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YAIAA football power rankings: Week 3


There's a surprise in this week's rankings. For the first time in Varsity Beat history, the Fairfield Green Knights have a ranked football team.

Courtesy of the Knights' 47-28 win at Biglerville, Fairfield has vaulted to No. 10. York Catholic, which will play host to the Knights on Friday night, dips out of this week's rankings. The Fighting Irish were ninth.

There are no changes at the top. What do you think? Share your top five (or 10, if you'd like) in the comment section at the bottom. Here are this week's rankings:

1. Dallastown (2-0) -- So far the Wildcats have given up only six points in their first two games, and it has not come against light competition. Lancaster Catholic and West York have traditionally been two of District 3's better programs in Class AAA.

Last week: No. 1, beat West York, 35-0; this week: at Penn Manor

2. Central York (1-1) -- The Panthers' trip to Cumberland Valley was not as pleasant as their much shorter drive to West York. Coach Brad Livingston said afterward it was "back to the drawing board," and they were not as good as they thought. We, however, are keeping the Panthers in the No. 2 spot because of a tight 21-7 game against a Class AAAA school with a pedigree.

Last week: No. 2, lost to Cumberland Valley, 21-7; this week: vs. Hempfield

3. Bermudian Springs (2-0) -- Who can slow down the Eagles? Their defense has not been off to as fast a start as in previous seasons, but their offense might be even better. They have three running backs, Colton Dell, Ryan Markle and Briton Shelton, who can break through for triple-digit rushing numbers any Friday night.

Last week: No. 3, beat York Catholic, 48-20; this week: at Eastern York

4. Spring Grove (1-1) -- The Rockets' performance at Susquehannock, a team that looks improved this season, shows their loss to Susquehanna Township might not be a sign to worry about this team. Up next is a rematch with West York, which beat them twice -- including a second-round district game. This will be their last regular-season meeting for the foreseeable future. The YAIAA's divisional realignment to add Gettysburg next season to Division II will cut into West York's non-league schedule.

Last week: No. 4, beat Susquehannock, 51-13; this week: vs. West York

5. Littlestown (2-0) -- Another 40-plus point game for the Thunderbolts came with a quick start. The competition gets much tougher this week with Delone Catholic coming to town. How the Bolts defend Delone fullback Matt Giuffreda will be something to watch. Littlestown has big-game players up front on its defensive line, including Darren Dickensheets.

Last week: No. 5, beat Hanover, 49-22; this week: vs. Delone Catholic

6. Delone Catholic (2-0) -- York County Tech kept close in the first half last week at Delone. You can bet Littlestown coach Mike Lippy has been closely watching the first-half scouting video of that one.

Last week: No. 6, beat York County Tech, 33-12; this week: at Littlestown

7. South Western (1-1) -- The Mustangs moved up a spot after a close home loss to the Andrew Ford-led Cedar Cliff Colts. South Western is in the midst of an awfully tough back-to-back. This week, they must travel to Central Dauphin.

Last week: No. 8, lost to Cedar Cliff, 30-27; this week: at Central Dauphin

8. West York (0-2) -- The Bulldogs drop just one spot, but you might ask if an 0-2 team deserves the No. 8 ranking. Strength of schedule is why, considering No. 2 Central York and No. 1 Dallastown were the opponents. If there is a positive for West York -- and there might not be any considering it travels to No. 4 Spring Grove this week -- it's that the Bulldogs cut down on their turnovers from Week 1. Seven giveaways became just two, and neither came on fumbles.

Last week: No. 7, lost to Dallastown, 35-0; this week: at Spring Grove

9. Dover (2-0) -- Continuing with the theme of strength of schedule is why the Eagles have not moved up higher. Their wins are against two 0-2 teams, which isn't their fault. Well, it is if you ask Hanover and Solanco. Win or lose this Friday, a strong performance at Red Land could considerably move up Dover. Full discolsure, if Red Land was included in these rankings, the Patriots would be No. 2 this week.

Last week: No. 10, beat Solanco, 13-6; this week: at Red Land

10. Fairfield (2-0) -- Alas, the Green Knights' fast start deserves some recognition. More impressive than their 72-14 win at Carson Long -- albeit a team with fewer than 20 players -- the Knights stormed out to a 40-0 halftime lead at Biglerville. They currently have the highest scoring offense in the YAIAA. Considering Fairfield's short football history, a spot in these rankings is more than deserved.

Last week: Not ranked, beat Biglerville, 47-28; this week: at York Catholic