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USA Today Florida Network High School Football poll: Trinity, Aquinas reclaim No. 1 spots

jon santucci, ocala star-banner
·7 min read

Trinity Catholic didn't get the result it wanted on Friday, but the Celtics are back on top of Class 1S.

Trinity received six of 11 possible votes and reclaimed the top spot in the Week 4 USA Today Florida Network High School football poll. The Celtics, which opened the season at No. 1 and were ranked No. 3 last week, took over the No. 1 spot from First Baptist Academy. The Lions received four first-place votes.

St. Thomas Aquinas reclaimed the No. 1 spot in Class 3M from Armwood after the Raiders beat Western on Thursday night. Aquinas received seven votes. Armwood, which did not play in Week 4, picked up four votes.

Columbus (Class 4M), Chaminade-Madonna (1M), Mainland (3S) and Hawthorne (1R) were unanimous No. 1 selections in their respective classes.

Class 4M

Xavier Albert (14) and a group of Palm Beach Central defenders tackle a Pahokee ball carrier in a game on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 in Pahokee.
Xavier Albert (14) and a group of Palm Beach Central defenders tackle a Pahokee ball carrier in a game on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 in Pahokee.

1. Christopher Columbus (Miami) 4-0 (11 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat Palmetto (Miami) 15-0

2. Mandarin (Jacksonville) 4-0

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville) 30-0

3. Apopka 3-0

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Open

4. Seminole (Sanford) 3-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat Evans (Orlando) 35-14

5. Palmetto (Miami) 3-1

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Lost to Christopher Columbus (Miami) 15-0

6. Winter Park 3-0

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Beat University (Orlando) 44-0

7. Lake Mary 4-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs) 35-2

8. Monarch (Coconut Creek) 3-1

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Piper (Sunrise) 32-6

9. Palm Beach Central (Wellington) 3-0

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Beat Pahokee 33-30 (OT)

10 Western (Davie) 1-2

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Lost to St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 48-22

ARV: Olympia (Orlando), Ocoee, Sumner (Riverview), Dr. Phillips (Orlando), Palm Beach Gardens

Class 3M

Shifty skills from Atlantic senior Da’Marion Alberic propelled the Eagles to a 15-0 preseason win against Palm Beach Central.
Shifty skills from Atlantic senior Da’Marion Alberic propelled the Eagles to a 15-0 preseason win against Palm Beach Central.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 3-1 (7 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Western (Davie) 48-22

2. Armwood (Seffner) 3-0 (4 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Open

3. Edgewater (Orlando) 4-0

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat Jones (Orlando) 31-14

4. Homestead 3-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Southwest (Miami) 55-0

5. Tampa Bay Tech 4-0

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat Bloomingdale (Valrico) 53-0

6. Coconut Creek 3-1

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat Plantation 36-6

7. Atlantic (Delray Beach) 4-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Boca Raton 44-14

8. Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach) 3-0

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Coral Springs 48-0

9. Jones (Orlando) 1-3

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Lost to Jones (Orlando) 31-14

10. Southridge (Miami) 3-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Belen Jesuit (Miami) 25-12

ARV:  Miramar, Wharton (Tampa), Jesuit (Tampa), Plantation, South Broward (Hollywood)

Class 2M

Bolles quarterback DJ Moore (1) leads teammates onto the field for a high school football game against Trinity Christian on September 15, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]
Bolles quarterback DJ Moore (1) leads teammates onto the field for a high school football game against Trinity Christian on September 15, 2023. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]

1. Central (Miami) 1-1 (8 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Open

2. Norland (Miami) 4-0 (3 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Monsignor Pace (Miami) 42-7

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

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat LaSalle (Miami) 42-0

4. American Heritage (Plantation) 2-1

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Lost to Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 28-16

5. Berkeley Prep (Tampa) 2-1

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Beat Booker (Sarasota) 28-8

6. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 3-1

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Northeast (St. Petersburg) 38-16

7. Edison (Miami) 3-0

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Northwestern (Miami) 17-7

8. Bolles (Jacksonville) 1-3

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 26-21

9. Raines (Jacksonville) 2-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Lost to Mainland 26-0

10. Tampa Catholic 2-1

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat Lehigh 52-19

ARV:  Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville), Ed White (Jacksonville), Northwestern (Miami), Monsignor Pace (Miami), Riverside (Jacksonville)

Class 1M

Benjamin High School’s running back Chauncey Bowens (4) runs the ball against John Carroll Catholic in a high school football game on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022 at Benjamin High School in Palm Beach. John Carroll won 24-21.
Benjamin High School’s running back Chauncey Bowens (4) runs the ball against John Carroll Catholic in a high school football game on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022 at Benjamin High School in Palm Beach. John Carroll won 24-21.

1. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 4-0 (11 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

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

2. Clearwater Central Catholic 4-0

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Clearwater 42-20

3. Carrollwood Day (Tampa) 3-0

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 28-21

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

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Beat Catholic Memorial (Massachusetts) 35-2

5. Benjamin (North Palm Beach) 3-0

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Gulliver Prep (Miami) 49-0

ARV: Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), True North Classical (Miami), University Christian (Jacksonville), Orlando Christian Prep, Northside Christian (St. Petersburg)

Class 4S

Ponte Vedra head coach Steve Price leads his team onto the field before a high school football matchup against the Middleburg Broncos Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The Ponte Vedra Sharks shutout the Middleburg Broncos 35-0.
Ponte Vedra head coach Steve Price leads his team onto the field before a high school football matchup against the Middleburg Broncos Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 at Ponte Vedra High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The Ponte Vedra Sharks shutout the Middleburg Broncos 35-0.

1. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) 4-0 (10 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat Martin County (Stuart) 35-12

2. Vero Beach 3-0 (1 first-place vote)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Fort Pierce Westwood 35-0

3. Lakeland 2-2

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat Osceola (Kissimmee) 26-0

4. Buchholz (Gainesville) 4-0

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Creekside (St. Johns) 49-20

5. Venice 1-2

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Open

6. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 2-1

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Open

7. Manatee (Bradenton) 4-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Braden River 28-20

8. DeLand 2-1

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Open

9. Niceville 3-1

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Beat Chiles (Tallahassee) 19-14

10. Ponte Vedra 2-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Middleburg 35-0

ARV:  Pace, Riverview (Sarasota), University (Orange City), Heritage (Palm Bay), Bartow

Class 3S

Choctaw RB Cole Tabb breaks away near the sidelines as he carries the ball during the Crestview-Choctaw football game at Crestview. Tabb amassed over 300 rushing yards in the first half alone.
Choctaw RB Cole Tabb breaks away near the sidelines as he carries the ball during the Crestview-Choctaw football game at Crestview. Tabb amassed over 300 rushing yards in the first half alone.

1. Mainland (Daytona Beach) 4-0 (11 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat Raines (Jacksonville) 26-0

2. St. Augustine 3-0

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Menendez (St. Augustine) 44-6

3. Lake Wales 4-0

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Lake Region (Eagle Lake) 47-0

4. Vanguard (Ocala) 4-0

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Beat Leesburg 42-29

5. Eau Gallie (Melbourne) 4-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Satellite 35-7

6. Lincoln (Tallahassee) 3-0

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat St. John Paul II (Jacksonville) 16-0

7. Choctawhatchee 3-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Pine Forest (Pensacola) 35-14

8. Escambia (Pensacola) 3-1

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Beat Fort Walton Beach 37-0

9. Pine Forest (Pensacola) 3-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Lost to Choctawhatchee 35-14

10. Port Charlotte 3-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Ida Baker (Cape Coral) 62-0

ARV: Golden Gate (Naples), Sebring, Zephyrhills, Naples, Dunbar (Fort Myers)

Class 2S

The Bishop Verot Vikings compete against the First Baptist Academy Lions in a game at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. Verot won 49-22.
The Bishop Verot Vikings compete against the First Baptist Academy Lions in a game at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. Verot won 49-22.

1. Cocoa 2-1 (7 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Open

2. Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) 4-0 (4 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat First Baptist Academy (Naples) 49-22

3. Bradford (Starke) 4-0

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat Middleburg 32-7

4. Florida High (Tallahassee) 2-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Gadsden County (Havana) 45-22

5. Pensacola Catholic 3-0

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Open

6. Wakulla (Crawfordville) 4-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Beat Seminole County (Georgia) 52-7

7. Suwannee (Live Oak) 3-0

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Beat Munroe (Quincy) 40-6

8. South Sumter (Bushnell) 3-1

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Lost to Hawthorne 42-21

9. Walton (DeFuniak Springs) 3-0

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Open

10. Titusville 3-0

Previous rank: 10

Last week: Beat Palm Bay 16-10

ARV: Fort Meade, West Florida (Pensacola), Baker County (Glen St. May), Gadsden County (Havana), Hudson

Class 1S

Trinity Catholic's Preston Wright (10) hands off to Antwon Blanchard (22) during a game between Trinity Catholic High School and Tampa Carrollwood Day High School in Ocala on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]
Trinity Catholic's Preston Wright (10) hands off to Antwon Blanchard (22) during a game between Trinity Catholic High School and Tampa Carrollwood Day High School in Ocala on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]

1. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 1-2 (6 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Lost to Carrollwood Day (Tampa) 28-21

2. First Baptist Academy (Naples) 2-1 (4 first-place votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Lost to Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) 49-22

3. Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) 3-1

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Lost to Riverview (Sarasota) 35-7

4. Lakeland Christian 3-1

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Beat Zephyrhills Christian 35=34

5. Victory Christian (Lakeland)

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Akelynn’s Angels Christian Academy (Winter Haven) 49-14

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

Note: One voter did not cast a vote for No. 1 in Class 1S

Class 1R

Hawthorne Hornets wide receiver Alvon Isaac (2) runs with the ball after a kickoff en route to a touchdown during the first half against the Newberry Panthers at Newberry High School in Newberry, FL on Friday, September 1, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
Hawthorne Hornets wide receiver Alvon Isaac (2) runs with the ball after a kickoff en route to a touchdown during the first half against the Newberry Panthers at Newberry High School in Newberry, FL on Friday, September 1, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

1. Hawthorne 4-0 (11 first-pace votes)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Beat South Sumter (Bushnell 42-21

2. Williston 4-0

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Beat Dunnellon 42-12

3. Union County (Lake Butler) 2-1

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Beat P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) 49-12

4. Madison County 2-0

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Columbia (Lake City) 22-8

5. Newberry 3-1

Previous rank: ARV

Last week: Beat Calvary Christian (Clearwater) 24-21

ARV: Pahokee, Fort White, Holmes County (Bonifay), Chiefland, Chipley

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: USA Today Florida Network High School poll: Trinity back at No. 1