Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 28

The Florida high school football rankings heading into the first weekend of November.

No. 1 IMG Academy escaped in overtime against Illinois’ top-ranked squad while American Heritage secured its first-ever win over St. Thomas Aquinas.

The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

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Below is the updated Florida On3 Massey Ratings top 25, as of Oct. 28.

1. IMG Academy

The top team in Illinois visited Bradenton over the weekend and provided a thrilling defensive battle. IMG Academy defeated East St. Louis (Ill.) 14-13 in overtime to improve to 6-1 on the season. The Ascenders are now the No. 12 team in the national top 25. They have another tough matchup on deck against St. Frances Academy (Md.).

2. Venice

Venice is now 8-1 after blasting Sarasota 76-0, flexing its muscles a bit after two hard-fought games against No. 1 IMG and No. 21 Clearwater Central Catholic. Sarasota Riverview is up next for the Indians this Friday.

3. Chaminade-Madonna Prep (+1)

Chaminade-Madonna finished its regular season a bit early with an 8-2 record after beating Cardinal Gibbons 62-17. The Lions ended with losses to Blanche Ely and St. John Bosco (Calif.) — and signature wins over No. 9 American Heritage, No. 8 Miami Norland and No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas.

4. Miami Central (-1)

Miami Central is 8-1 and also done with its regular season after shutting out Stranahan 54-0 to close out the year. Much like Venice, it provided the Rockets with an opportunity to breathe a bit after a tough 22-14 win over No. 8 Miami Norland the week before.

5. St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas ended its regular season on a bitter note with its first loss to No. 9 American Heritage. It was the Raiders’ third loss of the season after Las Vegas Bishop Gorman (Nev.) and No. 3 Chaminade-Madonna.

6. Lakeland

Lakeland is still perfect after beating Kathleen 47-6 on the road last week to improve to 8-0. The Dreadnaughts have big wins this year over No. 4 Miami Central and No. 18 Lake Mary. They are 28-point favorites over Sebring next week.

7. Armwood

Armwood will play Riverview this Friday to finish up the regular season. The Hawks are still undefeated after a 55-0 drubbing of Wharton last Friday. Their lone ranked win of the season came against No. 17 Tampa Bay Tech back in early September.

8. Miami Norland

Miami Norland will head to the postseason with a 7-2 record after coming away with a 37-20 victory against Plantation last Thursday. The Vikings have dropped games to No. 3 Chaminade-Madonna and No. 4 Miami Central this year, but have also picked up signature wins against No. 15 Miami Northwestern, No. 12 Cocoa and No. 9 American Heritage.

9. American Heritage (+1)

American Heritage has navigated a brutal schedule to finish with a 5-4 record after securing one of the biggest wins in program history. The Patriots downed No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas in a 42-38 shootout, the first win against the Raiders in school history.

10. Orlando Jones (-1)

Jones is undefeated with just Ococee remaining on the schedule, and the Tigers are huge favorites. They smashed Lake Region 77-0 last Friday with the most points the Tigers have put up this season.

Teams 11-25 in Florida High School football rankings

11. Nease
12. Cocoa
13. Raines
14. Gadsden County (+1)
15. Miami Northwestern (-1)

16. Niceville (+1)
17. Tampa Bay Tech (+1)
18. Lake Mary (-2)
19. Lincoln (+5)
20. St. Augustine

21. Clearwater Central Catholic
22. Columbus
23. A. Crawford Mosley (+2)
24. Manatee (NR)
25. The Bolles School (-2)

Dropped from rankings: Naples