The News-Press and Naples Daily News high school football rankings are back for the 2026 season.
Each week we will rank the top 10 football teams from our coverage area, comprised of Collier and Lee counties, plus LaBelle. The power rankings are based on record, strength of schedule, and head-to-head matchups for the area’s 30-plus teams. These rankings were done following the slate of preseason games on Aug. 13-14, 2026.
Here are The News-Press/Naples Daily News Power Rankings entering Week 1 of the regular season. Be sure to look online each week during the season to see our updated rankings.
1. Dunbar
Analysis: The Tigers’ offense looked unstoppable against Riverdale in a 50-29 preseason classic victory, but equally as notable was the play of their defense. Aside from surrendering several big plays in the opening half, Dunbar stymied the Raiders’ physical running game. If the Tigers can get that kind of play on both sides of the ball, they’ll become a mainstay at the top of the rankings.
2. South Fort Myers
Analysis: Jaydon Henderson and Arthur Gallishaw combined to rush for 350-plus yards in a 47-35 preseason win over Cape Coral. Playing without star end Ja’Dell Carter, the South defense came undone a bit in the second half. The Wolfpack also need to get more than three completions out of their passing game, especially with the game-breaking ability of wide receivers Jer’Shard Benjamin and Tenaris Kearse.
3. Bishop Verot
Analysis: The Vikings showed dominance on both sides of the ball in a 38-7 preseason win over Charlotte. Verot held the Tarpons under 10 yards of offense into the fourth quarter while new starting quarterback Hudson Peak was effective throwing and running the football.
4. Cape Coral
Analysis: The Seahawks struggled to run the football and stop the run against South Fort Myers, two areas they have to improve in a hurry with area power Port Charlotte coming to Dave Warketin Field for the season opener.
5. Riverdale
The Raiders made too many mistakes, especially on offense, against Dunbar. The defense, which returns the bulk of last year’s starters and added standout defensive back Levi McKenzie, will be better than they looked against the Tigers. They have to be, considering Riverdale’s first seven regular-season games are against teams that made the playoffs in 2025.
6. Naples
The Golden Eagles will be able to run the football, something they showed in the first half of their 17-8 preseason win over Immokalee. The defense, which is inexperienced in some spots, also played well and will improve as the season progresses.
7. Community School of Naples
Analysis: CSN was one of the area’s top rushing teams last year, and, despite graduating workhorse running back Jayvian Tanelus and a few offensive linemen, the team’s identity will not change. It helps that the team has a pair of Power Four prospects in the backfield in Louvens Bazile and Jaden Phillips, a tandem that should be one of the area’s best this season. Colgate-committed quarterback Caden DiLoreto is another weapon for the Seahawks’ offense. CSN starts the season against a challenging schedule, beginning in Week 1 with the Cardinal Newman team that defeated them in the postseason a year ago.
8. St. John Neumann
Analysis: The Celtics’ offense looked explosive in a 50-13 preseason win over Bayshore with senior quarterback Carter Quinn tossing three touchdown passes and receivers Jackson Lee (100 yards, 3 TDs) and Rony Raposo (75 yards, one TD) each having big games.
9. Immokalee
Analysis: The Indians settled down in the second half of their preseason game with Naples, particularly on the defensive end. The offense, behind junior quarterback Jayden Cowgill and junior running back Youvensly Methelus, will be difficult for most teams to handle.
10. Barron Collier
Analysis: The Cougars, whose preseason contest at Cooper City was canceled due to inclement weather, have plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball. It may take a beat for so many newcomers to get on the same page, but once they do, Barron Collier will be a tough out.
Next 5
11. Golden Gate
12. First Baptist
13. Estero
14. Fort Myers
15. Gulf Coast
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Who is No. 1 in our first SW FL football Super 10 rankings of 2026?
Reporting by Dan DeLuca, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan DeLuca, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
