New teams take top spots in The News-Press/Naples Daily News football and volleyball rankings

We're getting deeper into the high school football and volleyball seasons, and teams are starting to distance themselves from others.

The News-Press and Naples Daily News rank the Top 10 football and volleyball teams each week. Rankings are determined by record, strength of schedule, strength of record, and head-to-head with the first five out in each sport.

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Here are The News-Press/Naples Daily News Power Rankings heading into Week 6.

FOOTBALL

Games played through Friday, Sept. 20

1. Naples (4-1)

Last week: 2

Analysis: For the first time since our 2023 preseason rankings, we've got a new No. 1 in the Golden Eagles. Naples had little to no issues on Friday, beating Golden Gate 41-0 as Rick Martin's group ran for 410 yards. Next up is a huge test against Dunbar in Class 4A-District 12 play.

2. First Baptist (4-0)

Last week: 3

Analysis: The Lions continue to look sound on the defensive side of the ball, limiting Port Charlotte to just 13 points in an 18-point win over the Pirates. First Baptist has found its stride offensively, with Bradley Martino, Jayden Petit, and Sam Sparacio all making an impact alongside Brady Quinn. If the Lions can grab a decisive home win over Bishop Verot on Friday, we could be talking about First Baptist overtaking Naples for the top spot locally.

3. Bishop Verot (3-2)

Last week: 1

Analysis: The Vikings were not on the right end of what was an offensive masterclass from Cardinal Mooney, replicating what Venice did when it came to going tempo and running the ball up the middle in a 49-28 decision. Verot was fatigued and couldn't stop Connail Jackson or Devin Mignery, who had 200-yard and 100-yard rushing performances, respectively. Richie Rode's group will aim to avoid .500 on the road against First Baptist.

4. Dunbar (4-0)

Last week: 4

Analysis : The Tigers have been on a roll in each of their last two games, most recently dismantling East Lee County 54-12. Austin Price has complete command of the offense, while Tylen Gore has inserted himself as Dunbar's No. 1 back. Sammy Brown's group will look to beat Naples for the third time in a row come Friday, when the Golden Eagles visit North Law Firm Stadium.

5. Fort Myers (5-0)

Last week: 5

Analysis: Perfect has been the word to describe Fort Myers so far in terms of winning ballgames, most recently coming off a 42-21 decision against Charlotte. Madrid Tucker continues to carry a Green Wave offense that's averaged 391.4 yards per contest through the first five weeks. A rivalry contest on the road against North Fort Myers awaits.

6. Riverdale (5-0)

Last week: 6

Analysis: Just like the Greenies, Riverdale has played about as good as they can through the first half of 2024, most recently with a 43-27 win over Cypress Lake. Cole Hayes and Lovensky Blanchard are what makes Riverdale go, having combined for 1,243 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. The Raiders will be tested at home this Friday against an East Lee County team looking to bounce back.

7. Immokalee (4-1)

Last week: 7

Analysis: Redwood continues to use their run game to put opponents into submission, having run for 354 yards and 7 touchdowns in a 66-6 beatdown of Gateway. Jontay Hais and Jayden Mixon are arguably the most physical running back duo in Southwest Florida, having run for 1,295 yards and 16 touchdowns through five weeks. Look for Immokalee to stay hot against a winless Golden Gate team this week.

8. South Fort Myers (2-2)

Last week: 9

Analysis: The Wolfpack take a step forward in our rankings at 2-2, in part due to a bye week a week ago. South Fort Myers will look to avoid dipping under .500 this week when it'll hit the road to take on a physical Port Charlotte squad that's hungry to put a two-game losing streak behind them.

9. East Lee County (4-1)

Last week: 8

Analysis: The Jaguars were aiming for a statement win against Dunbar last week, but fell far short of those expectations in a 54-12 loss to the Tigers. Laz Rogers was held to under 100 yards rushing against the Tiger defense, something that East Lee needed to avoid in order to win. Herbans Paul and company will look to right the ship on Friday at Riverdale.

10. Gulf Coast (3-2)

Last week: 10

Analysis: The Sharks continue to find their footing offensively, running for over 400 yards on Aubrey Rogers in a 58-7 blowout. Javian Altine and John Ruggiero broke out, going for 293 yards and 5 touchdowns on just 20 attempts. Expect Gulf Coast to continue to ride the momentum against Palmetto Ridge this Friday.

