Prep football: Southeast in, Palmetto out of 5A top 10

photo by Tiffany Tompkins-Condie

The Southeast Seminoles not only played well enough to win a district title last week, they made their way into the Class 5A top 10 for the first time this season.
Southeast is ranked ninth in the state in Class 5A in the latest poll, released Monday.
The Seminoles beat Palmetto last Friday to clinch the District 10 title. Southeast (8-2) is off this week and hosts Lake Wales on Nov. 16 in a Region 3 quarterfinal.
Palmetto has lost two straight since beginning the season 7-0 and is out of the top 10 after owning the No.1 ranking for most the fall. The Tigers host Ocala Trinity Catholic on Friday before opening the playoffs at Auburndale.
Manatee, as expected, maintained its top spot in Class 7A after beating Sarasota to win the District 10 title. The Hurricanes have been No.1 since winning the state title last December.
The Hurricanes received all 14 first-place votes this week after second-ranked Jacksonville First Coast earned a top vote last week.  Manatee beat First Coast in last year's championship game.
Manatee is 9-0 and takes a 21-game winning streak into Friday's game against Lakewood Ranch. The Hurricanes are looking to wrap their second undefeated regular season in three years before opening the Class 7A-Region 3 playoffs at home against St. Petersburg Northeast.