Who ranks as the best football team in the Bradenton Herald Week 6 Power Poll?
Editor’s note: These are power rankings, meaning hypothetical head-to-head matchups aren’t considered. Actual head-to-head games, how the team is trending and recently performed are weighed. Considerations to keep teams where they were after a loss are based on the opposition’s strength and how close a game was.
Public
1. (last week 1) Manatee, 5-0
The Hurricanes relied on quarterback Andrew Heidel (412 passing yards), Bon Bean Jr. (161 receiving yards) and Torey Gilley (158 receiving yards) to stage a 17-point fourth-quarter outburst to edge Port Charlotte, 31-24, to stay undefeated.
Up next: at Lakewood Ranch
2. (2) Palmetto, 2-1
The Tigers were off last week and face IMG Academy’s undefeated White team this week.
Up next: vs. IMG Academy White
3. (3) Braden River, 2-2
Braden River suffered its second straight close loss after a trip to Sarasota Booker. The Pirates fell 24-20 and begin district play this week with a tough test at Port Charlotte.
Up next: at Port Charlotte
4. (4) Parrish Community, 3-1
The Bulls were off last week, and begin Class 3S-District 13 action at home against winless Southeast.
Up next: vs. Southeast
5. (5) Bayshore, 3-1
A trip to Arcadia, Florida was just what the Bruins needed before this week’s pivotal district opener. They scored 50 points in a blowout victory over DeSoto. Now they’ll look to keep that form going at Tornado Alley against a Booker team coming off a win over Braden River.
Up next: at Sarasota Booker
6. (6) Lakewood Ranch, 2-3
After three losses to start the season, the Mustangs are riding high with two consecutive victories. If a third straight win happens Friday against the Power Poll top team, Manatee, then the Mustangs would be one win away from a district championship.
Up next: vs. Manatee
7. (7) Southeast, 0-4
The Seminoles return to action after an off week searching for their first victory this season.
Up next: at Parrish Community
Private
1. (1) IMG Academy National, 4-0
The Ascenders are off for a second consecutive week. They slipped to No. 4 in MaxPreps’ national rankings after not playing last week.
Up next: Off
2. (2) IMG Academy White, 5-0
IMG White sophomore quarterback Ely Hamrick tossed five touchdown passes in a 44-0 victory for the Ascenders against Winter Haven Akelynn’s Angels Christian Academy.
Up next: at Palmetto
3. (4) Bradenton Christian, 3-1
The Panthers edged rival Saint Stephen’s, 14-7, last week to leapfrog the Falcons in this week’s Power Poll.
Up next: vs. Cape Coral Oasis (Thursday)
4. (3) Saint Stephen’s, 3-2
Evan Brown managed 184 rushing yards and a touchdown, but Bradenton Christian topped the Falcons, 14-7, to grab bragging rights in this year’s crosstown rivalry game.
Up next: vs. Fort Myers Canterbury
5. (5) IMG Academy Blue, 0-4
The Ascenders’ third team continues to struggle. Englewood Lemon Bay dismantled the Ascenders, 48-7.
Up next: Off
