(#1 Canisius & #2 Jamestown battling at the AdPro Challenge)
As a pollster for the Buffalo News, I'm asked to send in my weekly ballots ranking the top ten large and small schools. The polls are based on games played through Saturday of each week. Here's a look at how I see them and some of the rationale used to get there.
Large Schools
1. Canisius (MMA) - The Crusaders' suffered their first loss of the season to Seattle Prep last night, which does nothing to diminish the start Canisius has had against the local competition. Besides, I think Shawn Kemp & Gary Payton play for Seattle Prep.
2. Jamestown (AA) - Looking at Jamestown's loss to Canisius in hindsight, the Red Raiders seem even more impressive considering the disparity between the two teams in depth and early-season experience (Canisius had already played in three big games, Jamestown had faced West Seneca West).
3. McKinley (A1) - I rarely do this, but I'm looking right past the Macks' season-opening loss to Nichols and moving them up to this spot. McKinley hasn't lost since and is a team heading in one direction, while Nichols has drifted the other way.
4. Williamsvillle South (A1) - A great start to the season has the Billies off to a 5-0 start, including wins over Cheektowaga, Timon, and Williamsville North - none of which came at home. Next up for the Billies - a home-opener against St. Francis, followed by their biggest challenge of the season: either Aquinas or Amherst.
5. Amherst (A2) - Another team off to a 5-0 start, the Tigers' triumphs include Cheektowaga, Kenmore West, and Clarence. The Tigers will face Aquinas on Friday, a colossal test considering the Lil Irish just drubbed East by 40.
6. Nichols (MMA) - My logic in moving McKinley ahead of the Vikings: Nichols couldn't remain the #3 large school after losing to Walsh, and both Amherst & Williamsville South sitting at 5-0 deserved to move ahead of the Vikings. But I couldn't see sliding McKinley down to #6 from #4 because Nichols lost to Walsh, nor do I believe Amherst or Will South should occupy a place ahead of the Macks until there's a more glaring reason than a Nichols/Walsh result.
7. Niagara Falls (AA) - Sitting at 2-1, the Wolverines still have plenty of season left. For now, I have them regarded as the best in the NFL. We will find out soon.
8. Olean (A2) - The Huskies dropped their first contest of the season last night in the championship round of the IAABO Tournament (large school division) to Warren (PA). On Friday night, the Huskies visit Jamestown in the headliner of Day 1 at the United Way Showcase. Sure, now we get this matchup...last year, Olean played an independent schedule that did NOT include a game against the Red Raiders. I mean really, who would have wanted to see the state's Class AA finalist face the state's Class B finalist?
9. Lew-Port (A2) - The Lancers have been idle since December 19th. They host Medina this Friday, before the league grind begins.
10. Starpoint (A2) - Another team off to a 5-0 start that deserves some recognition. The Spartans own wins over Grand Island, Clarence, West Seneca East, Walsh, & Sweet Home.
Small Schools
1. Park (MMA) - The Pioneers' latest victim was St. Francis, who Park beat by 35 points.
2. Walsh (MMA) - I voted the Eagles this high for beating Nichols. This year, our ballots are due in to the Buffalo News by Saturday. In my haste to get my ballot in amidst family holiday parties and seemingly every other person with a pulse spreading some form of the flu, I missed the shocking result from the IAABO Tournament (small school division): Portville beat Walsh. The Eagles did defeat Randolph last night, but don't look for Walsh to be this high on my ballot next week.
3. Fredonia (B2) - I'm hoping to get a look at the Hillbillies tonight as they take on Timon in the first round of the Clarence Tournament. If Fredonia can win this tournament, it would mean a 6-0 start, with three victories over large schools.
4. St. Mary's (MMA) - When I was out to dinner last Tuesday, I received a text asking what game I was at. When I replied that I was out to dinner, the response I got was "So weak! Timon & St. Mary's are in a 4th overtime". As of now, that game is the easy winner for the best game I missed this year. The Lancers face Williamsville East this week, along with either Williamsville North or Pittsford Sutherland, in the Five Guys Tournament at Will North.
5. Silver Creek (C1) - The 20-point win over Cardinal O'Hara loooks even better with the Hawks coming off a Ken-Ton Tournament championship that included a field of Ken West & Sweet Home. The Black Knights face Maple Grove in the United Way showcase in Jamestown on Friday.
6. Middle College (C2) - Rebounded nicely after suffering its first loss, by pounding Hutch-Tech, 84-52.
7. East (B2) - A lot has changed in a year. After winning the Aquinas Tournament last year by knocking off the hosts by 13 points, the Panthers got rolled in Rochester by 40 points at the hands of the Lil Irish.
8. Salamanca (C1) - Picked up their best looking win of the season when they handled Maryvale in round one of the Maryvale Tournament. I had planned on covering that one, and built holiday plans around it, only to find out the day of that the times had changed. An update on the time change would have been great (and greatly appreciated), not only for me, but for the people who look to my schedule as a resource.
9. Tapestry (C1) - Slid down one spot when Walsh catapulted into the poll for beating Nichols, the team the Thunderhawks lost their season-opener to.
10. Sherman (D) - The 6-0 Wildcats face Southwestern tomorrow, before taking on Olmsted (who took Class D power I-Prep to OT) this Saturday.
-centercourt
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