With three weeks left in the regular season, there was some movement in the bottom of the Herald-Tribune's Super 10 rankings.
Venice, Cardinal Mooney, Palmetto, Riverview and Manatee round out the top five. Outside of Manatee, each team picked up wins in Week 8. Sarasota, ODA and Braden River make up 6-8. While Sarasota and Braden River earned district victories, ODA suffered its first loss of the season against Seffner Christian. Wellen Park and Sarasota Christian finish out the top 10.
Here is the Herald-Tribune's Super 10 team rankings ahead of Week 9.
Games through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
1. Venice (7-1)
Last week: Defeated Lakewood Ranch 49-14
Analysis: Venice defeated Lakewood Ranch in Week 8 behind its underclassman. Sophomore Austin Bowman finished with 14
carries for 170 yards and three touchdowns, as seniors Ira Dale Jr. and Dorien Jones took a rest, combining for six carries. Freshman quarterback Mason Polley completed 14 of his 20 passes, throwing for 184 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 9, Venice will face a road test against district rival Riverview, which is 6-1.
2. Cardinal Mooney (6-1)
Last week: Defeated Bayshore 55-7
Analysis: Cardinal Mooney routed Bayshore in Week 8, leading 21-0 seven minutes into the game after Jordan Sanders returned a blocked punt for 44 yards and John Jones had a pick-six. Mooney led 42-0 at halftime. The Cougars have outscored opponents 372-161 this season. Running back Connail Jackson ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries against Bayshore. He has 1,579 yards and 22 touchdowns on 110 carries this season, marking his third straight season with over 1,000 rushing yards.
3. Palmetto (6-1)
Last week: Defeated Manatee 37-14
Analysis: After defeating Riverview in Week 3, head coach Eric Sanders described his team "as a work in progress," one that, if he could put it together, would be a huge postseason threat. While Sanders said the Tigers still aren't there after Week 8, they are looking pretty close. Palmetto held Manatee to its lowest score of the season, sacking quarterback Nolan Downes three times and holding running back Caedon White to six carries and 23 yards in the second half. And between linebacker Kymani Sellers, four-star defensive lineman Maleek Lee and defensive end/tackle Chase Henson, Manatee's offense didn't get many chances. Running back Ashton Kelly had three touchdowns for 130 yards. Still, Palmetto had several penalties and a fumble, but the Tigers are becoming the threat Sanders knows they can be.
4. Riverview (6-1)
Last week: Defeated North Port 47-7
Analysis: Riverview routed North Port in Week 8 behind senior quarterback Logan Carrillo, who broke Riverview's record for most passing touchdowns in a single season in Week 8. He has 22 TDs with three weeks left in the regular season. Against North Port, Carrillo finished 9-of-11 for 182 yards and three scores. In the second quarter, Riverview erupted for five touchdowns and 33 points, and by halftime, the Rams led 40-7.
5. Manatee (4-4)
Last week: Fell to Palmetto 37-14
Analysis: Palmetto led 13-7 at the end of the first half. But the Hurricanes fell apart in the second half. Outside of an 80-yard touchdown catch by Tavares Powell late in the third, Palmetto's defense forced two three-and-outs and allowed five first downs. Quarterback Nolan Downes was sacked three times. Running back Caedon White was held to six carries and 23 yards in the second half despite averaging 138 yards and two touchdowns per game.
6. Sarasota (5-2)
Last week: Defeated Lehigh 34-20
Analysis: Sarasota has tied its most wins since 2022 after defeating Lehigh in Week 8. Running back Cameron Houston scored three touchdowns, including a 36-yard reception late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Hudson West finished 14-of-23 for 216 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing score. Receiver Evan Larrick caught six passes for 61 yards. In Week 9, the Sailors should notch their sixth win against Lakewood Ranch, which is 2-5.
7. Out-of-Door Academy (7-1)
Last week: Fell to Seffner Christian 13-12
Analysis: ODA suffered its first loss on Friday, falling to undefeated Seffner Christian. Quarterback Jaxon Lawhun's 17-yard pass to Beau Tack brought the Thunder within a point in the final four minutes, but his two-point pass was picked off in the end zone. ODA came back from a 10-0 deficit with 4:31 remaining in the first half, and trailed 10-6 entering the fourth.
8. Braden River (5-1)
Last week: Defeated Southeast 31-0
Analysis: Braden River shut out Southeast in Week 8, continuing its success under first-year head coach Rick Farmer, who previously served as the defensive coordinator. Senior quarterback Louisen Desinor finished 11-of-18 with 144 yards and two scores, while rushing for 39 yards on nine carries. Junior running back Antonio Jackson ran for 105 yards on 21 carries with one score, while senior Marquis Koonce led all receivers with two catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Caden Parker recorded a sack, while senior Jai'zavier Davis, Trevion Dixon and Anquan Polynice combined for three interceptions.
9. Wellen Park (5-2)
Last week: Defeated Clewiston 23-6
Analysis: In its inaugural season, Wellen Park won every single one of its home games. In Week 8, Wellen Park defeated Clewiston behind its defense after a slow offensive start. Wellen Park's defense held Clewiston to 126 total yards. The Eagles had 202 rushing yards, 156 of which came in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Noah Wireman went 7-of-16 for 77 yards in the first half, before being replaced by backup quarterback Louie Duzs due to an injury, who finished 2-of-3 for 17 yards.
10. Sarasota Christian (5-4)
Last week: Fell to Indian Rocks Christian 35-14
Analysis: The Blazers suffered their fourth loss of the season against Indian Rocks on Friday. Receiver Noah Spenn had three catches for 36 yards and one touchdown, while Cale Zeltwanger had three catches for 101 yards and a TD on offense. He also had 10 tackles on defense. Linebacker Peyton Gray made 13 tackles and safety Jamin Block had two tackles and an interception.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota, Manatee high school football Super 10 rankings going into Week 9
