October 11, 2009

Dallas Jackson
Rivals High Senior Analyst

Dallas Jackson is the high school sports expert for RivalsHigh.com. Send him a question or comment at DallasJ@Yahoo-Inc.com and follow him at twitter.com/rivalshigh.

The new RivalsHigh Top 100 rankings will be posted on Monday, but here's a sneak peak at some of the things we're looking at across the country:

North Carolina power struggle

Despite an 8-0 start to the season, Charlotte (N.C.) Independence is going to see a drop in the rankings from its current spot at No. 36 as well as being replaced as the top team in the state.

Remember, in our rankings, teams need to prove their stature each week.

The Patriots have had a jekyl-and-hyde season with their home and road performances. And while the offense does not miss a beat, the defense is suspect. The average score of the Patriots games on the road has been 36-28, with three wins coming by less than four points. Conversely, Independence has been stout at home by an average margin of victory being 42-8, with no game being closer than 26 points.

Taking over the No. 1 spot in state will be Matthews (North Carolina) Butler.

Butler was previously ranked No. 84, but with every impressive performance it has steadily risen.

The consistent play is a major positive for the Bulldogs. Their road win over the state's No. 5 team Rockingham (N.C.) Richmond, have pushed the Bulldogs over the top.

The two teams get to settle this debate on the field Nov. 6 at Independence.

Dirty Laundry

A showdown between two of the best in Miami left many unimpressed.

The game between previously ranked No. 5 Miami (Florida) Central and No. 42 Miami (Florida) Northwestern will be most remembered for the lackluster performances and penalty plagued football that both teams displayed.

The penalties started early as the teams combined for more than 100 yards in penalties in the first quarter alone. It did not slow throughout the game; Central piled up over 25 penalty flags alone.

In the end it was the Northwestern Bulls rolling off 20 unanswered points to down the Rockets 22-14.

The battle for Miami supremacy will come to a head on Nov. 14, when the Rockets travel to play Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington, which beat Miami Northwestern last week.

Texas two-step

The Lone Star state will now be the lone representative with two teams in the Top 10 this week. It's just that the order will change.

Dallas (Texas) Skyline will be taking over the No. 1 position in the state from Cedar Hill (Texas) High. However, the Longhorns will not be falling very far from their current No. 6 ranking nationally.

Both teams have been impressive this season and are both loaded with talent.

Falling fast

The Cincinnati (Ohio) Elder Panthers will fall again following their second straight loss to a ranked team.

This time the defeat came at the hands of previously ranked No. 26 Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller, 35-13.

Last week the Panthers lost to Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier and fell from No. 2 to No. 48 in the nation.

With this loss the Panthers almost fell out of the rankings completely.

Sound off!

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