USA TODAY Sports Super 15 Southeast region football rankings, Week 8

Week 7 delivered its share of high school football drama across the Southeast, with several of the region’s top teams facing stiff tests while others continued to roll through their schedules. With the postseason getting closer, the pressure is beginning to rise, and another slate of big matchups awaits in Week 8.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ Week 8 Southeast Region Super 15 rankings.

National rankings: USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school football rankings, Week 8

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, vs. McArthur (FL), 7 p.m. ET

The Raiders survived their biggest test of the season, edging Chaminade-Madonna 21-20 in a game that came down to the wire. St. Thomas Aquinas remains unbeaten and atop the Southeast Region, but the narrow victory showed just how little room for error there is against the state’s elite. The Raiders return home Friday to face McArthur.

2. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at New Palestine (IN), 7 p.m. ET

The Ascenders were down a few players, and had a real scare against The St. James Performance Academy, but came away with a 44-42 win thanks to four takeaways on defense, along with a game-winning field goal from Zach Brien at the horn. IMG has shown some cracks this year, but expect them to get things done in the Hoosier State against New Palestine.

3. Buford (GA)

Record: 5-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at Dacula (GA), 7:30 p.m. ET

Buford had the week off, giving the Wolves a chance to rest before the stretch run of the regular season. The unbeaten Wolves return to action Friday against Dacula, looking to keep pace in a loaded Georgia Class 6A field.

4. Columbus (Miami, FL)

Record: 7-1

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at Coral Gables (FL), 4 p.m. ET

The Explorers had no trouble in Week 7, cruising past Southwest 53-0 in a shutout victory. Columbus has now won three straight since its lone loss to St. Thomas Aquinas, and continues to look like one of South Florida’s most dangerous teams. The Explorers face Coral Gables on Friday afternoon.

5. Thompson (Alabaster, AL)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at Hewitt-Trussville (AL), 7 p.m. CT

Thompson picked up perhaps its most impressive win of the season Friday, taking down Hoover 31-14. The Warriors remain unbeaten and showed they can handle one of Alabama’s premier programs in a big-game environment. Another significant test awaits Friday at Hewitt-Trussville.

6. Carrollton (GA)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at Douglas County (GA), 7:30 p.m. ET

Like Buford, Carrollton had the week off and enters Week 8 at 6-0. The Trojans return to action Friday night with a road matchup against Douglas County as they begin the second half of their regular season.

7. Baylor (Chattanooga, TN)

Record: 7-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 16, vs. Legacy School of Sport Sciences (TX), 7 p.m. CT

Baylor made quick work of McCallie, rolling to a 49-7 victory in the latest installment of the Chattanooga rivalry. The Red Raiders have now won all seven of their games and have outscored opponents by a staggering margin this season. Baylor gets this week off before hosting Legacy School of Sport Sciences on Oct. 16.

8. Thomas County Central (Thomasville, GA)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at Houston County (GA), 7:30 p.m. ET

Thomas County Central continued its dominant start with a 55-12 rout of Veterans. The Yellow Jackets have scored at least 50 points in multiple games this season and remain unbeaten heading into another road test. Houston County is up next Friday night.

9. Tupelo (MS)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at Southaven (MS), 7 p.m. CT

Tupelo stayed perfect with a 49-7 win over Hartfield Academy in Week 7. The Golden Wave have continued to roll through the schedule and now head into a matchup with Southaven looking to move to 7-0. It will be another opportunity for Tupelo to strengthen its case among Mississippi’s best.

10. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, GA)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, vs. Brookwood (GA), 7:35 p.m. ET

North Gwinnett dominated Duluth 48-3 last week, continuing an unbeaten start to the season. The Bulldogs have been one of Georgia’s most consistent teams and have shown little sign of slowing down. Brookwood presents the next challenge Friday night.

11. Dutch Fork (Irmo, SC)

Record: 6-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at Chapin (SC), 7:30 p.m. ET

Dutch Fork remained unbeaten with a 28-7 win over Lexington last Friday. The Silver Foxes continue to look like one of South Carolina’s top teams and now face a familiar in-state opponent in Chapin. Dutch Fork will try to make it seven straight victories Friday night.

12. Edna Karr (New Orleans, LA)

Record: 5-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, at John Curtis Christian (LA), 7 p.m. CT

Edna Karr survived a close one against Brother Martin, pulling out a 25-21 victory to remain unbeaten. The Cougars now face perhaps their most intriguing matchup of the season against John Curtis Christian. It’s a battle between two of Louisiana’s traditional powers with plenty at stake Friday night.

13. Clay-Chalkville (AL)

Record: 5-1

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, vs. Pinson Valley (AL), 7 p.m. ET

Clay-Chalkville enters Week 8 looking to continue building on its strong season after its lone loss. The Cougars have remained among Alabama’s top teams and now get Pinson Valley at home Friday night. A victory would keep them firmly in the mix as the postseason approaches.

14. Lee County (Leesburg, GA)

Record: 6-1

Next game: Friday, Oct. 9, vs. Veterans (GA), 7:30 p.m. ET

Lee County battled its way to a 15-6 road win over Coffee last week, improving to 6-1 on the season. The Trojans’ defense once again did the heavy lifting in a low-scoring victory. They’ll return home Friday to face Veterans.

15. West Boca Raton (FL)

Record: 5-1

Next game: Thursday, Oct. 8, at Deerfield Beach (FL), 7 p.m. ET

West Boca Raton bounced back from its loss with a convincing 31-7 victory over Glades Central. The Bulls have won five of their first six games and now get an early Week 8 test against Deerfield Beach on Thursday night.