Football: USA Today Florida Network Top 25, Player/Coach of the Year awards

For the first time since mid-August, there are no official football games this weekend.

It’s OK. You’ll get through it.

But if you can’t get enough football and you’re not ready to fully close the book on the 2022 season, here’s the USA Today Florida Network’s top 25 teams and the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year for each class.

1. Miami Central (15-0)

No reason to overthink this. The Rockets were the best team in the state and wrapped up the Class 2M championship – and the program’s first undefeated season – with a win against Plantation-American Heritage.

Perfection:Miami Central makes case for national title: 'We're No. 1 everywhere'

2. IMG Academy (8-1)

IMG rebounded from their six-point loss against Miami Central in the season opener to win their final eight games in dominant fashion, with every game decided by at least two scores. There was also that 96-0 win against West Toronto Prep that was called at halftime.

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3. Chaminade-Madonna (13-1)

Yeah, the season finale at Bishop Gorman (Nevada) didn’t go well at all, but don’t forget what the Lions did the previous 13 games. Chaminade dominated St. John’s (Washington D.C.), Dillard, Northwestern, Gulliver Prep and Treasure Coast and cruised to the Class 1M championship.

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4. St. Thomas Aquinas (14-0)

The Raiders claimed their fourth consecutive state championship last week by beating Homestead 38-21 in Class 3M. It was another dominant season for Aquinas, which won all of its games by at least two scores.

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5. Columbus (14-1)

The Explorers won the Class 4M championship in dramatic fashion, with a wide receiver throwing the game-winning pass in overtime to the quarterback. Columbus’ lone loss this season was a seven-point loss to Miami Central.

More Coverage:Columbus uses 'Philly Special' variation to win Class 4M championship in overtime

6. Lakeland (14-0)

The Dreadnaughts defense flexed its muscle in the Class 4S championship game, shutting out Venice to win 21-14. Lakeland beat Kissimmee-Osceola twice as well as notching wins against Lakewood and handed Clearwater Academy International its lone loss.

From Roy Fuoco:Lakeland's defensive dominance in 2nd half ensured victory

7. Plantation-American Heritage (13-2)

American Heritage had another strong season, beating Los Alamitos (California), Cardinal Gibbons twice), Naples and Bolles. The Patriots’ losses was at Chaminade in September and the 38-31 defeat against Miami Central in the 2M championship.

8. Homestead (11-3)

It was a historic season for the Broncos, which won their first regional title and advanced to the Class 3M title game for the first time. Homestead beat Miami Palmetto, Lakewood, Northwestern, Miramar and Jones along the way.

9.  Jones (11-3)

The Tigers started 1-2 – with losses at Duncanville (Texas) and Edgewater) – before reeling off 10 consecutive wins. The resume includes wins against Cocoa (Class 2S champion), West Orange, Kissimmee-Osceola, Boone, Wekiva, Oviedo and Edgewater in the Region 1-3M final.

High school football:Resilient Jones overcomes adversity to beat Edgewater, claim regional title

10. Edgewater (12-1)

The Eagles were undefeated during the regular season and earned the No. 1 overall seed in Class 3M. Edgewater beat Don Bosco Prep (N.J.), West Orange, Jones, Apopka, Ocoee and Boone in the regular season before beating Tampa Bay Tech in the regional semifinal game.

11. Kissimmee-Osceola (9-4)

12. Apopka (9-4)

13. Miami Northwestern (6-5)

14. Clearwater Academy International (9-1)

15. Venice (9-4)

16. Lake Wales (15-0)

17. Cardinal Gibbons (11-2)

18. Cocoa (11-3)

19. Buchholz (9-3)

20. Bartram Trail (12-1)

21. Miami Norland (9-3)

22. Florida High (14-1)

23. Ocoee (9-5)

24. Tampa Bay Tech (9-3)

25. Mainland (11-4)

Coach/Player of the Year awards

Class 4M

Player of the Year: Alberto Mendoza (Columbus QB)

The first-year starter was everything the Explorers could have hoped for in 2022. Mendoza, a junior, completed 73 percent of his passes for 2,618 yards and 35 touchdowns and rushed for two scores. He also caught the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime of the Class 4M championship game.

Coach of the Year: Aaron Sheppard (Ocoee)

Ocoee started the season 6-1 with wins against playoff teams Wekiva and Winter Park and a one-point loss to at Apopka. The Knights then dropped three of four, but Sheppard helped them rebound in spectacular fashion. They won three consecutive road playoff games for their first ever regional title and then took eventual state champion Columbus to the brink in the Final Four.

Class 4S

Player of the Year: Creed Whittemore (Buchholz QB)

Whittemore passed for more than 2,500 yards and 33 touchdowns, rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns, and intercepted six passes as a defensive back. Whittemore led the Bobcats to the Class 4S state semifinals.

Coach of the Year: Darrell Sutherland (Bartram Trail)

Considering the class graduated in the spring and the Bears playing in arguably the deepest district in the state, not many were expecting this kind of season. Sutherland led Bartram Trail to a 12-1 record with six regular season wins against playoff teams, the District 3-4S championship and a regional final appearance.

Class 3M

Player of the Year: Joshua Townsend (Homestead QB)

Townsend, a junior, was the catalyst for a Homestead team that reached the Class 3S championship game for the first time in program history. Townsend threw for 1,852 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 382 yards and six scores. He accounted for at least two touchdowns in each of the Broncos five playoff games, including three touchdown passes against Aquinas in the championship.

