GAINESVILLE, Fla. – With No. 1 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) and No. 17 St. Augustine being the only two teams off in Week 8 that are inside the Florida Top 25, the majority of the Florida Top 25 teams won their games while No. 4 Miami Norland pulled off a big upset over defending Class 2M State Champion Miami Central to remain undefeated on the season.
Here is a recap of how the Florida Top 25 team faired in Week 8:
1. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (1M), 7-0
The Lions were off in Week 8 as they took a much needed rest after a tough schedule that encompassed the first seven weeks of the season.
2. IMG Academy National (Bradenton) (IND), 6-0
The Ascenders easily took care of business against Pine Forest (Pensacola) with a 55-14 runaway to mark their second consecutive victory over in-state opponents this season.
3. Miami Central (2M), 3-3
The Rockets were up 20-0 at half time against No. 3 Miami Norland, but let the lead slip away in the second half that resulted in the gamer going to overtime coming out on the losing side of things with a 29-26. Rockets add a third loss to the column this season with other losses coming to nationally ranked opponents in Bishop Gorman and Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood).
4. Miami Norland (2M), 7-0
You already know part of the story up above as Miami Norland took down No. 3 Miami Central, 29-26 in overtime. Quarterback Ennio Yapoor went 18-of-28 passing for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns while Juan Rodriguez led the team in receiving yards. Defensively the Vikings collected six sacks and has two interceptions including Anthony Mattison’s 90 yards return for a touchdown that provided the spark to the win. The win over the Rockets gives Miami Norland two signature victories this season over defending state champions with the first coming in Week 1 against Class 4S defending state champion Lakeland.
5. American Heritage (Plantation) (2M), 5-1
The Patriots took care of business to take control in District 2M-12 with a 63-16 victory over Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale). Quarterback Dia Bell went 13-of-18 passing for 264 yards and three touchdowns in leading the offensive attack for the Patriots. Defensive end Jackson Klein lead the team in tackles with 6.
6. Cocoa (2S), 6-1
FINAL: COCOA 28 TITUSVILLE 3 #TigerPride #Zone6 #B2B #Flhsfb pic.twitter.com/C8GPEFZ0xX
— Cocoa Football (@CocoaFootball) October 14, 2023
The Tigers went on the road to visit undefeated Titusville and took care of business, limiting the host Terriers to a field goal in a 28-3 victory. Quarterback Brady Hart went 14-of-29 passing for 226 yards and three touchdowns while Latrison Lane rushed for 141 yards on 17 carries and a touchdowns in leading the Tigers to victory. Defensively Dai’veon Parham led the team with 13 total tackles including five tackles for loss along with a sack, while Javion Hilson had two sacks on the night for the Tigers.
7. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (3M), 7-1
https://twitter.com/STA_Football/status/1712998865698267138
In a 42-0 blowout victory over visiting Fort Lauderdale in district action, the Raiders saw two quarterbacks throw for multiple touchdowns with Andrew Indorf throwing for three touchdowns while being 80% perfect on passing, while freshman Derrick Backer tossed two touchdowns in the victory. Defensively the Raiders racked up a whopping 16 sacks on the Flying L’s with outside linebackers Nicholas Rodriguez and Kedrick Burley each getting three sacks on the night. Both Rodriguez and Burley also finished with three total tackles and three tackles for loss in the game.
8. Mainland (Daytona Beach) (3S), 7-0
The Buccaneers are showing some of their strongest efforts yet on the field, easily putting away Deltona in a 65-0 blowout victory to remain undefeated on the season in a quest to return to the Class 3S State Championship.
9. Edgewater (Orlando) (3M), 8-0
https://twitter.com/EdgewaterFB/status/1713024932270002493
The Eagles pitched their second shutout of the season with a 46-0 victory over Ocoee to remain undefeated on the year, moving closer toward clinching another district championship.
10. Armwood (Seffner) (3M), 6-1
Big 60-0 win but more importantly this month is about Cancer awareness. You see many kids wear the different colors but do they know why. Well we shared w/ our kids the reason and the kids also donated to the cause! Proud coach! #armwoodfootball #supportthecause pic.twitter.com/DNBoBWLIjW
— Coach_Davis (@Coach_EDavis) October 14, 2023
There were no issues in Week 8 for the Hawks as they easily took care of business with a 60-0 thumping on Freedom (Tampa) to get win No. 6 on the season that will setup a district championship matchup against Tampa Bay Tech in Week 10.
11. Lakeland (4S), 6-2
There were no issues for the Dreadnaughts against a very much untested George Jenkins (Lakeland) team at home with a 59-0 gashing victory. Quarterback Zander Smith had himself a night going 13-of-16 passing for 269 yards and three touchdowns while the offense had three rushing touchdowns as well to get win No. 6 on the year.
12. Lake Mary (4M), 7-0
— Lake Mary Football (@LMRamsFootball) October 14, 2023
The dominance of the Rams continues as they remain undefeated on the season with a 36-6 victory over Evans (Orlando) to take control in District 4M-2 action. Quarterback Noah Grubbs crossed the 2,000 yard mark this season going 13-of-23 passing for 304 yards and five touchdowns while finding wide receiver Carson Hinshaw for three of those five touchdown passes. Hinshaw finished the night with seven catches for 123 yards. Defensively, outside linebacker Luke Prieto led the team with seven total tackles.
