Powerade Fab 50 Rankings

High School is different than the club rankings. The age group moves along over time, and the makeup of a team generally stayed the same. At least when the N+1 rule was still in place. The season was longer. There were many more games to work from.

The Varsity team of a High School changes radically from year to year, so past history doesn't really account for future performance. Though on rare occasion, there is some overlap year over year. One or 2 key players can come in as freshman, and make a difference for the full 4 years.

The big problem with rankings, especially early in the year, is the strength of schedule. How to determine it. Unlike club, where I could define multipliers, DI = 8, D2 = 4, D3 = 2, and Plano/Arlington = 1, High School doesn't lend itself to the same type of multipliers. Is 5A always better than 4A? Is 4A better than Private? Take Ursuline. Marcus beat them 2-0, and Plano West beat them 1-0. And thats it. They won everything else.

I'm having a hard time trying to come up with a math formula that considers all of the variability within each division. Then you have the district. Is 3-5A lower than 18-5A. Is 7-5A better than 8-5A? With the top 3 in 7-5A avg 21.67 in rank by record, and the top 3 in 8-5A avg 15.3 in rank by record. Lower is better by the way :-)

I'm guessing that there are some 4A districts that can beat the pants off some of the 5A districts. Likely, the schools in 4A that will be moving up to 5A, v. the 5As that are moving down to 4A. But, even that doesn't tell the story...

So, for now, until I can come up with something else, I'm sticking with record. You'll note that I added the ability to seperate the divisions out so that a strictly division comparison can also be made. You choose your poison.

Looking at just the 5A rankings, I'm pretty sure that the top 20 are pretty good. A few can be shuffled around a bit, but it's pretty decent I think. I think we'll see a few others pop up in the top 20, as they get more recorded games in the system.

We'll see who's better when the end is near..... Maybe.

Personally, I prefer the district standings when it comes to ranking teams within a district ... since those were the actual game results against the same opponents over the past 4 weeks ... I guess to each his own (literally).

Kenshi Dave wrote:Personally, I prefer the district standings when it comes to ranking teams within a district ... since those were the actual game results against the same opponents over the past 4 weeks ... I guess to each his own (literally).

Of course you would... Mr. Plano West

I prefer any poll that has Carroll at or near the top.

How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Kenshi Dave wrote:How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Good but I think Plano West is ranked a little high.

Obviously

Kenshi Dave wrote:How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Probly going to have to adjust that poll, as the Ridge just ended that Lady Dragon home winning streak...

Great game....hard fought contest!!

Region 1 playoffs are going to be very interesting in the DFW area after what should be a spirited 2nd round through each district... There seem to be a LOT of good teams right now that could beat each other on any given day. Very good groups of 10+ teams vying for the 8 playoff spots in divisions 7 & 8-5A and the chance to face each other in the first round.
Solid play as well from Mansfield & Midlothian in 5-5A; Grapevine & Euless Trinity (and others) in 6-5A, and Arlington-Martin & Fort Worth Paschal in 4-5A.

Anyone willing to step out on a limb and make any predictions? Despite recent results, I would still have a very hard time picking against either Carroll, Plano West or Marcus to be the eventual region 1 rep.

1st 2theball wrote:

Kenshi Dave wrote:How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Probly going to have to adjust that poll, as the Ridge just ended that Lady Dragon home winning streak...

Great game....hard fought contest!!

Nice game by Ridge. They alway play the Dragons hard and seem to match up well. The Ridge goalie made some great stops. Do they ever check the gloves for stickum? She seemed to catch some of those balls on the back half of the ball. A very good game for her and the Dragon goalies as well as Ridge put on good pressure.

Did the TX Red 95 product get hurt? If so, I hope for a speedy recovery.

Now Ridge is in the driver's seat. Let see if they can keep up the pace. Since this is only the first game of the 2nd round there is still alot of soccer to be played.

One thing that Ridge did that I thought was very weak was all the flopping going on. I can understand emphasizing a hard tackle by going down and trying to get a call but there were several times where the player just fell to the ground with very little, to no contact and the ball not even near them. I wonder if a ref would have the gonads to give a card for a flop but I could see them not give them a call or two when it might otherwise warrant one.

I have been talking about how Ridge has not been getting enough credit and this should help them in the rankings. They played us tough the first game and already beat Coppell so I think it is safe to say they are a pretty good team.

