Trinity, St. Ignatius fall in stunners during lively Week 10
The Week 10 Power Rankings are in with plenty of surprises.
Moeller shocks Trinity: Earlier in the season, we discussed the difficulty of Miami Central's (Fla.) schedule. It still probably remains the most difficult, its first three games were ranked in the top 10 to start the season, but play got easier once the Rockets entered league play.
Archbishop Moeller's (Cincinnati) schedule was structured differently. Considered one of the top teams in the nation at the start of the season, the Fighting Crusaders have played a vicious schedule starting at the end of September and all through October. Moeller lost to three of Ohio's top teams (St. Xavier, Elder and St. Edward) and were looking at its fourth loss of the year with Trinity (Louisville) arriving.
Trinity hadn't lost since 2010 and features a bevy of Division-I prospects such as defensive end Jason Hatcher (committed to USC), wide receiver James Quick (choosing between Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, Ohio State and Oregon) and defensive back Ryan White (committed to Vanderbilt).
Forty-eight wild minutes later, Moeller earned its biggest win of the season, knocking off the Shamrocks 45-42.
In a game that saw Quick break the state receptions record, Moeller and Trinity traded leads from the first quarter onward. Trinity was vying for a second consecutive undefeated season, but it should still make noise in the playoffs. Moeller will now ride some significant momentum after it ends its season next week.
St. Ignatius falls in "Holy War": Last week, we discussed St. Ignatius (Cleveland) and its tremendous season. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they could not hold off a surging St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) in its rivalry game.
Over 13,000 fans packed the stands to witness the Eagles rally on the road and end St. Ignatius's undefeated campaign in stunning fashion. Trailing most of the game, St. Edward compiled two touchdown drives in the final six minutes to knock off its rival and shake up the Ohio hierarchy.
Trinity League surprise: Gaze at St. John Bosco's (Bellflower, Calif.) record and one wouldn't think it is a major player in Orange County's traditionally loaded Trinity League.
But the Braves are at the top, and have strung together five consecutive wins after forfeiting their first four due to an ineligible player. Bosco has defeated both Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) on the road and now sits atop the vaunted conference. With a win over Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) next week, the Eagles will have finished their best season since current Washington quarterback Keith Price lined up under center.
And now onto the rankings:
Record: 8-0
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Defeated Palmetto (Fla.) 62-0
Next week: vs. Sarasota (Fla.)
The defense got back on track in an easy victory for the Hurricanes. Next week, the team will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the 1992 state champions. If Manatee continues its current path, the 2012 group could create its own legacy.
Record: 9-0
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Defeated Mercer Island (Wash.), 42-0
Next week: TBA
Bellevue finished off its season with another dominant victory, and it will certainly be the team to beat once it enters the state playoffs.
Record: 8-0
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Defeated Clark (New Orleans), 55-0
Next week: @ South Plaquemines (Port Sulphur, La.)
Curtis will finally get a test against a successful team next week, but South Plaquemines is not considered one of the top teams in Louisiana despite its 7-1 record. A big win next week will only further solidify the Patriots as the top team in Louisiana.
Record: 8-0
Previous rank: 5
Last week: Defeated Brunswick (Ga.) 42-8
Next week: @ Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.)
The current kings of Georgia ran to a big victory on Friday, but now they must endure a brutal two-game stretch against some of the state's top teams.
Record: 8-0
Previous rank: 8
Last week: Defeated Strake Jesuit (Houston) 62-8
Next week: vs. Cinco Ranch (Katy, Texas)
The Tigers are the beneficiaries of a couple of losses within the top-ten, but Katy has dominated the competition this year and announced themselves as the top team in Texas this season.
Record: 9-0
Previous rank: 6
Last week: Defeated San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.) 34-9
Next week: @ California (San Ramon, Calif.)
The Spartans continue their usual dominance, but might get a scare from an 8-1 California side on a trip out to San Ramon. De La Salle's defense had hiccupped at points over the season, but it remains a favorite once the CIF playoffs come around.
Record: 10-0
Previous rank: 10
Last week: Defeated Independence (Charlotte) 33-14
Next week: vs. West Forsyth (Clemmons, N.C.)
The Bulldogs have one of the most talented teams in the nation, and it logged one of its most impressive wins over a sharp Independence side. Peter Kalambayi and company will be the team to beat in North Carolina after its game against West Forsyth next week.
Record: 9-0
Previous rank: 9
Last week: Defeated Murrieta Mesa (Murrieta, Calif.) 52-0
Next week: vs. Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.)
The Broncos continue to prove themselves as one of the best, but it will face a stiff test to end its regular season against Chaparral.
Record: 8-0
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Defeated Duncanville (Texas) 60-27
Next week: vs. Grand Prairie (Texas)
The Eagles and their high-powered offense continue to bulldoze opponents (it has scored at least 37 points in every game this season) and solidify themselves as a top Texas team.
Record: 9-1
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Lost to St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) 20-13
Next week: vs. Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)
It may seem criminal to keep the Wildcats in the top-10 with so many other undefeated sides, but they have played a difficult schedule without a bye. Strength of schedule keeps St. Ignatius in, as it takes on another tough squad in Austintown-Fitch next week.
Next Five: Trinity (Louisville), Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), Ensworth (Nashville), Hoover (Ala.), Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.)
