Palm Beach County power rankings: Here's how the Top 10 shakes out on last week of regular season
The final week of the 2022 high school football season is here!
With most county teams suiting up for the last fall, here's a look at the best of Palm Beach County as teams look to add the final piece to their FHSAA postseason resume:
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No. 1 Cardinal Newman (9-0)
Last week: No. 1
The beast has been at rest for two weeks, but trust the Crusaders are going to emerge hungry for their last road trip of a so-far perfect regular season – a meeting with Gulliver Prep, who's led by former Newman quarterback Davi Belfort.
Regardless of how playing weaker teams in the second half has affected Newman’s status in the FHSAA rankings – dropping from second in Class 1M to No. 5 – the Crusaders are still undeniable on offense, defense, special teams and everything in between, making them a two-seed at this point heading into playoffs.
This week: at Gulliver Prep (5-3), Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
2. Pahokee (7-2)
Last week: No. 2
We’re getting real this week.
Pahokee’s strength of schedule, 5.75, and the ability to win it – or at least most of it – should position the Blue Devils at the top of Class 1R, but the losses keep an undefeated Hawthorne on top, despite a meager schedule strength of .40.
Luckily, coach Emmanuel Hendrix and the Blue Devils don’t mind being the underdog.
This week: at Glades Central (2-7), Friday, 6:30p
3. Palm Beach Central (8-1)
Last week: No. 4
Between Justin Bostic pick-sixes on defense, explosive drives courtesy of quarterback Ahmad Haston and a D1-caliber receiving corps in Luby Maurice Jr., Javorian Wimberly and under-the-radar sophomore Nedrick Boldin, Central has averaged nearly 43 points in their five-game win streak.
Even with a loss in the mix, the Bronco defense has allowed an average 12.8 points through nine games this season.
Broncos nation, let’s ride – all the way to state.
This week: vs. Carol City (5-4), Thursday, 6:30p
4. Atlantic (6-3)
Last week: No. 5
Up to a three-game win streak with a 43-0 victory over Glades Central, the Eagles can make a strong case in the postseason not only because they’re district champions. Atlantic has the second-toughest schedule in the area, rated 7.38 after Benjamin’s lofty 9.64.
This is a young squad. Still, they’ve watched some of Atlantic’s top senior classes from the sidelines since their JV days and I think a longstanding culture plays a huge part in Atlantic’s ability to rebound so well in transition from former T.J. Jackson to now coach Jamael Stewart, who learned under Jackson.
5. Palm Beach Gardens (6-3)
Last week: No. 6
I think clinching your first district championship in ten years is worthy of a boost in the rankings.
Making the move even more warranted is Gardens’ ability to bounce back for a 38-7 win over Jupiter following a confidence-shaking loss to Palm Beach Central in Week 9.
Seeing receiver Devin Simmons and quarterback Brand Campbell’s connections looking more solid than ever, especially now having seen Campbell’s ability to be physical at the line of scrimmage and escape pressure.
This week: vs. Park Vista (2-7), Friday, 6:30p
6. Santaluces (8-1)
Last week: No. 3
I had a feeling the loss was coming. I just thought it’d be this week to Atlantic. Not last week to Park Vista. Honestly, who did?
At risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll keep it short. I told you that strength of schedule, or lack thereof, would rear its head eventually. The difference this year, other than Santaluces actually making it to playoffs, is that the Chiefs have the coaching to rebound from a loss and take it as motivation moving forward.
They’ll need it in Week 11.
This week: vs. Atlantic, Friday, 6:30p
7. Boynton Beach (7-2)
Last week: No. 7
I see a six-game win streak extending to seven in Week 11, although the final score might not be as high as usual against an on-and-off Lake Worth defense.
Regardless, the stats of Boynton’s backfield speak for themselves: 2,561 yards on 219 carries, averaging 11.7 yards per carry and 320.1 per game.
They’re fast. They’re physical. That translates nicely on defense, too.
This week: vs. Lake Worth (3-6), Thursday, 6:30p
8. Dwyer (6-3)
Last week: No. 8
We’ve seen Dwyer’s potential. We just need to see that potential consistently.
Dwyer’s defense can’t be as good as its potential and will keep tiring out if the offense can’t lock in to keep drives alive.
With a close 20-17 victory over district opponent Seminole Ridge on Friday, it doesn’t seem like we’ll reach that point. At least not this season.
This week: at Palm Beach Lakes (0-9), Friday, 6:30 p.m.
9. King’s Academy (8-1)
Last week: No. 9
The Lions are district champions – or at least we’re pretty sure they are.
Does King’s luck run through the finish of the regular season?
A nearly undefeated season is great. I just think it would be a little more valid if their opponents didn’t have a -2.40 strength of schedule rating.
This week: vs. Benjamin, Friday, 7 p.m.
10. Benjamin (4-4)
Last week: Unranked
Sorry to Saint Andrew’s, but I think we’d look back on the last set of power rankings in 2022 and wonder where Benjamin was despite all of the roadblocks they’ve hit this year.
That being said, they’ve overcome those bumps to hold a middling record before the postseason, a journey led by a talented host of returning starters, including Wake Forest receiver commit Micah Mays, athlete Darrell Sweeting, Florida running back commit Chauncey Bowens, and a handful of underclassmen Power 5 prospects to be like Jacob Cosby-Mosley at quarterback and two-way guys Amaree Williams and Adam Balogoun-ali.
Not many expected Benjamin to be here. Let alone as a three-seed to two-seed Cardinal Newman. That motivation is going to help them out on the drive to December.
This week: at King’s, Friday, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County power rankings: Cardinal Newman on top again