Ferris wrote:Region 1 playoffs are going to be very interesting in the DFW area after what should be a spirited 2nd round through each district... There seem to be a LOT of good teams right now that could beat each other on any given day. Very good groups of 10+ teams vying for the 8 playoff spots in divisions 7 & 8-5A and the chance to face each other in the first round.
Solid play as well from Mansfield & Midlothian in 5-5A; Grapevine & Euless Trinity (and others) in 6-5A, and Arlington-Martin & Fort Worth Paschal in 4-5A.

Anyone willing to step out on a limb and make any predictions? Despite recent results, I would still have a very hard time picking against either Carroll, Plano West or Marcus to be the eventual region 1 rep.

Don't overlook Grapevine. Well coached, with quality players. Recent history doesn't favor SL, Marcus, or Plano West.

u95g dad wrote:

1st 2theball wrote:

Kenshi Dave wrote:How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Probly going to have to adjust that poll, as the Ridge just ended that Lady Dragon home winning streak...

Great game....hard fought contest!!

Nice game by Ridge. They alway play the Dragons hard and seem to match up well. The Ridge goalie made some great stops. Do they ever check the gloves for stickum? She seemed to catch some of those balls on the back half of the ball. A very good game for her and the Dragon goalies as well as Ridge put on good pressure.

Did the TX Red 95 product get hurt? If so, I hope for a speedy recovery.

Now Ridge is in the driver's seat. Let see if they can keep up the pace. Since this is only the first game of the 2nd round there is still alot of soccer to be played.

One thing that Ridge did that I thought was very weak was all the flopping going on. I can understand emphasizing a hard tackle by going down and trying to get a call but there were several times where the player just fell to the ground with very little, to no contact and the ball not even near them. I wonder if a ref would have the gonads to give a card for a flop but I could see them not give them a call or two when it might otherwise warrant one.

I have been talking about how Ridge has not been getting enough credit and this should help them in the rankings. They played us tough the first game and already beat Coppell so I think it is safe to say they are a pretty good team.

Indeed, great effort from both sides....both goalies definitely made some outstanding stops

Tex Red 95 player should be fine..

After Tuesday's games, Ridge should truly control their own destiny but there's ALOT of soccer left to be played and most teams in 7-5A, usually are finding their stride by this 2nd leg of the season..

As for the flops, I understand that everyone sees things differently depending on which side of the stadium their sitting on....I saw flops from both sides...unfortunately, I believe most good HS teams employ it as a tactic because that one call could help decide the game....From my perspective, I saw where players going for balls in the air were constantly having their legs taken out from under them...some of those calls were made and some weren't....luckily, both sides escaped without major injuries.

This was a major win for the Ridge and should carry some weight for them in the rankings.

1st 2theball wrote:

u95g dad wrote:

1st 2theball wrote:

Kenshi Dave wrote:How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Probly going to have to adjust that poll, as the Ridge just ended that Lady Dragon home winning streak...

Great game....hard fought contest!!

Nice game by Ridge. They alway play the Dragons hard and seem to match up well. The Ridge goalie made some great stops. Do they ever check the gloves for stickum? She seemed to catch some of those balls on the back half of the ball. A very good game for her and the Dragon goalies as well as Ridge put on good pressure.

Did the TX Red 95 product get hurt? If so, I hope for a speedy recovery.

Now Ridge is in the driver's seat. Let see if they can keep up the pace. Since this is only the first game of the 2nd round there is still alot of soccer to be played.

One thing that Ridge did that I thought was very weak was all the flopping going on. I can understand emphasizing a hard tackle by going down and trying to get a call but there were several times where the player just fell to the ground with very little, to no contact and the ball not even near them. I wonder if a ref would have the gonads to give a card for a flop but I could see them not give them a call or two when it might otherwise warrant one.

I have been talking about how Ridge has not been getting enough credit and this should help them in the rankings. They played us tough the first game and already beat Coppell so I think it is safe to say they are a pretty good team.

Indeed, great effort from both sides....both goalies definitely made some outstanding stops

Tex Red 95 player should be fine..

After Tuesday's games, Ridge should truly control their own destiny but there's ALOT of soccer left to be played and most teams in 7-5A, usually are finding their stride by this 2nd leg of the season..

