2023 Florida High School Football Rankings: Classes 3-4

By
Matt Melton
-

Composite Top 25: Classes 3S, 3M, 4S, 4M, Independent

Final Rankings – Updated 12/10/2023

IMG Academy remains in the top spot of our 2023 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3-4 and Independents. All four state champions also finish the season in the Top 10: 3M’s St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 2), 4S’s Lakeland (No. 3), 4M’s Miami Columbus (No. 5), and 3S’s Mainland (No. 6).

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lakeland (4S) +2
  4. Homestead (3M) -1
  5. Miami Columbus (4M) +1
  6. Mainland (3S) +1
  7. Venice (4S) -3
  8. St. Augustine (3S) E
  9. Jones (3M) E
  10. Mandarin (4M) E
  11. Buchholz (4S) E
  12. Edgewater (3M) E
  13. Seminole (4M) E
  14. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  15. Monarch (4M) E
  16. Vanguard (3S) E
  17. Lake Wales (3S) E
  18. DeLand (4S) E
  19. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  20. Coconut Creek (3M) E
  21. Dunbar (3S) E
  22. Plant (4M) E
  23. Gaither (3M) E
  24. Jesuit (3M) E
  25. Lake Mary (4M) E

Updated 12/3/2023

Entering the final week of the 2023 Florida high school football season, we present our second-to-last rankings update of the year for Classes 3 and 4. The Top-25 sees Mainland, St. Augustine, and Mandarin all move up after earning berths in this week’s state championship games. The matchups are as follows for the finals:

  • 3S: No. 7 Mainland vs. No. 8 St. Augustine
  • 3M: No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas vs. No. 3 Homestead
  • 4S: No. 4 Venice vs. No. 5 Lakeland
  • 4M: No. 6 Miami Columbus vs. No. 10 Mandarin
  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Homestead (3M) E
  4. Venice (4S) E
  5. Lakeland (4S) E
  6. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  7. Mainland (3S) +3
  8. St. Augustine (3S) +3
  9. Jones (3M) -2
  10. Mandarin (4M) +2
  11. Buchholz (4S) -3
  12. Edgewater (3M) -3
  13. Seminole (4M) E
  14. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  15. Monarch (4M) E
  16. Vanguard (3S) E
  17. Lake Wales (3S) E
  18. DeLand (4S) E
  19. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  20. Coconut Creek (3M) E
  21. Dunbar (3S) E
  22. Plant (4M) E
  23. Gaither (3M) E
  24. Jesuit (3M) E
  25. Lake Mary (4M) E

Updated 11/27/2023

We have reached the state semifinal round of the 2023 Florida high school football playoffs, with four new teams entering the Classes 3-4 Top-25 rankings ahead of this week’s action. That group is headlined by Class 4S’s DeLand at No. 18, while Dunbar, Plant, and Gaither sit in the Nos. 21-23 spots, respectively.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Homestead (3M) +1
  4. Venice (4S) +1
  5. Lakeland (4S) +1
  6. Miami Columbus (4M) +1
  7. Jones (3M) +1
  8. Buchholz (4S) +3
  9. Edgewater (3M) E
  10. Mainland (3S) +3
  11. St. Augustine (3S) +4
  12. Mandarin (4M) +6
  13. Seminole (4M) -3
  14. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -2
  15. Monarch (4M) +8
  16. Vanguard (3S) +8
  17. Lake Wales (3S) -14
  18. DeLand (4S) NR
  19. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) -3
  20. Coconut Creek (3M) -1
  21. Dunbar (3S) NR
  22. Plant (4M) NR
  23. Gaither (3M) NR
  24. Jesuit (3M) -10
  25. Lake Mary (4M) -5

