), which drops from No. 2 to No. 5 this week.

While Palm Beach Gardens lost by less than a touchdown to Palm Beach Central, it did have a 21-18 lead at halftime. And it appeared as if an upset was actually brewing.

Which takes us right to Palm Beach Central’s next opponent for Week 10.

Towards the bottom of this week’s Top 10, Wellington (6-2) moves up one spot from No. 10 to No. 9. This happens because of its spirited 21-13 road win last over Palm Beach Lakes (0-8) and the fact that Wellington is on a five-game winning streak right now.

Wellington is the team to watch right now in Palm Beach County. It is likely the last team that can topple unbeaten Palm Beach Central in the regular season.

Two reasons: The Wellington Cup on Friday, Oct. 29 (6:30 p.m. kickoff) will be at Wellington and this game is essentially for either the District 7-8A title or at least at three-way tie for first place between Wellington, Palm Beach Central, and Palm Beach Gardens.

Stay tuned. Anything can happen in our Game of Week 10 for the Wellington Cup.

One other Top 10 move happened of significance.

Benjamin (5-3) has returned after a two-week absence, thanks to its 42-24 home win last Friday night (Oct. 22) over Calvary Christian Academy.

Leaving our Top 10 is Park Vista (5-2), which is currently on a two-game losing streak following its 5-0 start.

Here are the full lists of this week’s Combined Top 10, Public Top 10, and Private Top 5.

COMBINED TOP 10: WEEK 9

1. Palm Beach Central (7-0) [PR: 1]
2. Pahokee (6-1) [PR: 3]
3. Seminole Ridge (7-1) [PR: 4]
4. Boca Raton (7-1) [PR: 5]
5. Palm Beach Gardens (5-3) [PR: 2]
6. Cardinal Newman (7-2) [PR: 6]
7. Forest Hill (5-2) [PR: 7]
8. Atlantic (Delray Beach) (5-3) [PR: 9]
9. Wellington (6-2) [PR: 10]
10. Benjamin (5-3) [PR: NR]

Dropped from Top 10: Former No. 8 Park Vista (5-2)

PUBLIC TOP 10: WEEK 9

1. Palm Beach Central (7-0) [PR: 1]
2. Pahokee (6-1) [PR: 3]
3. Seminole Ridge (7-1) [PR: 4]
4. Boca Raton (7-1) [PR: 5]
5. Palm Beach Gardens (5-3) [PR: 2]
6. Forest Hill (5-2) [PR: 6]
7. Atlantic (Delray Beach) (5-3) [PR: 8]
8. Wellington (6-2) [PR: 9]
9. Park Vista (5-2) [PR: 7]
10. Glades Central (4-4) [PR: 10]

PRIVATE TOP 5: WEEK 9

1. Cardinal Newman (7-2) [PR: 1]
2. Benjamin (5-3) [PR: 4]
3. American Heritage (Delray Beach) (4-4) [PR: NR]
4. King’s Academy (6-2) [PR: 5]
5. Glades Day (7-1) [PR: 3]

NEXT RANKINGS UPDATE: Tuesday, Nov. 2

PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde