Jaivian Thomas from medium schools state-ranked McClymonds of Oakland (right) looks for yards during game vs. Menlo-Atherton. At left, Logan Anderson of small schools state-ranked Escalon does the same last week vs. Ripon. Photos: Willie Eashman / Cal-Hi Sports & Samantha Schmidt / FrontRowPreps.com.
Warren of Downey & St. Genevieve of Panorama City still sit on the top in this second look at state’s best for what would be termed medium and small school level programs. Newcomers who are now ranked after being on the bubble for the first run-through of these teams include Yorba Linda and Foothill of Tustin plus Hilmar, St. Pius X-St. Matthias of Downey and University Prep of Redding.
Note: This is a post for Gold Club members only on CalHiSports.com. The first post of these medium & small school state rankings was free and can be seen HERE. After the preseason, all weekly and final state rankings are available only to our Gold Club members as well as our state stat star of the week honor rolls. To check out getting a Gold Club membership to see all of these rankings, CLICK HERE.
WHY WE DO THESE RANKINGS:
It’s just too easy to forget about a lot of these teams (especially small schools) as they are placed in competitive equity playoffs with computer rankings as the only method many CIF sections are utilizing for seeding teams. These are teams we’ve followed for 20, 30 or 40 years or longer and now many of them have to face much larger schools that are third or fourth place in their leagues. Competitive equity has its benefits, too. This is just a way to put a continuing spotlight on schools that used to have an easier path at winning section and therefore state titles.
We also annually produce all-state teams for medium and small schools and by looking at teams in this fashion during the season it’s much easier to pick their players later on.
Note: Rankings after games played Saturday, Oct. 23. Previous rankings in parentheses.
