On the Gridiron: Week 8 power rankings

October 28, 10:52 AMTampa High School Sports ExaminerDerek LaRiviere

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Deuce Gruden & Darius Bing are among those leading CDS to an undefeated record. (Courtesy of Scout.com) 

Biggest Gainer: Zephyrhills (5 spots). One win never meant so much to a program. The Bulldogs really had very little aspirations coming into this season, but what Zephyrhills has done in the past four weeks or so is make a statement with its defense. Jamal Roberts has shown signs of brilliance as the sophomore running back and the stout defense is keeping them in games.

Biggest Dropper: Gaither (14 spots). That’s right. The Cowboys dropped like a rock with their loss to Chamberlain. After starting the season with a couple of pretty good defensive efforts, things have really changed a lot for Gaither. When you can’t shut down a team like Chamberlain, there is little hope that Gaither will get better before they get worse.

1. (1) Plant (6-1) – Faced with a mediocre defense in Alonso, the Panthers put up an astounding 57.
2. (2) Armwood (6-1) – Don’t underestimate a win over Hillsborough, the hottest team in the county.
3. (3) Tampa Bay Tech (6-1) – Is the Titan defense slipping? 16 points to Brandon isn’t impressive.
4. (5) Jefferson (5-1) – Obviously, Quentin Williams has the ability to will his team to big wins.
5. (6) Hillsborough (5-2) – Even a Terrier offense that was on fire couldn’t overtake Armwood.
6. (4) Spoto (6-2) – Back-to-back challenges failed for the Spartans has the hype dying down.
7. (7) Tampa Catholic (6-0) – Will the Crusaders ever slip up? It’s hard to foresee it happening.
8. (10) Pasco (6-1) – Welcome to the party, Janarion Grant. It could one eye-popping career.
9. (9) Durant (6-1) – This week’s game with Plant City might be more interesting than many realize.
10. (11) Sickles (6-2) – After a one-week slump, Carey White was back with a vengeance.
11. (8) Land O’Lakes (6-1) – Balance was sorely missed against Pasco when the run game was gone.
12. (12) Mitchell (8-0) – It’s the Mustangs turn to take on Pasco for county and district supremacy.
13. (13) Freedom (4-2) – While the offense wasn’t impressive, the defense shut down Wharton.
14. (15) Nature Coast (5-2) – Coaches are hoping a 47-0 win has the Sharks back on track in time.
15. (16) Newsome (4-2) – The Wolves didn’t miss Conner Powers as much as expected last Friday.
16. (17) Robinson (6-1) – The Knights went up 35-0 before hanging half a century on Lennard.
17. (14) Jesuit (5-2) – Middleton is rolling, so this week may not be a picnic for the Tigers.
18. (18) Hernando (4-2) – After Nature Coast whooped Citrus, the Leopards have to be psyched.
19. (22) Plant City (5-3) – How about that Raider defense? That’s the big surprise this week.
20. (21) Berkeley Prep (4-2) – The Bucs are a very good team, but Fort Meade is in a different class.
21. (19) Wiregrass Ranch (4-3) – The Bulls seemed to run out of steam after the first quarter.
22. (20) Alonso (3-4) – C.J. Bennett can’t play defense, so the Ravens will always struggle in big games.
23. (24) Riverview (2-5) – How the Sharks respond at Newsome will determine their season.
24. (29) Middleton (5-2) – We’ll find out where the Tigers stand when they square off with Jesuit.
25. (27) Hudson (4-3) – It took a last-minute miracle, but the Cobras kept their faint playoff hopes alive.
26. (25) Wharton (2-5) – Shane McEwen hasn’t had the type of season ‘Cat fans expected.
27. (30) East Bay (4-4) – With almost 15 yards per carry, Junior Nemorin motored the Indian offense.
28. (23) King (2-4) – Back-to-back losses, no matter who they were to, put King on its heels.
29. (28) Brandon (1-6) – At some point, moral victories, like scoring 16 on TBT, start meaning less.
30. (33) Springstead (4-4) – The Eagles are likely to finish 5-5, which will soon be called a Vonada year.
31. (34) Sunlake (3-4) – Rashaud Daniels broke 100 yards again, and the ‘Hawks lost… again.
32. (35) Gulf (4-4) – Madison Burr in the backfield: A sign that Jay Fulmer may be waving the white flag.
33. (37) Ridgewood (2-6) – Cameron Rodriguez did everything he could, but the Rams fell short.
34. (36) Carrollwood Day (7-0) – Billy Embody and Darius Bing are that good.
35. (39) Blake (1-6) – Forget moral victories! The Jackets experienced a real one over Dixie Hollins.
36. (32) Wesley Chapel (2-6) – The Wildcats found out how good the Zephyrhills defense is getting.
37. (43) Zephyrhills (1-6) – Without offensive threats, the Bulldogs picked up their first win.
38. (31) Leto (1-6) – Soon the misery will be over for Jeremy Deering and the Falcons.
39. (40) Chamberlain (1-7) – No, the Chiefs won’t go winless the year after they challenged for a title.
40. (26) Gaither (1-6) – The Cowboys lost a battle of who is more hopeless to Chamberlain.
41. (38) Lennard (1-5) – A couple signs of life emerged from Fred Porter before the ‘Horns fell 50-12.
42. (41) Bloomingdale (0-7) – Derrick Johnson was a bright spot for the winless Bulls.
43. (42) River Ridge (2-5) – The Knights don’t have the firepower to compete with Wiregrass this week.
44. (45) Strawberry Crest (1-4) – Luis Trevino stood out with over 100 yards and two scores.
45. (44) Steinbrenner (1-4) – The balance has tilted to Strawberry Crest as the season draws to a close.
46. (47) Anclote (0-7) – Wesley Chapel provides another opportunity for the Sharks to win a game.
47. (46) Cambridge (3-4) – Even at full potential, the Lancers weren’t going to knock off Farragut.
48. (49) Bishop McLaughlin (1-6) – Mitch Ritter has become a decent leader for the Hurricanes.
49. (48) Central (0-7) – The 70-0 loss to Gainesville was the worst in the 20-plus season Bear history.
50. (50) Hernando Christian (0-8) – Jeremy Knight finally broke out and the Lions still lost by 39.

Five Stars of the Week
• Zack Wynn (QB – Hudson): 18-of-38, 168 yards, one touchdown, 16 carries, 146 yards, one touchdown
• Blake Rice (QB – Robinson): 12-of-20, 224 yards, four touchdowns
• Billy Embody (QB – Carrollwood Day): 13-of-15, 310 yards, five touchdowns, 34 yards rushing
• Darius Bing (RB – Carrollwood Day): 14 carries, 183 yards, two touchdowns, three catches, 52 yards
• Jonathon Williams (QB – Tampa Bay Tech): 9-of-15, 221 yards, three touchdowns, one rushing touchdown