SUPER 12 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RANKINGS: Week Five

1) VARINA (3-0-1, was #1, at Henrico Friday): The Blue Devils won't take their rivals lightly, even though they could be guilty of looking ahead to the rematch with Grimsley of North Carolina next week. After that, Varina will be grateful to have their bye week. Is that when Kaleb Wyche is ready to return from injury?

2) HUGUENOT (3-0, was #2, vs. #10 Midlothian Friday): Another win, another shutout. For all the talk, and deservedly so, surrounding Charles Scott, Jr and Iveon Lewis, a shoutout to the Falcons defense for being ultra-dominant thus far.

3) THOMAS DALE (3-0, was #3, at Prince George Thursday): The Knights, after a monster performance at a good Glen Allen team, now head to face the Royals on a short week. Prince George will throw haymakers, trying to avoid a 1-3 start after a disappointing showing in their loss at Douglas Freeman.

4) HIGHLAND SPRINGS (3-1, was #4, vs. L.C. Bird Friday): As head coach Loren Johnson told the Richmonder after their South County victory, this is essentially game four of a regular season schedule specifically designed to prepare the Springers for the postseason gauntlet. The Skyhawks can give them a good test, and need this to be a low-scoring game, allowing their defense to dictate tempo.

5) MANCHESTER (4-0, was #5, vs. Cosby Friday): The Titans have struggled offensively, the Lancers have not. Manchester was outscored their first four opponents 133-13.

6) TRINITY EPISCOPAL (3-1, was #6, bye week): A break can be a good thing and frustrating at the same time. The Titans have looked like VISAA state championship material in consecutive wins over Benedictine, Hermitage, and previously unbeaten Woodberry Forest, so you hate to have a pause from a momentum point of view. But bruises and aches have time to heal before returning to play October 3rd at Blue Ridge.

7) PETERSBURG (2-0, was #8, at Colonial Heights Friday): Avoid rust. The Crimson Wave had a bye week, then had their game against John Marshall canceled last Friday. They've added a home affair with Highland Springs for Tuesday October 13th, but first, they have to be careful going to a 3-1 Colonial Heights team that is playing very well.

8) ARMSTRONG (3-0, was #10, vs. King William Friday): Four teams remain perfect in Class 2, Region A, and one of them is not four-time defending regional champion Poquoson. This battle between the Wildcats and the Cavaliers is one of two contests this week involving the unbeatens, as Central-Lunenburg and Randolph-Henry hold their annual showdown Friday as well. Can Armstrong slow down K'Sean Hill of King William? Or, if they can't, can they match him point for point?

9) HERMITAGE (2-2, was #7, at Deep Run Friday): The Panthers couldn't keep up with top-ranked Varina, and now look to right the ship and start stacking wins in their annual trek through the West End, starting with a struggling Wildcat squad.

10) MIDLOTHIAN (3-1, returning, at #2 Huguenot Friday): The Gibson Gross led offense has been on fire of late, scoring 124 points in their last two games. But they haven't seen anything like the Huguenot defense.

11) DOUGLAS FREEMAN (3-1, NEW, bye week): The Mavericks really impressed in their 49-14 win over Prince George, and now get some time to rest and heal heading into October, first against winless J.R. Tucker, then a trip to Hovey Field at Virginia Union to battle Thomas Jefferson. The Mavericks are in good shape in not only earning a playoff bid in Class 5, Region C, but also in the quest to at least host one playoff game.

12) HANOVER (2-1, NEW, vs. Atlee Friday): The only thing that's sure about the rivalry between the Hawks and the Raiders is nothing's for sure. These two have played some wild ones over a history that dates back to 2003, and the Raiders could take a huge step back into the Class 4, Region B playoff race, which is suddenly wide open, with a win here. Remember, Hanover's opponent lost their three games by a combined five points. But Atlee's defense? We'll see if they have an answer for the dynamic duo of Joel Nicholson and Kayden Hughes, who are putting up video game numbers for Sam Rogers.

DROPPING OUT: Benedictine (was #9), Thomas Jefferson (was #11), Dinwiddie (was #12)

CHASING THE DOZEN: Meadowbrook (3-0), Colonial Heights (3-1), Hopewell (2-1), Dinwiddie (2-2)