| UC-Huntingdon showdown likely to change top of 1A list |
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Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2012 6:08 am
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By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
Union City and Huntingdon remained Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, in the Associated Press Class 1A state rankings Monday.
At least some part of that order is likely to change next week.
The Tornadoes and Mustangs held firm their positions behind top-ranked South Pittsburg in the newest AP listing of sports writers and broadcasters across the state heading into this week’s showdown at War Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates gained 17 of 18 first-place ballots cast by voters and hold a commanding 28-point lead over UC in this week’s poll. Huntingdon is 18 points behind the Twisters at No. 3.
Union City and Huntingdon will both enter their much-anticipated battle with 3-0 records in a contest certain to reveal a lot about each team and their standing — both in rural West Tennessee and statewide.
The Twisters have beaten three overmatched foes by a collective score of 138-19. Only Halls of UC’s opponents to-date, has won a game.
The Mustangs have played three teams that are winless so far — though Trenton is widely-considered to be a team on the rise after taking heralded Milan, No. 3 in Class 3A, into overtime and battling Huntingdon until deep in the fourth quarter. The Ponies have outscored their foes by a cumulative count of 127-60.
Huntingdon has won 13 straight regular season games, dating back to its 2010 finale.
There was little change in the Class 1A ratings from top to bottom as only Eagleville dropped out of the Top 10. Eight of those teams have unbeaten records so far.
In Class 2A, Dresden moved up one spot to fifth with its third win in as many outings.
The Lions, who continue to play without injured starting quarterback Davis Moran and top receiver Colter Swafford who were hurt in an opening triumph over Westview, scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat McKenzie 35-14 this past Friday to remain perfect in three games and crack the Top 5.
They trail Grace Christian, Boyd-Buchanan, Cascade and Trousdale County.
Adamsville rounded out the Top 10.
Traditional rural West Tennessee power Milan remained No. 3 in Class 3A behind reigning state champion Christian Academy of Knoxville and perennial kingpin Alcoa, while Camden advanced from eighth to seventh. The 3-0 Lions host Westview (2-1) this week.
In Class 4A, District 13’s Covington is now second — trailing only Giles County. The Chargers (3-0) got a quality win over Dyersburg, 20-3, last week, and face Tipton County rival Brighton Friday.
Lexington, which occupied the No. 1 spot for much of last season and went 10-0 before being stunned in the opening round of the postseason, got a first-place vote this week and is fourth.
The 5A poll includes entries Henry County (5th) and newcomer Jackson Northside, which came in at No. 8 after knocking off then-10th-ranked Dyer County 27-7 last week.
HC fell two spots from third despite hammering Kenwood 59-26 to improve to 2-1.
University School of Jackson (3-0) advanced two places to No. 8 after routing Rossville Christian 42-0 last week.
A complete listing of the polls can be found on page 7.
Sports editor Mike Hutchens can be contacted by e-mail at mhutch@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 9.4.12 |
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