Week 4 Power Rankings

SPORTS MONSTER ESPN 1230 WEEK 4 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK FOUR POWER RANKINGS

So we’re getting into week four, now the cream starts the rise, the others, well they start scouting JV for next season’s stars. Changes are once again in the air, and just as the autumn winds that have finally arrived, it’s about time to get serious about the season outlook for most squads.
Here are the Sports Monster ESPN 1230 Power Rankings for this Week, enjoy.

1. Frontier Titans (3-0)
What can you say; they’re 3-0 after going on the road to beat Exeter 20-14 in a game that matched the Titans jerseys (black and blue). With that win behind them and a perfect preseason now in the rear view, the Titans bring their show back home this week as they open SWYL play against North. The Stars are in for a battle.

2. Centennial Golden Hawks (3-0)
I can’t wait for the SWYL showdown between our #1 and #2 teams after watching the Golden Hawks last week dismantle East 56-13. Too bad I have to wait until November 13th to make that happen, but when it does, it will be for the SWYL title, mark my words. Centennial was strong last week; some issue with penalties that still need to be fixed in a hurry before this week’s matchup with Stockdale. The Mustangs can take control of the SWYL with a win, while Centennial looks to remain unbeaten before next week’s non-league battle with BHS.

3. Ridgeview Wolfpack (4-0)
Yes, the Pack holds down the 3 spot this week. Another victory, this time at home over Madera South 31-3 makes Dennis Manning’s squad unbeaten heading into SWYL play. Call this the ‘Manning Reunion Tour’ but he’ll get to face another one of his former schools this week as the Pack host West. While Ridgeview has been tough to stop in the preseason, it’s time they back up their rankings and record against some stiff SWYL foes, and Chad Grider and West are just that.

4. South Rebels (3-0)
Talked with someone this week that said, Jon Wren has ‘Rebel Pride’ back at South High School. The Rebels are 3-0; yes the Rebels are 3-0. Coach Wren has this talented team not only beating teams but crushing them, having defeated their first three opponents by a combined score of 155-20. The Rebels can play. They’ll sneak in one final non-league opponent this week as they take on Foothill and no doubt roll into SWYL play a perfect 4-0.

5. Bakersfield Drillers (2-1)
Yeah the team that once held the top spot here in the only rankings that matter has slipped to number-five. No big deal, a Driller loss at Buchanan last week was a disappointment for Driller Nation sure, but the fact that the offense put 41 points on the road is encouraging. Let’s not forget however the fact they gave up 56 points might be cause for defensive alarm. But BHS is back in town this week and will open SEYL play at Liberty, in a game that no doubt will decide the SEYL crown, even if in week 1 of league play.

6. Taft Wildcats (3-1)
After that Week 0 loss at Templeton 24-21, Taft has been on a mission. I keep them in the top ten this week after a 34-21 win over Coalinga last Friday. Taft has a week off to prepare for Porterville but mark your calendars for that October 30th game at Tehachapi; this could be the SSL title game.

7. Stockdale Mustangs (2-1)
Following a disappointing loss to BHS, the Mustangs rebounded on the road at Clovis 47-22. Look for the Mustangs to be nice and tuned up this week as they take on Centennial in a huge SWYL battle, reminiscent of the ‘old days’ when these two teams regularly were in this position.

8. Delano Tigers (3-0)
Making their debut in the top 10, the Delano Tigers. After Delano counterpart Chavez finally got burned 7-6 by Golden Valley after playing with fire the last couple weeks and Wasco falling to Lindsay, the spot was open for Delano to march right in. A 49-7 drubbing of Hanford West last week has folks talking about this Delano squad. Look for a big matchup this week against Golden West.
9. Liberty Patriots (1-2)
Sure they have a losing record, but you’ll be hard pressed to find another school that’s had a tougher preseason schedule than Tony Mills’ Patriots. It doesn’t get any easier this week as they host BHS in the aforementioned title game for the SEYL. I know I’m calling this one early, but I just don’t see it in the SEYL this season passed this week.
10. Tehachapi Warriors (2-1)
Losing to Frontier woke the Warriors up a bit as they forced three early turnovers to jump on Burroughs last week before hanging on for a 42-34 win on the mountain. It’s getting chilly by the way, meaning the Tehachapi home-field advantage will start to kick in, starting this week as they host Rosamond.

