Who ranks as the best football team in the final 2023 Bradenton Herald 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, 8-2
The Hurricanes polished off the regular season with a 49-0 victory over crosstown rival Southeast. That win locked up the No. 2 seed in the Class 4S-Region 4 playoffs, which begin this week. Manatee has a rematch with Punta Gorda Charlotte, a team the Canes defeated 46-7 on Sept. 8.
Up next: vs. Punta Gorda Charlotte
2. (2) Palmetto, 5-4
The Tigers destroyed Cape Coral Ida Baker, 42-7, last week to clinch a wild card playoff spot as the No. 6 seed. Their reward is a rematch with Sarasota Riverview. Palmetto fell 52-42 on the road to the Rams on Sept. 8.
Up next: at Sarasota Riverview
3. (3) Parrish Community, 7-3
Parrish Community punctuated its season with a 43-6 win over Lakeland George Jenkins to secure the program’s first-ever playoff berth. The Bulls enter the Class 3S-Region 4 playoffs as a No. 7 seed.
Up next: at Naples
4. (4) Braden River, 5-5
The Pirates lost to Tampa Robinson, 27-20, last week to end their season. A win gave Braden River an outside chance at a wild card playoff berth, but the loss sealed their fate when the Florida High School Athletic Association’s brackets were released Sunday.
Up next: Season complete
5. (5) Lakewood Ranch, 4-6
Despite losing 42-13 to Sarasota Booker last week, the Mustangs crept into the 4S-4 playoffs as the No. 8 seed due to their back-to-back wins in late October over St. Petersburg Gibbs and Bayshore. They face top-seeded Venice on the road to begin the playoffs.
Up next: at Venice
6. (6) Bayshore, 4-6
The Bruins’ bid to end their playoff drought that dates to the mid-2000s went up in smoke after losing to Lakewood Ranch and Cardinal Mooney in the final two weeks. The Mooney loss was a 51-0 drubbing last week.
Up next: Season complete
7. (7) Southeast, 0-10
Southeast hit a big passing play early against crosstown rival Manatee, but could not capitalize en route to a 49-0 loss that ended the Seminoles’ season without one win.
Up next: Season complete
Private school rankings
1. (1) IMG Academy National, 8-0
The Ascenders stayed unbeaten with a 47-0 win over St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Connecticut) and remains No. 4 in MaxPreps’ national rankings. They next play Nov. 17 against St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland).
Up next: Off
2. (2) IMG Academy White, 8-1
IMG Academy’s second team ran wild over Sarasota last week. Clay Ash had 288 rushing yards on 27 carries and four touchdowns in the 42-13 victory.
Up next: Off
3. (3) Bradenton Christian, 7-2
The Panthers’ season ended in the first round of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference state playoffs on Oct. 26 to Fort Lauderdale Westminster Christian Academy.
Up next: Season complete
4. (4) Saint Stephen’s, 8-2
The Falcons needed overtime to get past Cape Coral Oasis last week. The win propels Saint Stephen’s into the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Class 5A championship against Mount Dora Christian Academy in Lakeland.
Up next: vs. Mount Dora (Saturday)
5. (5) IMG Academy Blue, 0-6
IMG’s third team ended its season with a 39-21 loss to Fort Myers Southwest Florida Christian.
Up next: Season complete
