Dresden’s early wins convince prep voters

Posted: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 6:13 am

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Press Sports
Hoping to duplicate its success of a year ago, Dresden is already on that path.
The Lions, who went 9-3 in 2010 and were ranked as high as No. 4 in the state in the final Associated Press Class 2A prep poll of the season, debuted at 10th in those listings in the second rankings of the ’11 campaign released Monday afternoon.
Dresden has caught the attention of some AP member writers and broadcasters with a 13-2 win over county-rival Westview in Week 0 and a 33-13 triumph vs. Gibson County this past Friday.
The Lions received 23 total points in balloting to crack the Top 10, just ahead of Oliver Springs, which totaled 20 points.
DHS head coach Scott Hewett does not put a lot of stock in such listings, especially just two games into the season.
“It’s too early. Now, if it were later in the season…” the Lion skipper responded when asked his opinion of his team’s status among other double-A entries. “There’s still a whole lot of football to be played.
“The kids will probably like to read it, but for me, it doesn’t matter or mean anything until we’re way deeper in the season.”
Dresden’s first test as a ranked squad will be vs. another member of the ranked fraternity as McKenzie — a 14-7 loser vs. Westview in its opener — visits Rotary Field this week for an early-season District 13A showdown.
The Rebels fell from No. 4 to eighth after their loss to the Chargers at home this past week.
“People are saying, ‘Y’all beat Westview and Westview beat them, so y’all should win this week,’’ Hewett said of this week’s marquee matchup. “That’s obviously not how it works.
“We think we can play with them, but whoever has the least turnovers and makes special teams plays will probably win.”
Humboldt, which fell just one place from sixth to No. 7 after a 10-0 loss to third-ranked Milan (3A), gives rural West Tennessee three teams in this week’s Class 2A poll.

Published in The WCP 8.30.11