Elite Eight football power rankings: Week 6

For the first time this season, we don’t have any changes in our Elite Eight power rankings from one week to the next.

Five of last week’s Elite Eight gridiron teams won their games, and the other three were idle.

There are two blockbuster contests on tap tonight involving Elite Eight squads that could shake up future power rankings. The biggie is the Northwest 1A/2A Conference opener between Mount Airy (No. 3 on our list) and West Stokes (No. 4). Also, No. 2 Bishop McGuinness faces a stern test from No. 5 North Surry.

Starmount continues to look like a team that won’t lose for a long awhile. The Rams are home tonight.

Wilkes Central exploded for tons of yards and points last week. Elkin has a tough, tough non-conference game tonight in Charlotte.

Without further ado, here is this week’s Elite Eight. Don’t get too used to this order. It’s likely to change around by next week…

1. Starmount Rams (5-0, 2-0 MVAC)

Last Friday: Beat East Wilkes 53-7
Tonight: Hosting Ashe County (0-4)
The Rams are averaging 48.2 points a game, while giving up just 8.2. Can Starmount beat the 40-point spread tonight against a youthful Huskies squad?

2. Bishop McGuinness Villains (4-0, 1-0 Northwest)

Last Friday: Beat South Stokes 48-9
Tonight: Hosting North Surry (3-1)
Bishop faces its first big challenge in its bid to unseat the favorites in the Northwest 1A/2A. The Villains, which have only allowed 31 points thus far in four games, should get a workout trying to keep up with Tanner Hiatt, Joston Phipps and company in Kernersville.

3. Mount Airy Granite Bears (2-2, 0-0 Northwest)

Last Friday: Idle
Tonight: Visiting West Stokes (2-2)
Conference play begins with a bang in the Northwest 1A/2A as the defending champion and preseason favorite Bears travel to King to face the preseason No. 2. Match-up to watch: the quarterbacks, Mount Airy’s Ben Hinson vs. West Stokes’ Austin Fleming.

Buck Southern of West Stokes picks off a pass against Trinity earlier this season. (Photo courtesy Jimmy Kuhn).

4. West Stokes Wildcats (2-2, 0-0 Northwest)

Last Friday: Idle
Tonight: Hosting Mount Airy (2-2)
Like the Bears, West Stokes had last week off from game action to get ready for a blockbuster conference opener. Expect the atmosphere to have a playoff feel when the Bears arrive. Could this be the de facto conference championship game?

5. North Surry Greyhounds (3-1, 0-0 Northwest)

Last Friday: Idle
Tonight: Visiting Bishop McGuinness (4-0)
Is North Surry football really back? We’ll find out if so and how far tonight when the athletic Hounds take on the speedy Villains. This would be the conference’s game of the week if not for Mount Airy-West Stokes.

6. Elkin Buckin’ Elks (3-1, 2-0 MVAC)

Last Friday: Won at Ashe County 28-7
Tonight: Visiting Charlotte Latin (2-1)
It will be interesting to see how the Buckin’ Elks approach tonight‘s meeting in the Queen City. Latin is one of the premier private-school programs in the state, losing only to 3A Charlotte Catholic 21-14 thus far this season. With a big date looming against Starmount next week — plus several key conference games remaining after that — will Elkin rest starters or approach this contest like any other week? Latin beat the Elks pretty soundly last season and it took the team a few weeks to recover.

7. East Surry Cardinals (3-1 overall, 0-0 Northwest)

Last Friday: Beat Bartlett Yancey 31-7
Tonight: Visiting Surry Central (1-3)
The Cards jump into conference play against one of their chief rivals. Quarterback Ryan Johnson was sharp last week and could be key to East’s victory chances tonight.

8. Wilkes Central Eagles (3-2 overall, 2-0 MVAC)

Last Friday: Beat North Wilkes 62-16
Tonight: Visiting Alleghany (0-4)
The Eagles put more than 600 rushing yards into the stat book last week and could have a big night again this evening. Who do you try and stop? Trae Alexander is only one of many weapons.

Last Week’s Elite Eight

1. Starmount Rams
2. Bishop McGuinness Villians
3. Mount Airy Granite Bears
4. West Stokes Wildcats
5. North Surry Greyhounds
6. Elkin Buckin’ Elks
7. East Surry Cardinals
8. Wilkes Central Eagles