Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – St. Bernard’s has moved up one spot to No. 3 in this week’s NCS Division-5 rankings.
By Ray Hamill — Seven H-DNL football teams moved either up or down in this week’s North Coast Section rankings on MaxPreps.com, including two that could have a big impact in the playoff seedings.
In Division 5, the Del Norte Warriors dropped one spot to No. 2 despite their big shutout win at Fortuna on Saturday night.
After one week at No. 1, the Warriors drop back behind San Marin, which has occupied the top spot in the division for most of the season.
Both teams have looked very impressive this season and whichever gets the top seed for the postseason could have a huge advantage in the NCS decider, providing they both make it that far.
Also in Division 5, St. Bernard’s moves up one spot to No. 3, just one spot behind the Warriors.
If those rankings hold for the postseason, it could result in an all-HDNL semifinal showdown between the Crusaders and Warriors.
Rounding out the local contingent in Division 5, Eureka drops two spots to No. 8, while Fortuna drops one spot to No. 10.
In Division 6, meanwhile, the Arcata Tigers also dropped one spot this week despite winning a seventh straight game over the weekend.
The Tigers are now No. 3, trailing No. 1 Salesian and No. 2 Justin-Siena, and it’s a ranking that could ultimately mean the difference between hosting a semifinal or not.
Traveling for playoff games doesn’t have as big an effect on the H-DNL teams, all of whom are well used to long road trips, but hosting those games can make a huge difference when the opposing teams are not used to long road trips or playing on muddy grass fields.
In Division 7, meanwhile, McKinleyville stays put at No. 6, while Ferndale drops two spots to No. 9 and Hoopa jumps two spots to No. 10.
In eight-person football, South Fork is ranked No. 5.
Categories: Arcata, Del Norte, Eureka, Ferndale, Football, Fortuna, Hoopa Valley, McKinleyville, South Fork, St. Bernard's
There is no way that SB should have to compete against Del Norte in the same Division for playoffs! Absolutely not even close, leagues, Divisions, Conference, etc. whatever you want to call it are all dependent on school size. They are not determined on school records (wins and losses).
SB should be competing in a league/Division that is representative of their school size.
The Little 4 should go back the way it was historically – South Fork, Hoopa, SB, Ferndale. The Big 5 should also go back to – Eureka, Del Norte, Arcata, McKinleyville, and Fortuna.
Competing against other teams outside of your league (literally) during the season is one thing, but to have a team compete against larger schools during the playoffs is plain wrong.
The average enrollment for schools in the old Big 5 is around 900 students, the average enrollment for schools in the old Little 4 is around 180. With Eureka at 1,138 the highest in the Big 5 and Hoopa at 252 the highest in the Little 4.
Absolutely spot on. The real story is why is that happening. Im sure if asked to the bias voters….you would get a “No Comment” . Many appreciate all Ray Hamill does with Humboldt Sports, I hope he investigates and gets feedback on why the bias voters are allowed to continue their position ion of power. Ray you could start with Jack Lakin and Kristi Christensen…..they should be ashamed of themselves.