Power Rankings: As the football playoffs approach, who is in the top 10 in the Big Bend
The Big Bend football season is nearing its end, with just two weeks of action left for area programs to gain momentum before the postseason.
Heading into week 10, some teams are playing season finale games and others are making late pushes for the postseason as there is another week packed with big games. In week nine Lincoln shutout Arnold, Aucilla Christian and Wakulla remained perfect and Madison County picked up another win.
With a handful of Big Bend programs facing each other in week 10, there are bragging rights and playoff implications at stake for area programs. Chiles hosts Lincoln, Gadsden County and Godby face-off and Munroe plays North Florida Christain.
As we enter one of the final weeks of the Big Bend football season, lets take a look at the week 10 power rankings!
Week 10 rankings will run through Nov. 1. Rankings will be updated weekly throughout the regular season, coming out every Wednesday on the Tallahassee Democrat.
Week 9: Big Bend Football Power Rankings: Shakeup in the rankings as playoffs come into view
1. Lincoln (7-1)
Last Ranking: 1
The Trojans remain top of the power rankings for a fourth straight week, shutting out Arnold 63-0 en route to a 3S District 2 title in week nine. With two games remaining for the Trojans, week 10 is a date with Chiles, who have won three straight games.
Lincoln have been red-hot since the loss to Colquitt County, scoring 141 points and allowing only one touchdown in three games, with Rickards being the only team to score. Scoring 16 rushing touchdowns in three games, the trio of runningbacks Jashawn Washington, Jaden Walden and Christian Deuce Lawrence joined by quarterback Christian Sims have posted a collective 824 yards in three games.
2. Wakulla (9-0)
Last Ranking: 2
The War Eagles picked up a big win over North Florida Christian in week 10, beating the Eagles 42-21. Heading into the team's last game of the season against Suwannee in week 10, Wakulla is one game away from finishing the regular season undefeated ahead of the playoffs.
Wakulla's offense is versatile and can attack opponents in different ways, with one of the most consistent being the running game. Jeremiah Thomas, Haden Klees and Sion Ransom have led the War Eagle running game, with Thomas posting 563 yards rushing alongside his 381 receiving yards, making him one of the most dynamic threats on a loaded offense.
3. Madison County (5-1)
Last Ranking: 3
The Cowboys keep on winning, this time beating Oakleaf 29-16 in week nine. Hitting the road in week 10 for a matchup with Chiefland, Madison County is looking to win its fourth straight game before its final game of the season against Rickards.
It has been a remarkable season for junior Jason McDaniel, who leads the team with 816 rushing yards and 48 total tackles, making him one of the most impactful players in the Big Bend on both sides of the football. It has been all about the ground game for the Cowboys, who have posted 1766 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns in six games this season.
4. Florida High (6-2)
Last Ranking: 5
The Seminoles are back on track, beating Rickards 43-13 in week nine, a second straight win after the loss to Carrollwood Day. Heading into a district matchup with Marianna in week 10, Florida High can go undefeated in district play before its season finale against Lincoln in week 11.
Ashton Hampton has been one of the most impactful players for Florida High on both sides of play, posting 613 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and posting 38 tackles and two interceptions this season. Quarterback Jeremy Johnston has thrown for 1749 yards and 20 touchdowns to lead a high-scoring Seminoles offense looking to get back to the state title game.
5. North Florida Christian (5-3)
Last Ranking: 4
The Eagles slip one spot after a 42-21 loss to Wakulla in week nine, with a district matchup with Munroe awaiting NFC in week 10. The matchup with the Bobcats will be NFC's final game of the season, as it hopes to enter the state playoffs with momentum for a chase of a state championship.
The dynamic play of Leon Washington Jr. and JP Pickles has been crucial in the success of the Eagles this season. Pickles has thrown for 1402 yards and 17 touchdowns alongside 703 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for the quarterback. Washington has been the top target, posting 742 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
6. Chiles (5-3)
Last Ranking: 6
The Timberwolves picked up a third straight victory in week nine, shutting out Ambassadors Christian Academy 43-0 ahead of its week 10 matchup with Lincoln. A win over the Trojans would solidify Chiles chances to get into the playoffs.
Winning all five games with shutouts, the Chiles defense has been one of the Big Bend's best. Facing a high-powered Lincoln offense, the play of Cayman Pope, Chase Harllee and Bryson Floyd will be huge in the Timberwolves efforts to silence the Lincoln run game.
7. Aucilla Christian (8-0)
Last Ranking: 7
The Warriors keep the perfect season going with a 31-14 win over Bell in week nine, as the program is set to play its final game of the season in week 10, hosting undefeated Flint River Academy. The week 10 matchup is the biggest game of the season for the Warriors who look to finish the regular season undefeated.
Key in the play for Aucilla Christian is Landon LaRosa, who is the team's quarterback and one of the leading rushers. Throwing for at least one touchdown a game and rushing for over 200 yards, LaRosa has been a spark on offense alongside running back Josh Agner for the undefeated Warriors.
8. Gadsden County (4-4)
Last Ranking: 9
Despite losing to Walton in week nine, Gadsden County moves up a spot after taking the 12th-ranked team in the state to double overtime and losing by one point to the Braves. Heading into a district matchup with Godby in week 10, the Jaguars are looking to get above .500.
Freshman quarterback Landon Dougherty continues to grow in his role for the Jaguars, looking more comfortable each week that goes on. Seniors Ostin Perkins and Joasiah Knight have been big-time contributions for Gadsden County, with Perkins leading the team in rushing yards and Knight being one of the top defensive threats.
9. Leon (5-3)
Last Ranking: 8
It has been a long three weeks for Leon, dropping it's third straight game after a 5-0 start, losing to Niceville 62-7 in a district matchup. Facing another district opponent in week 10, hosting Crestview, Leon will look to get back on track and keep itself in play for a playoff spot.
Key for the Lions is the play of DJ Hepburn, who is one of the top receiving targets for quarterback Kemp Peoples and the top runner for the Lions with over three hundred yards in both categories, totaling nearly 700 yards this season. Hepburn will be a crucial factor in a late season turnaround for the Lions.
10. Godby (3-4)
Last Ranking: 10
The Cougars last played in week eight, losing to Florida High 35-7, and in week 10 Godby has a chance to get to .500, hosting Gadsden County in a district matchup and possibly getting its name in the playoff conversation before the final game of the season against Milton.
Sophomore wide receiver Tylan Vickers has been a standout for the Cougars, posting nearly 400 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. Vickers has connected well with fellow sophomore quarterback Lazarus Chambers, who continues to make his mark for a Godby team that has a seriously talented duo for the future of the program.
This weeks Big Bend football schedule
Thursday: St. John Paul II vs. FAMU DRS 7 p.m.; Leon vs. Crestview 7 p.m.
Friday: Munroe vs. NFC 7 p.m.; Taylor County vs. Chipley 7 p.m.; Marianna vs. Florida High 7 p.m.; Arnold vs. Rickards 7 p.m.; Maclay vs. Rocky Bayou Christian 7 p.m.; Flint River Academy vs. Aucilla Christain 7 p.m.; Lincoln vs. Chiles 7 p.m.; Jefferson County vs. Lafayette 7:30 p.m.; Wakulla vs. Suwanne 7:30 p.m.; Gadsden County vs. Godby 7:30 p.m.; Madison County vs. Chiefland 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: Big Bend football rankings as week 10 of the football is here
