* No Power Rankings audio this week due to the MLB Playoffs being broadcast on Sports Radio 150.
CS8
1. SHG – The Cyclones dealt with a little bit of a scare last week from Springfield High. A hangover effect following Leonard Bowl VII and the intensity involved in that matchup is just human nature. SHG was barely tested last year before losing in the quarterfinals. Maybe it’s a positive thing that the Cyclones are having to play full games while being tested to prepare them for the playoffs.
2. Rochester – Eisenhower entered week eight averaging 45 points per game. Rochester allowed 21 points, but seven came in garbage time, while 14 points came in the first half. The Rockets’ defense was impressive. A week after struggling against that SHG defense on the offensive side of the field, the Rockets were nearly unstoppable as seven different players scored touchdowns. We’ll see if that momentum continues into Thursday night’s game at Springfield.
3. Eisenhower – The Panthers moved the ball effectively through a quarter and change against Rochester. An upset was brewing for a brief period of time. The Panthers’ then proceeded to get blown out on the road, but everybody has when facing Rochester with the exception of SHG. We’ll see wha the Panthers can do against SHG as a “playoff tuneup”.
4. Jacksonville – With an easy win against Lanphier, the Crimsons are heading to the playoffs once again and Jacksonville is going to do so while playing its best football of the season. That offense is littered with legitimate playmakers in Avery Dugan, James White, Marquel White and Klay Wood.
5. Glenwood – The Titans got back on track by crushing MacArthur in week eight. Zak Wardlow ran wild on the Generals. Glenwood ends the regular season with a matchup against Lincoln. Not a game that can be used as a measuring stick by any means, but a chance to pick up win No. 6.
6. Springfield – Give Springfield credit. Following a loss to Lanphier, the Senators came back, nearly clipped Eisenhower and went punch for punch with SHG. That’s a team that could have folded up after that loss to the Lions on the wet and soggy field at Memorial. Instead, they’ve found themselves and maybe gained some confidence heading into next year.
7. Southeast – Following five consecutive losses, the Spartans have claimed back-to-back victories. Playoffs are out of the question, but can Southeast pull off an upset over Jacksonville in week nine?
8. MacArthur – The Generals youth and lack of discipline have been hurtful this year.
9. Lincoln – Looking back at the 2016 season, we’re always going to remember that Lanphier victory. One more game remains in the Central State Eight for the Railers before departing for the Apollo.
10. Lanphier – The Lions have given some younger guys steady looks the last few weeks, giving some inexperienced players experience for 2017.
Sangamo
1. North Mac – There was a lot of talk at the beginning of the season about how tough it would be to run the table in the Sangamo this season, but here the Panthers are, one win away from doing exactly that for the second straight year. That last test will be one of the toughest. Maroa, like North Mac, is peaking.
2. Williamsville – This has to be the quietest 7-1 we’ve ever seen from Williamsville, right? The loss to North Mac removed the hype but it didn’t reduce the level of football the Bullets have played. This is a football team few will want to see in the 3A post season.
3. Maroa-Forsyth – If Maroa lost some of their swag in the Week 3 loss to Williamsville, it has returned in the form of half time back flips and in your face physicality. Maroa dominated a bigger Auburn in Week 8 and at home in Week 9, on senior night, there’s no doubt they’ll give North Mac all they want.
4. Athens – The news is good on two way stud Hunter Maxwell who suffered an MCL knee injury against North Mac in Week 7. He won’t be back for the Warriors regular season finale against Williamsville but Athens is confident he’ll return for a 1A playoff run, and there’s a chance that run could last for a good while.
5. Auburn – The Trojans have made the playoffs for 19 consecutive seasons, but they’re sitting at 4-4 with a hungry New Berlin on the schedule in Week 9. Things have never fully gelled for this team that started the season at No. 1 in the 2A state rankings. But, no greater time than the present, and if they wait any longer than that, their season might be over before the second season starts.
6. New Berlin – Who honestly thought after a 70-7 Week 1 loss to Maroa that the Pretzels would even be able to sniff post season play? We didn’t, but we’re becoming believers with every look that we get at New Berlin. No team has come further since Week 1.
7. Pleasant Plains – It’s been a tough season for Pleasant Plains who tested the limits of Murphy’s Law. They’ll look to go out with a bang against PORTA.
8. Pittsfield – The Saukees have a chance to collect their second win of the season on Friday when they host Riverton.
9. PORTA – PORTA is looking for win number two as well, but they’ll meet a Plains team that’s much better than their record indicates.
10. Riverton – The Hawks aren’t playing for a playoff spot that doesn’t mean they aren’t playing for something. Riverton has improved offensively throughout the season and a win against Pittsfield is certainly not an impossible task.
