Preps

John C. Cotey's Top 10

Ranking the bay area's football teams, with previous ranking in parentheses.

By JOHN C. COTEY, High Schools Columnist
Published October 14, 2007

For the complete list of the top 50 teams, head to highschool.tampabay.com.

1. (1) Armwood (7-0)

Friday: beat No. 18 Plant City 14-10.

This week: vs. Hillsborough.

The Hawks are still unbeaten. But they are human. Who knew?

2. (4) Plant (5-1)

Friday: beat No. 3 Hillsborough 35-16.

This week: vs. Leto.

QB Aaron Murray had more than 100 yards rushing and a touchdown Friday. I'm not saying he's got the niftiest feet around, but Dancing With The Stars host Tom Bergeron called and is wondering if Murray could also do the Samba and the Tango. (Answer: Samba yes, Tango no.)

3. (2) Largo (6-0)

Friday: beat No. 32 Lakewood 34-14.

This week: vs. Dixie Hollins.

Packers drop one spot despite winning, and since I know you'll ask: Plant has two wins over top 10 teams; Largo has none. That is all.

4. (3) Hillsborough (6-1)

Friday: Lost to No. 4 Plant 35-16.

This week: at Armwood.

Wow. Plant poured a Gallon of trouble over the Terriers' head. The Panthers just had a few more Gallons of gas in their tank than Hillsborough did. I would say Cornelius Gallon is a leader, but a Gallon is actually 3.7854118 liters. Yeah, I know. But that's all I got.

5. (6) Ridgewood (6-0)

Friday: beat Mitchell 42-13.

This week: at Tarpon Springs.

Five straight games of more than 40 points, best in Tampa Bay. Eight straight wins, best in Tampa Bay. Byronell Arline's nickname, Big Daddy Delicious Destruction, best in Tampa Bay (I haven't given up yet). Schedule? Not the best in Tampa Bay. But that changes starting Thursday.

6. (7) Chamberlain (5-2)

Friday: beat No. 13 Jefferson 21-14.

This week: vs. Alonso.

Okay, I'll say it, but remember where you heard it first: Nov. 30, Class 5A region final, Chamberlain vs. Lakeland, be there!

7. (10) Gaither (5-2)

Friday: beat No. 14 Alonso 17-0.

This week: vs. Wesley Chapel.

Okay, I'll say it, but remember that I like covering my bases: Nov. 30, Class 5A region final, Gaither vs. Lakeland, be there!

8. (5) Northeast (5-1)

Friday: Lost to No. 16 East Lake 17-7.

Next week: at Bradenton Bayshore.

Well, there goes the anticipated Nov. 9 meeting of unbeatens with Largo as the Vikings get sunk. Hopefully, I can still cancel my hotel reservations.

9. (11) Brandon (5-2)

Friday: defeated Blake 40-0.

This week: at Bloomingdale.

We mention these guys all the time on the top-rated and critically acclaimed Friday Night Rewind (you have heard of it, right?), but let's formally introduce arguably the best running back combo in Tampa Bay - Samair Baker (141 yards Friday) and Marquel Gilmore (139 yards).

10. (12) Middleton (5-2)

Last week: Beat No. 27 Wharton 35-10.

This week: at Freedom.

The Tigers ride a tough defense and Gregory Hickman back into the top 10. Welcome back, fellas.

[Last modified October 13, 2007, 20:33:17]