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 5

Take a look at our HSFB power rankings after Week 5.

Brock Netter, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

We have officially turned the page on the first half of the HSFB season, and now we begin the most important stretch.

These next four weeks will define each respective team’s destiny, whether that’s playing in Week 11 or buying a ticket to watch someone else play in Week 11.

To be fair, four wins is pretty much all a program needs to make the playoffs with 16 teams in each region now earning a spot in the latest OHSAA format.

But let’s jump into Week 6. Here are this week’s Power Rankings.

After a dominant win last week, Connor Dollison and his Unioto Shermans are 4-1.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

1. Ironton (4-1)

Week 5 result: 42-8 win over South Point

Previous Ranking: 1 … —

Make that 28 straight victories inside the Ohio Valley Conference for the Tigers. Although there is very good competition in league play, the Tigers are simply a cut above the rest for the time being. Line them up and the Tigers will knock them down. Now for a road trip to Chesapeake.

2. Logan Elm (5-0)

Week 5 result: 48-21 win over Fairfield Union

Previous Ranking: 2 … —

I’d put this Braves offense up against anyone in the area, including Ironton. Yes, I said it. OK, maybe I’m not there yet, but I’m definitely close. There are teams who haven’t scored 48 points THIS SEASON, yet the Braves are putting up numbers like they’re playing Madden. It’s very possible they crack 60 with winless Liberty Union on Friday.

3. Jackson (4-1)

Week 5 result: 44-14 win over Hamilton Ross

Previous Ranking: 3 … —

Confidence. That’s what this Ironmen team has continued to gain week after week, and they’re slowly beginning to hit their stride. The running game has been its bread and butter. However, now that it enters Frontier Athletic Conference play, if it can find a rhythm in the passing game to compliment, watch out.

4. Gallia Academy (5-0)

Week 5 result: 50-18 win over Portsmouth

Previous Ranking: 4 … —

If there were any questions about whether this Blue Devil team was the real deal or not, some of those were answered against Portsmouth. An opportunistic defense combined with an effective offense to move the ball was a perfect recipe. Now they’ll get a bit of a stiffer test on Friday, traveling to Fairland.

5. Fairland (4-1)

Week 5 result: 40-7 win over Rock Hill

Previous Ranking: 5 … —

Well, that was certainly one-sided. The Dragons handled their business early, remaining one game back in the OVC and staying healthy in the process. It’s all about playing for playoff positioning at this point in the season, and every computer point matters. They could earn a major boost if they manage to knock off undefeated Gallia Academy.

6. West (4-1)

Week 5 result: 24-21 win over Waverly

Previous Ranking: 6 … —

There are defensive backs across college and the NFL who will never get four interceptions in a season, or maybe even in their careers. Jeffery Bishop did it in one night. It’s quite possibly the best defensive performance I’ve ever seen. That kept West atop the SOC II standings and the tests will keep coming as Minford comes to town.

7. Wheelersburg (3-2)

Week 5 result: 35-0 win over Valley

Previous Ranking: 7 … —

That’s now back-to-back shutout victories for the Pirates, who are beginning to find their identity and see what works on the field. This is usually the time where they put everything together and go on a long winning streak with all the momentum in the world. If they manage to beat Harvest Prep, the Pirates will have officially arrived.

8. Unioto (4-1)

Week 5 result: 51-0 win over Huntington

Previous Ranking: 9 … +1

Shutout wins are tough to come by. The level of focus it takes to not let your foot off of the gas for 48 straight minutes and maintain your consistency is impressive. The Shermans are regaining their confidence that made them one of the top teams in the area last season. Now they get a solid test against Piketon.

9. Vinton County (4-1)

Week 5 result: 35-13 win over Athens

Previous Ranking: N/A

Keep in mind, this team is one blocked point after try away from potentially being undefeated. However, the Vikings have won four straight and are off to their best start since 2004. They have a style that works for them and everything is pointing in their direction for a possible conference title.

10. Waverly (3-2)

Week 5 result: 24-21 loss to West

Previous Ranking: 8 … -2

All of the turnovers certainly didn’t help the Tigers. But the fact remains they were in the game until the very end and showed a lot of character in the process. Snapping their three-game winning streak was a bitter pill to swallow to open SOC II play, but they’re still in the thick of things in a wide open conference race.