SMAC Football Top 5 — Week 8
1. North Point (7-1, 6-0)
Previous ranking: 1
The Eagles remain on top for the third consecutive week after a 34-14 non-conference win over Rockville. North Point is in the driver’s seat in the SMAC race, and is on course to nab at the very least a top-two seed in the 2A South, and quite possibly earn the No. 1 seed to attain home-field advantage throughout the regionals. All that separates North Point from an undefeated conference season and a first SMAC championship are games against Thomas Stone and McDonough the next two weeks.
This week: at Stone, Friday at 7 p.m.
2. Huntingtown (7-1, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 2
Huntingtown cleared one more hurdle last week in a 24-6 win at La Plata. La Plata tripped up the Hurricanes in 2007, but Huntingtown proved too much this time around. While Huntingtown looks to secure in earning its second consecutive 3A South playoff berth, a pair of wins in the final two weeks would give a shot to lock up the No. 1 seed to give the Hurricanes home-field for the duration of their regional stay. It will not necessarily be easy, though, as county rival Northern heads south this week.
This week: vs. Northern, Friday at 7 p.m.
3. Westlake (7-1, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 3
With a big boost from its special teams, Westlake survived last Friday’s trip to Chopticon by a 42-33 count. Devon Smith added four more touchdowns to bring his season total to 20, and the Wolverines won their third straight. Up next is county-rival Lackey, which is in must-win mode. A Wolverines’ win would vault them into the mix for home-field in the 3A South, while it would also spell the end of Lackey’s playoff hopes.
This week: vs. Lackey, Friday at 7 p.m.
4. Patuxent (6-2, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 4
Building upon its win over Chopticon in Week 7, the Panthers again provided evidence that they are amongst the most dangerous teams in the area. The Panthers followed up what was possibly their best performance of the season at Chopticon with a dominating 45-6 win over Thomas Stone. The Panthers appear to be in good position to claim their third consecutive appearance in the 2A South playoffs, with only games against Calvert and Great Mills — which have combined for two wins — remaining on the slate. Chief competitors for the 2A South spots Douglass (6-2) and Gwynn Park (7-1) each have difficult finishes to the schedule. In addition to a Week 10 matchup against each other, Douglass travels to Potomac (5-3) in Week 9, while Gwynn Park hosts Friendly (7-1).
This week: at Calvert, Friday at 7 p.m.
5. Chopticon (5-3, 3-3)
Previous ranking: 5
After huge wins over 3A South rivals Potomac and Lackey in the fifth and sixth weeks, the Braves have now dropped two in a row to Patuxent and Westlake. Senior quarterback Leo Kyte reinjured an ankle in Friday’s clash with Westlake, though Tyler Summers took over in the second half and kept Chopticon’s offense moving with great success. The Braves need to win out to have a shot at making a second consecutive 3A South appearance. If Lackey were to beat Westlake and La Plata to finish the season, however, Chopticon would be left on the outside looking in.
This week: at Great Mills, Friday at 7 p.m.
***DigitalSports’ SMAC Top 5 is selected by SMAC Content Manager Andy States. Please e-mail any questions or comments to astates@digitalsports.com.
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