Brock Netter

Brock is SOSA's primary writer and has worked for the Coshocton Tribune, the Kankakee Daily Journal (Ill.), the Vinton-Jackson Courier and the Jackson Telegram. He's a six-time award-winning journalist, a lifelong WWE fan, a suffering Bengals fan and calls the sidelines his home.

HSFB Power Rankings: Introducing the area’s top 10 teams after Week 8

Take a look at our HSFB power rankings after Week 8.

Brock Netter, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

Two more weeks, folks.

Ironton is still rolling after a 55-6 win over Coal Grove last week.
CREDIT: *Renee Nemeth/SOSA*

The regular season is coming to a close, but that just means the real fun is beginning. Some area teams have already clinched their playoff spots and home games, while others are scrambling to make the final 16.

Some programs are searching for their first-ever trip to the playoffs, some their first-ever playoff win and other programs with vast playoff history aim for deep playoff runs.

Get ready to ride the emotional rollercoaster.

Cheers to Week 9. Here are this week’s Power Rankings.

1. Ironton (8-0)

Last Week: 1 … —

Week 8 Result: 55-6 win over Coal Grove

Nothing should really shock anyone anymore about what Ironton does week by week. Arrive, dominate, leave and repeat. It’s been like that for eight straight weeks and it’s not going to change anytime soon. Coal Grove was averaging over 40 points a game, and was held to six. Tiger dominance at its finest.

2. Jackson (6-2)

Last Week: 2 … —

Week 8 Result: 48-0 win over McClain

No letdown alert at all. If anything, a solid tune-up and showing for what lies ahead last week for the Ironmen. Though it’s impressive holding a team to just 31 yards of total offense, now is the time when the Ironmen have to find that next gear for the rest of the season. From here on out, it’s nothing but a high-stakes game. First up, a first-place showdown with Washington.

3. Washington (7-1)

Last Week: 5 … +2

Week 8 Result: 24-14 win over Chillicothe

In case there were any doubts about Washington, it proved on the road just how real of a team it is. More importantly, the defense made big stops down the stretch to help preserve a win. Now it gets one more chance to silence any doubters with another road trip to Jackson. Winner gets a share of the FAC.

4. Wheelersburg (6-2)

Last Week: 4 … —

Week 8 Result: 49-14 win over Waverly

So I realized last week in my Power Rankings that I completely forgot to rewrite the Pirates’ section. However, you didn’t miss anything, they won. Oddly enough, in similar fashion to how they beat Waverly, with a dominant defense that stifled the running game. Now to sharpen the skills in the secondary as Valley rolls into town.

5. Chillicothe (6-2)

Last Week: 3 … -2

Week 8 Result: 24-14 loss to Washington

It took the Cavaliers until the second half to finally break through, but ultimately they dug a hole just a little too deep to climb out of. While the hope to win the conference outright is out of the door, Chillicothe can still win a share. But it has to get its offense back on track, and a matchup against Hillsboro should do the trick.

6. Zane Trace (8-0)

Last Week: 6 … —

Week 8 Result: 50-0 win over Southeastern

No rally needed this time around. It was strictly business out of the gates until the very end as the Pioneers remained undefeated on the season. That marks 14 straight victories in the regular season, dating back to last year’s 8-3 campaign. Now for a matchup against Paint Valley for the outright SVC championship.

7. West (7-1)

Last Week: 7 … —

Week 8 Result: 42-20 win over Valley

I’m sure the anticipation of Week 10 is killing the Senators because they know what they could potentially be playing for. But for now, they continue to rack up the wins and leave a trail of destruction in doing so, one led by Mitchell Irwin and Ryan Sissel. They’ll go for eight straight wins against Oak Hill, and it could get ugly.

8. Unioto (7-1)

Last Week: 8 … —

Week 8 Result: 42-17 win over Paint Valley

Believe it or not, the Shermans actually trailed at halftime. And then, they proceeded to wake up, flex their muscles on both sides of the ball and pitch a second half shutout to keep in the hunt for a potential share of the SVC. The Shermans should — keyword being “should” — coast the rest of the year into the playoffs.

9. Northwest (6-2)

Last Week: N/A

Week 8 Result: 28-19 win over Green

Hello Northwest, and welcome to Power Rankings. I have to give the Mohawks credit. They just find ways to win and it’s led to winning a share of the SOC I with the chance to take an outright title for a second time in program history. Wyatt Brackman is an animal and their defense is opportunistic.

10. Gallia Academy (7-1)

Last Week: 9 … -1

Week 8 Result: 35-31 loss to Rock Hill

The Blue Devils have played too many close games, and it caught up with them as upset-minded Rock Hill put an end to the undefeated season last week. You can’t get caught looking ahead. Or maybe it just takes some pressure off of their shoulders. Only one way to find out and that’s taking on Ironton this Friday.