HS: State, Region rankings, Oct. 31

by Sheldon Shealer

October 31, 2016

Last week can be summed up as a treat for Penn (Ind.) girls, a trick on nine former state No. 1s (six boys, three girls) who were toppled -- several of them in playoff action.

Penn, which started the year at No. 5 in the SIMA FAB 50 preseason rankings, delivered the program's first state title. Penn entered the week ranked No. 3 in the SIMA FAB 50 and a loss by former No. 2 Northern Highlands (N.J.) will allow Penn to move into the No. 2 slot behind Davis (Utah).

Despite a rash of upsets in boys soccer last week, No. 1 changed hands in only one region -- the East, as St. Anthony's (N.Y.) moved to the top.

It's important to note that although some states are finished, the team's regional and national ranking order is subject to change while the rest of the country plays out. For example, [Germantown Houston tn-w] (Tenn.) made an unexpected early exit in the Tennessee AAA girls playoffs, ending its undefeated season. The loss dropped them to No. 3 in the state this week and out of the SIMA FAB 50 for the first time this year. It is highly likely Houston will return to the SIMA FAB 50 in upcoming weeks as some active ranked teams play their way out.

Here are a few other highlights from last week:

BOYS

The SIMA FAB 50 boys No. 1 could be settled this week. No. 1 Conestoga (Pa.) enters the grueling next round of the PIAA Disitrict 1 tournament with a possible Top 10 showdown with West Chester Henderson (Pa.) on the horizon. Regardless of what happens, both teams already have qualifed for the Class 4A state tournament. However, if Conestoga falls and No. 2 Morton (Ill.) wins out this week (in what would be the state quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds), this Illinois power will move to the top of the rankings and won't be dislodged. ... The six new state No. 1s are in Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Virginia.

GIRLS

Hunterdon Central (N.J.) takes over the No. 1 spot in the New York/New Jersey region after both previous No. 1 Northern Highlands (N.J.) and No. 2 St. Anthony's (N.Y.) lost last week. ... Clarksville (Tenn.), a suprise state champ a couple years ago, lifted the Tennessee Class AAA crown again this year, beating Franklin (Tenn.) in the final after Franklin had upended favored Germantown Houston. Clarksville's late-season surge moves the team to No. 4 in this week's Mid-East region rankings.

CLICK BELOW FOR THE COMPLETE FALL STATE AND REGION RANKINGS

FALL REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (Oct. 31) | GIRLS (Oct. 31)

FALL STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (Oct. 31) | GIRLS (Oct. 31)

Related Topics: SIMA FAB 50 / Event