District play started in Week 4, and some entered the rankings while others moved out altogether.
The top six teams stayed the same, while 8-10 got interesting. Lakewood Ranch exited the top-10 following a 46-0 loss to Riverview and its second straight defeat. ODA moved up to seventh, and Sarasota Christian elevated to eighth. Bayshore entered at 10 after a 35-21 win over Southeast and a 3-1 start.
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Here's the Herald-Tribune's Super 10 team rankings ahead of Week 5.
Games through Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
1. Venice (4-0)
Last week: Defeated Lehigh 69-0.
Analysis: Venice routed Lehigh in Week 4, marking head coach John Peacock’s 199th win. Against Lakeland, Peacock tied former head coach Jim Powell’s record after defeating
the powerhouse 32-25 in double overtime in Week 3. On Thursday, Sept. 10, the head coach took the lead from Powell. Senior running back Ira Dale Jr. had six carries for 78 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Mason Polley finished 8-of-10 with 170 yards and one touchdown. Venice takes on Cape Coral (2-1) on Friday, Sept. 18, which is ranked 222nd in Florida, according to MaxPreps. The Indians should likely cruise to a win as Peacock searches for his 200th victory.
2. Cardinal Mooney (3-1)
Last week: Defeated Wellen Park 67-10.
Analysis: Cardinal Mooney thwarted Wellen Park behind its defense, which forced two fumbles and had two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Both fumbles were recovered by Julian Williams. Senior running back Connail Jackson had two touchdowns, rushing for over 160 yards before being taken out in the second half. Receiver Seneca Hawthorne returned a kick for 99 yards. Mooney has a bye week in Week 5.
3. Palmetto (3-1)
Last week: Defeated IMG Jr. National 40-0.
Analysis: Since its Week 1 loss to Clearwater Central Catholic, Palmetto has continued to improve, winning three straight games. Against IMG Jr. National, the Tigers had seven plays of 20 yards or more. Senior Shane Partridge had 111 yards at halftime on five carries, finishing with 179 yards on nine attempts. Palmetto's defense limited IMG to 69 yards of total offense, with 34 coming from the Ascenders' first series. Palmetto will play Naples at home in Week 5.
4. Riverview (3-1)
Last week: Defeated Lakewood Ranch 46-0.
Analysis: Riverview shut out Lakewood Ranch (2-2) in Week 4 behind senior quarterback Logan Carrillo's three touchdown passes and running back Justin Flores' two rushing touchdowns. Running back Michael Peterson also added 77 yards and one score. The Riverview defense had six sacks and shut down Lakewood Ranch running back Elidrick Berry. Riverview will face a big test at home on Friday against Manatee, which is ranked 65th in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
5. Manatee (3-1)
Last week: Defeated Lake Brantley 48-27.
Analysis: Following an opening loss to Tampa Plant, Manatee has won its last three matches, including a road test against Lake Brantley in Week 4. The Hurricanes will face an even bigger road test in Week 5 against Riverview.
6. Sarasota (3-1)
Last week: Defeated North Port 56-13.
Analysis: Quarterback Hudson West led Sarasota to another dominant win, throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns before halftime. Junior AJ Heater had a 68-yard punt return and a 92-yard run during the second-half kickoff. The offensive line has only allowed one sack in four games. In Week 5, Sarasota will face Parrish Community (0-4), a team the Sailors should cruise by.
7. Out-of-Door Academy (4-0)
Last week: Bye.
Analysis: ODA is coming off a bye week and will face Sarasota Christian on Friday, Sept. 18. The Thunder are undefeated, allowing only 13 points this season. ODA has outscored opponents 158-13.
8. Braden River (3-0)
Last week: Bye.
Analysis: Braden River is off to its best start since 2021 under former defensive coordinator Rick Farmer, who is a first-year head coach. Against Lakewood Ranch in Week 3, the Pirates rallied from a 12-point deficit, scoring 29 unanswered points. Braden River is coming off a bye week and will face North Port on Friday, Sept. 18, a team the Pirates should likely defeat.
9. Sarasota Christian (4-1)
Last week: Defeated Cambridge Christian 35-26.
Analysis: In Sarasota Christian's win over Cambridge Christian, quarterback Tait Zeltwanger finished 11-of-18 with 194 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. He had 15 carries for 98 yards. Running back Elijah George had 15 carries for 81 yards. Receiver Cale Zeltwanger had eight catches for 161 yards and four touchdowns. Safety Wyatt Campbell had 11 tackles. Sarasota Christian will meet ODA in Week 5, arguably its biggest challenge of the season.
10. Bayshore (3-1)
Last week: Defeated Southeast 35-21.
Analysis: After freshman quarterback Jake Carr exited the game, Bayshore still found a way to win behind running back Jashun Judge and everything-man Camdon Stancil. Judge had three touchdowns, while Stancil took over for Carr late in the second quarter and throughout the second half. The Bruins are working to replicate their 4-1 start from last season, but will have to defeat Hawthorne at home to do it. Hawthorne is ranked 32nd in Florida, according to MaxPreps.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Super 10 Sarasota, Manatee football team ranking entering Week 5
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