HighSchool OT

Nick's Triangle Top 10: Election Edition

By Nick Stevens
Nov 5, 2008

Nick Stevens, High School OT

On Tuesday, I wasn't just picking who I wanted to represent me in the White House, in Congress, and in the Governor's Mansion, I was picking which high school football teams should be ranked in the top ten.

We've got one more poll involving regular season games, and next week's poll will come out on Sunday so we can discuss it in our LIVE BLOG on Sunday night 8 p.m.

1. Leesville Road (9-1, 2) - The Pride moves into the top spot for the first time this season. Leesville Road's defense gives them a chance to win any game, and they proven time and time again that they do not have to score 40-points or more on offense to win games. Credit their defense and special teams for giving the offense a short field on numerous occassions. Leesville Road can clinch the Cap Seven title this Friday night at Wake Forest-Rolesville.

2. Millbrook (8-2, 4) - Millbrook will be pulling for Leesville Road on Friday night, because if the Pride wins, Millbrook gets the No. 2 spot from the Cap Seven. The Wildcats, one week after a 24-0 loss to Leesville, defeated Wake Forest-Rolesville. A win over the Cougars is good enough to move Millbrook back into the top two. Man, would I like to see a Millbrook-Leesville Road matchup?

3. Wake Forest-Rolesville (8-2, 1) - Losing to Millbrook by one-point isn't hardly a bad loss. The Cougars have been in the top of the poll for almost the entire season, and I don't think they'll fall out of the top five. Wake Forest-Rolesville's strengths are in its defense and its running game, but if the Cougars are going to make a run in the playoffs, they're going to have to have to pass the ball.

4. Hillside (8-1-1, 2) - Hillside didn't lose, but they dropped in the poll. I think Millbrook and Wake Forest-Rolesville are both superior to Hillside right now, but the Hornets are still very good. Hillside will be in the 4-A playoffs, and that could be beneficial for them. Hillside could have an opportunity to make a run.

5. Southern Durham (7-3, 5) - Southern Durham had a few road bumps early in the season, but I think they've had enough good wins to justify them being ahead of Chapel Hill. The Spartans need to become more consistent, though, if they're going to have a run in the playoffs like they did last season.

6. Chapel Hill (7-3, 7) - Chapel Hill, in my opinion, is the third best team in a three-way tie for the PAC 6. The Tigers are still worthy of a top ten ranking, though, in fact, they moved up a spot from last week. I'm still debating whether or not they are better than Southeast Raleigh, though.

7. Southeast Raleigh (8-2, 8) - The Bulldogs are now in control of the conference. Southeast Raleigh controls their own destiny, and I suspect they'll end up the conference champion. The Bulldogs have been flying under the radar for most the season, and that may be a good thing for them when they get to the playoffs. Not much attention makes young, talented teams like Southeast Raleigh very dangerous in one-and-done situations.

8. Fuquay-Varina (9-1, 9) - Fuquay beat Apex last week for the Tri-Eight title - or at least part of it. The Bengals have a very good defense, as advertised, and their running game is very potent. I was particularly impressed with the passing we saw from Fuquay, though. I wasn't expecting to see a passing game from Fuquay-Varina, but Kyle Canfield did a fantastic job.

9. West Johnston (8-2, 6) - Two straight losses against two teams that West Johnston should have beaten. Now the Wildcats are looking at a possible third straight loss and finishing fifth in the Greater Neuse River Conference. If they lose Friday, depending on what happens in other games, the Wildcats may drop out of the top ten all together.

10. Apex (7-3, 10) - Despite losing a close one to Fuquay-Varina, I couldnt find another team that deserved to be in over Apex. The Cougars should win this week, and they still have a shot at a part of the conference title... Apex is pulling for Cary!