Week 10 POWER Rankings - Southern Torch

Welcome to the Southern Torch Week 10 POWER Rankings!

Each week our staff grades every team in DeKalb County based on a number of factors. Let us know what you think!

Rankings are based on:

Overall Record
Region Record
Head-to-Head Match-ups
Strength of Schedule
Margin of Victory
Fan Base

This will be the last week of the season and next week Southern Torch will crown a County Champion. Several scenarios could still unfold which leaves the Championship up in the air as the teams head in to their final regular season game.

1. Valley Head Tigers (9-0, 7-0)

What looked like the game of the season on paper ended up being a brutal beat-down. The game was over by the end of the first quarter as the Tigers suffocated the Panthers with a relentless defense. The Section Lions will be the final test for Valley Head as they shoot for their first undefeated season since 1967...and potentially being crowned Southern Torch County Champions.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 2 (+1)
Impact Win: Valley Head 41 - Collinsville 13
Impact Loss: No Losses
Average Margin of Victory: +30
Next: vs Section

2. Fyffe Red Devils (8-1, 7-0)

Fyffe is ranked more 1A than 2. Margin of Victory with shared opponents will play a heavy factor in the final rankings as they took down Section Friday night without blinking, 47-27. A victory over the rival Bears this week may play enough in to the formula to allow the Red Devils to retake the #1 ranking to end this season.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 1 (-1)
Impact Win: Fyffe 19 - Sand Rock 13
Impact Loss: Geraldine 20 - Fyffe 14
Average Margin of Victory: +25
Next: vs Plainview (GOTW)

3. Geraldine Bulldogs (7-2, 6-1)

Coach Arnold didn't call off the dogs as they made a statement against the pass-heavy Pisgah Eagles and seemingly locked up 3A Region 6. This is a rivalry game for Geraldine, even though the game on paper looks anything but... Look for the Bulldogs to roll on Halloween night.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 3 (-)
Impact Win: Geraldine 20 - Fyffe 14
Impact Loss: New Hope 21 - Geraldine 13
Average Margin of Victory: +17
Next: at Crossville (Halloween Night GOTW)

4. Plainview Bears (7-2, 6-1)

If the right scenarios play out, the Bears are still in the hunt for number 1. They've been a different team in the second half of the season and Friday night's match-up against the hated Fyffe Red Devils has us salivating. This is the game that everyone waits for all year and we're expecting this one to live up to the hype.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 4 (-)
Impact Win: New Hope 20 - Plainview 27
Impact Loss: Plainview 21 - Sand Rock 27
Average Margin of Victory: +17
Next: at Fyffe (GOTW)

5. Collinsville Panthers (7-2, 6-2)

Well, that was painful. It got late early on Friday night as the Panthers were suffocated from the opening kickoff by the #1 ranked Tigers. Now it's about getting in to the playoffs healthy and making a deep run.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 5 (-)
Impact Win: Collinsville 33 - Sumiton Christian 32
Impact Loss: Valley Head 41 - Collinsville 13
Average Margin of Victory: +12
Next: at White Plains

6. Fort Payne Wildcats (5-4, 5-3)

The Wildcats lost the "Top Cat Trophy" and won a first round trip to Muscle Shoals on Friday night. Yikes. The Cats look to continue to improve next week before the playoffs begin.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 6 (-)
Impact Win: Fort Payne 20 - Arab 15
Impact Loss: Fort Payne 20 - Scottsboro 35
Average Margin of Victory: +10
Next: at James Clemens

7. Sylvania Rams (3-6, 2-5)

The Rams got a Region win on Friday night, but that's about the extent of it. There's one game left in the Rams season and it's against a team they should beat.Finishing the year 4-6 would be encouraging after the way the Rams started the season.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 8 (+1)
Impact Win: Sylvania 34 - Pisgah 27
Impact Loss: Plainview 39 - Sylvania 6
Average Margin of Victory: -8
Next: vs Ider

8. Crossville Lions (2-7, 1-5)

Heartbreak late on Friday night as the Lions lost to Fairview in the waining moments of the game. The first season of Head Coach Brian Clowdis comes to a close this Thursday night as the Lions look to trick' the Bulldogs and treat' themselves on Halloween.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 7 (-1)
Impact Win: Crossville 35 - Douglas 19
Impact Loss: Crossville 28 - Fairview 32
Average Margin of Victory: -16
Next: vs Geraldine (Halloween Night GOTW)

9. Ider Hornets (1-8, 1-6)

The Hornets look to close the book on this season with a win as their neighbors, the Sylvania Rams, come calling on Friday night. After a tough year, this would be a good way for the Hornets to enter the offseason.