What Tennessee high school football AP poll got right, wrong: Why is Riverdale dropping after wins?
The Associated Press statewide Tennessee high school football poll was released Monday.
Here’s a look at what the poll got right and what it got wrong. Votes are compiled from 19 Tennessee AP-member sportswriters and broadcasters.
Note: I am not one of the AP voters this season.
What it got wrong
Riverdale keeps winning … and dropping
Last week, Riverdale fell two spots from Class 6A No. 7 into a tie for ninth, after defeating Rockvale 41-6. Riverdale dropped another spot this week to No. 10 after a convincing 49-0 win over Coffee County.
What are the Warriors (4-2) doing wrong? They have won by mercy rule back-to-back weeks.
Why is Friendship Christian getting first-place votes?
Previously No. 1 Friendship Christian shouldn’t be getting first-place votes this week — it received three — after losing 16-14 against Middle Tennessee Christian. The Commanders are good and will factor into the Division II-A championship race, but they can’t possibly be the top team in the division this week.
A couple other critiques
In Division II-AAA, Ensworth (4-2) has lost two games in a row, including one to Lipscomb Academy, and at No. 4 remains ranked one spot above No. 5 Lipscomb (2-3). I wrote about the discrepancy last week too. The Mustangs had an open date in Week 6, but it’s hard to justify how they’re still ranked below Ensworth due to their head-to-head game.
In Class 2A last week, Huntingdon knocked off No. 1 Milan 32-14. Huntingdon rose two spots to No. 5 but is still one spot behind No. 4 Milan. That’s no way to treat a team that just knocked off No. 1.
In Class 1A, previously No. 3 East Robertson fell to No. 8 after a 14-7 loss to Smith County, but somehow still received two first-place votes. There’s no shame in that loss but No. 1 votes aren’t warranted this week after losing to a team in the same classification.
What the poll got right
Ravenwood knocking at the door
Voters effectively see Ravenwood (5-1, 2-0 Region 6-6A) as the first team not in the Class 6A top 10 receiving votes. That’s probably the perfect spot for coach Will Hester’s team right now.
The Raptors’ schedule hasn’t been overly aggressive since the season opener against Alcoa, but they’ve found ways to win and could be 7-1 going into the Oct. 20 non-region game against Oakland.
More: How Mississippi State QB Chris Parson's tips helping new Ravenwood starter Femi Babalola
Walker Valley enters the rankings
Voters recognized the Mustangs’ strong resume and voted them No. 9 in Class 5A. Walker Valley is 5-1 — including a good win over Class 6A No. 8 Cleveland — and is off to a 2-0 start in Region 4-5A.
MTCS to No. 1
Voters leapfrogged Middle Tennessee Christian School to No. 1 in Division II-A — passing over unbeaten Jackson Christian — after a 16-14 victory over previous No. 1 Friendship Christian.
MTCS (6-0) and Jackson Christian (6-0) both have claims to the No. 1 spot.
But a win over the top-ranked team and defending state champion should carry a little extra weight. The Cougars also slowed down Tyson Wolcott, who very well could be this year’s Mr. Football.
Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee prep football AP poll: Why drop Riverdale after wins?
