Camden County clinches, Ramsby amazes, Grayson stifles in Week 11

Some have already started the playoffs while others await rivalry games, and the Week 11 Power Rankings still get a bit of a jolt even without any significant upsets.

Camden County completes the jump: Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) is armed with a quarterback and an athlete headed to Georgia (Brice Ramsey and J.J. Green), but the Wildcats competed in the significantly weaker region 3 until this season.

Camden County's win in the Region 1-6A championship not only validated their transition, it solidified them as the top team in the state of Georgia.

The Wildcats knocked off the traditionally powerful Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.), 24-7, to clinch the regional championship and continue a spectacular season for head coach Jeff Herron's team.

Ramsey and Green have been just two parts of a dominant team with four total SEC commitments (linebacker Jarrad Davis is committed to Auburn and offensive lineman J.P. Vonashek to South Carolina) and a stifling defense. Only two teams have scored 12 points against Camden County this season, and the Wildcats had scored at least 39 points in every game until Friday.

Even if Camden County has clinched its league title, it still faces a stiff test next week when it visits Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.), which is coached by Rush Propst from Two-a-Days fame.

Sir Alfred delivers again: Budding star Alfred Ramsby of Colerain (Cincinnati) added another standout performance on Saturday night; Soon, he may hear his name called for Cincinnati player of the year.

Ramsby took control early against rival St. Xavier, rushing for two touchdowns in the first half and eventually throwing for another in the Cardinals' 35-14 victory over rival St. Xavier in the opening round of the OHSAA Region IV Division 1 playoffs.

Colerain will now play Elder (Cincinnati) in the second round of the playoffs.

Don't forget about Grayson: It seems like star defensive end Robert Nkemdiche is in the news too often, but Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) is a team to remember to as the Peach State inches toward state playoffs.

We essentially dropped Grayson from the Power Rankings for good after its shocking loss to Parkview on Sept. 14, but the defense has not allowed a point since Sept. 28. The Rams have outscored their last four opponents 203-0, and should get a test when it takes on a fast-paced Brookwood (Snelville, Ga.) side on Friday night.

And onto the rankings we go:

Record: 9-0

Previous rank: 1

Last week: Defeated Sarasota (Fla.) 51-9

Next week: v. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)

At this point, the national community is waiting for the Hurricanes to get to the playoffs so it can face a legitimate test. Manatee was up 35-3 at halftime and 51-9 by the end of the third quarter.

Record: 9-0

Previous rank: 4

Last week: Defeated Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.) 24-7

Next week: @ Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.)

Some may see the bump as unnecessary, but the Wildcats logged a league-clinching victory on the road against a traditional powerhouse. Even if it's symbolic, Camden County deserves the boost.

Record: 10-0

Previous rank: 2

Last week: Defeated Lincoln (Tacoma, Wash.) 45-0

Next week: vs. Ferndale (Wash.)

UCLA commit Myles Jack had six first half sacks and running back John Nguyen carried 11 times for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the Wolverines dominant playoff victory. It was a big loss for Lincoln first-year coach Jon Kitna, but perhaps the former NFL quarterback (a most trusted backup for several years) can lead the Abes deep into the playoffs in 2013.

Record: 9-0

Previous rank: 3

Last week: Defeated South Plaquemines (Port Sulphur, La.) 50-0

Next week: vs Pope John Paul II (Slidell, La.)

Even when the opposing team is 7-1 entering the game, John Curtis will still beat them by a nice round score of 50-0. The Patriots have now defeated their last three opponents by a score of 155-0. The playoffs begin next week, but Curtis should have no trouble with a 3-6 Pope John Paul squad.

Record: 9-0

Previous rank: 5

Last week: Defeated Cinco Ranch (Katy, Texas), 35-21

Next week: @ Memorial (Houston)

Katy endured a bit of a struggle on Saturday night, but it led local rival Cinco Ranch all night en route to a 35-21 win. The Tigers complete their season on Friday night against a 8-2 Memorial side.

Record: 10-0

Previous rank: 6

Last week: Defeated California (San Ramon, Calif.) 27-14

Next week: Bye

The offense sputtered in the Spartans final game of the season, but they remain odds-on favorites to win the NCS playoffs which will begin for them in two weeks.

Record: 11-0

Previous rank: 7

Last week: Defeated West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C.) 49-0

Next week: vs. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)

The Bulldogs are another team favored to win their state championship, but they face a significant roadblock in next week's playoff game. Butler dispatched of rival Independence once already this year (a 33-14 win on Oct. 26), but the stakes will be far higher in the sudden-death affair.

Record: 10-0

Previous rank: 8

Last week: Defeated Chaparral (Temecula) 38-0

Next week: vs. South Hills (West Covina, Calif.)

Last week, we said that Vista Murrieta would face a "stiff test" against Chaparral. The final score (and the 24-0 halftime lead) indicate otherwise. The surging Broncos will face the South Hills Huskies out of the Sierra League this weekend.

Record: 9-0

Previous rank: 9

Last week: Defeated Grand Prairie (Texas) 76-35

Next week: @ Mansfield (Texas)

The Eagles showcased their high-flying (pun probably intended) offense once again, racking up a season-high 76 points on Friday night. DeSoto has scored at least 37 points in every game, and Friday was the fifth time that it eclipsed 50 points.

Record: 11-0

Previous rank: NR

Last week: Defeated Mayfield (Ohio) 50-27

Next week: vs. Mentor (Ohio)

St. Edward probably deserved this spot after knocking off St. Ignatius in the "Holy War," but a fast win in the opening round of the playoffs and a season of general excellence earn them the spot. The problem now is an extremely difficult second round game, as the Eagles play the Mentor Cardinals, whose only loss was against St. Ignatius.

Next five: St. Ignatius (Cleveland), Trinity (Louisville), Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), Ensworth (Nashville), Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.)