Football Power Poll: Week 5
Good Counsel remains tops for the private schools.
Photo by: Werner Ennesser / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Dematha stays at #2 after a convincing win this week.
Photo by: Erika Furman / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Watkins Mill rounds out the top ten for public schools.
Photo by: Jeffrey Vogt / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Week 5 GamedayMD Football Power Poll
Brought to you by Potomac Valley Orthopaedic Associates
By Adam Chasen & Jeremy Moreland
Our 15 power polls teams combined for an 11-4 record last weekend, with 4 of the top 5 private schools blowing out opponents. There have been changes in the pecking order, but all 15 teams have shown enough to remain in our poll with no new entrances this week. Paint Branch, Churchill, and Rockville are providing persuasive arguments to jump back into the poll where all three began the season. On the private side an undefeated Landon team has been hovering just outside the top five privates all season.
The private school top 5 ranks the private schools only in Montgomery County, Washington D.C., and Prince Georges County.
Private:
1. Good Counsel (Olney, MD) - (3-1) Stephon Diggs still dominating with his athleticism, running for an average of nearly 30-yards per carry last week. The Falcon's have not been fully healthy since game 1 and have still looked impressive.
Next Up: Home - McNamara 5pm Saturday
2. Dematha (Hyattsville, MD) - (3-1) A very interesting matchup for the Stags this week, traveling to Gonzaga for a big rivalry game. This team can not start thinking about next week's matchup against Good Counsel or they could be in trouble down on North Capitol Street.
Next Up: @Gonzaga 1pm Saturday
3. Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) - (3-1) The Gonzaga offense has been dynamic running the ball and passing, their defense will also need to play well to slow down the power running game of the Stags.
Next Up: Home - Dematha 1pm Saturday
4. St. Albans (Washington, D.C.) - (3-0) The Bulldogs will have their biggest test of the season this weekend facing a public school power from Cumberland, MD.
Next Up: Home - Allegany 2pm Saturday
5. Georgetown Prep (Bethesda, MD) - (2-2) Prep holds on to the 5th spot despite two consecutive losses. Traveling to a 3-1 Baltimore power for the teams homecoming will be no easy task for the Hoyas and their treacherous schedule.
Next Up: @Mount St. Joseph 2pm Saturday
The Public School rankings are for Montgomery County only:
Public:
1. Sherwood (Olney, MD) - (4-0) The Warriors have yet to punt the ball this year, an amazing statistic. Toughest challenge so far this season will be Friday night against the Trojans.
Next Up: @Gaithersburg 6:30pm Friday
2. Damascus (Damascus, MD) - (4-0) For the second time this year the Hornets have come back to win against a top team. This Hornets team has all the makings of a State Champion.
Next Up: @Springbrook 6:30pm Friday
3. Seneca Valley (Germantown, MD) - (3-1) We could not drop Seneca in the polls after a close loss to a Damascus team that has proven to be elite. Ed Cunningham could be the hardest working running back in the county.
Next Up: @Kennedy 6:30pm Friday
4. Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, MD) - (3-1) Two straight wins has righted the ship for the Cougars. A tough stretch still is still ahead, but this group could easily climb back into the top three.
Next Up: Home - Northwood 6:30pm Friday
5. Whitman (Bethesda, MD) - (3-1) Homecoming win against the Baron's proved to be much easier than expected. The Vikings will face a tough defense this week.
Next Up: @Blair 6:30pm Friday
6. Gaithersburg (Gaithersburg, MD) - (4-0) A fantastic start for the Trojans has put them in great position to earn a playoff bid. A win against the number 1 team this week would catapult Gaithersburg toward the top.
Next Up: Home - Sherwood 6:30pm Friday
7. Springbrook (Silver Spring, MD) - (4-0) Springbrook still undefeated, struggled to score against a stout Blair defense, but still found a way to win. Against Damascus, the Devils will need to find another weapon besides the great Devon Pestano.
Next Up: Home - Damascus 6:30pm Friday
8. Clarksburg (Clarksburg, MD) - (2-2) Clarksburg hasn't had the start they hoped for, but they have found a way to stay in the power poll every week this season despite a losing record. The Coyotes have climbed back to a .500 record and could be a player at the end of the year.
Next Up: Home - Einstein 6:30pm Friday
9. Watkins Mill (Gaithersburg, MD) - (3-1) Did not manage to score against Clarksburg last week, we will have to see if that game was an outlier or cause for concern for the Wolverines.
Next Up: Home - Magruder 6:30pm Friday
10. B-CC (Bethesda, MD) - (3-1) A big loss to Whitman should not spoil the start the Baron's have had this season. They have put themselves in great position if they get back on the right track, starting this week.
Next Up: Home - Wootton 6:30pm Friday