13. Homestead (3M), 5-1
Played the Ridge & came out on TOP pic.twitter.com/8GBooyxQiJ
— @HSHBroncoFootball (@HSHBroncos) October 14, 2023
Unlike last year’s result in this game, the Broncos totally dished it out on Miami Southridge to take control of District 3M-16 with a 45-14 bruising victory over the Spartans. Quarterback Joshua Townsend went 7-of-12 passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the victory for the Broncos.
14. Columbus (Miami) (4M), 7-1
And that’s the game! Explorers take the win with a final score of 44-7!#adelante #cpride @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/8Zb4zCi7p5
— CCNN Live (@CCNNLive) October 14, 2023
Bouncing back from their loss last week to Homestead, the Explorers took care of business in an important district contest against Doral Academy, beating the Firebirds, 44-7. The Explorers used a rotation of quarterbacks to Alberto Mendoza was out for the game to help get the victory.
15. Miami Palmetto (4M), 6-1
The Panthers did not get an easy one over a much-improved South Dade (Homestead) team with 42-34 victory. Quarterback Lucas Goenaga went 18-of-24 passing for 295 yards and three touchdowns while wide receiver Fadrelle Andrus was the top target of the night with seven catches for 110 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
16. Seminole (Sanford) (4M), 6-2
https://twitter.com/DEvans345/status/1713016417405018544
In the Battle of the Bridge rivalry between the Fighting Seminoles and visiting DeLand, it was Seminole that got away with a 49-42 barn-burner victory to get win No. 6 on the season. Seminole got a great night in running back Treyvin Clark who rushed for 201 yards on 10 carries, scoring three touchdowns in the process. Safety Cori Smith led the defense in tackles with 13 in the game.
17. St. Augustine (3S), 6-0
The Yellow Jackets had the night off as they get ready to close out district play over the next two weeks in hopes of capturing the District 3S-4 championship.
18. Buchholz (Gainesville) (4S), 7-0
Under first-year head coach and alum, Chuck Bell, the Bobcats remain undefeated as they took control of District 4S-3 with a convincing 38-3 victory over Oakleaf (Orange Park).
19. Lake Wales (3S), 7-0
Final Score
LWFB 41
Gateway 0 pic.twitter.com/iRC6kGxauG— Lake Wales Football (@lwhs_f) October 14, 2023
The defending Class 3S state champions remain undefeated after thrashing Gateway (Kissimmee) at home with a 41-0 victory. While the offense was given short fields to work with that led to multiple touchdowns, the player of the game was Dontavius Purdy who had nine tackles including four for a loss along with a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the victory for the Highlanders.
20. Vero Beach (4S), 6-1
The Indians had no issues taking care of business at home against Centennial (Port St. Lucie) with a sounding 44-0 victory. Quarterback Tyler Aronson was 14-of-17 passing for 183 yards and four touchdowns. Defensive lineman Matthew Bacon had himself a game defensively with two sacks, three tackles and two tackles for loss along with two quarterback hurries.
21. Bradford (Starke) (2S), 7-0
In a business road trip for an early afternoon game against True North (Miami) on Friday, the Tornadoes showed they can stand tall playing even in the toughest environment with a 24-13 victory over the Titans to remain undefeated on the season.
22. Clearwater Central Catholic (1M), 8-0
We have been informed by Cambridge Christian that they are forfeiting tonight's game with @CCCMaraudersFB. So, no game tonight. Marauders move to 8-0. Good health and luck to Cambridge Christian in the future.
— Marauder Athletics (@CCCMarauders) October 13, 2023
The Marauders never saw the field Friday as Cambridge Christian (Tampa) forfeited to the Marauders. The forfeit victory along with Seffner Christian’s loss to Carrollwood Day (Tampa) gave Clearwater Central Catholic the District 1M-3 championship and a ticket to playoffs.
23. Palm Beach Central (Wellington) (4M), 7-0
After a near scare a week ago, the Broncos bounced back with thrashing Forest Hill (West Palm Beach) with a 48-12 thumping over the Falcons, Quarterback Caleb Butler went 18-of-35 passing for 237 yards and five touchdowns in leading the offensive charge. Defensively, David Harmon had a team-leading 10 tackles, while overall the defense collectively had four sacks.
24. Tampa Bay Tech (3M), 8-0
The Titans got the biggest scare of the season, escaping with a 23-20 victory over Wharton (Tampa) to setup a district championship showdown with Armwood (Seffner) in less than two weeks. Quarterback Xzavier Jackson struggled in the game with just a 45% pass completion rate while running back Rod Gainey Jr. rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown. Free safety Johnnie Tyson had a huge game with 11 tackles along with an interception and recovering a fumble in the win.
25. Venice (4S), 5-2
With a 44-14 win over Sarasota…your Venice Indians are 2023 4S District 14 Champions!! #DistrictChamps #ItsJustDifferentHere pic.twitter.com/B6C0Q4TfZN
— VeniceIndianFootball (@VeniceIndianFB) October 14, 2023
The slow start of the season is way behind the Indians as they dominated Sarasota in a 44-14 victory to capture the District 4S-14 championship and a ticket to the playoffs. Running back Alvin Johnson III rushed for 105 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns while middle linebacker Eli Seed had a team-leading 10 tackles with three tackles for loss, and a quarterback hurry in the victory.
