Who ranks as the best football team in the Bradenton Herald Week 9 Power Poll?

Editor’s note: These are power rankings, meaning hypothetical head-to-head matchups aren’t considered. Actual head-to-head games, how the team is trending and recently performed are weighed. Considerations to keep teams where they were after a loss are based on the opposition’s strength and how close a game was.

Public school rankings

1. (last week 1) Manatee, 6-1

The Hurricanes were off last week. Manatee is in the meat of its schedule. The Canes are playing the second of three straight potential Class 4S playoff teams this week. Sarasota Riverview is coming off a 35-33 loss via a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds to Clearwater Academy International.

Up next: vs. Sarasota Riverview

2. (2) Palmetto, 4-2

The Tigers relied on its defense, before the offense caught fire in the fourth quarter to distance themselves from Lakewood Ranch and set up a district championship game with Manatee in two weeks. Palmetto finished with 456 total yards of offense, with 287 coming on the ground in the 30-14 win.

Up next: at Venice

3. (3) Parrish Community, 6-1

The Bulls notched the signature win in the program’s fifth year. And they did it in dramatic fashion with a pick six that sealed the 35-28 victory over Braden River, which sets up a district title game with Port Charlotte in two weeks.

Up next: at Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek

4. (4) Braden River, 2-4

The Pirates lost for the fourth straight game and saw their playoff chances dwindle with the 35-28 loss at Parrish Community. Their remaining three opponents have a combined 9-13 record.

Up next: vs. Punta Gorda Charlotte

5. (5) Bayshore, 3-4

The Bruins lost for the third straight week, but remain on the playoff bubble with three games left. If they win out, they’ll have a chance to end their playoff drought that stretches to the mid-2000s.

Up next: at Marco Island Academy

6. (6) Lakewood Ranch, 2-5

The Mustangs hung with Palmetto through three quarters, before the Tigers wore down an exhausted Lakewood Ranch defense. A goal line stand went for naught when Palmetto secured a safety on the subsequent play, then scored a touchdown on the following possession.

Up next: vs. St. Pete Gibbs

7. (7) Southeast, 0-7

The Seminoles were outmatched by a Port Charlotte team with some Division I-recruited players. This week might be the best shot at getting a win this season. The Noles face winless Sarasota before finishing the campaign against Braden River and traditional rival Manatee.

Up next: vs. Sarasota

Private school rankings

1. (1) IMG Academy National, 6-0

The Ascenders breezed past Pensacola Pine Forest, 55-14, and are ranked No. 4 in MaxPreps’ national rankings.

Up next: vs. West Columbia, South Carolina Gray Collegiate Academy (Thursday)

2. (2) IMG Academy White, 6-0

IMG White was off last week. Running back Clay Ash leads the team with 152.1 rushing yards per game.

Up next: at Orlando Lake Highland Prep

3. (3) Bradenton Christian, 6-1

The Panthers notched their second consecutive shutout last week. They’ve outscored the opposition 116-0 in the last two games.

Up next: at Out-of-Door Academy

4. (4) Saint Stephen’s, 5-2

The Falcons were off last week. Their regular-season finale before the Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs begins is this week’s trip to Cape Coral Oasis.

Up next: at Cape Coral Oasis

5. (5) IMG Academy Blue, 0-4

IMG’s third team was off last week. The Blue team is searching for its first win and takes on undefeated Naples Community School this week.

Up next: at Naples Community School (Thursday)