High school football: Top 10 rankings ahead of Stepinac-Iona Prep clash

Arlington, Somers and Pleasantville have all kinds of momentum. Stepinac, Carmel and Yorktown have all kinds of potential.

It's been difficult for challengers to interrupt the status quo.

There are two head-to-head contests this week between ranked opponents that could shuffle the list: Stepinac is heading to Iona Prep and Mamaroneck is visiting Carmel. There are also two others that could spark debate: North Rockland will visit John Jay-East Fishkill and Pleasantville will cross the bridge to face Nanuet.

Last week: See the names and numbers of note from Week 4

The top 10

10. Mamaroneck (3-1)

A three-game winning streak is on the line this week when the Tigers take on the best defense they've seen all season.

Last week: 10

Up next: at Carmel on Saturday

9. Rye (3-2)

The offense is getting by, mixing and matching while dealing with injury issues. The defense is getting it done, holding opponents to a mere 9.2 points per game.

Last week: 9

Up next: at Byram Hills on Friday

8. John Jay-East Fishkill (4-1)

After piling up 400-plus yards against the Yonkers Force, the focus shifts to shutting down a North Rockland team with big-play capabilities.

Last week: 8

Up next: North Rockland on Friday

7. Pleasantville (4-0)

This group's ability to quickly stifle the optimism of upset-minded opponents continues to pay off. Another impressive start is critical this week.

Last week: 7

Up next: at Nanuet on Saturday

6. Yorktown (5-0)

Kaden Gonzalez is enjoying a breakout season and is especially clutch in the red zone. The junior quarterback threw four more TD passes in a win over Greeley.

Last week: 6

Up next: Fox Lane on Friday

5. Iona Prep (3-2)

Joey Gaston is a dual threat in progress. The junior quarterback has already surpassed 1,200 total yards and is averaging 10.6 yards per completion and six yards per carry.

Last week: 5

Up next: Stepinac on Saturday

4. Carmel (3-1)

Matthew Risley is having a profound impact on the defense since returning from an injury. The Rams have surrendered just two touchdowns in the last two weeks.

Last week: 4

Up next: Mamaroneck on Saturday

3. Stepinac (3-2)

A loss to Cardinal Hayes came with plenty of lessons to go around. The Crusaders have to play better defense from the start and finish with better offensive efficiency.

Last week: 2

Up next: at Iona Prep on Friday

2. Somers (4-1)

How good is the defense over the course of their four-game winning streak? The Tuskers are swarming to the ball and are only giving up 6.8 points a game.

Last week: 3

Up next: Brewster on Friday

1. Arlington (5-0)

The schedule is not proving to be very demanding, but it's possible that no AA team in Section 1 is built to challenge the Admirals this season.

Last week: 1

Up next: New Rochelle on Friday

ON THE BUBBLE: Ardsley (4-0); Eastchester (4-1); Haldane (4-0); Harrison (3-2); North Rockland (4-1); Suffern (3-1); Westlake (3-0).

Section 1 class-by-class

Class AA: 1. Arlington; 2. Carmel: 3. John Jay-East Fishkill; 4. Mamaroneck; 5. North Rockland; 6. Suffern; 7. New Rochelle; 8. Scarsdale.

Class A: 1. Somers; 2. Yorktown; 3. Eastchester; 4. Mahopac; 5. Harrison; 6. Clarkstown South; 7. John Jay-Cross River; 8. Brewster.

Class B: 1. Pleasantville; 2. Rye; 3. Ardsley; 4. Nanuet; 5. Pearl River; 6. Lakeland; 7. Byram Hills; 8. Nyack.

Class C/D: 1. Westlake; 2. Valhalla; 3. Haldane; 4. Tuckahoe.

NYCHSFL

AAA: 1. St. Anthony's; 2. Cardinal Hayes; 3. Stepinac; 4. Iona Prep; 5. Monsignor Farrell; 6. Kellenberg; 7. Chaminade; 8 Holy Trinity.

Mike Dougherty covers high school football for The Journal News and lohud.com. Follow along on X/Twitter @hoopsmbd.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud football Top 10 rankings heading into Week 5