Week 5 to Week 6: Shifts in the Small School Top 10 Rankings
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | September 26, 2024 | Photo courtesy Brad Loff
As Week 6 of high school football in District 11 kicks off, SportzWire’s Small School Top 10 Rankings, powered by Coach Pat, have seen some notable changes compared to the previous week. With teams moving up and down the rankings based on their recent performances, the competition continues to heat up. Let’s dive into what caused these shifts and how the teams stand after Week 5’s games.
Top 5 Shifts
Northwestern Lehigh continues its dominance, holding strong at the #1 position for the second consecutive week. With their solid 42-7 win over Lehighton on September 20, they remain the team to beat. Tamaqua, too, holds steady at #2 after an impressive 49-7 victory over Salisbury Township. These top two teams show no signs of slowing down, asserting themselves as the top small schools in District 11.
However, there were more notable changes further down the rankings. Williams Valley, thanks to their commanding 42-7 win against Tri-Valley, jumped from #5 to #3 in Week 6. Their rise in the rankings showcases their potential to challenge the top teams. Schuylkill Haven, despite a strong performance, moved down one spot to #4. Their defense held Minersville to just 52 points in a loss, but that defeat caused them to drop a bit.
Notre Dame slipped from #4 to #5 after their difficult 63-7 loss to Catasauqua. With their ability to score points in past games, they’ll be looking to bounce back next week.
The Middle of the Pack
Nativity saw a slight improvement, moving up from #7 to #6 in Week 6. After their dominant 60-0 victory over Panther Valley, they’ve been proving their worth as a team to watch. Minersville, on the other hand, fell from #6 to #9 after their loss to Schuylkill Haven, which saw them concede 72 points.
Northern Lehigh held steady at #7 after a solid win against Palmerton, defeating them 51-14. While the competition at the top is fierce, Northern Lehigh seems to be in a position where they could make a strong move up in future weeks if they continue winning convincingly.
The Lower Ranks
North Schuylkill made their debut in the Top 10 for Week 6, coming in at #8. Their huge 50-7 win over Jim Thorpe has put them in the rankings spotlight. Saucon Valley, despite losing 55-7 to Wilson Area, managed to hang on to the #10 spot but needs to find their footing soon if they want to stay in the rankings.
Lastly, Tri-Valley has dropped out of the Top 10 entirely after their loss to Williams Valley. This shows how competitive the rankings can be, with one loss having significant repercussions for a team.
Outlook for Week 6
With the rankings shaking up and teams eager to solidify their standings, Week 6 is poised to bring even more excitement. The top teams will be looking to defend their positions, while those that dropped or debuted in the rankings will be fighting to prove their place. All eyes will be on the key matchups that could further alter the rankings as District 11 football continues its thrilling season.
Stay tuned to SportzWire for all the latest updates and analysis as we move into Week 6 action!