First Five Out : North Fort Myers (4-1), Barron Collier (1-3), Community School (1-3), Lely (2-2), Cape Coral (3-1)

VOLLEYBALL

Games played through Wednesday, Sept. 25

1. Seacrest Country Day (12-5)

Last week: 2

Analysis: The Stingrays bounced back in a big way following losing to First Baptist in the Private 8 tournament, beating the Lions on the road in four sets to win 5-4 on set aggregate. Seacrest also averaged 23.9 points in the eight sets that went to 25 against First Baptist. The Stingrays also swept Lake Worth Christian and escaped with a five-set win on the road against Community School on Tuesday. Next up for Andy Wimmer's unit is the Battle at the Beach in Venice this weekend, weather permitting.

2. First Baptist (14-3)

Last week: 1

Analysis: The Lions may not be Southwest Florida's No. 1 team anymore, but they've all but locked up the No. 2 spot until season's end. Marci Walker's team went 4-1 at the Wildcat Invite, beating Charlotte, Canterbury, Bonita Springs, and Marco Island while falling to eventual champion Divine Savior. First Baptist also swept a Barron Collier team that had entered Tuesday night on a hot streak. Next up for the Lions is a Tampa-area tournament, weather permitting.

3. Barron Collier (11-5)

Last week: 5

Analysis: This Barron team punched above their weight and held their own in the Wildcat Invite, going 4-1 with a loss to Divine Savior in the championship match. Kaitlyn Ziegelmaier's team grabbed three ranked wins against Community School, Canterbury, and Bishop Verot along with a win over Riverdale. The Cougars didn't have their best game against First Baptist but will look to rebound in the Warrior Invitational next weekend.

4. Community School (10-5)

Last week: 4

Analysis: The Seahawks started with a loss to Barron Collier at the Wildcat Invite, but rebounded with four straight sweeps of Riverdale, Bishop Verot, Fort Myers, and Marco Island. Community School came up just short against No. 1 Seacrest Tuesday night, falling in five sets. Next up is a home date with St. John Neumann.

5. Canterbury (13-4)

Last week: 3

Analysis: The Cougars had a busy week, playing IMG Royal, Marco Island, Fort Myers, Naples, St. John Neumann, Barron Collier, First Baptist, Out-of-Door, and Riverdale, going 7-2. Brighten Sedmack was pulled after pool play at Saturday's Wildcat Invite, something to note moving forward as Canterbury's leading hitter has been an integral part of their success. The Cougars take on Estero and Aubrey Rogers next week.

6. Bishop Verot (13-6)

Last week: 10

Analysis: The Vikings took on some stiff competition at the Wildcat Invite this weekend, going 2-3 with losses to Barron Collier, Charlotte, and Community School. Verot rebounded with wins over Riverdale, St. John Neumann, and a LaBelle team that entered Tuesday night with just one loss coming in. Christy Curtis and company have a tough stretch ahead, facing Port Charlotte, Charlotte, Canterbury, Lemon Bay, St. John Neumann, and Barron Collier.

7. Oasis (13-2)

Last week: 8

Analysis: The Sharks don't necessarily have the resume like the teams ahead of them, but they're winning. Oasis has surrendered an area-low six sets all season, a sign that Justin Altman's team could give Bishop Verot a run in Class 3A-District 10. The Sharks will hit the road for a tournament this weekend before playing SFCA on the road on Monday.

8. Marco Island (12-7)

Last week: 9

Analysis: The Rays have played relatively well since our last rankings, playing Canterbury, Bonita Springs, Charlotte, First Baptist, Port Charlotte, Community School, and SFCA, going 4-3. Medney Garraux is running away with the state lead in kills, up to 406 kills and counting. Next up for Marco is a date with Mason Classical before First Baptist makes the trek south.

9. Fort Myers (8-5)

Last week: NR

Analysis: The Greenies have been a bit uneven over the last few weeks, but started to find their footing this week with a 3-2 finish at the Wildcat Invite. Fort Myers came up short against Canterbury (3 sets) and Community School (2 sets), but handed Gulf Coast a four-set loss Tuesday night along with beating St. John Neumann over the weekend. Remaining on the schedule for the Greenies are North Fort Myers, Neumann, Ida Baker, and Bradenton Christian.

10. Gulf Coast (8-7)

Last week: 7

Analysis: The Sharks take a small tumble, but remain in the top 10 following a tough loss to Fort Myers on the road in what should be a pivotal game in terms of district seeding. Gulf Coast will look to right the ship in another district game against Riverdale, before playing in the Warrior Invitational next weekend.

First Five Out: St. John Neumann (10-7), Estero (14-6), LaBelle (12-2), SFCA (9-8), Riverdale (8-8)

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: New teams take top spots in The News-Press/Naples Daily News football and volleyball rankings