Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
Now is about the time where everyone starts bookmarking joeeitel.com to keep up with projected playoff seeds.
I’m guilty of doing it. Seeing who is dropping, rising and who is projected to play who. And there are A LOT of intriguing matchups.
But there’s still three weeks of the regular season left, meaning there’s still quite a way to go. And some conference landscapes are going to be shaped more so than ever this week.
Week 7 awaits us. Here are this week’s Power Rankings.
CREDIT: Baylee Harris/SOSA
1. Ironton (5-1)
Week 5 result: 48-7 win over Chesapeake
Previous Ranking: 1 … –
Make that 29 straight victories inside of the Ohio Valley Conference for the Tigers. The question at this point is at what point will this conference winning streak end? Also, what is the current record for most OVC wins in a row? Or is it already Ironton’s record to continue adding to? Good luck this week Rock Hill.
2. Logan Elm (6-0)
Week 5 result: 35-7 win over Liberty Union
Previous Ranking: 2 … –
Arrive. Dominate. Leave. The Braves had a simple game plan, stuck with it and more importantly, handled their business early and got their starters out quick. It’s been relatively smooth sailing up to this point, but now it’s about to get real as Bloom-Carroll comes to town. For those who want to watch, SOSA is going to livestream the game at this link.
3. Jackson (5-1)
Week 5 result: 49-21 win over Washington
Previous Ranking: 3 … –
Speaking of conference winning streaks, the Ironmen have now won 11 straight FAC games and with the way they’re playing, and the amount of young players on their team, that number is going to continue increasing. Also, Bodhi Wolford is slowly beginning to get the hang of this whole quarterback deal.
4. Fairland (5-1)
Week 5 result: 40-35 win over Gallia Academy
Previous Ranking: 5 … +1
Of all the top victories in the area so far this season, I’d say the Dragons have two of. Last week’s is definitely a show stealer. A high flying offense in a back-and-forth matchup and, in the end, the Dragons came up with one more big-time play than Gallia Academy. Big resume-piece victory.
5. West (5-1)
Week 5 result: 34-7 win over Minford
Previous Ranking: 6 … +1
Sometimes a passing game isn’t needed. Mason Parker was all West needed offensively as the Senators steamrolled past Minford for a fifth straight victory, and a seventh straight inside the conference. The Falcons have a chance to continue sharpening their skills and fine-tuning things against Valley.
6. Gallia Academy (5-1)
Week 5 result: 40-35 loss to Fairland
Previous Ranking: 4 … -2
Knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten, luck simply was not on the Blue Devils’ side in their loss to Fairland. Did anyone see the numbers that were put up on both sides? Simply ridiculous. However, the one thing that still remains is that the Blue Devils still have a chance to earn a share of the OVC. They just have to win out.
7. Unioto (5-1)
Week 5 result: 45-22 win over Piketon
Previous Ranking: 8 … +1
One hurdle cleared, two more to go. The Shermans’ offense is flying high, but it also helps to have a defense that is very opportunistic and can create a turnover at a crucial point in a game. They aren’t on upset alert this week, but they need to be careful not to look ahead to Week 8. Adena will throw everything at them.
8. Vinton County (5-1)
Week 5 result: 62-0 win over Meigs
Previous Ranking: 9 … -1
Back-to-back shutouts win, and back-to-back weeks of scoring 50+ points. This is the Vikings’ best start in school history and the team is continuing to get better as the weeks go by. The passing game is slowly beginning to be more productive and that will make all the difference between triumph and another heartbreaking season.
9. Waverly (4-2)
Week 5 result: 56-7 W over Oak Hill
Previous Ranking: 10 … +1
It was 14-7 after the first quarter. Suddenly, the Tigers exploded for 36 points in the second and well, that was all she wrote. It was the bounce-back game and victory needed after falling short a couple weeks back. The Tigers are still in the hunt for a conference title, but they have to win out to get at least a share.
10. Paint Valley (5-1)
Week 5 result: 76-41 win over Adena
Previous Ranking: N/A
Welcome back to Power Rankings, Bearcats. 76 points is absolutely insane, and nearly unheard of when it comes to high school football. By the way, is that an SVC record for most points scored in a game by one team, and a combined total game? 117 points. That offense better continue flying high with a trip to Piketon on tap.