Updated 11/19/2023

One of the most action-packed updates of our 2023 Florida high school football rankings comes this week, as almost every team changed at least a spot entering the regional final round of the playoffs. Additionally, three new teams enter the Top-25: Mandarin, Vanguard, and Palm Beach Central, with the No. 18 Mustangs the highest-ranked after their impressive 36-10 win over Lake Mary.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lake Wales (3S) E
  4. Homestead (3M) +1
  5. Venice (4S) +1
  6. Lakeland (4S) +1
  7. Miami Columbus (4M) +1
  8. Jones (3M) +2
  9. Edgewater (3M) -5
  10. Seminole (4M) +1
  11. Buchholz (4S) +1
  12. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -3
  13. Mainland (3S) +1
  14. Jesuit (3M) +1
  15. St. Augustine (3S) +2
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +2
  17. Treasure Coast (4S) +2
  18. Mandarin (4M) NR
  19. Coconut Creek (3M) +3
  20. Lake Mary (4M) -7
  21. Armwood (3M) -5
  22. Western (4M) +1
  23. Monarch (4M) +2
  24. Vanguard (3S) NR
  25. Palm Beach Central (4M) NR

Updated 11/13/2023

The latest update of our 2023 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3-4 sees one new team, the Monarch Knights, enter the Top-25 after the regional quarterfinal round. Sitting at No. 25, the Knights are 9-2 for the season following their 40-7 home win over Stoneman Douglas last week.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lake Wales (3S) E
  4. Edgewater (3M) E
  5. Homestead (3M) E
  6. Venice (4S) E
  7. Lakeland (4S) E
  8. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  9. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  10. Jones (3M) E
  11. Seminole (4M) E
  12. Buchholz (4S) E
  13. Lake Mary (4M) E
  14. Mainland (3S) E
  15. Jesuit (3M) E
  16. Armwood (3M) E
  17. St. Augustine (3S) +1
  18. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +1
  19. Treasure Coast (4S) +1
  20. Apopka (4M) +1
  21. Miami Palmetto (4M) +1
  22. Coconut Creek (3M) +1
  23. Western (4M) +1
  24. Eau Gallie (3S) +1
  25. Monarch (4M) NR

Updated 11/7/2023

The final update of our 2023 Florida high school football rankings ahead of the Classes 3-4 playoffs is headlined by one of the state’s most notable results last week, when Lake Mary shut out a Top-5 team, Mainland, 33-0. As a result of that outcome, Lake Mary rises seven spots to No. 13, while Mainland falls 10 spots to No. 14.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lake Wales (3S) E
  4. Edgewater (3M) +1
  5. Homestead (3M) +1
  6. Venice (4S) +1
  7. Lakeland (4S) +2
  8. Miami Columbus (4M) +2
  9. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -1
  10. Jones (3M) +1
  11. Seminole (3S) +1
  12. Buchholz (4S) +1
  13. Lake Mary (4M) +7
  14. Mainland (3S) -10
  15. Jesuit (3M) -1
  16. Armwood (3M) -1
  17. Winter Park (4M) -1
  18. St. Augustine (3S) -1
  19. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) -1
  20. Treasure Coast (4S) -1
  21. Apopka (4M) E
  22. Miami Palmetto (4M) E
  23. Coconut Creek (3M) E
  24. Western (4M) E
  25. Eau Gallie (3S) E

Updated 10/29/2023

Two teams enter the Top 25 in our 2023 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3-4, as Western and Eau Gallie sit in the Nos. 24-25 spots, respectively. The Wildcats of Class 4M are 6-3 overall, while Eau Gallie (3S) is 8-1 and riding a four-game winning streak.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lake Wales (3S) E
  4. Mainland (3S) E
  5. Edgewater (3M) E
  6. Homestead (3M) E
  7. Venice (4S) E
  8. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  9. Lakeland (4S) E
  10. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  11. Jones (3M) E
  12. Seminole (4M) E
  13. Buchholz (4S) E
  14. Jesuit (3M) E
  15. Armwood (3M) +1
  16. Winter Park (4M) +1
  17. St. Augustine (3S) +1
  18. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) -3
  19. Treasure Coast (4S) E
  20. Lake Mary (4M) E
  21. Apopka (4M) E
  22. Miami Palmetto (4M) E
  23. Coconut Creek (3M) +1
  24. Western (4M) NR
  25. Eau Gallie (3S) NR

