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USA Today Florida Network High School Week 6 poll: Lakeland, Cardinal Mooney new No. 1's

jon santucci, lakeland ledger
·8 min read

Another week and another change atop the Class 4S and Class 1S rankings.

Lakeland is back at No. 1 in Class 4S and Cardinal Mooney claims the top spot in Class 1S in the latest USA Today Florida Network High School Football poll.

Lakeland reclaims the top spot after a two-week absence. The Dreadnaughts win over Winter Haven coupled with Treasure Coast's loss at St. Thomas Aquinas allowed Lakeland to pick up seven of 13 possible first-place votes. Undefeated Buchholz beat Vanguard 30-10 in Week 5 and picked up six first-place votes.

Cardinal Mooney routed Space Coast 60-0 and vaulted to the top spot after losses by last week's top two teams in Class 1S (Trinity Catholic and First Baptist Academy). Mooney picked up 10 first-place votes, Trinity received two and FBA received one.

Columbus (Class 4M), St. Thomas Aquinas (3M), Chaminade-Madonna (1M) and Mainland (3S) were unanimous first-place selections.

Recent coverage: Chaminade holds off Miami Central in thriller

Class 4M

Santaluces #3 Elijah Rodriguez runs for yards before being tackled by Pahokee # 10 Zion Booth during the game held at Santaluces High School.
Santaluces #3 Elijah Rodriguez runs for yards before being tackled by Pahokee # 10 Zion Booth during the game held at Santaluces High School.

1. Christopher Columbus (Miami) 5-0 (13 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat Northwestern (Miami) 24-7

2. Seminole (Sanford) 4-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Vero Beach 45-20

3. Palmetto (Miami) 3-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Open

4. Winter Park 4-0

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Beat Evans (Orlando) 28-13

5. Lake Mary 4-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Spruce Creek (Port Orange) 42-7

6. Mandarin (Jacksonville) 4-1

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Lost to Creekside (St. Johns) 23-22

7. Monarch (Coconut Creek) 4-1

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Stoneman Douglas (Parkland) 26-7

8. Apopka 3-1

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Lost to Edgewater (Orlando) 27-0

9. Palm Beach Central (Wellington) 4-0

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat Park Vista (Lake Worth) 37-7

10 Western (Davie) 2-2

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Beat Taravella (Coral Springs) 51-0

ARV: Sumner (Riverview), Olympia (Orlando), Ocoee, Dr. Phillips (Orlando), Santaluces (Lantana)

Class 3M

Atlantic’s Jayden Parrish runs the ball during the first half of play in the Eagles’ regular season game against Boca Raton (Sept. 14, 2023).
Atlantic’s Jayden Parrish runs the ball during the first half of play in the Eagles’ regular season game against Boca Raton (Sept. 14, 2023).

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 4-1 (13 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) 42-6

2. Edgewater (Orlando) 5-0

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat Apopka 27-0

3. Homestead 3-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Open

4. Tampa Bay Tech 5-0

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat Gaither (Tampa) 39-30

5. Coconut Creek 4-1

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Beat Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach) 26-7

6. Armwood (Seffner) 3-1

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Lost to Jesuit (Tampa) 28-21

7. Jones (Orlando) 2-3

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat West Orange (Apopka) 44-14

8. Atlantic (Delray Beach) 4-1

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Lost to Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach) 14-7 (OT)

9. Jesuit (Tampa) 2-2

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Armwood (Seffner) 28-21

10. Southridge (Miami) 4-1

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Beat Doral Academy 40-0

ARV:  Largo, Plantation, South Broward (Hollywood), Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach), Wekiva (Apopka)

Class 2M

Bishop Kenny quarterback James Resar (9) scrambles against Tocoi Creek during a high school football game on September 8, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]
Bishop Kenny quarterback James Resar (9) scrambles against Tocoi Creek during a high school football game on September 8, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

1. Central (Miami) 1-2 (11 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna 31-28

2. Norland (Miami) 4-0 (2 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat American (Hialeah) 57-12

3. Booker T. Washington (Miami) 2-1

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat LaSalle (Miami) 42-0

4. American Heritage (Plantation) 2-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Open

5. Berkeley Prep (Tampa) 3-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat Tampa Catholic 35-7

6. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 3-1

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Open

7. Bolles (Jacksonville) 2-3

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Oakleaf (Orange Park) 44-28

8. Raines (Jacksonville) 3-1

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 27-26

9. Riverside (Jacksonville) 4-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Ed White (Jacksonville) 32-20

10. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) 3-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat West Nassau (Callahan) 51-14

ARV:  Edison (Miami), Bishop Moore (Orlando), Tampa Catholic, Calvary Christian (Clearwater), Northwestern (Miami)

Class 1M

Cardinal Newman defeated Massachusetts state champion Catholic Memorial, 35-2, in Week 4 to hand the Knights their first loss since 2019.
Cardinal Newman defeated Massachusetts state champion Catholic Memorial, 35-2, in Week 4 to hand the Knights their first loss since 2019.

1. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 5-0 (13 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat American Heritage (Plantation) 28-16

2. Clearwater Central Catholic 5-0

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Sebring 38-20

3. Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach) 4-0

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Atlantic (Delray Beach) 14-17 (OT)

4. Carrollwood Day (Tampa) 3-0

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Open

5. Benjamin (North Palm Beach) 4-0

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat Jensen Beach 24-0

ARV: Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), True North Classical (Miami), University Christian (Jacksonville), Orlando Christian Prep, Providence (Jacksonville)

Class 4S

Lakeland's Malik Morris rushes for a 6-yard touchdown run against Winter Haven late in the second quarter on Friday night at Denison Stadium.
Lakeland's Malik Morris rushes for a 6-yard touchdown run against Winter Haven late in the second quarter on Friday night at Denison Stadium.