11. Cesar Chavez (3-1)
12. Wasco (2-1)
13. West (1-2)
14. North (1-2)
15. Bakersfield Christian (2-1)

Week 3 Kern County Football Power Rankings

KERN COUNTY POWER RANKINGS WEEK 3

Frontier Titans (2-0)
Rich Cornford didn’t shy away from tough competition in the first couple weeks of the season and that showed again Friday night when the Frontier Titans went to Tehachapi and beat the defending Division III champions 43-14. Its rare Tehachapi loses a game that big at home, but credit Cornford and his squad for the W and the top spot in this week’s rankings.

2. Bakersfield Drillers (2-0)
There’s only one reason the Drillers slipped from the top spot this week, turnovers. Coughing the ball up five times against Stockdale Friday night was an increase in turnovers from a week before when they struggled with the same problem against Canyon. Credit the Drillers with an amazing 32-31 come from behind win on Friday, but as their schedule gets tougher, like when the head to Buchanan this week, five turnovers will get you in the ‘L’ column, quickly.

3. Ridgeview Wolf Pack (3-0)
The Pack slip a notch this week, just because Frontier was so impressive, but Dennis Manning is now 3-0 as the Ridgeview head coach, as Ridgeview beat his former team Foothill 29-3 Friday. Not a perfect showing for Ridgeview, and they’ll show some mistakes from time to time, but a 3-0 Wolfpack is nothing short of a miracle and the futility that program has dealt with in the past few seasons.

4. Centennial Golden Hawks (2-0)
First it was a win on the road at Redwood in week one, now it’s a win against neighboring Liberty 10-6 in the Freedom Bowl, a game Centennial has been dominated in during recent meetings. While 10-6 isn’t a win you’ll hang on the refrigerator, its proof that junior QB Cody Kessler can win the big game. Centennial gets East this week, we’ll see if the defense is up to the challenge of controlling the Blades’ pro-style attack.

5. South Rebels (2-0)
Don’t look now, but South can score some points. 48 against Golden Valley in a week one win, and 48 more in a week 2 victory over Mira Monte. While the Lions are in just their first season of varsity play, the M-O for South remained the same, running the ball with a variety of weapons and passing efficiently when needed. Lots of talent on this South squad who will be looking for 3-0 this week at Arvin.

6. Taft Wildcats (2-0)
The Wildcats get a bump after beating a legitimate team in Exeter 30-13 on Friday. Not only that but the Wildcats look even more like a South Sequoia League contender thanks to their running game which is anchored by Cody Shirreffs who rushed for 241 yards and two TDs on 33 carries. Taft gets a hungry 0-2 Coalinga team this week.

7. Stockdale Mustangs (1-1)
Stockdale moved up a spot despite the one-point loss to BHS. I like the Mustangs Wing-T attack, it’s balanced, it’s well-polished and it’s effective. Unfortunately one special teams miscue and some defensive breakdowns cost them the game Friday against the Drillers. These two teams could meet again in the playoffs and I’m sure the notes Stockdale took on beating the BHS defense with their running game will come in handy. Look for Stockdale to rebound this week at Clovis, another good Division I measuring stick game.

8. Wasco Tigers (3-0)
Didn’t think much about the Tigers’ win over McFarland a week ago or their lopsided beating of Kennedy in Week 0 but I’ll give them credit for a hard fought 34-14 win over Porterville. Plus you know I love me some small-schools, putting another in the top-ten makes me smile!

9. Cesar Chavez (3-0)
The Titans are 3-0, they’ve come to Bakersfield twice to beat Mira Monte and Highland in that stretch. After a 19-14 win over Highland the Titans have a lot to gain with Golden Valley coming to Delano this week. QB Ernesto Marquez and RB Peter Markham lead a balanced offensive attack while the Chavez defense turned Highland away with a late INT to remain unbeaten.

10. Tehachapi Warriors (2-1)
Sure they got whipped by Frontier, but the Titans are no joke, and Tehachapi is not shying away from teams from larger cities in bigger divisions either. Credit the Warriors and Steve Denman for scheduling tough early games out of the section and the division. Tehachapi has a tough test with Burroughs of Ridgecrest this week but I think they get back on track and improve to 3-1 before the start of SSL play.

