University, DeLand flip spots in power rankings ahead of district football title showdown
Editor's note: News-Journal power rankings are determined by the votes of sports writers Chris Boyle and Chris Vinel and sports editor Ryan Pritt. A first-place vote is worth five points, second place is worth four points and so on.
Ahead of a head-to-head showdown with everything on the line, District 9-4S rivals University and DeLand have flipped places in the Volusia-Flagler high school football power rankings.
Friday's winner will capture the district title and, in all likelihood, a premium seed in the Florida High School Athletic Association's playoffs. At least three, or possibly all four, of Volusia County's teams in District 9-4S could end up qualifying for the postseason.
Miami Norland No. 1 in Class 2M: USA Today Florida Network High School Football Week 9 poll
This, of course, is crunch time. Every result from this point on could determine whether a team survives to see the second week of November. Mainland, Matanzas, Atlantic, Seabreeze and Halifax are among the teams that rose to the occasion in Week 8, but how will that affect the area's power rankings?
Here is the top-five entering the stretch run.
1. Mainland (7-0, 15 points)
Mainland made quick work of Deltona, pulling out most of its starters before the conclusion of the second quarter in a 65-0 blowout. Khamani Robinson rushed for two touchdowns, Dennis King III and Antonio Wilson Jr. each returned a fumble to the end zone and Tyree Weatherspoon caught a 35-yard TD against his former team. The Buccaneers can potentially regain the No. 1 overall seed in Class 3S with a home win Thursday night against a resurgent Osceola.
Last Week: 1
2. University (7-0, 12 points)
Ending its six-year losing streak to Spruce Creek in a mostly defensive struggle, University moved to within one win of its first district football championship in school history. Malachi Walters launched three touchdowns, two to Jermane Hayes, and the Titans led wire-to-wire for a 22-12 victory. It's taken about two months for University to supplant DeLand for the No. 2 spot, and it can validate that standing on the field Friday night.
Last Week: 3
3. DeLand (5-2, 9 points)
Though the Bulldogs slid down one spot, they went toe-to-toe with Class 4M championship contender Seminole last Friday. DeLand rushed for 352 yards — 175 for Javon Ross, and 130 for TJ Moore — and five touchdowns in a 49-42 shootout. Caleb Oliver and MJ Smokes combined for five tackles for loss, and Ross snagged an interception as well. DeLand can clinch the District 9-4S title with a victory at University, coupled with a Spruce Creek victory over New Smyrna Beach.
Last Week: 2
4. Spruce Creek (5-3, 6 points)
Hampered by a shoulder injury, Luke Smith gutted through the second half and threw two touchdowns to give the Hawks an offensive spark. Cameron Oxendine returned after a six-week absence due to a broken collarbone and will provide another versatile weapon to complement Anthony Hayden, Tony Kinsler, Kamron Chamble at the skill positions. Spruce Creek will need to earn a wild card to make the playoffs, and can likely do so with victories over New Smyrna Beach and Hagerty the next two weeks.
Last Week: 4
5. New Smyrna Beach (6-1, 3 points)
New Smyrna Beach handled business on its trip across the state, defeating Indian Rocks Christian 35-14. Elijah Rooney and Armoni Spurlock combined for 255 rushing yards with two touchdowns apiece, and Brett Remensnyder caught seven balls for 52 yards and a score. The Barracudas' defense held IRC to 156 yards of total offense; Sawyer Vanrider registered nine tackles and one of the team's three sacks. Three more road trips loom, beginning with Friday's trip up the road to Spruce Creek.
Last Week: 5
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school football: Volusia-Flagler power rankings through Week 8
