Week 9 TOP 10 Rankings

 Week 8 is in the books and with it we are starting to get a real grasp on who the real contenders to make deep runs this season are. As well as the sleepers it's been a while but lets dig in to our top 10.

Disclaimer: This is a list for PUBLIC school teams in the area not private that way we avoid as many Strength of Schedule debates as possible.

THE TOP TEN

10. Chancellor Chargers (2-3)

The Chargers have really taken their lumps against some of the best in the area. Which probably shows that there is a gap at points between the teams in this area. Don't give up on the Chargers yet however, despite their record they have still shown splashes and are only a few points out of a playoff spot in the vaunted Region 4B.

9. Colonial Forge Eagles (3-4) 

I know I'm going to get flak for the Eagles not falling down or even off or list... But I really want you to ask yourself if there are 10 or even 9 teams better than Forge in this area. It is important to consider the fact that a 3 out of 4 of their losses are to some of the best teams the state has to offer. No other team in the area has played the teams that Forge has. Do I think the Eagles are contenders like I thought at the beginning of the season? No, are they still a good team that has a chance to win out and make noise in the playoffs, yes... We will see how the season plays out but don't count out the Eagles 

8. Brooke Point Black-Hawks (3-3)

Brooke Point has been in their fair share of heart stoppers this season. The unfortunate part about that is the fact that their 1-2 in those kind of games this season. Knowing you're only a few plays away from being 5-1 has got to sting. But it should also provide a little optimism. If I hadn't said it before I'll say it now I love watching Brooke Point play. Very few teams in the area have a 2 threats like Noah Sanders and Daniel Coles. The extreme talent of both makes them hard to stop as you can't pick and chose which one to attempt to take away as the other will make you pay. It will take a great week of practice if they want to win Friday. But Mountain View hasn't played a team as balanced as Brooke Point yet and the Black-Hawks be their stiffest challenge yet.

7. North Stafford Wolverines (3-4)

Monday night could be exactly what the Wolverines needed to make a push at the playoffs this season. After having to forfeit their game against Colonial Forge things were looking bleak for North Stafford at 2-4 and a few positions out of a playoff spot. After dominating their rival for the 11th year in a row? North finds themselves only 2 spots out of playoff position with 2 opportunities to make the playoffs with Mountain View and Brooke Point looming. We all know Tevin White can run the ball but if Pearson can have the night he had last night and use his weapons in Cliff Davis and Dino Jones, White will find it easier to carry the ball as teams lighten the box.

6. Riverbend Bears (5-2)

The Bears were on a well timed bye, their game vs Forge will take a strong showing from Aiden Fisher and Tanner Triplett if they want to avoid the mini-upset 

5. Massaponax Panthers (4-1)

Massaponax for the second week in a row now win on their last possession of the game. Which now has them sitting pretty at 4-1 (They won the Chancellor game by forfeit) and third in the 5D region. Donte Hawthorne has filled in nicely this season as Massaponax's QB and having veteran players like Nathaniel Quance and Tyheem Kimble doesn't hurt it wouldn't be wise to underestimate this Panthers teams ability to make some noise.

4. Louisa Lions (7-1)

Death, Taxes, Louisa dominating the Jefferson district. The Lions continue to roll through their schedule as expected and are sitting at 7-1... We have seen this before, I wouldn't expect the Lions to be challenged until the last week of the regular season. 

3. Kettle Run Cougars (7-1)

If you don't know much about the Cougars from Nokesville you better go watch them on NFHS and find out about them soon. The Cougars have 3, yes 3 Running Backs plus QB Beau Lang that can bruise through a defense and get tough yards. And once you start to sell out and stop the run Lang will use his arm and air you out to his favorite targets Jordan Tapscott and Jacob Robinson. This is why the Cougars haven't missed a beat this season after their OC from last year left to take the HC at Eastern View. It is also why their game vs Handley this weekend could very well be game of the week. 

2. King George Foxes (6-0)

King George has absolutely dominated in all 5 games they've played this season. What on this team is a weakness? It's not their defense that's only given up 8.6 PPG. It's not their running game led by Gabe Aley and a tough offensive line, something that Chancellor found out on Friday. It most certainly isn't the passing attack led by Zach Ferguson and his 2 D-1 WRs Mekhai White and Chanz Wiggins. This team has it's arguments to be number 1 even... it's a complete roster from top to bottom with one of the best staffs in the area. Plenty of reasons for excitement off Kings Highway.

1. Mountain View Wildcats (7-0)

Anyone who was at the Forge vs Mountain View game this past Friday could sense how much this game meant to the Wildcats. And after a shaky weird start the Wildcats regained their footing and dominated their up the road rivals 47-19.  The thing that makes this Wildcat team the best in the area is the fact that it is absolutely impossible to pick your poison for this team. If you make the mistake in selling out and stacking the box to contain Ike Daniels and Tyler Perry you risk being cut to shreds in the air by weapons like Jaiden Fair, Jordan Jackson, and Collin Carrol, Oh Ike sometimes lines up in the slot too by the way. You want to take away their pass game? Lol watch Ike, and Perry gash you up the field all night long. The defense isn't too shabby either. Though they've failed to shut teams out they've held most of their opponents to one garbage time TD, have held Ponax to their lowest point total this season and shut out the Eagles for 3 quarters. The Wildcats have 3 solid opponents remaining but if they play like they did Friday they'll be a tough out.