Big Bend Football Power Rankings: A top 5 shake up, new entrant highlight Week 3 rankings
Big Bend football season is in full swing.
With Week 2 games giving us nail-biting finishes, shoutout wins and impressive road victories, the identities of Big Bend teams are beginning to show. As we enter Week 3, there is plenty of movement in the Big Bend power rankings.
With a new entrant flying up the charts and a shake-up in the top 5, it's time to see who ranks where.
Week one and two Power Rankings: A shake up at the top, new entrant highlight week one rankings
Due to Hurricane Idalia, rankings from week one ran for two weeks. Week three rankings will run through Sep.13. Rankings will be updated weekly throughout the regular season, coming out every Wednesday.
1. Wakulla (2-0)
Last Ranking: 1
The War Eagles remain at the top spot of the rankings following a 2-0 start to the season. A 21-17 victory over Chiles in week one and a 41-0 win over Balboa (California) has Wakulla off to a hot start as they prepare to welcome Munroe to Crawfordville for week three.
Wakulla is averaging 288.5 passing yards per game, with quarterback Haden Klees throwing for eight touchdowns and 494 yards in two games. Three receivers have caught multiple touchdowns from Klees, with Samron Brinson, Nehemiah Chandler and Delvon Zanders all hauling in two touchdowns each, leading a high-powered War Eagles offense.
2. Lincoln (1-0)
Last Ranking: 2
The Trojans had a bye week to open the season, but a 21-7 win over Pace in week two means the team on Trojan Trail remains in the second spot. A Thursday trip to Niceville will be a huge early season test for the Trojans in week three.
The Lincoln offense has the talent to put up points on the board with ease, but the standout when looking at the Trojans remains the defense. Two interceptions and a forced fumble in the season opener against Pace, the Trojans recorded 63 tackles, with Samarian Robison, RJ Perryman, Keshun Pollock and Nic Sobeski leading the team in tackles.
3. Gadsden County (1-1)
Last Ranking: 5
The Jaguars are the first team to make a major leap in the power rankings, entering the top three after two weeks. Despite holding a 17-3 lead at halftime over Georgia powerhouse Lowndes in week one, Gadsden County lost 30-17, but a bounce-back 24-7 win over Rickards has the Jaguars in the win column before they host Bay in week three.
Senior Ostin Perkins has led the way on the ground game, rushing for 109 yards per game and adding two touchdowns, the Jaguars have shown a desire to run the football early on. On defense, Gadsden County's defensive line has caused havoc for opponents. Josaiah Knight and Jeramiah McCloud stoodout on the edge for the Jaguars, with the two combing for nine tackles, a fumble and four tackles for a loss.
4. Florida High (0-1)
Last Ranking: 3
The Seminoles take a one-spot drop after a wild week two game with Ponte Vedra, with the Sharks winning 23-22. Florida High's season opener against Trinity Catholic was postponed due to a COVID outbreak in the Celtics program, it's been a crazy start to the year for Florida High as they hit the road to play Lecanto in week three.
In the game against Ponte Vedra, senior running back Micahi Danzy scored two touchdowns, rushing for 90 yards and posting 107 receiving yards in an impressive all-around display. Quarterback Jeremy Johnston threw for 248 yards and touchdowns for the Seminoles.
5. Chiles (1-1)
Last Ranking: 9
The Timberwolves are big movers in the power rankings, jumping up four spots into the top five. A week one 21-17 loss to Wakulla was followed by a 31-0 shutout of Fletcher as Chiles enter a bye week with a ton of momentum.
Chiles has spread its rushing attack throughout the offense, with four different players recording rushing touchdowns in two games. Ronnell Moses Jr, TJ Jacobs, LeShawn Douglas and BB Potter all have scored rushing touchdowns, and Jacobs has also thrown for 284 yards and a touchdown to open the season.
6. Leon (2-0)
Last Ranking: Unranked
The Lions fly into the top ten after a 2-0 start to the regular season. A 31-23 win over North Florida Christian and a 21-0 victory over Gainsville has Leon off to its best start to a season in years. The Lions have a chance to go 3-0 for the first time in decades in week three with a game against FAMU DRS.
In two games, senior DJ Hepburn and Isaiah Bighem have been standouts for Leon. Hepburn has totaled three touchdowns, rushing for two with 86 yards and one touchdown with 100 receiving yards. Bighem has collected 124 yards and a touchdown for the Lions to open the season.
7. Godby (1-0)
Last Ranking: 10
The Cougars bump up three spots after a 28-6 week one win over Fort Walton Beach. A postponement to Godby's game with Madison County in week two due to Hurricane Idalia means the Cougars return to the field against Cairo in week three.
The win for the Cougars was the program's first week-one victory since 2020 and a win over Cairo would be the first 2-0 start for Godby since 2020. A pick-six in the season opener for Amari Jones and a 154-yard and one-touchdown rushing performance from Demyric Bently highlighted the Cougars week one win.
8. Rickards (1-1)
Last Ranking: 6
The Raiders drop two spots following a week one 24-23 win over Crestview and a 24-7 loss to Gadsden County in week two. Rickards travels to Navarre in week three looking to get a bounce-back victory.
Rickards have started the season with a balanced offense, with quarterback Benjamin Henry throwing for one touchdown and over 200 yards and running back Kemarrion Battles rushing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders.
9. Madison County (0-0)
Last Ranking: 7
Madison County started the year with two cancelations, a lighting cancelation against Carrollwood Day in week one and Hurricane Idalia forcing week two's game against Godby to be called off. Despite that, the Cowboys showed promise in the preseason against Wakulla, falling 35-28.
As Madison County continues recovery following Idalia, Cowboys head coach Price Harris announced that Madison County will play Fitzgerald for its scheduled week three matchup on Friday.
10. North Florida Christian (0-2)
Last Ranking: 4
It has not been the start to the season that NFC wanted, dropping to 10 in the power rankings following loses to Leon 31-23 and 49-23 against University Christian. The Eagles have a chance to get back on track in week three with a matchup against Jefferson County.
In two games, Leon Washington Jr has scored a touchdown and posted 126 receiving yards and Major Hart II has posted 32 yards and a touchdown for NFC. JP Pickles has thrown for 267 yards and two touchdowns to start his senior campaign.
Big Bend Football Schedule
Thursday: Lincoln at Niceville 7 p.m.
Friday: Madison County at Fitzgerald 4:30 p.m.; True North Classical Academy at Maclay 7 p.m.; Munroe at Wakulla 7 p.m.; Trinity Christian Academy at Aucilla Christian 7 p.m.; NFC at Jefferson County 7 p.m.; Hollis Christian Academy at JPII 7 p.m.; Leon at FAMU DRS 7 p.m.; Bay at Gadsden County 7 p.m.; Florida High at Lecanto 7:30 p.m.; Rickards at Navarre 7:30 p.m.; Cairo at Godby 7:30 p.m.
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Week 3 Tallahassee, Big Bend area high school football power rankings
