Week 11 and the final week of the regular season for prep football in the state of Florida began this week and we here at the Hernando Sun want to give you all the insight you can get during the 2021 campaign. We will be doing a periodic Top 5 ranking poll of the five teams within Hernando County. We now take a look at the Hernando Sun Top 5 Prep Football Poll heading into Week 11 of the regular season.
No. 1 Nature Coast (6-3): Nature Coast is at a familiar position towards the end of the season: Looking towards the playoffs and finishing above the .500 mark. That’s something the Sharks have done every season under the watch of Cory Johns and this season will be no different. Now Nature Coast is looking to end the season with a win over a Polk County opponent in George Jenkins before heading into the Class 5A postseason.
Up next: George Jenkins
Pick: Nature Coast
No. 2 Hernando (5-3): There’s been no shortage of excitement in the Hernando Leopards’ season. Whether it’s been exciting finishes, disappointing losses or anything else, the Leopards have been through a roller coaster of a season. Hernando is slated to clinch a playoff berth in Class 4A. The Leopards had a tough regular season finisher when they took on Class 7A’s Wiregrass Ranch, Tuesday evening Nov. 3. The Leopards lost 37-15.
No. 3 Springstead (6-4): The regular season is officially over for the Springstead Eagles and though they won’t make the Class 6A playoffs. They have had a stunning turnaround from last season when they only won two games. What improved was the Eagles’ offensive play and offensive coordinator Bill Vonada had a big hand in that.
Up next: Season is over
Pick: N/A
No. 4 Central (0-9): Though the Central Bears are likely going to go winless in 2021, Jim Pusateri has this team going in the right direction. The Bears have actually scored some points this season (36 points) compared to a year ago when they only had six total. Central had opportunities to compete, including Lake Weir, Anclote and Umatilla games. Now the Bears have to start to build little by little on the positives.
Up next: Citrus
Pick: Citrus
No. 5 Weeki Wachee (0-9): A season to not remember comes to a merciful end when Weeki Wachee takes on the Belleview Rattlers, which may ensure the Hornets finish the 2021 campaign at 0-10. It has been a very tough season for Chris Cook and his program, as they have only scored 16 points through nine games and competing was tough for a challenging schedule the Hornets had.
Up next: Belleview
Pick: Belleview
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
