The Herald-Tribune is proud to honor area high school sports programs with our Top Teams list and poll.
At the beginning of each month during the high school competitive seasons, the Herald-Tribune will select the teams that stood out the month before for their stellar achievements, grit, and sportsmanship. Once we compile the list, we will leave it up to you to decide which squads deserve to be named the Herald-Tribune Top Team.
Nominees are derived from scores and stats emailed by Sarasota and Manatee County coaches to htincoming@gmail.com. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit a nomination by the last day of each month if they have a team that deserves recognition.
Voting will run until 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at heraldtribune.com.
Here are the Top Team nominees selected for their performances in September. Vote in the poll below.
Herald-Tribune September Team of the Month nominees
Lakewood Ranch Boys Golf
Highlights: The Mustangs are the 10th best team in Florida, according to the FHSAA. In September, Lakewood Ranch handed Saint Stephen's its first loss and won the Crutchfield Hawkins Invitational. The Mustangs also finished second in the South Florida PGA East Coast Championship.
Parrish Community Girls Golf
Highlights: Parrish Community is ranked 6th in Florida, according to the FHSAA. The Bulls defeated Lakewood Ranch, winning by three strokes. They also won by 18 strokes over McKeel and Academy of the Holy Names.
Riverview Girls Cross Country
Highlights: The Rams have placed in the top four during their three meets in September, including two second place finishes.
Riverview Volleyball
Highlights: The Rams had a great September, defeating Lakewood Ranch twice, Sarasota, Charlotte and Venice.
Sarasota Boys Golf
Highlights: The Sailors have done well in September. They placed second in the Terrapin Invitational and tied for second at the SFPGA West Coast. Sarasota also won the Port Charlotte Invitational.
Sarasota Football
Highlights: After finishing 4-7 last season, Sarasota has already tied its win total through six weeks in head coach Amp Campbell's third season. Quarterback Hudson West has led the charge, throwing for 1,771 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 67.1 percent of his passes.
Sarasota Girls Cross Country
Highlights: The Sailors have placed top five in their two meets in September.
Venice Football
Highlights: The Indians were undefeated in September, picking up huge wins against Lakeland and Sarasota. With its performance through six games, Venice is one of the best teams in Florida.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Vote for the Herald-Tribune Sarasota, Manatee Top Team for September