Updated 10/22/2023

After a week in which two Top-10 teams – Lakeland and Miami Columbus – suffered a loss, here is the latest update of our 2023 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3 and 4. In addition to that Top-10 movement, Coconut Creek and Ponte Vedra make their Top-25 debuts at the Nos. 24 and No. 25 spots, respectively. The Cougars sit at 7-2 in Class 3M, while the Sharks are 7-1 in Class 4S.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lake Wales (3S) E
  4. Mainland (3S) E
  5. Edgewater (3M) +1
  6. Homestead (3M) +1
  7. Venice (4S) +2
  8. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +3
  9. Lakeland (4S) -4
  10. Miami Columbus (4M) -2
  11. Jones (3M) +1
  12. Seminole (4M) +1
  13. Buchholz (4S) +2
  14. Jesuit (3M) +2
  15. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) -5
  16. Armwood (3M) +1
  17. Winter Park (4M) +1
  18. St. Augustine (3S) +1
  19. Treasure Coast (4S) +1
  20. Lake Mary (4M) +1
  21. Apopka (4M) -7
  22. Miami Palmetto (4M) +1
  23. Niceville (4S) +1
  24. Coconut Creek (3M) NR
  25. Ponte Vedra (4S) NR

Updated 10/15/2023

For the first time in this 2023 season, there was no change in our Florida high school football rankings for teams in Classes 3 and 4, as every team that played won its matchup last week.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lake Wales (3S) E
  4. Mainland (3S) E
  5. Lakeland (4S) E
  6. Edgewater (3M) E
  7. Homestead (3M) E
  8. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  9. Venice (4S) E
  10. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  11. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  12. Jones (3M) E
  13. Seminole (4M) E
  14. Apopka (4M) E
  15. Buchholz (4S) E
  16. Jesuit (3M) E
  17. Armwood (3M) E
  18. Winter Park (4M) E
  19. St. Augustine (3S) E
  20. Treasure Coast (4S) E
  21. Lake Mary (4M) E
  22. Palm Beach Central (4M) E
  23. Miami Palmetto (4M) E
  24. Niceville (4S) E
  25. Pace (4S) E

Updated 10/8/2023

The latest update of our 2023 Florida high school football Classes 3-4 rankings is headlined by two notable takeaways, the first of which is Miami Columbus falling five spots within the Top-10 as a result of its loss to Homestead. The second is Class 4S’s Pace making its season debut at No. 25; the Patriots sit at 5-1 overall for the season.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Lake Wales (3S) +1
  4. Mainland (3S) +1
  5. Lakeland (4S) +1
  6. Edgewater (3M) +1
  7. Homestead (3M) +1
  8. Miami Columbus (4M) -5
  9. Venice (4S) E
  10. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  11. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) E
  12. Jones (3M) E
  13. Seminole (4M) E
  14. Apopka (4M) E
  15. Buchholz (4S) E
  16. Jesuit (3M) E
  17. Armwood (3M) E
  18. Winter Park (4M) E
  19. St. Augustine (3S) E
  20. Treasure Coast (4S) E
  21. Lake Mary (4M) +1
  22. Palm Beach Central (4M) +1
  23. Miami Palmetto (4M) +1
  24. Niceville (4S) +1
  25. Pace (4S) NR

Updated 10/1/2023

This update to our 2023 Florida high school football rankings for Class 3-4 / Independents did not see any movement at the top, but it did welcome Miami Palmetto and Niceville at the Nos. 24-25 spots, respectively. The Panthers return to the Top-25 after falling out a few weeks ago, while the Eagles, who are 5-1 in Class 4S, make their season debut.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  4. Lake Wales (3S) E
  5. Mainland (3S) E
  6. Lakeland (4S) E
  7. Edgewater (3M) E
  8. Homestead (3M) E
  9. Venice (4S) +1
  10. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +1
  11. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +1
  12. Jones (3M) +1
  13. Seminole (4M) +1
  14. Apopka (4M) -5
  15. Buchholz (4S) E
  16. Jesuit (3M) E
  17. Armwood (3M) E
  18. Winter Park (4M) +1
  19. St. Augustine (3S) +1
  20. Treasure Coast (4S) -2
  21. Bartram Trail (4S) E
  22. Lake Mary (4M) E
  23. Palm Beach Central (4M) +2
  24. Miami Palmetto (4M) NR
  25. Niceville (4S) NR

