Football: Week 4 power rankings

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: September 24, 2008

Wow. Week 3 was a wild one. Sept. 19 saw: No. 6 Howard (soundly) defeat No. 4 Long Reach for the first time in school history, unranked Mt. Hebron climb into the rankings with a win (first on-field since 2006) over Atholton, a 2007 playoff qualifier; No. 2 Wilde Lake dodge a close call, 38-35, from No. 5 Glenelg; and previously unscored-upon Reservoir give up 38 to Marriotts Ridge. As if all of that weren’t enough, in a game between the two unranked teams, Oakland Mills beat Hammond Saturday afternoon on a 41-yard walk-off field goal. About the only thing that went as expected was River Hill shutting out Centennial, 55-0. Needless to say, there is some major shuffling to do in these power rankings. Good thing my pencil has an eraser…

1. (1*) River Hill. (3-0, 151 points scored, 15 points allowed)

There’s nothing wrong with the Hawks, who got their first shutout of the season. When do the playoffs start?

Last week: Beat Centennial (1-2), 55-0. This week: at No. 9 Mt. Hebron (1-2) Friday at 7.

2. (2) Wilde Lake. (3-0, 113-52)

Can’t dock them for winning close games (Glenelg is tough), but the separation between the ‘Cats and the Hawks is starting to look wider. This week will be very revealing.

Last week: Beat Glenelg (1-2), 38-35. This week: home against No. 3 Marriotts Ridge (3-0) Saturday at 2.**

3. (3) Marriotts Ridge. (3-0, 126-12)

The Mustangs have answered every test so far, and the way Wilde Lake gave up 35 points to Glenelg, it would not be a surprise if Doug DuVall has to wait another week for career win No. 300. Twelve points allowed is a league best (though they haven’t faced a top offense yet). Marriotts Ridge has a chance to emerge as a county championship contender this week.

Last week: Beat Reservoir (2-1), 38-6. This week: at No. 2 Wilde Lake (3-0) Saturday at 2.

4. (6) Howard. (2-1, 84-55)

That Week 1 loss to No. 9 Centennial threw off the scent, but the Lions are clicking now, with the fourth-best offense and the fifth-best defense in the league. How much better are they than No. 6 Glenelg? We won’t know until Oct. 25.

Last week: Beat Long Reach (1-2), 37-8. This week: at Oakland Mills (1-2) Saturday at 2.

5. (4) Long Reach. (1-2, 49-70)

The Lightning looked like a playoff contender after beating up on Glenelg, but then Howard came along and blew them out. They need to come back this week with a win over Reservoir’s tough defense, or they could slip further.

Last week: Lost to Howard (2-1), 37-8. This week: home against No. 7 Reservoir (2-1) Saturday at 2.**

6. (5) Glenelg. (1-2, 76-77)

Hard-luck Gladiators BARELY missed a chance at upsetting No. 2 Wilde Lake and jumping into the top three.

Last week: Lost to Wilde Lake (3-0), 38-35. This week: at Hammond (0-3) Friday at 7 .

7. (7) Reservoir. (2-1, 62-38)

Shutout streak came to an end in a big way against the dynamic Mustangs offense. Not too much of a surprise there, though.

Last week: Lost to Marriotts Ridge (3-0), 38-6. This week: at No. 5 Long Reach (1-2) Saturday at 2.

8. (9) Centennial. (1-2, 21-88)

No penalty for getting shut out by River Hill. And now the Ed Holshue cup is looking even more enticing as a competitive game with something on the line.

Last week: Lost to River Hill, 55-0. This week: home against Atholton Friday at 7.

9. (not ranked) Mt. Hebron. (1-2, 38-87)

Welcome to the Top 10, Vikes! And congrats to Ross Hannon on his first win at Mt. Hebron. A Week 3 stunner over Atholton shows they’re over their 2007 hibernation.

Last week: Beat Atholton (0-3), 28-21. This week: home against No. 1 River Hill (3-0) Friday at 7.

10. (8) Atholton. (0-3, 54-99)

The most puzzling free-fall in the league. Losing Matt Robinson (lacerated hand, back this week) in the Howard game did hurt, however.

Last week: Lost to Mt. Hebron (1-2), 28-21. This week: at Centennial (1-2) Friday at 7.

On the bubble: Hammond (0-3), Oakland Mills (1-2).

* Last week’s ranking

** Homecoming

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