Coach of the Year: Phillip Simpson (Homestead)

Simpson guided Homestead to a 12-3 record, its first ever regional championship and first state championship game appearance. The Broncos started the season 6-0, dominated the regional playoffs, then went to Orlando and held off Jones to earn a spot in the championship. The Broncos trailed Aquinas by a single score in the fourth quarter of the Class 3M title game before falling 38-21.

Class 3S

Player of the Year: Cole Tabb (Choctawhatchee RB)

The junior rushed for 2,407 yards and 24 touchdowns and helped Choctawhatchee stun top-ranked Pine Forest in the playoffs and reach the Region 1-3S championship game. Tabb had 322 carries, averaged 7.5 yards per carry and recorded 12 100-yard games. Tabb also caught 20 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns. His signature game came against Moseley in the regular season finale when he rushed for 344 yards and six touchdowns.

Coach of the Year: Tavaris Johnson (Lake Wales)

Johnson guided his alma mater to a 15-0 record and its first ever state championship. The Highlanders were one of the most dominant teams in the state, outscoring opponents 598-97 and did not play a game decided by less than 14 points until the state championship. Lake Wales trailed 10-0 but rallied to beat Mainland 32-30 to win the Class 3S title.

Class 2M

Player of the Year: Rueben Bain (Miami Central EDGE)

One of the most dominant players in Miami-Dade County history capped his career with another outstanding campaign. Bain recorded 57 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 29 sacks. He helped Central win its fourth consecutive state championship by recovering a fumble with less than 90 seconds to seal a 38-31 win over American Heritage.

Coach of the Year: Jube Joseph (Miami Central)

The first-year coach set the tone right away by going to national power IMG and beating the Ascenders 20-14 in the season opener. Central finished the year 14-0, including wins against Booker T. Washington, Dillard, Northwestern, Norland and Columbus in the regular season. Central won a deep Region 4-2M and went on to win its fourth consecutive state title.

Class 2S

Player of the Year: Blake Boda (Cocoa)

Boda’s lone year at Cocoa was one for the record books, literally. The left-handed senior completed 65 percent of his passes for a school-record 4,028 yards and 49 touchdowns. Boda also rushed for 205 yards and five touchdowns – including the game-winning score in overtime of the Class 2S state championship game.

Coach of the Year: Jamie Rodgers (Bradford)

Rodgers, in his first year at Bradford, led Bradford to a 12-2 record, the District 6-2S and Region 2-2S championships and a Final Four berth. The Tornadoes boasted one of the state’s best defenses, posting nine total shutouts and allowing just 41 points during the regular season. Bradford beat seven playoff teams during the regular season.

Class 1M

Player of the Year: Orel Gray (University Christian RB)

Gray, a senior, topped the 100-yard mark in 12 of the Christians 14 games and helped University win the Region 1-1M championship against rival Trinity Christian. Gray rushed for 2,064 yards and 30 touchdowns – including at least one touchdowns in every game. He also had 184 receiving yards, more than 350 return yards, 21 tackles, three tackles for loss and four interceptions.

Coach of the Year: Chris Harvey (Clearwater Central Catholic)

Harvey guided the Marauders to a 12-2 record, the District 3-1M and Region 2-1M championships and the Class 1M state championship game. The resume included regular season wins against Berkeley Prep, Tampa Catholic, Sebring, Jesuit and Carrollwood Day. Clearwater Central Catholic won 11 in a row after a 35-29 Week 2 loss at Class 1S state runner-up Trinity Catholic.

Class 1S

Player of the Year: Beau Beard (Trinity Catholic RB)

Beard was the focal point for a dominant Trinity Catholic running game this season. The senior rushed for more than 1,500 yards, averaged 8.5 yards per carry and 134.4 yards per game and scored 22 touchdowns for the Celtics. Beard topped 125 yards and scored at least two touchdowns in each of Trinity Catholic’s first three playoff games, including 237 yards in the state semifinal win against John Carroll Catholic.

Coach of the Year: Billy Sparacio (First Baptist Academy)

Sparacio guided the Lions to a 10-2 record, the District 8-1S crown, Region 4-1S title and the first ever state championship in program history. First Baptist’s season included wins against regional champion Bishop Verot and regional finalist Frostproof. FBA held Trinity Catholic’s high scoring offense to just a first-drive field goal in the Class 1S championship.

Class 1R

Player of the Year: Jamarkus Jefferson (Northview RB)

Jefferson, a senior, was a workhorse for Northview in 2022 and helped the Chiefs reach the state championship game for the first time in a decade. Jefferson had 283 carries for 2,377 yards (8.4 yards per carry) and scored a state-best 43 rushing touchdowns to go along with four receiving scores. Jefferson had six 200-plus yard games this season.

Coach of the Year: Wesley Summerford (Northview)

Northview had an outstanding season, going 13-1, winning the Region 1-1R championship and advancing to the Class 1R state championship game. The Chiefs scored at least 40 points in eight of their 10 regular season games, including wins against Baker, Blountstown and Bay. Northview beat previously undefeated Union County in the state semifinal before losing to Hawthorne in the state final.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: USA Today Florida Network Top 25, Player/Coach of the Year awards