Updated 9/24/2023

The return of Jesuit and the season debut of Lincoln and Palm Beach Central distinguishes the latest update of our Classes 3-4 / Independent rankings entering Week 6 of the 2023 Florida high school football season. Having previously been ranked earlier in the year, Jesuit returns at No. 16 after a 28-21 win over Armwood. Lincoln and Palm Beach Central are undefeated at Nos. 23 and No. 25, respectively.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  4. Lake Wales (3S) E
  5. Mainland (3S) E
  6. Lakeland (4S) E
  7. Edgewater (3M) E
  8. Homestead (3M) +2
  9. Apopka (4M) -1
  10. Venice (4S) +3
  11. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +3
  12. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -1
  13. Jones (3M) +3
  14. Seminole (4M) +3
  15. Buchholz (4S) +3
  16. Jesuit (3M) NR
  17. Armwood (3M) -8
  18. Treasure Coast (4S) -3
  19. Winter Park (4M) +1
  20. St. Augustine (3S) +4
  21. Bartram Trail (4S) -9
  22. Lake Mary (4M) +1
  23. Lincoln (3S) NR
  24. Mandarin (4M) -5
  25. Palm Beach Central (4M) NR

Updated 9/17/2023

The latest update of our 2023 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3-4 and independents sees three new teams enter the mix – Lake Mary, St. Augustine, and Atlantic – in the Nos. 23-25 spots. All three are undefeated, with Lake Mary and St. Augustine both at 3-0, while Atlantic sits at 4-0.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  4. Lake Wales (3S) E
  5. Mainland (3S) E
  6. Lakeland (4S) E
  7. Edgewater (3M) E
  8. Apopka (4M) E
  9. Armwood (3M) E
  10. Homestead (3M) E
  11. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +1
  12. Bartram Trail (4S) +1
  13. Venice (4S) +1
  14. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +1
  15. Treasure Coast (4S) +1
  16. Jones (3M) -5
  17. Seminole (4M) E
  18. Buchholz (4S) E
  19. Mandarin (4M) E
  20. Winter Park (4M) +1
  21. Vero Beach (4S) +1
  22. Blanche Ely (3M) +1
  23. Lake Mary (4M) NR
  24. St. Augustine (3S) NR
  25. Atlantic (3M) NR

Updated 9/11/2023

With Week 3 of the 2023 Florida high school football season having come and gone, this week’s Top 25 rankings are headlined by the debut of Class 4M’s Miami Palmetto. The Panthers have been one of Florida’s most noteworthy teams this season, sitting at an undefeated 3-0 with victories over Homestead, Lakewood, and Killian. Treasure Coast rises five spots to No. 16, the biggest move of any team in the Top-25.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  4. Lake Wales (3S) E
  5. Mainland (3S) +1
  6. Lakeland (4S) -1
  7. Edgewater (3M) E
  8. Apopka (4M) +1
  9. Armwood (3M) +2
  10. Homestead (3M) +3
  11. Jones (3M) +4
  12. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -4
  13. Bartram Trail (4S) -1
  14. Venice (4S) E
  15. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) +1
  16. Treasure Coast (4S) +5
  17. Seminole (4M) -7
  18. Buchholz (4S) -1
  19. Mandarin (4M) -1
  20. Ocoee (4M) -1
  21. Winter Park (4M) -1
  22. Vero Beach (4S) +1
  23. Blanche Ely (3M) +1
  24. Pine Forest (3S) +1
  25. Miami Palmetto (4M) NR

