Football: Week 9 Power Rankings (and playoff scenarios)

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: October 31, 2008

WEEK 9 POWER RANKINGS

Glenelg over Howard. I sure didn’t see that one coming. I guess it’s like coaches always say, on any given day, any team can beat any team. I certainly can’t drop Howard below Glenelg, so I’ve had to make some tough moves. I’ve had to put some teams behind teams that they’ve beaten head-to-head. Spots 6 through 9 are the tough ones. Oh yeah, I guess I’ve got to man up and admit how wrong I was on my Wilde Lake-River Hill prediction. In case you forgot, I guessed 35-6. It was 12-0. Am I allowed to just say the rain slowed them down? No more homecoming games, so everything is Friday at 7.

1. (1-last week’s ranking) River Hill. (8-0, 372 points scored, 22 points allowed)

Nothing left to prove in this county. You can lock them into the top spot for the rest of the season.They showed that they can win a sloppy game in bad weather, which could be important in the playoffs. Five shutouts in its past six games is impressive.

Last week: Beat Wilde Lake (7-1), 12-0. This week: at Hammond (0-8).

2. (2) Wilde Lake. (7-1, 218-111)

No one likes a moral victory, but the Wildecats showed a lot by holding River Hill to 12 points. They proved that they’re one of the best teams in the state and are capable of a nice playoff run. Except for nights off against Glenelg and Atholton (combined 56 points allowed) the defense has been superb.

Last week: Lost to River Hill (8-0), 12-0. This week: home against No. 7 Centennial (4-4).

3. (3) Marriotts Ridge. (6-2, 250-120)

Even if they close out with wins against Howard and Centennial, the Mustangs may be the hard-luck team that goes 8-2 and misses the playoffs. They’re certainly deserving of the playoffs: their only losses are to River Hill and Wilde Lake, both state championship contenders. The problem is they share the ultra competitive 2A South with teams such as the aforementioned River Hill, and North Point, Gwynn Park, Patuxent, and Douglass — schools that rack up bonus points for beating larger schools with winning records. Patuxent, which sits 14 points ahead of Marriotts Ridge and currently holds the fourth and final playoff spot in the 2A South, has games against Calvert (2-6) and Great Mills (0-8) remaining.

Last week: Beat Atholton (2-6), 42-22. This week: home against No. 5 Howard (5-3).

4. (5) Long Reach. (5-3, 178-160)

Long Reach is on a roll and shouldn’t have too much trouble finishing the season 7-3. The only thing that might hurt them in their attempt to make the playoffs is that their two remaining opponents have only three wins worth of bonus points available. Trying to play out all these scenarios gives me a headache though, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Last week: Beat Oakland Mills (1-7), 49-21. This week: at No. 10 Mt. Hebron (3-5).

5. (4) Howard. (5-3, 231-139)

Yes, yes, I know Howard bludgeoned Long Reach, but that was in week three and anything can happen in a rivalry game. Long Reach’s only other two losses are to River Hill and Wilde Lake. Howard, meanwhile has lost to Centennial and Glenelg. Curiously, with a win this week over Marriotts Ridge, and its six wins worth of bonus points, the Lions would make a strong burst in a tight and wide open playoff race in the 3A East. That discrepancy should make the Mustangs very eager to play the spoiler.

Last week: Lost to Glenelg (3-5), 17-14. This week: at No. 3 Marriotts Ridge (6-2).

6. (8) Atholton. (2-6, 157-223)

Quite a jump for a team that lost, I know, but 6 through 9 are a mystery. Why are they here? They don’t get to play Hammond, which Centennial, Glenelg, and Reservoir all did. They lost three games by a TD or less (two to Howard and Wilde Lake). And they beat Glenelg by two touchdowns only two weeks ago. Now can they defend this spot against Reservoir, close out the season with consecutive wins, and take some promise into next season?

Last week: Lost to Marriotts Ridge (3-3), 27-12. This week: home against No. 9 Reservoir (4-4).

7. (7) Centennial. (4-4, 158-169)

The Eagles may have had their last fun of the season beating up on hapless Hammond. Now they’ve got Wilde Lake and Marriotts Ridge coming up. But they beat Howard and Glenelg, won the Holshue Cup, and broke the school record for rushing yards in a game. Not a bad first campaign for Ken Senisi.

Last week: Beat Hammond (0-8), 48-12. This week: at No. 2 Wilde Lake (7-1).

8. (9) Glenelg. (3-5, 190-189)

Just when I thought I had this thing figured out, Glenelg had to go and mess it all up. I had them up higher earlier in the season, but then they lost to Centennial and Atholton. Glenelg’s win over Howard was big, but Centennial has also beaten the Lions, and Atholton lost by just a field goal.

Last week: Beat Howard (5-3), 17-14. This week: home against Oakland Mills (1-7).

9. (6) Reservoir. (4-4, 119-178)

I hate to drop Reservoir this far after a win, but aside from their shutout of Centennial in week two, they haven’t beaten anyone above them. I’m starting to feel like No. 10 could beat No. 4 on the right day. The only sure thing in these rankings is 1, 2, and 3. If the Gators fall to Atholton this week we could finish the season with four teams that are 4-6. In the NFL, they love to call that “parity.”

Last week: Beat Mt. Hebron (3-5), 22-17. This week: at No. 6 Atholton (2-6)

10. (10) Mt. Hebron. (3-5, 143-213)

I made the Vikes my upset pick of the week last week. I was wrong: it was Glenelg. But Mt. Hebron came close, falling by six points to then No. 6 Reservoir. They’ve done some good things this season.

Last week: Lost to Reservoir (4-4), 22-17. This week: home against No. 4 Long Reach (5-3).

On the bubble: Hammond (0-8), Oakland Mills (1-7).

Stat of the week: Oakland Mills has allowed exactly 49 points in three straight weeks. All they had to do was score 50 each time and they’d have three wins.

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