The top half of this week’s Power Rankings remained relatively stable as 10 of the top 11 teams all won games in which they were favored by relatively comfortable margins. Even last week’s marquee matchup – the annual “Battle of the Lakes” between top-ranked Westlake and #6 Lake Travis -- was a somewhat one-sided affair won by the Chaps. (The Cavs, then, were the only Top 10 teams to drop their game.)
So, the Top 5 remain frozen in place, as all five teams posted comfortable wins. #6 Hutto and #7 Vandegrift slip in front of Lake Travis, followed by Weiss and Bowie who also racked up lopsided wins.
Anderson outlasted a vastly improved Manor squad to lead off the second half of the rankings. Rouse stays put at #12 thanks to a competitive loss to #7 Hutto, followed by Liberty Hill and Wimberley, who defeated arch-rival Lago Vista to remain the highest ranked 4A squad. Georgetown moves up to #15 with a tough road win at A&M Consolidated.
Legacy Ranch keeps climbing, now up to #16 off their Bye week. Bastrop keeps getting healthier and climbs 3 spots to #17. Lago Vista and Hendrickson each slip a spot and settle at #18 and #19, respectively. Hays re-enters the ranking at #20 simply because they seem to be the best of the remaining teams.
Regents had their Bye but remain atop the private school rankings. St. Michael’s remains at #2 despite their loss to Central Catholic – who had defeated Lake Travis earlier this year – simply because there’s still a gap between the Warriors and the rest of the private squads. Hyde Park, Hill Country Christian and Brentwood Christian collectively defeated their opponents 169-16 to round out the Top 5.
The closer we get to the end of the regular season, the more the rankings solidify. Be sure to check in next week after top-ranked Westlake hosts insurgent second-ranked Cedar Ridge with the District 25-6A title on the line.
VYPE Austin Top 20 Combined Class 4A-6A
*Last parenthesis indicates most recent game result
1. (1) Westlake Chaparrals (6A) 7-1 (W 38-17 @ #6 Lake Travis)
2. (2) Cedar Ridge Raiders (6A) 8-0 (W 68-29 vs. Stony Point)
3. (3) Dripping Springs Tigers (6A) 7-1 (W 42-0 @ Hays)
4. (4) Round Rock Dragons (6A) 6-2 (W 49-7 @ McNeil)
5. (5) Cedar Park Timberwolves (6A) 9-0 (W 26-13 vs. East View)
6. (7) Hutto Hippos (6A) 7-2 (W 49-25 @ #12 Rouse)
7. (8) Vandegrift Vipers (6A) 5-3 (W 42-14 @ Leander)
8. (6) Lake Travis Cavaliers (6A) 3-3-1 (L 38-17 vs. #1 Westlake)
9. (9) Weiss Wolves (5A-1) 6-2 (W 49-21 vs. Killeen)
10. (10) Bowie Bulldogs (6A) 6-2 (W 49-6 vs. Del Valle)
11. (11) Anderson Trojans (5A-1) 6-2 (W 63-50 @ Manor)
12. (12) Rouse Raiders (6A) 4-4 (L 49-35 vs. #7 Hutto)
13. (13) Liberty Hill Panthers (5A-2) 5-4 (W 58-28 @ Long Creek)
14. (14) Wimberley Texans (4A-2) 7-0 (W 27-7 @ #15 Lago Vista)
15. (16) Georgetown Eagles (5A-2) 5-4 (W 41-38 @ A&M Consolidated)
16. (17) Legacy Ranch Wranglers(5A-2) 5-2 (BYE)
17. (20) Bastrop Bears (5A-2) 4-4 (W 65-0 @ Navarro)
18. (15) Lago Vista Vikings (4A-2) 6-2 (L 27-7 vs. #14 Wimberley)
19. (18) Hendrickson Hawks (5A-1) 4-4 (L 31-29 vs. Shoemaker)
20. (NR) Hays Hawks (6A) 4-4 (L 42-0 vs. #3 Dripping Springs)
On the Radar: Hays (4-4), Taylor (5-3), Pflugerville (4-4), McCallum (4-4), Crockett (4-4), Manor (4-4)
VYPE Austin Top 5 Private Schools
*Last parenthesis indicates most recent game result
1. (1) Regents Knights (TAPPS D2) 7-1 (BYE)
2. (2) St. Michael’s Warriors (TAPPS D1) 6-3(L 31-21 vs. Central Catholic)
3. (3) Hyde Park Panthers (TAPPS D2) 6-3 (W 63-0 vs. St. Anthony)
4. (4) Hill Country Christian Knights (TAPPS FL) -3 (W 50-16 vs. Kingdom Collegiate)
5. (5) Brentwood Christian (TAPPS FL) 7-2 (W 56-0 vs. Village)
On the Radar: St. Andrew’s (5-3)