1. (1) Armwood (3-0)
Last week: Beat Hillsborough 26-0
This week: at Robinson
Lowdown: Since a bumpy opening half to the season, the defense has not allowed a point in 10 straight quarters, the first time that’s happened since 2011.
2. (2) East Lake (3-0)
Last week: Beat Dunedin 36-6
This week: vs. Clearwater
Lowdown: Once again, the Eagles won a game in which a running clock was used in the second half because of the mercy rule. Their dominance could help them move up to No. 1 in the Class 7A state rankings.
3. (3) Plant (2-1)
Last week: Beat Gaither 37-10
This week: at Bloomingdale
Lowdown: We know that Jack Ryan saved the world many times in Tom Clancy’s novels, Jim Ryun was the first high schooler to break a four-minute mile, and Paul Ryan ran for vice president. But did you know Joe Ryan, Plant linebacker, has 17 tackles for a loss this season? You decide which is more impressive.
4. (4) Clearwater Central Catholic (3-0)
Last week: Beat Jesuit 41-27
This week: Bye
Lowdown: The defense overcame a lackluster first-half performance with key stops against Jesuit. Jeff Smith did the rest, rushing for 217 yards and three touchdowns.
5. (6) Countryside (3-0)
Last week: Beat Palmetto 15-14
This week: vs. Northeast
Lowdown: The Cougars’ improved offensive line has paved the way for Dante Satcher to rush for 438 yards and five touchdowns.
6. (7) Sickles (2-1)
Last week: Beat Newsome 27-14
This week: at Steinbrenner
Lowdown: Anyone thinking of catching Billy Turner’s career coaching record of 255 wins got some bad news Friday when Turner stepped in for son Brian and guided the Gryphons past Newsome for what we assume is win No. 256.
7. (9) Pinellas Park (2-1)
Last week: Beat Osceola 10-7
This week: vs. Seminole
Lowdown: The Patriots will play two quarterbacks against Seminole, Mitch Grondin and Nicholas Hernandez. And if running back Kal-El Williams is unable to go due to an ankle sprain, expect Oscee Calhoun and Donte Maxson to get a ton of carries.
8. (10) Bloomingdale (2-0)
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Plant
Lowdown: The Bulls scored 40 points against Plant last season, but gave up 50. Bloomingdale wouldn’t hate it if one of those things happened again — but just one of them.
9. (8) Hillsborough (1-1)
Last week: Lost 26-0 to Armwood
This week: vs. Leto
Lowdown: Dwayne Lawson’s streak of scoring at least one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown ended at eight games, but we’re pretty sure he’ll be starting a new streak very soon.
10. (12) Jefferson (2-1)
Last week: Beat Robinson 24-7
This week: Bye
Lowdown: If I told you the Dragons have three players with more than 100 yards rushing already and none of them is named Mondreas Lofton, would you believe me?
11. (13) Plant City (1-0)
Last week: Bye
This week: at Durant
Lowdown: I’m not saying the Raiders have hardly played any football this season, but if you pull up their MaxPreps page and blow on your computer screen, dust flies out. Seriously, try it. Now.
12. (14) Largo (2-1)
Last week: Beat Gibbs 13-6
This week: vs. Jesuit
Lowdown: It wasn’t pretty, but the Packers did enough to get back on track with a win against the Gladiators. Another good test comes this week against Jesuit’s improved running game.
13. (T25) St. Petersburg (3-0)
Last week: Beat Lakewood 39-22
This week: Bye
Lowdown: Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on me. Score 120 points through three games and beat Lakewood, well, I ain’t gonna get fooled again.
14. (T25) Durant (2-1)
Last week: Beat Tampa Bay Tech 34-20
This week: vs. Plant City
Lowdown: The next time coach Mike Gottman tells me in the preseason that his offensive line is all new, his defensive line is small, his linebackers are young and his quarterback is a first-time starter — I’m ranking them No. 1 to start the year. I’ll do it, I swear!
15. (5) Tampa Bay Tech (1-1)
Last week: Lost 34-20 to Durant.
This week: at Wiregrass Ranch
Lowdown: Tons of talent, a dramatic win to open the season, a loss the next week to a team everyone thought they would beat? That’s so Tampa Bay Tech.
16. (16) Berkeley Prep (3-0)
Last week: Beat Sarasota Booker 22-12
This week: at Lakeland Christian
Lowdown: Headline — Bungled Prediction: Bucs’ Bo Peek Blasts Blowhard for Badly Blowing Booker Ball Game. Yeah, I deserve it.
17. (17) Sunlake (3-0)
Last week: Beat Anclote 42-0
This week: vs. Springstead
Lowdown: Rumor has it the Seahawks and Springstead are leaving the offenses at home this week and the defenses are just going to line up and run Oklahoma drills all night. First one to five teeth on the turf loses.
18. (11) Lakewood (1-2)
Last week: Lost 39-22 to St. Petersburg
This week: at Gibbs
Lowdown: The Spartans need to start playing defense or this is going to be a long year. They have given up an average of nearly 32 points through three games.
19. (18) Indian Rocks Christian (3-0)
Last week: Beat Admiral Farragut 21-7
This week: at Northside Christian
Lowdown: IRC is going to run the ball, and so far there’s nothing anybody can do about it. The Golden Eagles have rushed for 761 yards and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. They’ve thrown for 49 yards and zero touchdowns. Balance, schmalance.
20. (21) Lennard (3-0)
Last week: Beat Chamberlain 27-13
This week: at Blake
Lowdown: The last time Lennard held a team to 17 points or fewer three straight weeks was 2010, but those three teams won just three combined games that year. This year’s feat is already more impressive, and so are the Longhorns.
21. (22) Zephyrhills (3-0)
Last week: Beat Mitchell 45-14
This week: vs. South Sumter
Lowdown: The Bulldogs can beat South Sumter in the their district opener, but another six opponent turnovers would certainly help the cause.
22. (19) Land O’Lakes (2-1)
Last week: Beat Ridgewood 29-19
This week: vs. Mitchell
Lowdown: The Gators are 6-1 in games quarterback James Pensyl throws for more than 250 yards, but the Mustangs don’t allow that to happen much. In fact, they haven’t at all the last two seasons with one exception — last year’s game against the Gators.
23. (15) Jesuit (2-1)
Last week: Lost 41-27 to CCC
This week: at Largo
Lowdown: Just throwing this out there: If Ray Ray McCloud III sets the Hillsborough County career rushing record, there’s a good possibility Malik Davis will make sure it doesn’t stand very long.
24. (23) Tarpon Springs (2-0)
Last week: Beat Tampa Catholic 35-14
This week: vs. Dunedin
Lowdown: The Spongers have won five straight regular-season games dating to last season. If the Spongers win this week, they’ll be 4-0, setting up a possible matchup of undefeated teams the following week against rival East Lake.
25. (20) Pasco (2-1)
Last week: Beat Wesley Chapel 37-13
This week: Bye
Lowdown: The Pirates have been giving up points to teams they usually don’t, so the bye week may be coming at a perfect time with district games against Nature Coast and South Sumter up next.
Also considered: Calvary Christian, Cambridge Christian, River Ridge, Springstead