Here are FloridaHSFootball.com’s Class 8A Rankings after Week 4. Ranking, team name, record and previous rank included for each team.
Below the Top 10 are the regional rankings for Class 8A, showing you how teams are ranked in each of the four designated FHSAA regions.
Class 8A Top 10
1. Apopka, 4-0, 2
Week 4: Defeated Dr. Phillips, 22-20
This Week: at University (Orlando)
Comment: The Blue Darters caught a lucky break last week, escaping with a victory out of “The Spoone” last week against a tough Dr. Phillips team. Look for Blue Darters to continue the winning streak this week.
2. Columbus, 4-0, 5
Week 4: Defeated Miami High, 26-0
This Week: vs. Belen Jesuit at FIU Stadium
Comment: Shutout district rival Miami High at home and this team is starting to take on the mold of a state championship caliber team that is now the front-runner in 8A south after Flanagan’s defeat last week. Will get ready this week for the showdown with rival Belen Jesuit.
3. Osceola (Kissimmee), 4-0, 3
Week 4: Defeated Winter Haven, 27-18
This Week: vs. Heritage (Palm Bay)
Comment: The Kowboys went into Polk County and made a statement no matter how tough the opponent is, they are likely going to win. This was the case here against Winter Haven. This week they will have contain a triple-headed threat of a rushing attack from Palm Bay Heritage.
4. Atlantic (Delray), 3-0, 7
Week 4: Defeated Glades Central, 26-7
This Week: vs. Park Vista
Comment: Atlantic made the most of the bye week in Week 3 and easily defeated Glades Central at home. This week, the district schedule start for the Eagles and should have it easy with Park Vista coming to visit.
5. Vero Beach, 3-0, 6
Week 4: Defeated Port St. Lucie, 51-0
This Week: vs. Palm Beach Lakes
Comment: The Indians made easy work of Port St. Lucie last week, shutting out the Jaguars after having a Week 3 game go awash. Look for Vero Beach to roll again this week as they host Palm Beach Lakes.
6. Mandarin, 4-0, 10
Week 4: Defeated DeLand, 31-20
This Week: at Creekside
Comment: Another week, another win for Mandarin, a team that is continuing to show that it has fully turned the corner and is in control of their playoff fate now. Should easily each 5-0 this week when they go visit Creekside.
7. Fort Pierce Central, 3-0, 9
Week 4: Idle
This Week: at Wellington
Comment: The Cobras enjoyed last week off, the first of two bye weeks they have this season. They will get ready to face off against a good Wellington team this week.
8. West Orange, 3–1, 4
Week 4: Lost to Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), 42-14
This Week: at Jones
Comment: The Warriors couldn’t keep things close with Trinity Christian last week after defeating Dr. Phillips the week before. However, we won’t knock West Orange out of the rankings for it, but will have to earn to it to work their way back up.
9. Flanagan, 2-1, 1
Week 4: Lost to South Plantation, 13-12
This Week: at Western
Comment: Bad week for the Falcons as they missed an extra point and couldn’t convert a field goal which resulted in the one point loss last week, but the loss still highly inexcusable for a talented team as such. Now with one loss in the district, Flanagan will have to win out to work their way back to the top.
10. South Dade, 3-0, NR
Week 4: Defeated Miami Palmetto, 42-0
This Week: vs. Miami Northwestern at Harris Field
Comment: The Buccaneers came out and put the brakes on a Miami Palmetto team that had gotten off to a quick 3-0 start beforehand. Now the Buccaneers reenter the rankings and look to work their way towards the top in Miami-Dade County.
Dropped Out: No. 8 Dr. Phillips
Regional Rankings
Region I
1. Apopka, 4-0, 1
2. Mandarin, 4-0, 3
3. West Orange, 3-1, 2
4. Sandalwood, 4-0, 4
5. Lake Brantley, 4-0, 6
6. University (Orange City), 4-0, 5
Region II
1. Osceola (Kissimmee), 4-0, 1
2. Vero Beach, 3-0, 2
3. Fort Pierce Central, 3-0, 4
4. Oak Ridge, 4-0, 5
5. Dr. Phillips, 2-2, 3
6. Steinbrenner, 4-0, 6
Region III
1. Atlantic (Delray), 3-0, 2
2. Flanagan, 2-1, 1
3. Deerfield Beach, 3-0, 3
4. Plantation, 3-1, 4
5. South Plantation, 3-1, NR
6. Boca Raton, 3-0, 5
Region IV
1. Columbus, 4-0, 1
2. South Dade, 3-0, 2
3. Southwest Miami, 4-0, 6
4. Coral Gables, 3-0, 4
5. Miami Southridge, 2-2, 3
6. Miami Palmetto, 3-1, 5