Each week of the regular season, The Laurinburg Exchange publishes its own football power rankings for the Sandhills Athletic Conference. These rankings are based on team performance, storylines, upcoming games, injuries and analysis from the sports desk.
Here are the most recent power rankings.
1. Richmond (7-0, 3-0 SAC) No change
In one of its biggest tests so far this season, Richmond defeated Jack Britt 59-28 last week. Richmond’s offense caught fire after holding a 19-14 halftime lead.
The Raiders have established themselves as the top 4A team in the state. It is widely believed that the conference championship will be decided when Richmond visits Scotland on Nov. 8, but there’s still some football to be played before then. Richmond plays at Hoke this week.
2. Scotland (7-0, 3-0 SAC) No change
Yet again, Scotland’s powerful defense helped make up for a pedestrian offensive performance in a 21-3 win over Hoke last week. The small errors in the execution of Scotland’s offensive plays would have been costly if not for the efforts of defensive coordinator Scott Loosemore’s group.
The Scots are dangerous when they execute cleanly and avoid unnecessary penalties. They certainly have enought talent to challenge Richmond for the SAC championship. A struggling Seventy-First team awaits Scotland this week.
3. Pinecrest (6-1, 2-1 SAC) Last week: T4
Pinecrest’s only slip-up this season came two weeks ago at Richmond. The Patriots responded with a 45-0 win over Purnell Swett. Pinecrest hosts Lumberton this week before traveling to Laurinburg next week.
Pinecrest’s wins tend to be lopsided, and that probably won’t change when the Pirates come to town.
T4. Hoke (5-2, 2-1 SAC) Last week: 3
Hoke was well-prepared to face Scotland last week, but Keonte’ Shaw and the rest of the Bucks’ offense were held in check by Scotland’s defense.
Hoke has the misfortune of playing three of the conference’s top teams consecutively. They host Richmond this week before traveling to Jack Britt next week. The Bucks are much better than they were last year, but the three-game stretch they’re in would be a huge challenge for any program.
T4. Jack Britt (5-2, 1-2 SAC) No change
For one half, the Buccaneers played Richmond tougher than most other opponents have this year. Richmond’s elite offense took over the game in the second half.
Led by the quarterback-receiver duo of Kevin Sentell and Anthony Fiffie, the Buccaneers have proven that they can compete with the best in the conference. They’re on the road at winless Purnell Swett this week.
6. Seventy-First (4-3, 1-2 SAC) No change
The Falcons ended their three-game skid by crushing Lumberton 42-0 last week. Injuries and inexperience have hampered the Falcons this season, but they’re athletic enough to make some big plays on offense.
The Falcons play at Scotland this week.
7. Lumberton (2-5, 0-3 SAC) No change
It’s never a good thing when a team’s head coach steps down in the middle of the season. That’s what happened to the Pirates earlier this week. Kelly Williamson abruptly retired without explanation, and defensive coordinator Adam Deese took over Williamson’s position on an interim basis.
Lumberton’s players are already familiar with Deese, and that should make the transition a little easier for the program. Lumberton heads to Pinecrest this week.
8. Purnell Swett (0-7, 0-3 SAC) No change
Like Hoke, Purnell Swett is fighting through a tough stretch of games. The Rams host Jack Britt this week. Purnell Swett will have perhaps its best shot at a win when the Rams host Lumberton in a rivalry game on Nov. 8.
