The Southeast region in the USA TODAY Sports Super 15 rankings have proved one thing: It's pretty darn deep.
Eight teams in this week's top 15 continue to be ranked inside this week's USA TODAY Sports Super 25 national rankings, along with plenty of contenders that very well could be in at some point this year.
Here are USA TODAY Sports' Week 4 Southeast Region Super 15 rankings.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Record: 4-0
The Raiders handled business as expected in the midst of a short week, handling Dillard (FL) 49-0. Surprisingly, Aquinas threw for more in this game than they ran for, as the ground game has been elite so far through four games. While they will be favored against Archbishop McCarthy (FL), that game could get interesting.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, at Archbishop
McCarthy (FL), 7 p.m. ET
2. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
Record: 3-0
The Ascenders were off last week, which has given them an extra week to prepare for an in-state foe in The First Academy, their first (and only) opponent in the Sunshine State this season. Jayden Wade has been elite this season for IMG with 9 passing touchdowns and just 11 incompletions.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, at The First Academy (FL), 7 p.m. ET
3. Buford (GA)
Record: 3-0
It wasn't pretty, but the Wolves got it done at home against Miami Central in an 18-7 win. The debut of Jalen Brewster was a good one, as the Texas Tech commit had 5 tackles (1 for loss), adding a pair of quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. This week's clash at Grayson should be a fun follow.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, at Grayson (GA), 7:30 p.m. ET
4. Columbus (Miami, FL)
Record: 3-1
The Explorers bounced back in a big way, handling rival Miami Palmetto 34-7. Five-star Miami commit A'mir Sears was doing A'mir Sears things, finishing with five offensive touches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. A much easier test against South Dade awaits.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18 at South Dade (FL), 7:30 p.m. ET
5. Thompson (Alabaster, AL)
Record: 4-0
Spain Park never stood a chance against a scorching hot Thompson offense, which cooked in a 48-14 win last week. Alabama commit Trent Seaborn continues to ball, throwing for 361 yards and 5 touchdowns. Don't expect a winless Tuscaloosa County team to slow this unit down.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Tuscaloosa County (AL), 7 p.m. CT
6. Carrollton (GA)
Record: 4-0
Carrollton is really good at scoring points. So far the Trojans have eclipsed 60-plus in their last three contests, most recently a 63-7 win over Hapeville Charter. Sophomore quarterback CJ Cypher is up to 20 passing touchdowns against no interceptions, while sophomore running backs Zach Watts and Nick Archer have combined for 681 rushing yards on 68 carries with 13 touchdowns.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, vs. West Charlotte (NC), 7:30 p.m. ET
7. Baylor (Chattanooga, TN)
Record: 4-0
If it weren't for David Gabriel Georges, the Red Raiders might've lost last week's clash with Trinity (KY), a game Baylor won 35-27 over the Shamrocks. The five-star Tennessee commit went off, rushing for 305 yards and five touchdowns on just 24 carries. Expect a much easier test this week against CPA.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18 vs. Christ Presbyterian Academy (TN), 7 p.m. ET
8. West Boca Raton (FL)
Record: 3-0
You can make a legitimate argument here that West Boca needs to be ranked higher. The defense has given up just 14 points in three games, and that includes just seven points apiece to an American Heritage team and a Cardinal Newman squad that'll be contending for titles this year, either in the Open Division or their respective classifications. This defense is arguably the best in the Southeast and will get a chance at home against St. John's (D.C.) on Friday.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, vs. St. John's (DC), 6:30 p.m. ET
9. Thomas County Central (Thomasville, GA)
Record: 3-0
After two high-scoring affairs in their Week 1 and 2 wins, TCC played a slightly closer game, but still blew out Lithonia 35-7. The Yellow Jackets have four rushers north of 100 yards already, an encouraging sign moving forward into a big-time clash with Lee County.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 25, at Lee County (GA), 7:30 p.m. ET
10. Ruston (LA)
Record: 2-0
The Bearcats were pushed a bit against Longview (TX) but came away with a 36-22 win over the east Texas squad. Ruston will now set their sights on Edna Karr, which has looked good in their first two games with a 50-0 win over Huntington (LA).
Next game: Saturday, Sept. 19, vs. Edna Karr (LA), 3 p.m. CT
11. Dutch Fork (Irmo, SC)
Record: 3-0
The Dutch Fork machine keeps rolling, as the Silver Foxes handled Lucy Beckham 35-7. The win streak is now 12 for Dutch Fork, which will look to keep that going against an inferior Sumter squad.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Sumter (SC), 7 p.m. ET
12. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, GA)
Record: 4-0
This North Gwinnett squad continues to prove its ranking, going on the road and beating Mill Creek 45-13. In a pair of road games so far, this Bulldogs team has yet to be fazed, scoring north of 40 in both contests. Expect that to be the case once again this week against a winless Berkmar team.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18 at Berkmar (GA), 7 p.m. ET
13. Tupelo (MS)
Record: 3-0
Mississippi's top team continues to dominate, with Houston (TN) being the latest victim in a 42-13 decision. Tupelo has looked solid as of late, but their next test against Oxford will be the biggest of the year.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 18, vs. Oxford (MS), 7 p.m. CT
14. Lee County (GA)
Record: 4-0
Lee County is unbeaten at 4-0, but each of the last two weeks have not been great weeks for the defense, conceding 32 to Sequoyah and 30 to Colquitt County. Granted both were wins where they scored 40-plus, but that can't happen this week against a Thomas County Central squad that will come ready to play.
Next game: Friday, Sept. 25, vs. Thomas County Central, 7 p.m. ET
15. Carol City (Miami Gardens, FL)
Record: 1-2
The Chiefs are 2-1 on the field, but a forfeit to Daytona Beach Mainland has made this team 1-2. Despite the adversity, Carol City had a great outing against Miami Norland, shutting the Vikings out 43-0. Next up is Miami Edison.
Next game: Thursday, Sept. 17, vs. Edison (FL), 7 p.m. ET
Who dropped out
- Miami Central (FL): previously ranked No. 14
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY Sports Super 15 Southeast region football rankings, Week 5
