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Which are the best football teams in RI as the playoffs start? Here's how Eric Rueb ranks them

eric rueb, providence journal
·6 min read

Mad about where your team’s ranked right now?

There’s one solution — win.

Regular-season victories are one thing, but now is the time when we truly discover which are the best high school football teams in Rhode Island. The Division II and III playoffs begin on Friday. Division I and IV kick off next week and before we know it, we’ll be crowing Super Bowl champions.

So which teams are the best of the best heading into the postseason? Everyone may see the teams differently, but here’s who I think the 20 best high school football teams are in Rhode Island heading into the playoffs.

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Davies has remained in the Top 20 all season long.
Davies has remained in the Top 20 all season long.

20. Davies (7-0, Division IV)

With the No. 1 seed locked up, the Patriots have nothing left to prove until the D-IV playoffs start next week. With health being the most important thing this week, it wouldn’t shock me if Davies punted on the game against Smithfield to get their two-way starters plenty of rest.

19. Coventry (4-3, Division III-A)

The Oakers’ inexperience bit them in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss to Tolman. The defeat dropped Coventry to the No. 4 seed in III-A, but set up a playoff matchup against rival West Warwick in a game that should be the highest attended of the weekend.

18. East Providence (2-4, Division II-A)

Losing to Hendricken on Senior Night doesn’t change my overall opinion of this team. The Townies were one of the six best teams in Division II but just couldn’t put it together playing against a more competitive A-side.

17. Tolman (5-2, Division III-A)

Remember when the Tigers were 1-2 and coming off two losses by a combined 81-8 score? That was eons ago and after an undefeated October, it’s hard to imagine Johnston is pleased having to see Tolman in the quarterfinals.

16. Johnston (6-1, Division III-B)

It’s been a truly memorable season for the Panthers, and after closing out with a win over Narragansett, the fun can really start. Nobody would have predicted Johnston would host a playoff game this year and it might end up getting one more if things fall right.

West Warwick
West Warwick

15. West Warwick (6-1, Division III-B)

After getting manhandled by Moses Brown, the Wizards struggled to put together four good quarters against winless Mt. Hope. Is this team truly a contender in Division III? Playing against its blood rival in Coventry in Round 1 will tell us.

14. Moses Brown (5-2, Division III-B)

It wasn’t easy, but the Quakers are almost where they were at the start of the season. Last week’s comeback win over Pilgrim took a lot of guts, but now MB is faced with a Super Bowl rematch it was hoping to have in the actual Super Bowl — at Middletown for the quarterfinals.

13. South Kingstown (4-2, Division II-B)

Last week didn’t go great against Westerly, but the Rebels are still a team that’s going to be a tough out in the postseason. A good run game and defense can still carry a team deep and SK hopes it will this week against a similarly minded St. Raphael squad.

12. Lincoln (6-1, Division III-A)

The Lions might not be the top seed, but their road to the Super Bowl is significantly easier than the one Middletown is facing. Lincoln’s going to need its run game to continue to do what it’s done this season but play tougher on defense against a big, tough Ponaganset team this week.

11. Mount Pleasant (3-3, Division II-A)

This team is the wild card in D-II. Nobody in the division has its athleticism and with the Kilties being a big play away from a score on every snap, it makes them a viable threat, regardless of seed. Barrington should be careful.

10. Middletown (6-1, Division III-A)

Usually earning the top seed means a matchup against an opponent you can handle in the quarterfinals. Instead, the Islanders get to play Moses Brown, maybe the best team in D-III that isn’t them. This Super Bowl rematch should be the best game of the weekend.

Will Logan Gelinas and Burrillville be the surprise of the 2023 postseason?
Will Logan Gelinas and Burrillville be the surprise of the 2023 postseason?

9. Burrillville (4-2, Division II-A)

There isn’t a team in D-II more ready for the playoffs. The Broncos have been battle-tested every week and, for the most part, passed with flying colors. Will that have them ready for the playoffs? Or has it worn them down?

8. Westerly (5-1, Division II-B)

Having an All-State caliber quarterback is a great equalizer and the Bulldogs are certainly taking advantage of it. Defensively, they’ve stepped up their game and are ready to play their best football at the right time.

7. St. Raphael (4-2 Division II-A)

The defending D-II champs aren’t quite ready to give up the crown. The Saints are letting their defense do the work and they couldn’t have asked for a more ideal matchup to start the postseason against SK. Can defense win a title again? We’ll find out soon.

6. Central (0-3, Division I)

Another week, another league loss for the Knights — although if replay review was available last week vs. NK, it may have been a win. Still, with everything Central does right, don’t be surprised if it creates havoc in the postseason.

5. Barrington (6-0, Division II-B)

The Eagles continue to fly on offense, but if Barrington manages to get to the Super Bowl, the defense will be why. The Eagles will be tested this week against Mount Pleasant and if they can win, they should start making Super Bowl plans.

4. North Kingstown (1-2, Division I)

Did last week’s victory over Central give the Skippers the confidence needed for the postseason? Can NK translate that into an upset victory over La Salle? We know the Skippers will give it their best shot.

Will the Skippers upset La Salle and find themselves in the state championship game?
Will the Skippers upset La Salle and find themselves in the state championship game?

3. Cumberland (6-0, Division II-A)

There won’t be any sudden shortage of momentum. These Clippers came up with a win they didn’t need last week against Mount Pleasant and now set their eyes on the Super Bowl. Their side of the bracket is tougher, so the first goal can only be the first game against Portsmouth.

2. La Salle (2-1, Division I)

The Rams are ready to defend their title. Coach Geoff Marcone isn’t going to let his team think about Hendricken yet because last year La Salle was doing just that and nearly didn't get by North Kingstown. Expect nothing but focus when they take the field next week.

Are we in line for another Hendricken and La Salle Super Bowl? According to Eric Rueb's final power rankings of the season, that's what it looks like — but who's No. 1?
Are we in line for another Hendricken and La Salle Super Bowl? According to Eric Rueb's final power rankings of the season, that's what it looks like — but who's No. 1?

1. Hendricken (3-0, Division I)

The Hawks have been my No. 1 team all season and with good reason — they’re a team that should win the Super Bowl. Expect their next two games to look like your typical Keith Croft championship team, winning with a heavy dose of the run game and a ton of defense.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Eric Rueb ranks Rhode Island's 20 best high school football teams in Week 8