Florida: No. 1 Armwood Blanks Hillsborough

Hawks maintain grip on top spot after 17-0 win over Hillsborough; Plant quarterback flourishing in the footsteps of Robert Marve.

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By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com

It was bound to happen.

 

With just three weeks left in the regular season and teams jockeying for playoff positions, there finally has been some changes near the top of the MaxPreps Tampa Bay top 10 poll. And it only took the advertised game of the year to get it.

 

No. 1 Seffner Armwood maintains its season-long lock on the top spot after topping previous No. 2 Tampa Hillsborough 17-0 last week. The buildup did not match the actual game, which was close until the Hawks pulled away in the second half.

 

Tampa Plant and Largo check in at No. 3 and No. 4 and Hillsborough is now No. 5.

 

The sixth and seventh-ranked teams, Tampa Chamberlain and Tampa Gaither play for district titles Nov. 2 but after tough non-district meetings this week. Chamberlain hosts No. 2 Plant while Gaither is at No. 5 Hillsborough.

 

Clearwater Countryside jumps up two spots to No. 8 while Land O'Lakes and Brandon round out the poll. Tampa Middleton and St. Petersburg Northeast both drop off the poll after upset losses.

 

Here is this week's poll:

 

  1. SEFFNER ARMWOOD (8-0) - The game of the year was decidedly in favor of the Hawks. A shutout win against Tampa Hillsborough was the last speedbump on the way to the playoffs.
  2. TAMPA PLANT (6-1) - Panthers quarterback Aaron Murray has 2,000-plus passing yards on the season, 26 touchdowns and one interception. A tough non-district meeting at No. 6 Chamberlain is next.
  3. LARGO (7-0) - The unbeaten Packers average margin of victory this season is 25 points. Largo plays at winless Seminole Friday.
  4. NEW PORT RICHEY RIDGEWOOD (7-0) - The Rams move up a spot after a big win against 4A-8 district foe Tarpon Springs. A district meeting for all the marbles against No. 9 Land O'Lakes looms on Nov. 2.
  5. TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH (6-2) - The Terriers two losses this year are to No. 1 Armwood and No. 2 Plant. Hard to fault Hillsborough, which can still advance to the postseason.
  6. TAMPA CHAMBERLAIN (6-2) - The turnaround continues. After dropping its opening two games, the playoff-bound Chiefs have won six in a row, with a 41-0 win against Alonso being the most recent victory.
  7. TAMPA GAITHER (6-2) - The Cowboys are another great comeback story. Gaither also lost its first two games only to pull off six straight wins to secure a playoff berth. Gaither will play Wharton for the Class 5A, District 5 title Nov. 2. 
  8. CLEARWATER COUNTRYSIDE (5-2) - The Cougars quietly keep winning. Another one Friday against Clearwater could secure a playoff spot.
  9. LAND O'LAKES (6-1) - The Gators defense has been outstanding. LOL is in the thick of the playoff chase and play at New Port Richey River Ridge this week.
  10. BRANDON (5-2) - Dynamic running duo of Marquel Gilmore and Samir Baker have led the Eagles. Brandon has scored more than 34 points in four of its five wins.  

Honorable Mention: Plant City, St. Petersburg Northeast, Tampa Wharton, Tampa Middleton, Dunedin, Gulfport Boca Ciega.

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