FAB 50: Undefeated contenders move up in rankings
Consider it the calm before the storm.
The Top 15 boys and girls rankings were largely unchanged this week — especially on the boys side.
The top 17 boys teams combined for a 30-0-1 week, resulting in no movement until No. 18, and that’s only because last week’s No. 19 Anchor Bay (Mich.) defeated No. 18 Macomb Dakota (Mich.) in a playoff contest. On the girls side, last week’s No. 4 lost, which caused a slight ripple throughout the Top 25.
The most noticeable trend in this week’s rankings was the number of undefeated teams that jumped up in the rankings. While these moves often were tied to significant results, it also was about positioning these teams for the stretch run.
Take for example Central Dauphin (Pa.) boys, the biggest mover this week, jumping from No. 48 to No. 25. This Harrisburg, Pa., squad routed a perennial state title contender 4-0 last week to justify a big jump. But also, looking ahead, Central Dauphin could find itself in a state playoff field with No. 4 Conestoga (Pa.) and No. 23 Seneca Valley (Pa.). All three teams enter the postseason with undefeated records. Only one could end that way.
In similar moves in the girls rankings, Freehold Township (N.J.) and Camas (Wash.), a pair of undefeated squads, jumped into the Top 20 this week. Freehold will be facing a fellow Top 25 team this week with the state No. 1 ranking on the line. Camas, meanwhile, will be in a playoff group that includes two other FAB 50 teams and four other regionally ranked squads. Should Freehold Township or Camas survive that level of competition, the teams will be poised for a lofty final national ranking.
VIEW THE COMPLETE Top 50s — FALL BOYS | FALL GIRLS
REGIONAL RANKINGS — FALL BOYS | FALL GIRLS
The highest-debuting teams this week are Shenendehowa (N.Y.) boys at No. 44 and Freehold Township (N.J.) girls at No. 17.