Broward County football Top 10

As it turns out, a team can start 0-3 and still not drop out of the Broward County high school football top 10. Miramar’s three losses have come against two Broward foes already ranked above the Patriots — in one-possession games — and the other was against defending state champion Miami Northwestern.

None of those defeats really make me think any less of Miramar. The Patriots are ranked where they should be and have lost to better teams, but it’ll be time to start worrying if they don’t beat South Plantation soundly. All Week 5 games are at 7 p.m. unless noted.

1. (1) ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (4-0)

The Raiders did what you would expect them to do at Stranahan and won 52-0. Big clash this week against a nationally ranked Miami-Dade County powerhouse.

Next: vs. Miami Central

2. (2) DEERFIELD BEACH (4-0)

The Bucks showed once again they are considerably superior to their Pompano Beach counterparts, Blanche Ely, topping the Tigers 46-0.

Next: at Coral Springs

3. (3) AMERICAN HERITAGE (3-1)

The Patriots beat down previously unbeaten district foe Coconut Creek 40-0 and have now won three in a row.

Next: at Chaminade-Madonna

4. (4) CHAMINADE-MADONNA (3-1)

The Lions are on a three-game win streak after dropping a tight opener to No. 2 Deerfield. They beat down Northeast 48-0 and now face another tough test.

Next: vs. American Heritage

5. (5) CARDINAL GIBBONS (2-2)

It wasn’t pretty, but the Chiefs got the 16-6 win against much-improved Miami Jackson for a district win.

Next: at Douglas

6. (6) UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (4-0)

The Sharks won a 79-0 laugher against poor, poor Village Academy.

Next: vs. Miami Pace

7. (7) PLANTATION (3-0)

The Colonels beat District 12-8A rival Miramar 22-14, so it’s fair to say we had it right from the beginning and both teams are correctly ranked.

Next: vs. Cypress Bay

8. (8) MIRAMAR (0-3)

Again, two of the losses are against teams already above the Patriots on these rankings — and close games. The other was to a defending state champion in Dade County. They’ll get going this week.

Next: at South Plantation

9. (9) DILLARD (2-2)

The Panthers won easily, 36-6, against District 15-6A rival Boyd Anderson. Losses are to Miami Booker T. Washington and Cardinal Gibbons, and they also have a win against No. 10 Western.

Next: vs. Hollywood Hills

10. (10) WESTERN (3-1)

The Wildcats cruised to a 36-0 district win at Everglades. They should once again have no trouble with another District 12-8A foe. Next: at Flanagan

On the bubble: McArthur (4-0), Piper (3-1), Coconut Creek (3-1), Taravella (3-1).