Class 1 Power Rankings
With the regular season coming to a close and districts starting this week wanted to end with a final season ranking before playoffs. Here’s the top 10 for Class 1. 1. Gideon 27-1-1 The schedule for the Bulldogs hasn’t…
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Continue ReadingWith the regular season coming to a close and districts starting this week wanted to end with a final season ranking before playoffs. Here’s the top 10 for Class 1.
1. Gideon 27-1-1
The schedule for the Bulldogs hasn’t been near as demanding as some of the other Class 1 teams, but some of the results prove Gideon might be the best Class 1. With wins over Advance, South Iron, Farmington, Northwest, and a split with Cape Notre Dame, I would say they had enough of a challenge to be #1. With sweeps of Advance and South Iron, the only loss was a semifinal loss to Class 5 Rock Bridge 22-25, 25-16.
2. Santa Fe 21-0
Santa Fe has run through the season undefeated and has wins over Lawson 3-1, Midway 3-0, Concordia 3-1, and California 2-1. The California win tells me that the Chiefs can compete with the big schools as the Pintos are Class 3 and 23-7-1.
3. Miller 28-3-1
Carl Junction, Strafford, and Republic handed the Cardinals the three defeats, and those are three teams most likely ranked in their respective class. Toss in the three solid wins over Liberty Mountain View, Stockton, and Reeds Spring; the Cardinals primed for a return trip to the final four but this year in Class 1.
4. South Iron 22-8-1
With the win over Lesterville, South Iron takes the 4th spot in the rankings. 4 of the losses came in the Dig for Life Tournament against Gideon, Northwest-twice, Cape Notre Dame. Other losses have been to Fredericktown 27-6-1, North County 21-8-2, and Winona 27-9. The last loss was against Ellington, who’s the 3rd seed in the district.
5. Lesterville 21-7-4
Last year’s Class 1 runner-up is in a brutal district this year. Any of the top 4 seeds in this district could walk out with the championship. Lesterville has lost to the #1 seed South Iron but beat Winona, who beat South Iron. Of the 21 wins, 17 have come against teams with winning records.
6. Winona 27-9
The class 1 power is back in the thick of a final four-run. After losing to Lesterville the last three years in districts, Winona was moved to another district location this year. The Wildcats are another team that plays a solid schedule of big schools. Look for Winona to roll through districts to the sectional round.
7. Sacred Heart 20-8-1
The Gremlins are in a tough district as well, with Santa Fe and Concordia. Sacred Heart has lost to Santa Fe 1-3, beat Concordia 3-2, and lost to California 0-2. 3 of the 8 losses came in the Camdenton Tournament against Camdenton, Staley, and Willard.
8. Midway 27-6
After taking third last year in Class 1, the Vikings are looking for a repeat trip to Cape. Midway should win districts but would have to knock off Miller to reach the final four.
9. Concordia 20-3-2
The Orioles are stuck in a district with Santa Fe and Sacred Heart, who have beaten Concordia within the last week of the season. The other loss was to St. Pius X of Kansas City 18-2-2. The winner of this district should have a strong chance of reaching the final four.
10. St. Joseph Christian 21-5
All five losses have come to teams well over .500 records. The Lions are seeking redemption from losing in the state playoffs last year. They will need to get past Wellington-Napoleon in the districts to get that redemption opportunity.