YAIAA football power rankings: Week 10
The last two weeks have shaken up our top 10 in the YAIAA, and now just one Friday remains between the regular season and the District 3 postseason. If the playoffs began this week, six YAIAA teams would play as hosts in the first round of districts. Eight would make their respective classifications overall.
In some ways, the district ratings played a role in this week's YAIAA rankings. In some ways, they also did not play a role.
Without further ado, here are this week's rankings. Let us know what you agree or disagree with by commenting at the bottom.
1. Littlestown (9-0) -- The Thunderbolts take the top spot in our power rankings and the YAIAA Division III standings with Trevor Hildebrand's last-second touchdown against Bermudian Springs. However, the No. 1 seed in the District 3 Class AA playoffs would go to Berks Catholic if they started this week.
Last week: No. 2, beat Bermudian Springs, 12-10; this week: vs. Fairfield
2. Central York (7-2) -- The Division I title belongs to the Panthers. Well, at least a share of it does for now. Central also is in prime position for a Week 11 home game as it sits seventh in the Class 4-A rankings.
Last week: No. 3, beat Red Lion; this week: at William Penn
3. Dallastown (7-2) -- The Wildcats bounced back in a major way against Spring Grove. Sitting at No. 4 in the district, they not only would be in line for a first-round home game but also a second-rounder, too, if they can get past Week 11. First, they must get past Week 10 and that rivalry game with Red Lion.
Last week: No. 4, beat Spring Grove, 34-0; this week: at Red Lion
4. Bermudian Springs (8-1) -- As expected, losing last week's YAIAA Division III showdown was not too costly in the district ratings. The Eagles are third and could get a Littlestown rematch as early as the district semifinals, if things stand pat.
Last week: No. 1, lost to Littlestown, 12-10; this week: at Biglerville
5. Dover (7-2) -- Just like the two other divisions in this York-Adams league, Division II was claimed last week. However, Dover made its No. 1-vs.-2 game a convincing one. The Eagles have a hold on the sixth spot in this week's District 3 Class 3-A rankings.
Last week: No. 5, beat New Oxford, 45-17; this week: at Susquehannock
6. New Oxford (6-3) -- Despite last week's loss, the Colonials are 13th in Class 3-A and have an excellent shot to play past this week.
Last week: No. 6, lost to Dover, 45-17; this week: vs. West York
7. Spring Grove (5-4) -- The Rockets, however, will need a little help. In the same class as Dover and New Oxford, Spring Grove must win at home against South Western, a team that beat the Rockets last year. That alone should be fuel for the Rockets, who must overtake one among a trio of 4-5 squads ahead of them in the district ratings: Red Land, Lampeter-Strasburg and Daniel Boone.
Last week: No. 7, lost to Dallastown, 34-0; this week: vs. South Western
8. York Catholic (6-3) -- The Fighting Irish continue to roll, and their 40-22 win at York County Tech moved them slightly closer to Fairfield in the District 3 Class A power rankings.
Last week: No. 10, beat York County Tech, 40-22; this week: vs. York Suburban
9. Fairfield (6-3) -- Speaking of the Green Knights, they return to the top 10 after earning their first win against Delone Catholic in program history. Next up is league leader Littlestown.
Last week: NR, beat Delone Catholic, 14-7; this week: at Littlestown
10. Red Lion (4-5) -- A win against Dallastown would surely go a long way for the Lions, who are 18th. Help in the District 3 Class 4-A picture would help, too. Lebanon and Mechanicsburg are 16th and 17th, and they also have a bit of a cushion in the ratings.
Last week: No. 9, lost to Central York, 35-14; this week: vs. Red Lion