Tampa Tribune/TBO Top 10 football rankings

Posted Oct 14, 2012 by Scott Purks

Updated Oct 14, 2012 at 03:28 PM

For the first time in three weeks, there was some movement in the top five teams of the Tribune’s Top 10 poll after Hillsborough lost Friday to Sickles. The loss dropped the Terriers two spots to No. 6. The other significant movement in the bottom half was Gaither, which despite winning on Friday fell out of the top 10. Tampa Catholic jumped in after its win over Northeast.

The poll awards points for each place voted on by five panelists who cover the sport extensively in Hillsborough County for the Tampa Tribune/TBO — Mike Camunas, Jarrett Guthrie, Doug Jacobs, Scott Purks and Bill Ward — with 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second place, etc. First-place votes appear in parenthesis following team totals.

1. (tie) Armwood (6-1) 48 (3)
Up Next: at Hillsborough (5-1)
Comment: The Hawks have not looked their best the past three weeks, getting stiff challenges from Jefferson, Sickles and Strawberry Crest. Armwood better be ready for an even bigger battle with the Terriers.

and Plant (5-1) 47 (2)
Up Next: at Alonso (4-2)
Comment: The Panthers have continued to improve, but so have the Ravens. Alonso has looked so tough in recent weeks that the Panthers might want to be extra careful.

3. Robinson (6-0) 40
Up Next: Lennard (0-3)
Comment:The Knights have yet to be seriously challenged this season, and it appears another big victory is on the docket for this Friday.

4. Durant (6-0) 35
Up Next: Newsome (3-3)
Comment:  Cougar coach Mike Gottman said before the season that you can’t take anybody for granted, particularly rivals Plant City and Newsome.

5. Wharton (4-2) 31
Up Next: at Bloomingdale (4-3)
Comment: The Wildcats are a proven commodity, but Bloomingdale is a team capable of jumping up and beating some higher-ranked teams.

6. Hillsborough (5-1) 19
Up Next: Armwood (6-1)
Comment:After losing to Sickles on Friday, the Terriers absolutely, positively must defeat the Hawks, the leaders in Class 6A-District 8.

7. Tampa Bay Tech (4-2) 17
Up Next: Steinbrenner (2-4)
Comment: TBT has kept a relatively low profile, spending most of its season in the bottom half of the Tribune’s Top 10. TBT could end up rising much higher, however, before the season is over.

8. Sickles (4-2) 14
Up Next: at Jefferson (2-4)
Comment: The Gryphons are sky high after beating district rival Hillsborough on Friday. But they better beware against Jefferson, which is much better than its record indicates.

9. Jesuit (5-2) 11
Up Next: Lakewood (6-0)
Comment: Lakewood presents the toughest test for Jesuit since the third game of the season when it lost to Robinson. To keep its hopes alive in Class 5A-District 8, the Tigers must win.

10. Tampa Catholic (6-1) 6
Up Next: Open
Comment: TC bounced back from a tough loss to CCC with a solid 37-28 victory over Class 7A Northeast on Friday.

Others receiving votes: Berkeley Prep, Gaither