If the high school football playoffs were to begin this weekend, Bridgeport would have at least one home game in an effort to defend its Class AA state championship. However, the playoffs don’t start this weekend.

 

What has started – and it started today – was the official release of the WVSSAC state football power rankings. The rankings are based on a point system that utilizes points based on beating a team in certain classifications, and bonus points when teams you have beaten get wins over a team in their classification or above.

 

In week one of the WVSSAC power rakings, the Indians come in at the number seven position. The 2-1 Tribe could enhance their position if they can find a way to beat number 10 Robert C. Byrd, also 2-1, in a showdown at Wayne Jamison Field.

 

The best case scenario for any team is to finish in the number one or number two position, which guarantees home field advantage as long as the team continues to win in the postseason. Last year, Bridgeport lost its second game to Wheeling Park and then continually climbed up the rankings before finishing in the number two position last year.

 

Bluefield is ranked at the top of the Class AA poll. The rest of the top five includes Scott at number two, Mingo Central and Westside tied at number three and Frankfort and Ravenswood tied at number five.

 

Several other teams from the area are also ranked. They include Grafton (3-0) at the number eight spot and Fairmont Senior tied with RCB at number 10. Keyser, a future BHS foe, is at No. 12, while Liberty Harrison is 2-1 and ranked number 15.

 

Wheeling Park, the team to defeat BHS in week two, is ranked sixth in Class AAA. Lewis County, the team Bridgeport beat this past Friday, is ranked in the thirteenth spot in Class AAA.

 

Click HERE for the complete rankings from the WVSSAC. Scroll down the page for the icon with rankings and you can choose the classification that would like to see.

 

Click HERE to see this week's winner, and the overall standings in the Blue Dot Playoff Payoff football pick'em contest. You can win weekely and grand prizes.

 

Ediitor's Note: Photo by Tyler Maxwell of www.benqueenphotography.com.