Florida Youth and High School Sports News Blog

Florida Football: Week 9 Review

There’s so much to talk about this week that I’m going to create separate blog posts for each of the eight classifications. This is a bit of a switch from the regional angle taken in previous weeks, but it’s par for the course for the blog, which hasn’t seen much consistency in recent weeks.

I feel compelled, though, to report here some of the week’s biggest happenings.

First, there’s that Saturday game to talk about. Miami Northwestern underwhelmed but got a 24-12 victory against rival Miami Central. The Rockets came into the game unbeaten and ranked No. 5 by LR. The loss probably doesn’t hurt much, but it might pull the Bulls down a notch. After all, this squad is supposed to be the best in the nation. A close game in its own district doesn’t add up. But the Rockets deserve much credit for their effort.

Central’s loss was one of several for teams that were previously undefeated. Twenty-nine teams went into Week 9 with unbeaten records, but only 24 remain.

One of the final 24 is Lakeland, but the Dreadnaughts (8-0) didn’t win by much. Lakeland survived a 22-19 game against Ridge Community just a week prior to hooking up with Kissimmee Osceola in what will be the district title game.

Glades Central also had a close call, winning 13-12 against Pembroke Pines. As well, Florida High avoided its first loss to improve to 9-0 with a 17-10 victory against Navarre. So did Newberry, which defeated Trinity Catholic 23-20 to improve to 8-0.

Some of the squads that weren’t as lucky included Manatee, which lost 21-7 to Venice to fall to 8-1.

Lake Wales defeated Palmetto 27-20. It was the first loss for Palmetto, which had moved up to No. 5 in Class 3A last Tuesday.

Florida Air defeated previously unbeaten Hollywood Christian in a game pitting a top 1A team against Hollywood, a 1B power that we ranked No. 4 last Tuesay.

Boyd Anderson defeated Deerfield Beach 24-20. It was the first loss of the season for DB, which falls to 7-1 after moving all the way to No. 4 in 6A. It probably means good things for Boyd Anderson, which was at No. 8 last week.

Royal Palm Beach defeated Park Vista, which hadn’t really been respected for its unbeaten record. Now, Park Vista is 7-1, which is probably more fitting a team not in the 6A top 10.

Other notable games from Week 9 include Madison County, that 2A powerhouse, defeating Godby 28-26. Madison County improved to 6-1. Godby, which had fallen to No. 10 in 3A last week, isn’t the only 3A team to fall.

Hardee also lost, falling 30-0 to Cape Coral, and Glades Day defeated King’s Academy 19-14.

It was a tough week for Lighthouse Christian, which lost for the second time in as many weeks after starting 6-0. The Crusaders fell 30-0 to Warner Christian, which clinched the playoff spot that was up for grabs in this one.

Also worth a mention, Lake City Christian defeated Eagle’s View Academy 34-12. Archbishop Carroll lost 2-0 to Dade Christian, and Auburndale defeated Winter Haven 19-17. Auburndale hasn’t been ranked all year, but they pulled off the win against a team that was No. 8 in Class 4A in last Tuesday’s LR rankings.