#1: Carroll
Record: 1-0
Last Week: #1
Week 2: vs Snider
Carroll remains at our top spot after throttling Luers on Friday. The Chargers had no problem scoring, putting the ball in the end zone on 6 of their first 7 drives. WR Mason Englert will try to stay hot in week 2, after having 4 total touchdowns, when the Chargers welcome in Snider as the underdogs for the first time in a few years.
#2: Bishop Dwenger
Record: 1-0
Last Week: #2
Week 2: at North Side
Dwenger took Wayne out of the game early and stayed in front all the way to the end. The Saints will look to quarterback Brenden Lytle again next week at North Side, after he performed very well by having 170 yards and 4 touchdowns last game.
#3: North Side
Record: 1-0
Last Week: #5
Week 2: vs Dwenger
Coach Brevard and North Side got a statement win against Snider and will look to replicate those results in the coming weeks. QB Duce Taylor was phenomenal with 378 yds and 5 TD, and he has even more to prove in the next few weeks. He’ll need to see continued support from his wideouts, after Ronald Collins III and Jordan Turner each went over 100 yards in receiving. If the Legends play like they did on Friday, they could move up even higher in our rankings next week, with a huge matchup against Dwenger looming.
#4: Homestead
Record: 0-1
Last Week: #3
Week 2: at Concordia
This was not a fun game for Homestead football. Without linebackers Cole Ethcison and Luke Palmer, the Spartans defense fell flat and couldn’t stop Northrop’s rushing attack. Still there was some good to come out of it. QB Evan Ormsby was poised and looked very good at times and RB Braeden Hardwick quietly rushed for over 200 yds and averaged over 11 yards per carry in this game. This team is much better than it showed in week 1 and has the potential to do more as the season goes along, starting with getting a victory against a quality Concordia team.
#5: Snider
Record: 0-1
Last Week: #4
Week 2: at Carroll
The Panthers’ sideline was uncharacteristically lifeless and unenergetic on Friday. There was a clear lack of urgency, even early on with the game still undecided. Maybe it was that there were no fans in the stands or a scarcity of seniors on the field that made Snider look very uncomfortable on both sides of the ball. Whatever it was, expect Coach Tippmann to get it straightened out before they face Carroll. Snider will not go down 0-2 without a fight.
#6: Concordia
Record: 1-0
Last Week: #6
Week 2: vs Homestead
While the offense is often the storyline for the Cadets, it was the defense that impressed against South Side. Multiple turnovers and a safety helped contribute to a solid shutout victory on the road. We’ll see if the defense can turn in another terrific performance against Homestead, on their new turf field.
#7: Northrop
Record: 1-0
Last Week: #9
Week 2: vs South Side
Running back Damarius Cowen put the team on his back and got the win vs Homestead. Cowen had 276 yards and all 4 touchdowns while averaging around 7.5 yards a carry. He’ll need to be just as good next week, as the Bruins look to start the year 2-0 against South Side.
#8: Wayne
Record: 0-1
Last Week: #7
Week 2: vs Luers
Week one was a tough game for the Generals. Give them credit though, they played Dwenger tough, and RB Shawn Collins was averaging 6.7 yds a carry. Look for the ball to be put in his hands as the Generals prepare for a winnable game against Luers.
#9: Bishop Luers
Record: 0-1
Last Week: #8
Week 2: at Wayne
The Knights got Carroll out of the way in the first week of the season. QB Carson Clark showed potential in week 1, with 161 yds but his 2 interceptions can’t happen every week if the Knights want to win more games this year. He’ll need to avoid turning the ball over in order for Luers to beat Wayne in week 2.
#10: South Side
Record: 0-1
Last Week: #10
Week 2: at Northrop
South Side showed they still have a lot of areas to improve in. The good news? There’s plenty of time for them to make adjustments and win some games this year, starting this Friday with Northrop.