11. Garces
12.Independence
13.Liberty
14. Delano
15.West

Sports Monster Power Rankings Week 2

SPORTS MONSTER ESPN 1230, KERN COUNTY POWER RANKINGS

Welcome to the first of several Sports Monster ESPN 1230 Kern County High School Football Power Rankings.

We took into consideration leagues, divisions, school sizes and more and ranked the top 15 programs in and out of the greater Bakersfield Area.

Enjoy.

1. Bakersfield Drillers
--After just one game (a 43-7 drubbing of Southern Section Canyon) the Drillers will compare themselves to local competition when rival Stockdale comes to Griffith Field on Friday night. Canyon may be experiencing a down year, but down or not, a Central Section win over the Southern Section scores points in my book.

2. Ridgeview Wolfpack
--I know what you’re thinking, “he’s nuts!” But with two wins now under their belts, the Dennis Manning led Wolfpack improved upon their week one struggles against upstart Independence to take it to the SEYL’s Highland Scots 35-7. Ridgeview might slip in these rankings as other schools win more games, but for now, they gotta be near the top with a 2-0 record.

3. Tehachapi Warriors
--Save the “Tehachapi Homer” emails. Like the Wolfpack, the Warriors are 2-0. They first went down to Santa Ana Segerstrom, endured a holiday weekend marathon bus ride and won 21-20. They then turned around to go to Garces and while fighting through some more struggles, managed to outscore the Rams 23-0 in the second half to win 26-3. Homer or not, they’ve won two tough games on the road to start the season. They’ll be tested Friday Night against Frontier on the mountain.

4. Frontier Titans
--61-0 over a Southern Section squad (Antelope Valley). I like it. The Titans opened their first home game in their new stadium with a bang. Rich Cornford might be building something out there at Frontier. He’ll get a big test on the road at aforementioned Tehachapi this week. But credit to Frontier for defending their home field in their first opportunity.

5. Centennial Golden Hawks
-The best thing about having a sophomore QB last season…he became a junior. Brian Nixon told me that Cody Kessler would be the real deal, he wasn’t fibbing. After going to Redwood, a traditionally tough game and a place where Centennial has struggled and winning 45-20, Kessler is living up to the preseason hype even noticed by Sports Illustrated who recently compared him as one of the top multi-sport athletes in the country. Thanks to the exposure lent to the football/basketball athlete given by Syracuse’s Greg Paulus.
Kessler has a big time arm and is the perfect guy to run the Centennial spread. Look for a great game against Liberty this week.

6. Liberty Patriots
--I’m not a fan of “moral victories” especially when they are at the expense of real ones. The Patriots might feel better about barely losing at top-ranked Clovis West two weeks ago, but it’s about time Liberty win for real up there, but that will have to wait until the playoffs.
Tony Mills has a solid group, but they’ll need to step up big Friday night in the ‘Freedom Bowl’ against Centennial to avoid dropping to 0-2. But talk about a tough schedule, big props for going to Clovis West and returning for Centennial.

7. South Rebels
--I love the fact that I get to list Ridgeview and South in these rankings. I don’t know how long either will last but I am impressed with Jon Wren’s philosophy he’s been building for a few seasons at South, and the end results of late.
A 21-0 win over Golden Valley is nice for that program. Throw in some extremely talented athletes with size and speed and South looks like they might shock some people in the SWYL this year.

8. Stockdale Mustangs
--The only reason Mike Snow and company are this low is I’m not sure if they are that good or their Week 1 opponent East was that bad. Big time credit to the Mustangs who seem to be accepting coach Snow’s Wing-T style just fine these days putting up 48 in a 48-0 win over East last Friday. Can’t wait for the clash with BHS this Friday night. Could be an offensive explosion for both teams.

9.West Vikings
--0-1 to start the season but El Diamante is no joke. Will get the chance to even up this week against East.

10. Bakersfield Christian
--Why are the Eagles after 0-1 West, because BCHS hasn’t played anybody. Sorry, but I can’t believe the team that is the defending Valley champions (I don’t care how many players you lost) is playing the likes of hapless Avenal and first year varsity Kennedy of Delano. Competition and a chance to move up in these rankings presents itself this week against Central Valley Christian and next week against Maranatha of Pasadena.

Others:
11-Wasco (2-0)
12. Delano (1-0)
13-Taft (1-0)
14- North (1-1)
15-Cesar Chavez (2-0)