FOOTBALL: Week 10 Power Rankings

By Andrew Conrad
Posted: November 6, 2008

Week 10 Power Rankings

Last week I said spots 1-2-and-3 were sure things. Then No. 4 Howard beat No. 3 Marriotts Ridge. I should have known that “sure thing” comment was going to come back to bite me in the bottom. No. 9 Reservoir also rallied to beat No. 6 Atholton on a two-point conversion on a botched extra-point attempt, 15-14. Like I said, spots 6 through 9 are too close to call. There don’t appear to be any close matchups in Week 10, so this may be the final rankings, pending playoff matchups.

Speaking of playoffs, here’s the latest: River Hill and Wilde Lake in, Marriotts Ridge out, Howard and Long Reach keeping their fingers crossed. Glenelg is in fifth place in the 1A South, but plays undefeated River Hill this week. If the Gladiators could manage that monumental upset, they would have a good chance of getting in to the dance. Like last week, all games are Friday at 7.

1. (1-last week’s ranking) River Hill. (9-0, 423 points scored, 28 points allowed)

There’s not much to learn when an undefeated team beats a team that hasn’t won a game. River Hill’s streak of shutouts ended at three? Hammond’s Golden Bears can say they’re one of only four teams to score on the state champs, so that’s a feather in their cap.

Last week: Beat Hammond (0-9), 51-6. This week: home against No. 9 Glenelg (4-5).

2. (2) Wilde Lake. (8-1, 246-123)

The Wildecats have scored exactly twice as many points as they’ve allowed. I like it when things work out nice and neat like that. After some close calls earlier in the season, Wilde Lake looks strong going into the playoffs.

Last week: Beat Centennial (4-5), 28-12. This week: at No. 6 Reservoir (5-4).

3. (5) Howard. (6-3, 262-160)

I almost want to punish the Lions with a low ranking for fouling up my precious rankings, but that would be petty. Two weeks ago, they lost to Glenelg; last week, they beat Marriotts Ridge. How am I supposed to make sense of all this? They played inspired football last week, and deserve this spot. It’s also starting to look as though they’ve earned a spot in the 3A East playoffs.

Last week: Beat Marriotts Ridge (6-3), 31-21. This week: home against No. 10 Mt. Hebron (3-6).

4. (3) Marriotts Ridge. (6-3, 271-151)

I really thought they would beat Howard. They have a more dynamic offense, they’ve been solid on defense, great special teams, and it was senior night at the Ridge. I think what it came down to was Howard was playing for a playoff spot and was more motivated. The Mustangs are going to be tested again this week at Centennial.

Last week: Lost to Howard (6-3), 31-21. This week: at No. 7 Centennial (4-5).

5. (4) Long Reach. (6-3, 213-166)

The Lightning have a chance to finish the season with a five-game win streak. Right now, they are fifth in the 3A East and only one point behind Stephen Decatur. Long Reach will be rooting for Snow Hill (6-3) to beat the 5-3 Seahawks.

Last week: Beat Mt. Hebron (3-6), 35-6. This week: home against Hammond (0-9).

6. (9) Reservoir. (5-4, 134-192)

I think I owe the Gators an apology. I had them at 6, then dropped them to 9, then they proved they should have been sixth all along. I faulted them for not beating anyone above them, but they also haven’t lost to anyone now below them (thought they don’t play Glenelg this year. It’s too bad because that would be a good game.) If only their offense could score some more points to match their excellent defense.

Last week: Beat Mt. Hebron (3-5), 22-17. This week: home against No. 2 Wilde Lake (8-1)

7. (7) Centennial. (4-5, 170-197)

Aside from a one-point loss to Atholton, everything on the Eagles’ record is about what it should be — and outside of River Hill (55-0), they’ve played everyone tough. I think they’ve even have a chance to make it close with Marriotts Ridge this week (I don’t expect them to win, though).

Last week: Lost to Wilde Lake (8-1), 28-12. This week: at No. 4 Marriotts Ridge (6-3).

8. (6) Atholton. (2-7, 171-238)

Chuck Fales has to be pulling his hair out. His Raiders have now had two one-point losses (one of them to Wilde Lake) a three-point loss, and a seven-point loss. Reservoir botched what would have been a game-tying extra point on Friday, but Andy Bushong picked up the ball and ran it in for what turned out to be the game winning two-point conversion. Atholton has won only two games, and the Raiders lost to No. 10 Mt. Hebron. So why are they ranked here? They beat Centennial and Glenelg.

Last week: Lost to Reservoir (5-4), 15-14. This week: at Oakland Mills (1-8).

9. (8) Glenelg. (4-5, 232-196)

Looking at their record, their points scored and allowed, and their win over Howard, the Gladiators really should be ranked higher. Heck, if they can somehow manage to beat River Hill this week (team-wide case of food poisoning, some sort of hare-and-tortoise scheme), they’ll even make the playoffs! But there’s just no way around their decisive losses to Atholton and Centennial.

Last week: Beat Oakland Mills (1-9), 42-7. This week: at No. 1 River Hill (9-0).

10. (10) Mt. Hebron. (3-6, 149-248)

Good ol’ Mt. Hebron. The Vikings beat Hammond and Oakland Mills to earn this spot, and then they haven’t gone and messed things up by beating any of the other teams (though they did beat Atholton in mid-September). The Vikings have been close a couple times, though (Centennial, Reservoir), and I expect them to give Howard a good fight this week. They’ve got something to build on for next year.

Last week: Lost to Long Reach (6-3), 35-6. This week: at No. 3 Howard (6-3).

On the bubble: Hammond (0-9), Oakland Mills (1-8).

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