Final On3 Composite Florida high school football rankings: Dec. 17

The high school football season in Florida is officially complete after the state championships over the weekend, and the final rankings are out for 2024.

After a dominant win in the 1A state title game — their fourth in a row — Chaminade-Madonna reigns supreme. But there were plenty of other interesting finishes after the final weeks of the season as well.

Check it out below:

The On3 Composite High School Football Team Ranking is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings listed in the public domain by respected High School media and data companies. It includes Massey, Max Preps, Cal Preps, ESPN and SI, creating the industry’s most comprehensive and geographically balanced High School Team Ranking.

1. Chaminade-Madonna Prep

The Lions torched Clearwater Central Catholic 42-7 last week to claim their fourth consecutive FHSAA Class 1A State Championship. Chaminade compiled six turnovers in the win, and after leading 14-0 at half, things were blown open in the second half. Chaminade-Madonna has now appeared in nine consecutive state title games and has won seven of them.

2. Venice

Venice capped off a magical 2024 season by routing Lake Mary 52-19 in the 7A state title game. The game was close for the first quarter, with the Indians leading just 7-6 after one frame. But their prolific offense couldn’t be held down for long. They erupted for three touchdowns and a field goal in the final 4:33 of the second quarter to take a commanding lead. It marked the eighth time this season they surpassed 50 points in a game.

3. American Heritage

Without star junior quarterback Dia Bell, American Heritage faced sledding in the Florida 4A state championship game against Orlando (Fla.) Jones. With the help of star wideout Malachi Toney though, they overcame the odds to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season in a 40-31 win.

Toney was an efficient 15-of-17 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on the ground. Florida running back signee Byron Louis ran for 221 yards and two touchdowns — including an 80-yard breakaway score to give the Patriots the lead in the fourth quarter.

4. IMG Academy

The national powerhouse out of Bradenton had a down year by its own standards, finishing the regular season 7-2. That included a blowout 30-3 loss to St. Frances Academy (Md.) before routing St. Thomas More out of Louisiana the following week. Because IMG is a private school who can recruit nationally, they don’t participate in the Florida state playoffs.

5. St. Thomas Aquinas

The Raiders capped off a 12-2 campaign with a 34-0 rout of Lakeland in Class 5A championship game. They jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter before cruising to victory of the previously undefeated Dreadnaughts.

It marks the sixth consecutive state title for STA, which snapped a 19-game winning streak for Lakeland.

6. Northwestern

Northwestern alum and former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to his roots this fall as the head coach of the Bulls. In doing so, he led the program to another state championship and helped return one of Florida’s best programs over the past two decades to the top. The Bulls were dominant all season, and the playoffs were no different — Northwestern outscored their opponents by a combined score of 262-12. 

7. Lakeland

The Dreadnaughts ran the table as one of the state’s best public schools teams, heading into the state championship last week against St. Thomas Aquinas at 12-1. However, the public vs. private talent discrepancy was on display that night as STA rolled to another state title. Lakeland was buoyed was a couple of talented juniors this year who will return again next fall as they look to make another run at the 5A title.

8. Cocoa

After dropping a couple of regular-season games to powers like Venice, IMG Academy and Norland, this squad Cocoa squad was on a mission come playoff time. The Tigers made ultimately made it to the state finals, where they knocked off a talented Gadsden City squad 38-27.

The win was their third 2A state title in a row.

9. Norland

The Miami-area powerhouse dealt with plenty of adversity during the regular season, including a forfeit loss to American Heritage after the use of an ineligible player. Norland got a chance for revenge early in the 4A state playoffs, but the Patriots rolled to a 35-14 victory.

10. Jones

Led by Florida wide receiver signee Vernell Brown III and Miami quarterback commit Dereon Coleman, Jones was one of the best teams all year statewide. They rolled to a 14-0 record heading into the state title game against a somewhat depleted American Heritage squad. But ultimately the Patriots’ combo of Malachi Toney and Byron Louis was too much in a 40-31 loss for the Tigers.

Teams 11-25 in final On3 Composite Rankings

11. Lake Mary
12. Clearwater Central Catholic
13. Armwood
14. Miami Central
15. Gadsden County

16. West Boca Raton
17. Columbus
18. Niceville
19. St. Augustine
20. Raines

21. Manatee
22. Tampa Bay Tech
23. Nease
24. Osceola
25. F. W. Buchholz