As for the flops, I understand that everyone sees things differently depending on which side of the stadium their sitting on....I saw flops from both sides...unfortunately, I believe most good HS teams employ it as a tactic because that one call could help decide the game....From my perspective, I saw where players going for balls in the air were constantly having their legs taken out from under them...some of those calls were made and some weren't....luckily, both sides escaped without major injuries.

This was a major win for the Ridge and should carry some weight for them in the rankings.

You play to your strengths. SL has some dynamic front runners who can take defenders on. When they get in the box and get fouled, if they don't think they can fight through it, they'll flop.
Ridge has a couple of girls who can really boot the ball with accuracy, so they'll flop in the middle of the field, where refs are more likely to call it, then put a shot in from 50 yards away.

Kenshi Dave wrote:How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Guess our new #1 is N Texas United. Congrats!

socrocks wrote:

Kenshi Dave wrote:How's This?

#1 SL Carroll
#2 North Texas United
#3 Flower Mound
#4 Marcus
#5 Lewisville
#6 Ursln
#7 McBoyd
#8 Hebron
#9 Coppell
#10 Plano West

Guess our new #1 is N Texas United. Congrats!

Here is the update for March 5th...

1. Plano West (13-1-3), 2. McKinney Boyd (14-1-2), 3. Marcus (17-2-1), 4. Mansfield (13-1-4), 5. Coppell (15-2-3), 6. Southlake Carroll (19-2-0), 7. Ursuline Academy (22-2-0*), 8. Klein Oak (16-0-1), 9. Kingwood (15-2-2), 10. Grapevine (15-2-3), 11. Westlake (12-3-4), 12. Cy-Fair (13-1-2), 13. Rowlett (12-1-3), 14. Fort Worth Country Day (16-1-1*), 15. Flower Mound (13-2-2), 16. Wakeland (16-0-2), 17. Fort Bend Austin (14-0-3), 18. Fossil Ridge (9-3-1), 19. St. Agnes (22-2-2*), 20. Denton Ryan (15-1-0)

I still honestly don't get how this makes sense...I think Carroll was unduly punished for their loss to Fossil Ridge, while Fossil Ridge didn't get much credit. Plano West, Boyd, Marcus, Coppell and Carroll are the top 5 teams in the state imo (although I believe Boyd & Coppell aren't as strong as their ranking suggests and I think top 1-2 teams in Houston area could legitimately be considered for top 5).

Beyond that, I don't understand how Mansfield is in the top 10, much less the fact that they moved up a spot to #4 with a tie against Mansfield Timberview. Similarly, Kingwood and Grapevine remain at #9 & #10 also after tying weaker in-district opponents. Meanwhile Flower Mound remains at #15 after tying #1 Plano West and #3 Marcus in consecutive weeks. Go figure...

Go Marcus!

Ferris wrote:Here is the update for March 5th...

1. Plano West (13-1-3), 2. McKinney Boyd (14-1-2), 3. Marcus (17-2-1), 4. Mansfield (13-1-4), 5. Coppell (15-2-3), 6. Southlake Carroll (19-2-0), 7. Ursuline Academy (22-2-0*), 8. Klein Oak (16-0-1), 9. Kingwood (15-2-2), 10. Grapevine (15-2-3), 11. Westlake (12-3-4), 12. Cy-Fair (13-1-2), 13. Rowlett (12-1-3), 14. Fort Worth Country Day (16-1-1*), 15. Flower Mound (13-2-2), 16. Wakeland (16-0-2), 17. Fort Bend Austin (14-0-3), 18. Fossil Ridge (9-3-1), 19. St. Agnes (22-2-2*), 20. Denton Ryan (15-1-0)

I still honestly don't get how this makes sense...I think Carroll was unduly punished for their loss to Fossil Ridge, while Fossil Ridge didn't get much credit. Plano West, Boyd, Marcus, Coppell and Carroll are the top 5 teams in the state imo (although I believe Boyd & Coppell aren't as strong as their ranking suggests and I think top 1-2 teams in Houston area could legitimately be considered for top 5).

Beyond that, I don't understand how Mansfield is in the top 10, much less the fact that they moved up a spot to #4 with a tie against Mansfield Timberview. Similarly, Kingwood and Grapevine remain at #9 & #10 also after tying weaker in-district opponents. Meanwhile Flower Mound remains at #15 after tying #1 Plano West and #3 Marcus in consecutive weeks. Go figure...

