Week 7 POWER Rankings - Southern Torch

Welcome to the Southern Torch Week 7 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

1. Fyffe Red Devils (5-1, 4-0)

The Red Devils traveled to the Rock and were in a slugfest on Friday night. A last second goal-line stand secured the Red Devils another week in the top spot, but the margin is now razor thin.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 1 (-)
Impact Win: Fyffe 19 - Sand Rock 13
Impact Loss: Geraldine 20 - Fyffe 14
Average Margin of Victory: +23
Next: vs Gaston

2. Valley Head Tigers (6-0, 6-0)

Put another check on the board for Coach Higdon's Tigers after a 47-0 blowout victory against Coosa Christian. The only thing holding the Tigers out of the number 1 ranking is strength of schedule...but the Red Devils are looking over their shoulder.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 2 (-)
Impact Win: Valley Head 20 - Donoho 14
Impact Loss: No Losses
Average Margin of Victory: +28
Next: vs Jacksonville Christian (GOTW)

3. Geraldine Bulldogs (4-2, 3-1)

The Bulldogs found themselves in a 'dogfight' on Friday night against the young Rams, as the game was tied 14-14 in the second half. Ultimately, the cream rose to the top and the Bulldogs ground out the victory with their relentless ground game (35-14) and got back to their winning ways.

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 Holly Pond

4. Plainview Bears (4-2, 3-1)

The Bears stormed into Brindlee Mountain and took no prisoners. Style points put the Bears in the 4 spot this week, but their next game will tell us what we need to know about the validity of the Bears.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 5 (+1)
Impact Win: Plainview 34 - Pisgah 25
Impact Loss: Sand Rock 27 - Plainview 21
Average Margin of Victory: +12
Next: at New Hope

5. Collinsville Panthers (5-1, 5-1)

The Panthers eeked out another victory 21-19 against Cedar Bluff, but the early season dominance seems to be fading fast.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 4 (-1)
Impact Win: Collinsville 33 - Sumiton Christian 32
Impact Loss: Collinsville 27 - Donoho 30
Average Margin of Victory: +15
Next: at Spring Garden

6. Fort Payne Wildcats (3-3, 3-2)

The Wildcats striped the Boaz Pirates, 33-0, and it looks as if the young Cats' are ready to roll and are hopefully firing on all cylinders as Scottsboro comes calling in Week 9.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 5 (-)
Impact Win: Fort Payne 20 - Arab 15
Impact Loss: Etowah 21 - Fort Payne 10
Average Margin of Victory: +6
Next: at Columbia

7. Sylvania Rams (1-5, 0-4)

The Rams caused an UPSET ALERT Friday night in Geraldine, but the young squad couldn't keep pace to finish. If QB Dillon Cambron (GOTW MVP) can get some help from his WR's and the Rams can stay healthy, they can play the spoiler roll down the stretch.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 6 (-)
Impact Win: Sylvania 33 - Holly Pond 6
Impact Loss: JB Pennington 31 - Sylvania 30
Average Margin of Victory: -10
Next: vs Pisgah

8. Crossville Lions (1-5, 0-4)

The Lions moved up a spot in the rankings this week, but still find themselves at the shallow end of the pool. They lost at home to Locust Fork 28-18, and even though you can see signs of life, the Lions are still fighting for relevancy.

Last Week's POWER Ranking: 9 (+1)
Impact Win: DAR 14 - Crossville 31
Impact Loss: Crossville 7 - Sardis 49
Average Margin of Victory: -22
Next: vs Guntersville

9. Ider Hornets (1-5, 1-3)

Not much to say about the Hornets right now as their game against Section got late early. Some late scores by the Hornets made the score respectable (43-21), but the Hornets are currently in the POWER Rankings cellar.