Power Rankings: Week 8

Each week brings new upsetrs and shake - ups in the polls.  As the regular season winds down in the next 2 weeks - this is where the teams fall for Week 8.

1. Muscle Shoals Trojans

What was a fore gone conclusion by most weeks ago is now official.  The Trojans are the Region 8 Champions!  They earned it in concincing fashion with a huge win over J.O. Johnson.  The next weeks will allow fine tuning, an attempt to stay healthy, and prepare for the Playoffs.  Oh....and a rival game with Deshler in Week 10! 

2. Deshler Tigers

Just another day at work for Mothershed and the Tigers.  Deshler remains one of only 2 local undefeated teams.  They win another Region title.  The real question for Deshler is how far can they go in the playoffs?  They expect to win region titles - they want so much more. 

3. Florence Falcons
Coach Briggs said the playoffs have already begun for the Falcons.  Each win is a must.  They responded with an inspired performance in defeating Grissom 48 - 27 without senior safety Kivon Coman.  He will be back for the all-important game with Hazel Green.  Backs against the wall sometimes bring out the best.

4. Lauderdale County Tigers

As if a 54-0 win isn't impressive enough, the win last week over Sheffield becomes more impressive as the tiebreakers are now possibly in play.  LCHS learned from the defeat to Rogers and have not even had a close game since then.  They are playing unbelievable football right now.

5. Red Bay Tigers

Undefeated.  These Tigers along with Deshler remain the only local schools yet to taste defeat.  Don't look for Red Bay to do so for snytime soon.  They are solid offensively and defensively.  They are looking to try to be the most successful team in Red Bays history, and are on track to do so. This week will be at Cherokee.
6. Brooks Lions

The Lions wrap up home field in the first round of the playoffs in an impressive 48-18 win over West Limestone.  Talk about halftime adjustments!.  Going in down by 4 at the half the Lions outplayed the Wildcats to the tune of 34 - o for the second half.  Playing at home could make all the difference not to mention playing a 3rd place team from Region 5 as opposed to a winner or runner-up.

  7. Rogers Pirates

Although they lost a heartbreaker to the Bulldogs 17-6 the Pirates are still a very good team.  It is a shame one of these three (LCHS, Sheffield, Rogers) will be a #3 seed.  Sometimes a loss makes you better.  Look for the Pirates to respond well and bounce back even better.

8. Sheffield Bulldogs
To any Bulldog fan being ranked behind a team they just beat doesn't make sense.  The fact is - one of the three 3A teams has to be.  LCHS is ahead of Rogers although they lost to the Pirates.  Fact is - the Bulldogs are very good and responded in championship style after a loss.  They regrouped and resolved to be better.  Playoffs await all three.

9. Russellville Golden Tigers

The Tigers beat an athletic Lee of Huntsville team 24-7.  The offense has normally put points on the board.  This week the defense played well also.  The goals are not the same as usual in Russellville this year but with young players the future looks good.

10. Central Wildcats

Another key win for the Wildcats.  Beating rival Wilson 48-24 is fun.  Being in the playoffs is rewarding.  New coach, some new faces, but the same results as last year.  This team is tough to stop and seems to be able to win the close games as well.  Not a team that anyone wants to host for the playoffs.  Next week the Wildcats travel to Ardmore.