More than a quarter through the 2019 High School Football season in South Florida, and the landscape of the top 15 is starting to crystallize and clear. Four of the top seven teams from the Week 3 rankings took a tumble, opening up opportunities for some unexpected contenders. Columbus blew a 14-0 lead to rival South Dade and gifted the top spot to STA for the second time this year. The West came up short against national power IMG Academy, and Carol City continued their losing skid.
Week 4 has the #3 and #4 teams playing ranked opponents this week, providing the fans some blue chip games for the weekend. Quality opponents on the brink of being contenders litter this weeks schedule, and another Top 15 shakeup could be in accordance come this time next week.
Lets get into the rankings
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0)
Previous Ranking: 3
Week 3: Bye Week
Week 4: vs South Plantation (2-1)
The top team in the nation graces the top of The Crib's rankings once again in Week 4. Just one game under their belt, STA still showcased enough against a nationally ranked opponent to deserve this spot. Coming off a bye, and another week to prepare 2022 QB Zion Turner, they roll into South Plant. This should be no challenge for the Raiders and no controversy on the top spot in Week 5.
2. Miami Northwestern (2-1)
Previous Ranking: 2
Week 3: L, 24-6 vs IMG Academy
Week 4: vs Killian
Northwestern played their toughest game of the year against a glorified JUCO squad. They showcased exceptional defense, their M.O. this year, and got 2021 Miami commit TE Kahlil Brantley going. QB is still an issue, as IMG exploited the weakness with multiple turnovers and a pick six. Killian and their Wildcat offense, led by 2020 FAU commit Frank Gore, shouldn't cause too many issues, as we see the West probably idle in this spot another week.
3. Chaminade-Madonna (3-0)
Previous Ranking: 4
Week 3: W, 34-13 vs Miami Christian
Week 4: vs #11 Carol City
The Nade Boyz have slid through there first 3 games, which includes a W against #15 McArthur. The 2nd beast on their schedule is Zuu Nation, though. 2020 Bama commit WR Thaiu Jones-Bell will test a secondary that stifled Miami Christian 2020 WR Marc Britt, but struggled in the pre-season against Miami 2021 commit WR Jacolby George of Plantation. The last two cake walks for the Lions have allowed them to get healthy and fully prepared for the Miami juggernaut they play Friday.
4. Western (2-0)
Previous Ranking: 6
Week 3: W, 74-0 vs Miami Springs
Week 4: vs #12 University School
The most dominant showing in the first four weeks of the season came from the Wildcats last week, who are outscoring their first two opponents 132-0. A cancellation of their game in the Freedom Bowl stole Western's first big matchup from them, but U School with a healthy 2021 QB Nick Vattiato should be enough to prove if they are real or faux. A dominant defense and versatile spread offense, that worked out some kinks since the Miami Palmetto pre-season loss, has barreled its way to a 2-0 start. This Friday is when the lights turn on for the Cats, either they show up and dominate or prove the haters right.
5. South Dade (3-0)
Previous Ranking: 14
Week 3: W, 21-14 vs #8 Columbus
Week 4: vs Miami Norland
Is 2019 the year of the Bucs? South Dade went to Columbus, then the top team in The Crib's rankings in Week 3 and the unanimous top team in 8A at the time, and shocked all of South Florida. Down 14-0, they rallied back thanks to 2020 QB Kelvin Durham and WR Trevon Sanders, scoring 21 unanswered points. 8A Miami now runs through the Buccaneers.
6. Miami Central (2-1)
Previous Ranking: 10
Week 3: W, 49-26 vs #11 Carol City
Week 4: vs Southridge
Central underwhelmed to start the season, dominated by out of town St. Frances and needing a comeback to defeat Booker T. Beating the former #5 team in our rankings by four scores catches people's attention though. Utah commit 2020 QB Katravis Marsh and 2021 RB Amari Daniels have propelled this offense to 81 points over the last two games. If they continue their offensive dominance, a jump in the rankings is inevitable.
7. American Heritage (Plantation) (2-1)
Previous Ranking: 8
Week 3: W, 31-6 vs Miramar
Week 4: vs Trinity Christian
The Patriots continue to prove time and time again that they wont go away. AHP put away a good Miramar team easily, led by a strong defensive backfield and a pass rush that features 2022 DE Richard Thomas, Pat Surtain and his defensive roots maybe what keep this team in the state title hunt. Trinity Christian, a Jacksonville power, is the next team on the slate, and another chance to prove Heritage is still one of the powers of South Florida.
