Week 5: High School Football Power 15 Rankings

WHEELING — Anyone notice how Shadyside keeps rolling along to little fanfare? Not only this season, but overall?

Coach Mark Holenka’s Tigers convincingly won a meeting of the unbeatens at Barnesville, and are now ready for a showdown at Wheeling Central. Nobody can say Shadyside ducks anyone, that’s for sure.

Meanwhile, Bellaire stamped itself a legitimate threat come playoff time, slugging out a victory against those same Maroon Knights.

#1

Steubenville (4-0)
Last Week: W, 34-0 vs. University Prep, Pa.
This Week: at Dover
The lone road game on the schedule this season for Big Red, and it’s a monumental one. This game and next week’s showdown with Linsly are the only potential roadblocks for Steubenville.

#2

Linsly (3-0)
Last Week: W, 35-21 at Cardinal Mooney
This Week: at Princeton canceled
It seems Covid-19 (not in the Linsly program) is about the only thing capable of stopping the Cadets these days.

#3

Wheeling Park (1-1)
Last Week: game canceled due to Covid
This Week: vs. University
The virus sidelined the Patriots last week. Probably being a little rusty isn’t a good recipe for a meeting with the unbeaten Hawks

#4

Shadyside (4-0)
Last Week: W, 35-14 at Barnesville
This Week: at Wheeling Central
This game and an October showdown against Bellaire are likely all that stand between the Tigers and a perfect regular season.

#5

Bellaire (4-0)
Last Week: W, 14-7 vs. Wheeling Central
This Week: vs. Cambridge
One statement win after another for Coach Mark Spigarelli’s club. This would be another.

#6

Union Local (3-0)
Last Week: W, 41-18 at Harrison Central
This Week: at Shenandoah
It’s officially time to announce the Jets have arrived. They’re the real deal and could make it 4-for-4 this week.

#7

St. Clairsville (3-1)
Last Week: W, 56-6 at Martins Ferry
This Week: vs. Indian Creek
Seems the Red Devils have learned quite well from their only loss. They’re dangerous.

#8

Wheeling Central (2-1)
Last Week: L, 14-7 at Bellaire
This Week: vs. Shadyside
The Maroon Knights came up on the wrong end of a thriller in Bellaire. Now they must face a Tigers team that is clicking on all cylinders.

#9

Cameron (3-0)
Last Week: W, 44-6 vs. Frontier
This Week: at Magnolia
I picked the Dragons to lose last week. Shows what I know. Another tough showdown awaits with the Blue Eagles.

#10

Oak Glen (1-0)
Last Week: Game canceled because of Covid
This Week: vs. Point Pleasant
After watching from home the last two weeks, the Golden Bears get a visit from the Mothman.

#11

Barnesville (2-1)
Last Week: L, 35-14 vs. Shadyside
This Week: vs. River
Barnesville found out what three others already had — Shadyside is pretty dang good.

#12

River (2-2)
Last Week: L, 54-24 at Warren
This Week: at Barnesville
The Pilots saw their two-game winning streak snapped and now must go on the road and face an angry bunch of Shamrocks.

#13

Cambridge (3-1)
Last Week: W, 22-0 vs. Beechcroft
This Week: at Bellaire
The Bobcats rebounded nicely from their only loss. But now they’ve got to make the trip to Nelson Field.

#14

Harrison Central (2-2)
Last Week: L, 41-18 vs. Union Local
This Week: vs. East Liverpool
After starting 2-0 the Huskies have dropped their last two contests. A bit of a reprieve may be on tap this week.

#15

Brooke (2-1)
Last Week: L, 52-20 vs. University
This Week: at North Marion
The Bruins tasted defeat for the first time last week, but University is putting a hurting on everyone it plays. A trip to North Marion isn’t always fun, either.

Dropped out: Frontier.