It's officially the midpoint of the high school football season, and the rankings haven't moved much.
The top six teams are the same, made up of Venice, Cardinal Mooney, Palmetto, Riverview and Sarasota. ODA and Braden River remain undefeated, while Bayshore and Sarasota Christian round out the top 10.
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Here's the Herald-Tribune's Super 10 team rankings ahead of Week 6.
Games through Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
1. Venice (5-0)
Last week: Defeated Cape Coral 63-21.
Analysis: Venice is rolling, putting up 60 or more points in three of its five games. In Week 5, head coach John Peacock earned his 200th win. His record is 200-48 halfway through his 20th season. Venice reached the end zone on six consecutive possessions,
totaling 587 total yards. Running backs Dorien Jones (16 carries, 135 yards) and Ira Dale Jr. (four carries, 52 yards) combined for six touchdowns, while sophomore Austin Bowman added 106 yards. Venice will play at home against Sarasota on Friday, Sept. 25, one of the best offenses in the area.
2. Cardinal Mooney (3-1)
Last week: Bye.
Analysis: Defending 2A state champion Cardinal Mooney is coming off a bye week following a 3-1 start to the season. While the Cougars routed True North Academy and Wellen Park, Mooney fell 47-46 to Cardinal Newman — the defending 1A state champs — after coming back from a 27-point deficit. In Week 6, Mooney will face an undefeated Braden River team off to its best start since 2021.
3. Palmetto (4-1)
Last week: Defeated Naples 38-28.
Analysis: Palmetto earned its fourth straight win in Week 5, overwhelming Naples with a 28-0 lead with 9:43 remaining in the first half. Quarterback Matthew Hennesey threw scoring strikes on his first two passes to receivers Jok Harris (App State) and Maurice Carter. Running backs Shane Partridge and Ashton Kelly both scored on 7-yard rushes. Kelly also added a 70-yard touchdown later in the game. Palmetto will play an 0-5 Parrish team on Friday, Sept. 25.
4. Riverview (4-1)
Last week: Defeated Manatee 49-47.
Analysis: Riverview won a narrow victory over Manatee following a back-and-forth game. It was another high-scoring battle between the two teams, who combined for 105 points last season in Riverview's 63-42 win. Riverview scored on every drive during the first half as running backs Michael Peterson and Justin Flores combined for over 250 yards on 37 carries. Quarterback Logan Carrillo — who has been a standout this season — threw for over 200 yards and one touchdown. Riverview will face an 0-4 Lehigh team in a district matchup.
5. Manatee (3-2)
Last week: Lost to Riverview 49-47.
Analysis: With 26 seconds left to play, Manatee had a chance to tie Riverview for the fifth time on Friday, Sept. 18. But the Hurricanes couldn't make the 2-point conversion, leading to a second-straight loss against the Rams. Running back Caedon White was the standout, recording at least 34 carries for 260 yards and three touchdowns. Manatee will play Sumner on the road in Week 6, a team ranked 37th in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
6. Sarasota (4-1)
Last week: Defeated Parrish Community 48-7.
Analysis: Sarasota routed Parrish in Week 5, earning its third straight win. Quarterback Hudson West has been dominant this season, throwing for 1,090 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 69.5 percent of his passes. He's also added 95 rushing yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns. The Sailors boast a talented receiving core that includes Jayden Rivers, Evan Larrick, AJ Heater and Julian Wilcom. They'll need everyone's help as Sarasota takes on Venice, its biggest test this season.
7. Out-of-Door Academy (5-0)
Last week: Defeated Sarasota Christian 50-21.
Analysis: ODA is undefeated this season, outscoring opponents 208-34. Against Sarasota Christian, quarterback Jaxon Lawhun finished 8-of-12 for 218 yards and four touchdowns, adding five rushing yards. Running backs Nathan Williams (99 yards, one TD) and Cam Yates (71 yards, two TDs) combined for 170 yards and three touchdowns. ODA will play IMG Academy State on Thursday, Sept. 24.
8. Braden River (4-0)
Last week: Defeated North Port 37-6.
Analysis: Under first-year head coach Rick Farmer, Braden River is off to its best start since 2021. Against North Port, running back David Louis finished with 137 yards on 10 carries. Quarterback Louisen Desinor finished 7-of-12, passing for 115 yards. The defense held North Port to 25 yards on offense in the first half, allowing a total of 121 yards. In Week 6, Braden River will face defending state champions Cardinal Mooney, the Pirates' biggest test yet.
9. Bayshore (3-2)
Last week: Lost to Hawthorne 50-15.
Analysis: Bayshore fell to Hawthorne, which is ranked 31st in Florida, according to MaxPreps. In Week 6, the Bruins will meet Wellen Park on the road, which is coming off a bye week. Wellen Park is 3-1, having started the season undefeated before being routed by Cardinal Mooney in Week 4.
10. Sarasota Christian (4-2)
Last week: Lost to ODA 50-12.
Analysis: Sarasota Christian fell to ODA on Friday, resulting in its second loss of the season. Quarterback Tait Zeltwanger finished 12-of-34 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. His brother, Cale, had three catches for 76 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Noah Spenn caught six passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. The Blazers play Northside Christian on Friday, which is 0-5.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee high school football Super 10 midseason rankings
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