All I've got this week are power rankings -- expanded to include volleyball and soccer. I'll have more next week after a full week of the season is under my belt.
FOOTBALL
1. McQueen (Last Week: beat Nevada Union 12-7. Previous Ranking: No. 1; Record: 1-0, 0-0)
Why they should be ranked lower: Right now, there's no evidence they should be. They were the coaches' pick coming in and backed that up with an impressive win in a defensive struggle on the road against a powerful Nevada Union squad. The only more impressive performance last week was ...
2. Carson (Last Week: beat Del Campo 31-10. Previous Ranking: No. 5; Record: 1-0, 0-0)
Why they should be ranked higher: Who's to say Nevada Union is any better than Del Campo this early in the year? Not me, I have no basis in reality for comparing the two schools except that the Sac Bee had NUHS ranked higher in its preseason list. Carson was strong in all aspects of the game against Del Campo and got a standout performance from feature back Dylan Sawyers.
Why they should be ranked lower: This goes for both McQueen and Carson (and Reed just below for that matter). It's much tougher to decipher what these out-of-state games actually mean. I don't know their tendencies, returning players, coaching staffs, any of that. It could be that Del Campo is in for a rebuilding year. But given the host of D-I-type talent, that's unlikely. The only reason at this stage for Carson to be lower is the simple unknowns of the equation. Those will solve themselves in the next two or three weeks.
3. Reed (Last week: lost to Granite Bay, Calif., 41-24. Previous Ranking: 2. Record 0-1, 0-0)
Why they should be ranked higher: There is still no arguing with their returning roster, and they managed to put up some points on Granite Bay on the road, suggesting the offense will be just fine Give them a week or two to settle things out and then we'll see where they belong.
Why they should be ranked lower: Hey, they're 0-1 to start the year. Tough to justify when the team just below them in the rankings is ...
4. Manogue (Last week: beat Galena 31-0. Previous Ranking: 3. Record: 1-0, 0-0)
Why they should be ranked higher: The Miners dismantled Galena to open the year. That's not an easy team to do that against. The defense came as advertised and running back Kenny Rogers emerged as a potential star.
Why they should be ranked lower: Right now, they belong no lower than fourth, probably deserved the 3 spot this week. I just want to wait and see Reed for myself.
5. Douglas (Last week: Idle. Previous Ranking: 4. Record: 0-0, 0-0)
Why they should be ranked higher: They get the extra week of rest to prepare for Reed and, no doubt, the staff got a decent scouting report from its trip to the Sacramento area Friday night.
Why they should be ranked lower: Having not played yet, they are the biggest unknown left in the Northern 4A. There's just no telling what they actually have until we see it all in action. Reed will be a great test.
On the outside looking in: Hug, Spanish Springs.
VOLLEYBALL
1. Douglas
2. Reno
3. Damonte Ranch
4. Galena
5. Manogue
On the outside looking in: Carson, Spanish Springs.
BOYS' SOCCER
1. Carson
2. Galena
3. Manogue
4. Wooster
5. Douglas
On the outside looking in: McQueen, Spanish Springs, Reed.
GIRLS' SOCCER
1. Douglas
2. Carson
3. Galena
4. Spanish Springs
5. Reno
On the outside looking in: Reed, McQueen.
