Lake Brantley returns to rankings
Lake Brantley’s gamewinning touchdown in the final seconds Thursday helped the Patriots make a return to the Sentinel Super 16 high school football rankings.
Travis Lesko scored for the fourth time on a short run with just seven seconds to spare in a 28-21 upset win at West Orange, which entered the game ranked No. 11 among area teams.
The loss dropped the Warriors (4-4) to No. 15 in the Super 16. West Orange entered the game slotted in the eighth and final spot in the projected Class 8A, Region 1 playoff field.
Lake Brantley (5-3), now No. 14, goes for its third straight win Friday at No. 16 Evans (5-3). The Trojans dropped three places in the rankings after losing 28-0 to No. 5 Apopka (6-1). The Blue Darters host No. 11 Lake Mary this week for the district title in 8A-4.
Timber Creek (7-1) is up two spots to No. 12 and Lake Nona (6-2) is up three spots to No. 13 ahead of other 8A district-championship matchups. The Wolves host No. 9 Winter Park (6-3) with the District 3 title on the line and Lake Nona plays at No. 4 Osceola (7-1) for the District 6 crown.
The Super 16 is made up of teams throughout Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and southwest Volusia counties. Last week’s rankings are included in parentheses if different.
1. Seminole (8-0): O’Shae Baker returned a punt for a touchdown and turned a reception into a 41-yard score in a 35-15 win at Port Orange Spruce Creek (4-3). Friday vs. Orange City University (4-4).
2. Edgewater (7-1): The Eagles were off last week.
Friday at Ocala Forest (3-5).
3. Jones (7-1): Tyson Robbins tossed two touchdown passes and JaQuae Williams scored twice in a 61-7 rout vs. Mount Dora (2-6). Friday vs. Tavares (4-4).
4. Osceola (7-1): The Kowboys forced five turnovers and Spencer Richards booted two field goals in a 13-0 win at Bradenton Manatee (4-4). Friday vs No. 13 Lake Nona (6-2).
5. Apopka (6-1): QB Jaquan Lowman rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns as the Blue Darters won 28-0 at then-No. 13 Evans (5-3). Friday vs. No 11 Lake Mary (5-3).
6. Dr. Phillips (7-2): The Panthers intercepted four passes and held visiting Clermont East Ridge (4-4) to 68 yards rushing in a 47-10 win. Friday at Oak Ridge (1-7).
7. Wekiva (6-2): The Mustangs were off last week.
Friday vs. Groveland South Lake (3-5).
8. DeLand (5-2): Danny Brown tallied four tacklesfor-loss and Ian Schoenwetter was credited with 19 total tackles in a 21-14 win vs.
Orange City University (4-3). Friday vs. Flagler Palm Coast (7-1).
9. Winter Park (6-3): The Wildcats recovered three first-half fumbles — two on kickoffs in the first quarter — during a 70-14 win at Colonial (2-6). Friday at No. 12 Timber Creek (7-1).
10. Bishop Moore (6-3): Malachi Rennie rushed for three scores and Dylan Brazil caught two touchdown passes in a 62-6 win vs. Eustis (1-7). Friday at Mount Dora (2-6).
11. (12) Lake Mary (5-3): Gunnar Smith completed 12 of 14 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns — two to Rocco Underwood — in a 35-14 win vs. Ocoee (3-5).
Friday at No. 5 Apopka (6-1).
12. (14) Timber Creek (7-1): The Wolves rushed for 143 yards and three scores while Aiden Lewin and Connor Recio combined for 20 total tackles in a 31-14 win vs. Oviedo (4-4). Friday vs. No. 9 Winter Park (6-3).
13. (16) Lake Nona (6-2): Connor Johnson completed 23 of 29 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns in a 62-7 win vs. Freedom (1-6).
Friday at No. 4 Osceola (7-1).
14. (NR) Lake Brantley (5-3): Travis Lesko rushed for 164 yards and 4 TDs and the Patriots came away with four sacks in a 28-21 win at then-No. 11 West Orange (4-4). Friday at No. 16 Evans (5-3).
15. (11) West Orange (4-4): The Warriors turned the ball over three times and were outscored 14-8 in the fourth quarter of a 28-21 loss vs. Lake Brantley (5-3).
Friday at Ocoee (3-5).
16. (13) Evans (5-3): The Trojans were held to 56 yards of offense vs. No. 5 Apopka (6-1) in a 28-0 loss.
Friday vs. No. 14 Lake Brantley (5-3).
Next in line: Lake Minneola (5-3), Orange City University (4-3), Oviedo (4-4), St. Cloud (5-3).