Heading into Week 9, who leads The News-Press/Naples Daily News Football rankings?

Alex Martin, Naples Daily News

Week 9 in the high school football landscape across Southwest Florida is in the books.

The News-Press and Naples Daily News will rank the Top 10 football teams in Collier and Lee counties and LaBelle each week. The power rankings are based on record, strength of schedule, and head-to-head matchups for the area's 30-plus schools.

Here are the Top 10 teams in The News-Press/Naples Daily News Football Rankings heading into Week 10.

Records of games played through Saturday, Oct. 21

1. Bishop Verot (8-1)

Carter Smith, right, the quarterback for the Bishop Verot football team is congratulated by teammate, Leo Berman after a touchdown during a game against the Cardinal Mooney football team at Bishop Verot on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Bishop Verot won.
Carter Smith, right, the quarterback for the Bishop Verot football team is congratulated by teammate, Leo Berman after a touchdown during a game against the Cardinal Mooney football team at Bishop Verot on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Bishop Verot won.

Last week: 1

Analysis: The Vikings continue to make statement after statement, most recently a 50-14 dismantling of Cardinal Mooney. Verot saw two touchdowns called back and still eclipsed the 50-point mark, something they've done four times already this season. Next up for Verot is the Class 2S-District 16 championship against a red hot Estero team.

2. First Baptist (6-2)

The Golden Gate Titans compete against the First Baptist Academy Lions in a game at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The Lions won 48-46.
The Golden Gate Titans compete against the First Baptist Academy Lions in a game at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The Lions won 48-46.

Last week: 2

Analysis: The Lions are putting together something special, defeating Lemon Bay 44-13 on the road. Winston Watkins may be in his fourth game with the team, but he's already the team leader in receiving yards. Expect the Lions to be home favorites against bitter rival CSN for the Class 1S-District 8 championship this Friday.

3. Golden Gate (6-2)

The Golden Gate Titans compete against the Barron Collier Cougars in a district game at Barron Collier High School in Naples on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
The Golden Gate Titans compete against the Barron Collier Cougars in a district game at Barron Collier High School in Naples on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

Last week: 3

Analysis: The Titans continue to dominate, winning 49-7 over Bonita Springs in a district contest last week. This Golden Gate team is one of the most complete teams in the area, putting up an average of 325.5 yards per game while showcasing one of the best defenses locally. The Titans will look to flex their muscles in a rivalry contest this Friday at home against Lely.

4. Naples (7-2)

Shawn Simeon of Naples sprints to the end zone to score a touchdown during the 50th annual Coconut Bowl at Lely High Friday evening, October 13, 2023. Photo by Darron R. Silva/Special to The Naples Daily News
Shawn Simeon of Naples sprints to the end zone to score a touchdown during the 50th annual Coconut Bowl at Lely High Friday evening, October 13, 2023. Photo by Darron R. Silva/Special to The Naples Daily News

Last week: 4

Analysis: The Golden Eagles suffered a tough loss to nationally ranked American Heritage last week, going down 31-3 before fighting back to make it 38-17. Shawn Simeon eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season, going for 181 yards and a touchdown. Naples gets a tune-up game against Bonita Springs before looking to secure home-field advantage in the Class 3S-Region 4 playoffs.

5. Dunbar (6-2)

East Lee hosts Dunbar in a high school football district matchup on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Lehigh Acres.
East Lee hosts Dunbar in a high school football district matchup on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Lehigh Acres.

Last week: 5

Analysis: The Tigers handled business and took care of East Lee County on the road, winning 35-7. It couldn't be said at the start of the season, but Dunbar has established a ground game with Chris Singleton, who posted his third 100-plus yard showing of the season in the win. Next up for the Tigers is a district clash with South Fort Myers. If Dunbar wins, the district is theirs. If they fall, it'll come down to RPI in a three-way tiebreak.

6. Fort Myers (6-2)

Fort Myers hosts South Fort Myers in a district matchup on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at Fort Myers High School.
Fort Myers hosts South Fort Myers in a district matchup on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at Fort Myers High School.

Last week: 6

Analysis: The Greenies were on the right side of an offensive shootout, winning 51-48 over a Tampa Catholic squad that showcased multiple Division I prospects. Fort Myers and Tampa Catholic combined for over 1,200 yards in the game. Don't expect the Greenies to have to win an offensive shootout and put up over 600 yards of offense again this week against Cypress Lake.

7. Barron Collier (6-2)

The Golden Gate Titans compete against the Barron Collier Cougars in a district game at Barron Collier High School in Naples on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
The Golden Gate Titans compete against the Barron Collier Cougars in a district game at Barron Collier High School in Naples on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

Last week: 7

Analysis: The Cougars rebounded after a three-score loss to Golden Gate, posting their fourth game over 40 points in a 47-29 win over Lely. Niko Boyce went for 176 yards through the air and on the ground, posting four touchdowns. Barron has two tough tests, first against St. Brendan (7-2) before heading to rival Gulf Coast (5-2).

8. Gulf Coast (5-2)

The West Broward Bobcats visited the Gulf Coast High School Sharks for a Friday football matchup October 13, 2023. Gulf Coast defeated West Broward with a final score of 19-21.
The West Broward Bobcats visited the Gulf Coast High School Sharks for a Friday football matchup October 13, 2023. Gulf Coast defeated West Broward with a final score of 19-21.

Last week: 10

Analysis: The Sharks move up two spots despite not playing, as this team is exceeding expectations after losing so much from last year's team. Todd Nichols and his group will enter Friday's district title clash with Immokalee as a home favorite, looking to repeat and capture the program's third district title.

9. Estero (7-1)

The Estero High School Wildcats visited the Mariner Tritons for a Friday night matchup Oct. 20, 2023. The Wildcats handed Mariner its first loss of the season with a final score of 22-14.
The Estero High School Wildcats visited the Mariner Tritons for a Friday night matchup Oct. 20, 2023. The Wildcats handed Mariner its first loss of the season with a final score of 22-14.

Last week: NR

Analysis: Welcome to the party, Wildcats! Estero grabbed a huge win on the road against previously unbeaten Mariner, scoring 22 unanswered to win 22-14 over the Tritons. Malik Allen has been key on offense, while Luke Ghannam has been an x-factor on defense. This Estero team will look to carry the momentum into this week's district title contest against a very strong Bishop Verot squad.

10. Community School (8-0)

Community School of Naples defeated IMG Blue 41-13 on Thursday, Oct. 19. CSN's Sean McNamara scores a touchdown.
Community School of Naples defeated IMG Blue 41-13 on Thursday, Oct. 19. CSN's Sean McNamara scores a touchdown.

Last week: 9

Analysis: The Seahawks did win last week against IMG Blue but drop by virtue of Estero's win. CSN is 8-0 and the area's last remaining undefeated team, but their schedule to this point provides more questions than answers, as their average opponent is ranked 459th statewide, per MaxPreps. They'll get their test on the road against First Baptist to try and prove they belong in the conversation among Southwest Florida's best.

First Five Out: Mariner (7-1), South Fort Myers (5-3), Immokalee (4-4), Evangelical Christian (5-3), Lely (4-4)

Follow Southwest Florida Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Football Rankings: Bishop Verot holds top spot for ninth straight week

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