High school football power rankings: Cardinal Newman retains No. 1. Who's new this week?
In the words of Lil Wayne, sorry for the wait.
Week 3 power rankings took a little bit longer because some of Friday's matchups didn't end until Saturday – and here's looking at you, Newman – Monday.
Hopefully, that gave the two teams exiting this week's power rankings more time to settle with the blow.
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While Benjamin and Glades Central say goodbye for now, introduce yourself to two new members of Palm Beach County's Top 10 below.
1. Cardinal Newman (3-0)
Last week: No. 1
After holding the lead over Benjamin in three separate meetings, technically Newman is 6-0.
I know it's only Week 4 so, again, technically that's not possible. But with how fast this undefeated 1M squad is on offense and how physical they are up front, I don't doubt that the Crusaders will be 6-0 by the time they meet John Carroll at the end of the month.
This week: vs. Doral Academy (2-1), 7 p.m. Friday
2. Palm Beach Central (3-0)
Last week: No. 2
Combining for 149 points on offense and allowing just 14 defensively over three games, the Broncos look like they're still in their truest form despite losing former head coach Scottie Littles to Booker in Sarasota over the offseason.
Last week's 42-7 win was against a considerably-weaker Park Vista team reminded local fans of a Central team once questioned about its ability to play tougher-caliber programs because of 2021's in-county-only schedule. Still, the Broncos proved their out-of-county strength in Week 2 by pinning a 20-point margin of victory on last year's Final Four contender Lakewood.
However, one local threat that didn't make Central's docket of opponents in the past made it this time: little ol' Pahokee. Small they may be, the Blue Devils will be one of the biggest challenges Central's returning starters have faced yet.
This week: vs. Pahokee (2-1), 6:30 p.m. Friday
3. Santaluces (3-0)
Last week: No. 4
Given the teams were 1-8 and 4-7, respectively, Santaluces defeating Olympic Heights would've been a little more shocking last year.
Rolling along against Leonard, Royal Palm Beach and Lake Worth in the coming weeks, Santaluces looks to be in a similar position to Newman and heading for 6-0.
The lack of competition, though? That could become costly once they find their next battle-test in Boca Raton in Week 8.
This week: at John I. Leonard (2-1), 6:30 p.m. Friday
4. Pahokee (2-1)
Last week: No. 5
A 36-31 comeback on Benjamin and a respectable 40 unanswered points against Palm Beach Lakes were a much needed confidence boost for the Blue Devils before boarding the bus for Palm Beach Central this week.
This week: at Palm Beach Central (3-0), 6:30 p.m.
5. Palm Beach Gardens (2-1)
Last week: No. 6
There wasn't much different about this N. Military Trail battle from last year, except Gardens won. Injuries riddled the field for both Gardens and Dwyer for what was already bound to be a low-scoring game considering what the teams offer on defense.
In Week 4, quarterback Brand Campbell and the Gators will host a Glades Central in rebuild to see if they can avenge their 18-3 loss from 2021.
This week: vs. Glades Central (1-2), 6:30 p.m. Friday
6. Atlantic (1-2)
Last week: No. 3
If Atlantic could carry its first half play into the second, close losses like Week 3's two-pointer to North Miami Beach could become a thing of the past.
The Eagles' youth is showing early on. All of the tools are there. It's just finding consistency – something that'll be necessary against a comparatively senior-heavy Boca on Friday.
This week: at Boca Raton (2-1), 6:30 p.m. Friday
7. Wellington (1-2)
Last week: No. 7
Wellington coach Danny Mendoza said the Wolverines "gave it away" to Jensen Beach in Week 3. Giving the win away implies that it was Welly's to be had. After all, the defense held Falcons steamroller Dennis Palmer to just 33 yards on 11 carries, tackling him for loss three times.
Similarly to last weekend's slate of college and pro football games, two special teams miscues were the culprits for Wellington on Friday. It's a timely, trendy wakeup call and the Wolverines will adjust accordingly.
This week: at Royal Palm Beach (0-3), 6:30 p.m. Friday
8. Boca Raton (2-1)
Last week: Unranked
With a freshman Chance Routson starting under center, Boca Raton is still ironing some things out around the pocket, but the newcomer's first year on varsity has been complimented nicely by senior targets and trenches, as seen in the Bobcats' overtime win versus Boynton Beach on Saturday.
David Williams' contributions to the run game make the absence of senior Trey Rainey, now playing at Lafayette College, harder to miss and Sebastien Saint-Louis and Collin Bender's hands and speed – height for Saint-Louis – have been good options for a touchdown pass.
This week: vs. Atlantic (1-2), 6:30 p.m. Friday
9. Seminole Ridge (3-0)
Last week: Unranked
Seminole Ridge's offense hasn't been quite as productive as it was last year with the rushing efforts of graduated senior quarterback Will Rimes and Inlet Grove transfer Sebastien Christian.
Now, the Hawks rely a little more on the other side of the ball, returning last year's lead tackler in sophomore Ty Jackson and a pack of seniors who are key to continuing Ridge's winning ways from 2021 under the new leadership of coach Chad Chieffalo in 2022.
This week: vs. Palm Beach Lakes (0-3), 6:30 p.m. Friday
10. Boynton Beach (1-2)
Last week: No. 9
The Tigers aren't off the the winning start they had in 2021, but an overtime loss by a touchdown to Boca showed a marked improvement as Boynton opened last fall with a 36-13 loss to the Bobcats.
This week: vs. Park Vista (0-3), 6:30 p.m. Friday
Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She can be reached at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach high school football power rankings: Cardinal Newman is No. 1
