Week 8 was put up or shut up time as a number of County teams were in must win situations.
Each week we grade every team in DeKalb County based on a number of factors.
Rankings are based on:
- Overall Record
- Region Record
- Head-to-Head Match-ups
- Strength of Schedule
- Margin of Victory
- Coaching
- Talent
The Southern Torch Week 8 POWER RANKINGS
8. Crossville Lions (0-8)
The Lions traveled to White Plains for a last ditch effort to avoid an 0-10 season, as they will be huge underdogs in their last two games against Sardis and Geraldine. Even with 300 yards rushing from the Lions, White Plains had no problem hanging 47 on the board.
This will be the first 0-10 season for the Crossville Lions since 1952...barring a major upset.
Points Per Game: 14
Average Margin of Victory: -24
Next: vs Sardis (4-5)
7. Collinsville Panthers (3-5)
The wheels have officially fallen off. The Panthers were handled 26-14 by Gaston and the once promising season for the 2A newcomers is all but a dream now.
Fyffe and Valley Head close out their schedule meaning a 4-6 season is the best case scenario for Collinsville in 2014.
Points Per Game: 22
Average Margin of Victory: -4
Next: at Fyffe (8-0)
6. Sylvania Rams (3-5)
The Rams traveled to Geraldine with their postseason lives on the line. After leading 9-0, Geraldine mounted a run that ended the game 20-9. There's been a lot of discussion about the referees deciding the outcome of this one, but no matter what the Ram faithful believe it still doesn't change the scoreboard.
Sylvania can still close the season strong with wins against New Hope and Ider, two games that this team is more than capable of winning...but two games that will require 4 complete quarters.
Points Per Game: 20
Average Margin of Victory: -5
Next: vs New Hope (4-5)
5. Valley Head Tigers (4-3)
The Tigers got into a shootout with standout JCHS QB Daylon Brackett and came out on top, 46-35. The remaining schedule is puzzling because Woodville is better than usual and Collinsville is struggling.
It's possible this Tiger team could close the season with a 3 game win steak heading in to the playoffs, but they're in for two dogfights.
Points Per Game: 22
Average Margin of Victory: -2
Next: vs Woodville (3-5)
4. Ider Hornets (5-3)
####. Hopes were high here at the Southern Torch office as this Hornets team went on the road in an attempt to upset Cleveland. And while these barbarians didn't pull off the upset, Panthers 33 - Hornets 12, Cleveland is no doubt worse for wear.
Two GREAT games to close the season for Ider as Section and Sylvania will both try to escape the Hornets Nest without getting stung...good luck.
Points Per Game: 27
Average Margin of Victory: +5
Next: vs Section (4-4)
3. Geraldine Bulldogs (7-1)
The Bulldogs had to mount a comeback against a hungry Rams team to keep their undefeated region record intact. Reports from this game differ depending on which staff/fan base you talk to. But at the end of the day (#4 worst sports cliche of all time), Geraldine reeled off 20 straight points to setup what could be the game of the season next week as the other undefeated team in the region comes to town.
Points Per Game: 26
Average Margin of Victory: +12
Next: vs Plainview (7-1)
2. Plainview Bears (7-1)
The Bears beat up on a bad Brindlee Moutain team just like the script said. A huge game for Cody Willingham here as he intercepted a pass in the endzone and scored 3 TDs, one of which was a school record 99 yards.
Next week's matchup will determine the Bears opening playoff opponent and whether or not they'll be carrying this momentum into the season finale that everyone's waited for all year.
Points Per Game: 39
Average Margin of Victory: +28
Next: at Geraldine (7-1)
1. Fyffe Red Devils (8-0)
Big Red continues to roll after putting up 650 yards of total offense and blasting West End, 62-6. Austin Stiefel rushed for 231 yards and 4 TDs as he continues his All-State season...along with about 9 other Red Devils.
I can only gush so much over a team like this before it becomes as redundant as their results. 35 consecutive region wins and another region championship...impeccable.
Points Per Game: 54
Average Margin of Victory:+44
Next: vs Collinsville (3-5)