Must be the new math.

13-1-3 > 14-1-2

It looks like there are some good games scheduled for this week in 7-5a and 8-5a.

Coppell is looking to avenge their one district loss against Fossil Ridge in a battle of the current leaders of 7-5a. It looks like this game is scheduled for Wed.

In 8-5a, Marcus and Plano West meet for the second time tonight with Plano West getting the win the first go round. Will Plano West be able to ovecome the curse of being ranked #1 in Texas and then losing?

I think the games are not sceduled on Tues this week because of TAKS tests on Wed?

The Coppell-Ridge game is actually on for tonight!!

u95g dad wrote:It looks like there are some good games scheduled for this week in 7-5a and 8-5a.

Coppell is looking to avenge their one district loss against Fossil Ridge in a battle of the current leaders of 7-5a. It looks like this game is scheduled for Wed.

In 8-5a, Marcus and Plano West meet for the second time tonight with Plano West getting the win the first go round. Will Plano West be able to ovecome the curse of being ranked #1 in Texas and then losing?

I think the games are not sceduled on Tues this week because of TAKS tests on Wed?

Yup TAKS made em do it, no games on a pre Taks night, ever and I mean EVER! No homework either!! LOL

u95g dad wrote:It looks like there are some good games scheduled for this week in 7-5a and 8-5a.

Coppell is looking to avenge their one district loss against Fossil Ridge in a battle of the current leaders of 7-5a

No avenging tonite as Ridge takes down Coppell in a brutal contest 2-1....by far one of the most physical games I've ever seen.....reffing was completely onesided but Ridge manages to beat Coppell & the center ref to seize control of 1st place in 7-5a

1st 2theball wrote:

u95g dad wrote:It looks like there are some good games scheduled for this week in 7-5a and 8-5a.

Coppell is looking to avenge their one district loss against Fossil Ridge in a battle of the current leaders of 7-5a

No avenging tonite as Ridge takes down Coppell in a brutal contest 2-1....by far one of the most physical games I've ever seen.....reffing was completely onesided but Ridge manages to beat Coppell & the center ref to seize control of 1st place in 7-5a

GREAT JOB LADIES !!!

Boyd beats Naaman Forest 5-1.

locomotion wrote:

Kenshi Dave wrote:Personally, I prefer the district standings when it comes to ranking teams within a district ... since those were the actual game results against the same opponents over the past 4 weeks ... I guess to each his own (literally).

Of course you would... Mr. Plano West

I like the district standings also. I don't expect them to last though. Plano West and Hebron have two district top 4 teams left to play. Hebron has Plano West and Marcus, and Plano West has Hebron and Flower Mound. Flower Mound has one, and Marcus has one. Allen could be the spoiler here, but I like the chances of the Flower Mound teams.

ESPN State Rankings
Texas: 1. McKinney Boyd (16-1-2), 2. Marcus (19-2-1), 3. Mansfield (15-1-4), 4. Plano West (13-2-4), 5. Ursuline Academy (22-2-0*), 6. Klein Oak (18-0-1), 7. Fossil Ridge (12-4-1), 8. Coppell (15-3-4), 9. Southlake Carroll (20-2-1), 10. Rowlett (15-1-3), 11. Kingwood (18-2-2), 12. Grapevine (17-2-3), 13. Westlake (14-3-4), 14. Cy-Fair (14-1-2), 15. Flower Mound (15-2-2), 16. Fort Worth Country Day (16-1-1*), 17. Wakeland (17-0-2), 18. St. Agnes (22-2-2*), 19. Denton Ryan (17-1-0), 20. Fort Bend Clements (13-1-2).

Fossil Ridge finally getting some love. I think SLC is too low but that is ok. Flower Mound also is still not getting much love.

I also see that ESPN has already crowned the CA #1 team Aliso Niguel #1 in the country. I guess it does not matter what Texas does.

"Top-ranked Los Osos carries a 25-0-3 ranking into this meeting while No. 2 Aliso Niguel is 22-1-4, having avenged its lone defeat in the Southern Section final. The winner of this showdown will bring the POWERADE FAB 50 No. 1 ranking back to California for the first time since 2008 when Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) was the last of four straight California champs"