SMAC Football Top 5 — Week 9
1. North Point (8-1, 7-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Arlando Scott rushed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns to pass the 1,000-yard plateau in North Point’s 35-7 win at Thomas Stone last week. This week the Eagles will look to cap a perfect conference campaign with a win over McDonough. A win would also assure North Point of at least a No. 2 seed in the 2A South postseason, meaning at least one home playoff game.
This week: vs. McDonough, Friday at 7 p.m.
2. Huntingtown (8-1, 6-1)
Previous ranking: 2
County-rival Northern provided a scare for the ‘Canes last week, but a blocked extra point allowed Huntingtown to take a 14-13 decision. With Westlake’s loss to Lackey and Gwynn Park’s win over Friendly, Huntingtown need only win at Leonardtown this week to secure the top seed in the 3A South and with that, home-field advantage for the duration of the team’s regional postseason stay.
This week: at Leonardtown, Friday at 7 p.m.
3. Patuxent (7-2, 6-1)
Previous ranking: 4
Through everything Patuxent went through with injuries and bad luck in the first half of the season, the Panthers are amongst the scariest teams around with the postseason right around the bend. Patuxent’s two losses came by a combined eight points, and since its Week 5 loss to Huntingtown Patuxent has outscored its opposition 181-45 in tallying four straight wins. Patuxent needs Gwynn Park to defeat Douglass this Saturday to earn a spot in the playoffs and a possible first-round trip to River Hill in what would be a rematch of last year’s 2A South final.
This week: vs. Great Mills, Friday at 7 p.m.
4. Lackey (6-3, 5-2)
Previous ranking: NR
Faced with elimination from playoff contention, Lackey produced its most complete game of the season in last Friday’s 23-7 win at Westlake. Amir Smith threw a touchdown pass to Jerrell Jordan to kickstart the offense, Malcolm Willis added a rushing touchdown and Gary Fortune returned an interception for six late in the game to get the Chargers back in the postseason mix. Lackey needs to beat La Plata this Friday to secure a spot, and likely a No. 3 seed, in the 3A South field.
This week: vs. La Plata, Friday at 7 p.m.
5. Westlake (7-2, 5-2)
Previous ranking: 3
Westlake’s Week 9 struggles continued in last week’s loss to Lackey. The Wolverines outgained the Chargers, but struggled to finish drives. This week the team will look to rev up the SMAC’s top-scoring offense at Thomas Stone. A win would secure the team’s berth in the 3A South dance.
This week: at Thomas Stone, 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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