Top-10 has a new look as teams tumble
It took nearly the whole season, but finally seen several top teams drop games.
Chaminade-Madonna (formerly No. 3), Deerfield Beach (formerly No. 4) and University School (formerly No. 5) all lost last week, and all three lost by 21 points against tough opponents.
Here’s where Broward teams stand in the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s rankings entering Week 10 (all games are Friday at 7 p.m. unless noted): we’ve
1. (1) St. Thomas Aquinas (7-0): The Raiders remained undefeated with a 28-7 win over Deerfield Beach. St. Thomas has held the top spot in the rankings all year, and it doesn’t look like the Raiders are going anywhere. Next: vs. Fort Lauderdale (5-2)
2. (2) American Heritage (7-1): The Patriots cruised to a win last week and have played excellently since falling to Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) in Week 2. Since then, Heritage has outscored opponents, 212-71. Next: vs. Hallandale, 7:30 p.m.
3. (6) Western (6-1): The first major mover this week had the benefit of moving up three spots without playing. Next: vs. West Broward (1-8)
4. (7) Cardinal Gibbons (6-2): The Chiefs move up three spots this week, too, thanks to Chaminade, Deerfield and U-School falling. Gibbons Next: vs. Piper (0-8)
5. (3) Chaminade-Madonna (6-2): The Lions scheduled tough opponents, and losses come with facing tough competition. Chaminade became the 60th straight opponent to lose a regular-season game to Vero Beach in Vero Beach, falling, 21-0. Next: vs. Miami Central (7-2) 6. (4) Deerfield Beach (5-3): Early in the Bucks’ game against St. Thomas Aquinas, Deerfield had a 7-0 lead. The game was tied at seven at halftime, and the Bucks just needed a little more juice for a statement win. The St. Thomas defense saw to it that that wouldn’t happen, ending Deerfield’s fivegame winning streak. Next: at Monarch (6-2)
7. (8) Dillard (9-0): Dillard’s excellent season continued with a heart-pounding scare against Miami Columbus. But the Panthers deserve recognition for pulling out big wins. Next: Bye week
8. (5) University School (6-2): Though I have Dillard one spot above U-School in the rankings, I would call them 7A and 7B. The Sharks have had a tougher schedule and put a running clock on the same Columbus team that Dillard barely beat. Next: at Fort Myers Bishop Verot (7-1)
9. (9) Stoneman Douglas (7-0): The Eagles kept their undefeated season going with a shutout against Nova, and they will likely move to 8-0 this week. Next: at Coral Glades (3-6), Thursday, 7 p.m.
10. (10) Plantation (6-1): The Colonels had a week off to recover from a rough loss to St. Thomas. Next: vs. Cypress Bay (4-4)
On the bubble: Blanche Ely (8-1), Fort Lauderdale Academy (7-0).
(7-1), Calvary Christian (5-2), Westminster