Three weeks down, here’s the third edition of the TCPalm Power Poll.
The area’s two unbeaten teams remain first and second on our list as Jensen Beach and John Carroll each powered their way to home wins last week. However, the chaos and movement begins immediately afterward, with a few teams moving up and others sliding down.
Overall, area teams collectively put together their best week so far in 2024.
Excluding three games with squads inside the TCPalm coverage umbrella facing one another, local teams produced a winning record by going 5-4 against out-of-area programs during Week 3. The average margin of separation from the 12-game slate was 18.6.
So where does your favorite team rank in our view? Take a look below to see how the rest of the list shakes out.
Top Performers:Cal Fritz, Jaden Jackson highlight the area's best from Week 3
Florida high school football scores:Week 3 roundup, stats and more from the Treasure Coast
Watch the best high school football games in Florida
TCPalm Power Poll
1. Jensen Beach (3-0)
The area’s best team so far in 2024 kicked off its home schedule with a 35-7 triumph over Fort Pierce Westwood in a game that was stopped in the second quarter due to a medical emergency. After the game was tied at 7-all, the Falcons broke it open with 28 straight points.
Last week’s ranking: 1
Last week’s result: 35-7 win vs. Fort Pierce Westwood
Next week: 7 p.m. Friday vs. Sebastian River
2. John Carroll Catholic (2-0)
The Rams remained unbeaten after scoring in all three phases in a home victory over St. Lucie West Centennial. In addition to three total touchdowns from Jax VanName, John Carroll got a kickoff return score from Jaydien Pittman and an interception return touchdown from Devon Lewis.
Last week’s ranking: 2
Last week’s result: 45-30 win vs. St. Lucie West Centennial
Next week: 7 p.m. Thurday vs. Port St. Lucie
3. Fort Pierce Central (2-1)
After leaping two spots last week, the Cobras are up two spots once again. Central has outscored its opponents by a 96-15 margin within that span. Last week, the Cobras outgained Nova 409-200 in total yardage and collected four sacks on defense.
Last week’s ranking: 5
Last week’s result: 35-8 win vs. Nova
Next week: 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Tradition Prep
4. Vero Beach (0-3)
For the third straight week, the Indians saw a potential victory slip through their grasp, thus resulting in the program’s first 0-3 start since 1976. They will look to turn things around as the team starts district play against Centennial, a team Vero Beach has defeated 12 consecutive times.
Last week’s ranking: 3
Last week’s result: 42-33 loss vs. Homestead
Next week: 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Lucie West Centennial
5. Treasure Coast (0-3)
Scoring seven points in each of the first three regular season games, the Titans took an early lead before being overpowered by the Royals, who put up 36 unanswered points to elicit a running clock. Treasure Coast last opened a season 0-3 in 2022, but the team still made a run to the regional semifinals. Does this year’s squad have a similar path?
Last week’s ranking: 4
Last week’s result: 42-7 loss vs. The First Academy
Next week: 7 p.m. Friday vs. Dunbar
6. Martin County (1-2)
Three weeks of quality effort finally resulted in a win for the Tigers, who never trailed in a home victory against Dwyer. Martin County was lights out defensively, collecting four sacks while Jahree Hutchinson had two of the team’s three interceptions.
Last week’s ranking: 7
Last week’s result: 17-7 win vs. Dwyer
Next week: 7 p.m. Friday at Fort Pierce Westwood
7. Sebastian River (2-1)
The Sharks ended a three-game homestand to open the season with back-to-back wins. Their most recent victory, a 23-7 win against Harmony, was spearheaded by the two-headed running back combo of Dantay Diorio and Buddha James, who combined for 188 rushing yards and all three of the team’s touchdowns.
Last week’s ranking: 8
Last week’s result: 23-7 win vs. Harmony
Next week: 7 p.m. Friday vs. Jensen Beach
8. Fort Pierce Westwood (0-2)
The Panthers were trailing Jensen Beach 35-7 in the second before a medical emergency that ended the night as multiple Westwood players were taken to the hospital. Shortly after the game, the team’s social media accounts provided an update stating that the players were doing well.
Last week’s ranking: 6
Last week’s result: 35-7 loss at Jensen Beach
Next week: 7 p.m. Friday vs. Martin County
9. South Fork (1-2)
The Bulldogs broke into the win column in a major way by clobbering Okeechobee behind a five-touchdown performance by senior quarterback Cal Fritz. South Fork hits the road for the first time in the regular season when it plays at Melbourne.
Last week’s ranking: Unranked
Last week’s result: 43-0 win vs. Okeechobee
Next week: 7 p.m. Friday at Melbourne
10. St. Lucie West Centennial (1-2)
With a pair of touchdowns going for 60 yards or more, the Eagles managed several big plays offensively during their road loss to John Carroll. Mason Brown completed 18 of 32 passes for 291 yards, four scores and one interception. Half of his touchdown passes went to Emmanuel Dorelus Jr., who had seven receptions for 136 yards.
Last week’s ranking: 10
Last week’s result: 45-30 loss at John Carroll Catholic
Next week: 7 p.m. Thursday vs. Vero Beach
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
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