Updated 9/3/2023

The latest update of our Top-25 rankings for Classes 3 and 4 entering Week 3 of the 2023 Florida high school football season sees one new team debut, the Treasure Coast Titans. Sitting at No. 21, the Titans have been one of the state’s more impressive programs in the season’s first two weeks, defeating Osceola by a final score of 22-8 and topping Jesuit  66-28 last Friday night.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  4. Lake Wales (3S) +1
  5. Lakeland (4S) +1
  6. Mainland (3S) +1
  7. Edgewater (3M) +1
  8. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) -4
  9. Apopka (4M) E
  10. Seminole (4M) E
  11. Armwood (3M) E
  12. Bartram Trail (4S) +1
  13. Homestead (3M) +2
  14. Venice (4S) -2
  15. Jones (3M) -1
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  17. Buchholz (4S) E
  18. Mandarin (4M) E
  19. Ocoee (4M) +1
  20. Winter Park (4M) +1
  21. Treasure Coast (4S) NR
  22. Dunbar (3S) E
  23. Vero Beach (4S) E
  24. Blanche Ely (3M) E
  25. Pine Forest (3S) E

Updated 8/27/2023

After a week in which many of the top teams were upset, here are our latest 2023 Florida high school football rankings for Classes 3 and 4 and Independent teams. Easily the biggest takeaway from this week’s update is Armwood’s debut at No. 11 after the Hawks posted one of the state’s most impressive results, a 34-25 shocker over previously 6th-ranked Venice.

  1. IMG Academy (Independent) E
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M) E
  3. Miami Columbus (4M) E
  4. Clearwater Academy International (Independent) +1
  5. Lake Wales (3S) +3
  6. Lakeland (4S) -2
  7. Mainland (3S) +2
  8. Edgewater (3M) +2
  9. Apopka (4M) +2
  10. Seminole (4M) +3
  11. Armwood (3M) NR
  12. Venice (4S) -6
  13. Bartram Trail (4S) +1
  14. Jones (3M) -2
  15. Homestead (3M) -8
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M) E
  17. Buchholz (4S) +1
  18. Mandarin (4M) +1
  19. Jesuit (3M) +1
  20. Ocoee (4M) -3
  21. Winter Park (4M) E
  22. Dunbar (3S) E
  23. Vero Beach (4S) E
  24. Blanche Ely (3M) E
  25. Pine Forest (3S) E

Preseason Top 25 – Updated 8/20/2023

The 2023 Florida high school football season has arrived, which means it’s time for our ITG Next Florida preseason Top-25 rankings for Classes 3 and 4. The list encompasses teams from those classifications, as well as Florida’s independent programs, and will be updated weekly throughout the fall ahead of each weekend’s matchups.

A couple of takeaways from these 2023 Florida high school football preseason rankings:

  • IMG Academy sits in the top spot, and the Ascenders quickly proved they deserve it, beginning their season with a 35-10 defeat of Lipscomb Academy (TN) last Friday night. They are the only team in the rankings to have played so far.
  • All four defending state champions are ranked within the Top 10 to begin the season: 4M’s Miami Columbus (No. 3), 4S’s Lakeland (No. 4), 3M’s St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 2), and 3S’s Lake Wales (No. 8).
  1. IMG Academy (Independent)
  2. St. Thomas Aquinas (3M)
  3. Miami Columbus (4M)
  4. Lakeland (4S)
  5. Clearwater Academy International (Independent)
  6. Venice (4S)
  7. Homestead (3M)
  8. Lake Wales (3S)
  9. Mainland (3S)
  10. Edgewater (3M)
  11. Apopka (4M)
  12. Jones (3M)
  13. Seminole (4M)
  14. Bartram Trail (4S)
  15. Osceola (4S)
  16. Tampa Bay Tech (3M)
  17. Ocoee (4M)
  18. Buchholz (4S)
  19. Mandarin (4M)
  20. Jesuit (3M)
  21. Winter Park (4M)
  22. Dunbar (3S)
  23. Vero Beach (4S)
  24. Blanche Ely (3M)
  25. Pine Forest (3S)
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