8. Columbus (2-1)
Previous Ranking: 1
Week 3: L, 21-14 vs #5 South Dade
Week 4: vs Booker T. Washington
The top team of Week 3 was exposed by South Dade, falling to the rival for the first time since 2013. A loaded back half of the schedule makes another rise to the top is extremely feasible. One of the last old school teams of the area, relying on a dominant rushing attack and gap sound defense, Columbus should still compete for the 8A title and handle BTW this Friday.
9. Cardinal Gibbons (2-1)
Previous Ranking: 10
Week 3: W, 50-0 vs North Miami
Week 4: vs Fort Lauderdale
After looking left for dead to start the year, Gibbons has rallied to a 2-1 start with an air raid offense that's back on track. The New 4A favorite is looking at the toughest stretch of their schedule, three games against playoff caliber teams (American Heritage Delray and Plantation, #15 McArthur), with momentum and stability. The repeat bid looks very much alive.
10. Miami Palmetto
Previous Ranking: 9
Week 3: W, 34-13 vs Hialeah
Week 4: vs Coral Gables
The scoreboard shows a blowout for the Panthers, but a late comeback was needed to put away Hialeah last week. Youth has shown through early on this season for Palmetto, but elite talent (2021 DBs Corey Collier and Jason Marshall) has shined brighter. Still one of the top teams in Miami and 8A, early season has hype has simmered down, but they have just one tough game left on the schedule and should take care of business against Gables this week.
11. Carol City (1-2)
Previous Ranking: 5
Week 3: L, 49-26 vs #6 Miami Central
Week 4: vs #3 Chaminade-Madonna
Carol City started off the season as the 4A clear cut favorite for most, especially after dominating Deerfield Beach Week 1. Loses to Northwestern and Central give fans images of deja vu from last years' playoff failure and not so much their undefeated (2 forfeits) regular season of 2018. This losing skid might not stop soon with #3 Chaminade, #1 STA, Trinity Christian and a tough Vanguard team as their next four opponents.
12. University School (2-1)
Previous Ranking: 7
Week 3: L, 19-0 vs #15 McArthur
Week 4: vs #4 Western
A loss is a loss, even though 2021 QB Nick Vattiato was out. Dominated by McArthur, barely accounting for 40 yards of offense is a huge red flag for a team that goes into a matchup with a similar team in Western. This Davie matchup should be one to watch, but another loss for the Sharks would be catastrophic for playoff seeding, as they play Champagnat, Clearwater Central Catholic and 8A Columbus.
13. Gulliver Prep (3-0)
Previous Ranking: 12
Week 3: W, 38-0 vs Pinecrest
Week 4: vs LaSalle
Gulliver is one of the up and coming teams in South Florida, and in a competitive 4A, they might end up with the best record, but also have the weakest schedule. Lack of strength of schedule is what places the Raiders at 13. Unproven and lack of true domination has led to question marks, but a 3-0 start has to be respected and they have the talent (2020 DL Westley Neal and Donell Harris Jr., 2021 RB Yulkeith Brown) to not only go 10-0, but make a playoff run.
14. Deerfield Beach (1-2)
Previous Ranking: 13
Week 3: W, 42-0 vs Ely
Week 4: vs Zachary (LA)
Deerfield has struggled early this season but welcome the return of 2020 Tulane commit QB Michael Pratt. His first showing was a short game against Ely where the offense put up 42 points and his first pass was a TD. If the Bucks can get the passing game going, it should open up lanes for 2020 FSU commit RB Jaylan Knighton. Big game against Louisiana's Zachary High this weekend.
15. (tie) Plantation (1-0)
Previous Ranking: 15
Week 3: W, 38-0 vs West Broward
Week 4: vs Piper
Plantation boasts one of the best passing combos in the area, with 2020 UTM commit Gerard Nesbit and 2021 Miami commit Jacolby George putting up numbers in a wing-t offense. The only remaining challenge on the Colonels schedule is #1 STA and should make quick work of Piper.
15. (tie) McArthur (1-1)
Previous Ranking: N/A
Week 3: W, 19-0 vs #11 University School
Week 4: vs South Broward
McArthur would have possibly jumped into the top 10 had they dominated U School how they did with their QB healthy, but a handicaped U School team only gets you so much respect. Such a dominant defense has been robbed of two marquee games in Plantation and last with Vattiato out. McArthur probably has another shutout planned Friday and is frothing at the mouth looking at their 10/11 matchup with #9 Cardinal Gibbons.
First 5 Out (NO ORDER)
Edison
Monarch
Booker T Washington
Champagnat
Dillard
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