HS: Fall state, regional rankings, Oct. 8

by Sheldon Shealer

October 8, 2018

Playoffs are under way in two fall-playing states, and the fall-out was pretty immediate.

In Indiana, where postseason play starts on the hyper-local level -- in a state where just a few areas dominate -- the opening round of action featured a pair of FAB 50 girls Top 25 teams going head-to-head. Nowhere else in the country do such blockbuster meetings happen right out of the gate. Just days after playing to a tie in a match to determine the league champion, Noblesville (Ind.) upended Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.). Noblesville's reward was playing another state-ranked team, and this time was upset by Fishers (Ind.), meaning Fishers advances out of this group and earns a state No. 2 ranking for the time being. A similar playoff upset happened in South Dakota over the weekend, leading to Washington reinherited the state's No. 1 spot heading into this week's state semifinals.

In regular season action, last week's FAB 50 No. 13 Ramapo (N.J.) girls edged No. 2 Northern Highlands (N.J.) 3-2 in a clash of undefated state powers, which resulted in Ramapo moving into the state's No. 1 spot. The No. 1 ranking in the New Jersey/New York girls region now goes to St. Anthony's (N.Y.).

On the boys side, Loyola (Md.) moves into the Mid-Atlantic top spot after last week's No. 1 McDonogh School (Md.) tied an opponent Loyola had defeated just days earlier. Loyola and McDonogh remain undefeated and could play as many as three times over the next five weeks. St. Benedict's Prep (N.J.) reinforced its top billing with a 3-0 victory over Salesianum (Del.), which was coming off a 2-1 showing at the Go 4 The Goal Fall Classic.

Now, on with the rankings ...

CLICK BELOW FOR THE COMPLETE FALL HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS

FALL REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (Oct. 8) | GIRLS (Oct. 8)

FALL STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (Oct. 8) | GIRLS (Oct. 8)