1. Lakeland 3-2 (7 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat Winter Haven 28-12

2. Buchholz (Gainesville) 5-0 (6 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Vanguard (Ocala) 30-10

3. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) 4-1

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Lost to St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 42-6

4. Venice 2-2

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat River Ridge (New Port Ritchey) 54-0

5. Vero Beach 3-1

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Lost to Seminole (Sanford) 45-20

6. Manatee (Bradenton) 5-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Port Charlotte 31-24

7. Niceville 4-1

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat Choctawhatchee 42-21

8. DeLand 3-1

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 50-3

9. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 2-2

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Lost to St. Augustine 34-31

10. Ponte Vedra 3-1

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Beat Menendez (St. Augustine) 32-12

ARV:  Pace, Riverview (Sarasota), University (Orange City), Creekside (St. Johns), Bartow

Class 3S

Golden Gate's Trayvon Jean pushes his way into the end zone to score. Action in the game between Naples and Golden Gate, Friday, September 16th, 2022.
Golden Gate's Trayvon Jean pushes his way into the end zone to score. Action in the game between Naples and Golden Gate, Friday, September 16th, 2022.

1. Mainland (Daytona Beach) 5-0 (13 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat Lake Minneola 31-28

2. St. Augustine 4-0

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 34-31

3. Lake Wales 4-0

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Open

4. Lincoln (Tallahassee) 4-0

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Beat Munroe (Quincy) 42-0

5. Escambia (Pensacola) 4-1

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Milton 37-0

6. Vanguard (Ocala) 4-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Lost to Buchholz (Gainesville) 30-10

7. Eau Gallie (Melbourne) 4-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Lost to Cocoa 28-7

8. Golden Gate (Naples) 4-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Gulf Coast (Naples) 35-7

9. Zephyrhills 4-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Gulf (New Port Ritchey) 35-13

10. Choctawhatchee 3-2

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Lost to Niceville 42-21

ARV: Naples, Port Charlotte, Dunbar (Fort Myers), Rockledge, Pine Forest (Pensacola)

Class 2S

The September 22 Eau Gallie Commodores at the Cocoa Tigers football game. Cocoa won, 28 to 7.
The September 22 Eau Gallie Commodores at the Cocoa Tigers football game. Cocoa won, 28 to 7.

1. Cocoa 3-1 (10 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat Eau Gallie (Melbourne) 28-7

2. Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) 5-0 (3 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Sarasota 42-14

3. Bradford (Starke) 4-0

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Open

4. Florida High (Tallahassee) 3-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Madison County 35-23

5. Wakulla (Crawfordville) 4-0

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Beat Mosley (Lynn Haven) 45-21

6. Pensacola Catholic 3-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Lost to Prince Avenue Christian (Georgia) 56-20

7. Suwannee (Live Oak) 4-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat North Marion (Citra) 32-6

8. South Sumter (Bushnell) 4-1

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Mitchell (New Port Ritchey) 41-36

9. Walton (DeFuniak Springs) 4-0

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach) 34-31

10. Titusville 5-0

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Beat Fleming Island (Orange Park) 35-29

ARV: Fort Meade, West Florida (Pensacola), Hudson, Marianna, Dunnellon

Class 1S

The Cardinal Mooney football team makes their entrance onto the field. The Cardinal Mooney Cougars hosted the Riverview Rams Thursday evening, Sept. 14, 2023.
The Cardinal Mooney football team makes their entrance onto the field. The Cardinal Mooney Cougars hosted the Riverview Rams Thursday evening, Sept. 14, 2023.

1. Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) 4-1 (10 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat Space Coast (Cocoa) 60-0

2. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 1-3 (2 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Lost to Raines (Jacksonville) 27-26

3. First Baptist Academy (Naples) 2-2 (1 first-place vote)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Lost to True North Classical (Miami) 21-8

4. Lakeland Christian 4-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Hardee 34-29

5. Community School (Naples) 4-0

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Northside Christian (St. Petersburg) 14-0

ARV: North Florida Christian (Tallahassee), Evangelical Christian (Fort Myers), Holy Trinity Episcopal (Melbourne), Moore Haven, Community School (Naples)

Class 1R

Hawthorne Hornets running back Keenon Johnson (9), Hawthorne Hornets defensive end Messiah Gent (31), Hawthorne Hornets strong safety Tremain Johnson (3) and Hawthorne Hornets quarterback Cj Ingram (7) wait to walk on the field before the game against the Newberry Panthers at Newberry High School in Newberry, FL on Friday, September 1, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

1. Hawthorne 5-0 (11 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) 50-2

2. Williston 5-0 (2 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Fort White 42-7

3. Newberry 4-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat Chiefland 34-0

4. Madison County 2-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Lost to Florida High (Tallahassee) 35-23

5. Pahokee 3-2

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Palm Beach Gardens 34-18

ARV: Union County (Lake Butler), Fort White, Holmes County (Bonifay), Chiefland, Lafayette (Mayo)

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: USA Today Florida High School poll: Lakeland, Mooney new No. 1's