Football: Pinellas County Top 10

1. Lakewood (7-0)

Up next: vs. Hardee

The Spartans beat East Lake 36-6 last week to extend their regular season win streak to 24. Terrell Crosby, a Toledo commit, had two interceptions, returning both for touchdowns against the Eagles. He now has 12 interceptions on the season, five going for scores. Lakewood closes the regular season with some tough matchups, including a showdown with Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna on Oct. 22 and a battle with Lakeland the following week.

2. Clearwater Central Catholic (4-2)

Up next: vs. Braden River

The Marauders two losses are against Jesuit and Berkeley Prep, both of which are undefeated and ranked among the top 22 in the state by MaxPreps. Clearwater Central Catholic stayed within striking distance in each of those games. The challenging schedule continues on Friday when the Marauders host undefeated Braden River. 

3. Clearwater (5-1)

Up next: at Anclote

After losing to Lakeland in the season opener, the Tornadoes have won five straight. The offense, led by quarterback Aidan MacLean (1,365 yards, 17 touchdowns) and receiver CJ Lee (625 yards, 11 touchdowns), is averaging 38 points per game during that streak. Clearwater, which is coming off a bye, travels to play Anclote. The Tornadoes already are in first place in Class 5A, District 9 and should stay there considering their final three district opponents have a combined record of 4-14. 

4. Northeast (6-0)

Up next: at Boca Ciega

The Vikings are off to their best start in two decades and can all but wrap up the Class 6A, District 11 title with a win over Boca Ciega on Friday. First-year coach Shawn Davis is perfect so far in his debut season with the program thanks to the dynamic 1-2 punch of athlete D’Angelo Hutchinson and running back Markese Norfleet. Hutchinson, an Iowa State commit, caught the winning touchdown in the final 22 seconds of regulation to beat previously undefeated Pinellas Park two weeks ago. Norfleet ran for 305 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over Countryside. 

5. Pinellas Park (5-1) 

Up next: at Hollins

The Patriots only loss was by a point to Northeast (13-12) and came in the final seconds of regulation. Four of Pinellas Park’s five wins have been by double digits, including last week’s 44-10 rout over St. Petersburg. Still, the Patriots will need to beat Hollins on Friday and Boca Ciega in two weeks, then get some help via a Northeast loss in order to have a shot at the Class 6A, District 11 title. 

6. Largo (2-4) 

Up next: at Mitchell

The Packers record is somewhat misleading. Their last three losses have been by combined 10 points to Gaither, Clearwater and Lakewood, all playoff-contending programs. Those close contests are starting to pay off. Last week, Largo put it all together for its best performance of the season, beating Boca Ciega 22-20. The Packers need to keep that momentum going and knock off Mitchell on Friday in order to have any shot at the Class 7A, District 9 title. 

7. Boca Ciega (4-2) 

Up next: vs. Northeast

The Pirates two losses came against Lakewood in the season opener and against Largo last week. The good news is both of those were non-district games. Boca Ciega can take over sole possession of first place in Class 6A, District 11 with a win over Northeast on Friday.

8. Calvary Christian (3-4)

Up next: vs. Lakeland Christian

The Warriors are trying to rebound from a three-game losing streak. Two of the three losses during that span have been by seven points or less. It doesn’t get any easier on Friday when Calvary Christian hosts undefeated Lakeland Christian. 

9. East Lake (2-5)

Up next: vs. Steinbrenner

The Eagles’ five losses have come against teams that are a combined 28-3 so far this season. Playing such tough competition could pay off. East Lake is 1-0 in Class 8A, District 11 play and a win against Steinbrenner on Friday would all but clinch the title. 

10. Osceola (6-1)

Up next: Idle

The Warriors beat Palm Harbor University last week to extend their win streak to four. Osceola’s six wins have come against teams who are a combined 6-29. The biggest test will come against undefeated Land O’ Lakes on Oct. 29. 

On the bubble: Gibbs (3-3), Palm Harbor University (3-3), Tarpon Springs (3-3), St. Petersburg Catholic (3-3), Countryside (3-4), Northside Christian (3-2), Keswick Christian (4-2) .