HS: Spring SIMA FAB 50, June 13

by Sheldon Shealer

June 13, 2017

NEWS: Four Michigan powers grace this week's SIMA FAB 50 Top 25, and three of them have a chance to win state titles with week.

Forest Hills Central (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Utica Ford (Sterling Heights, Mich.) are favorites in Division 1, Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids) is favored in Division 2 and perennial state champ Unity Christian (Hudsonville, Mich.) is looking for a fourth straight crown in Division 3. Interestingly, the three regular season matches that pitted Forest Hills Central, Forest Hills Northern and Unity Christian all finished in ties, and all three teams remain undefeated entering the final week of the season.

BIG MOVERS: BOYS: James Madison (Vienna, Va.). Madison moved from No. 48 to No. 27 without playing last week. The move was prompted by the team's stellar regular season showing and the fact its playoff loss was a one-goal setback to eventual state champion Langley, which rolled to a state title win. ... GIRLS: Utica Ford (Sterling Heights, Mich.). Utica Ford vaults from No. 45 to No. 21 following a region title last week to earn a spot in this week's state semifinals. Ford could get a crack at SIMA FAB 50 No. 10 Forest Hills Central (Grand Rapids, Mich.) in the state final if both win semifinal contests.

NEWCOMERS: BOYS: No. 23 Riverside (Leesburg, Va.), No. 31 Battlefield (Haymarket, Va.), No. 32 [Washington-Lee va-m] (Arlington, Va.), No. 36 Kettle Run (Nokesville, Va.) and No. 41 Charlottesville (Va.). ... GIRLS: No. 34 Albemarle (Charlottesville, Va.), No. 41 Ames (Iowa), No. 42 Middletown (Del.), No. 43 Padua Academy (Wilmington, Del.), and No. 44 Kellam (Virginia Beach, Va.).