DIRTY DOZEN: Crockett No. 1, everybody else changes

If the Dirty Dozen rankings were the ocean, the water would appear peaceful on top as Crockett County has been a steady top team for over a month now.

That usually happens when a team wins its first eight games.

But under that peaceful surface is a lot of activity. While the teams ranked in this week’s Dirty Dozen are mostly the same group of teams as last week’s ranking (with one exception), the Cavaliers are the only team who is in the same spot it was in last week.

Three teams who were ranked last week lost this week, and that always causes plenty of shifts.

North Side dropped four spots to No. 6, Huntingdon dropped five spots to No. 12 and Camden – who was ranked No. 10 – took its second loss and is now the top team in the “receiving votes” category.

There is plenty of opportunity for more shuffling next week. There are two Dirty Dozen matchups as No. 11 Milan travels to No. 12 Huntingdon and No. 9 McKenzie travels to No. 5 Westview.

But a handful of other top teams – Trinity Christian, Liberty and Peabody – play tough teams not in the Sun’s coverage area. A few other teams like Crockett County, North Side and Chester County play dangerous competition before ending the regular season in district play the following week.

1Crockett Co. (10) (8-0): The Cavaliers have done what they needed to do so far. Total voters’ points: 142. Last week’s ranking: 1. This week’s result: Beat South Gibson 50-14. Next week: At Lexington.

2TCA (2) (7-1): The Lions’ offense was unstoppable again this week. Total voters’ points: 128. Last week’s ranking: 3. This week’s result: Won at Middleton 55-14. Next week: Host ECS.

3Liberty (6-2): The Crusaders’ win this week fit in with the rest of their dominant 4A victories. Total voters’ points: 121. Last week’s ranking: 4. This week’s result: Won at No. 6 North Side 42-19. Next week: At Millington.

4Adamsville (8-1): The Cardinals continue to win and be among the area’s best. Total voters’ points: 104. Last week’s ranking: 5. This week’s result: Won at Scotts Hill 42-14. Next week: Bye week.

5Westview (7-1): The Chargers still have a shot at a district title. Total voters’ points: 87. Last week’s ranking: 6. This week’s result: Beat Obion Co. 60-22. Next week: Host No. 9 McKenzie.

6North Side (7-1): The Indians took their first loss this week. Total voters’ points: 83. Last week’s ranking: 2. This week’s result: Lost to No. 3 Liberty 42-19. Next week: At South Gibson.

7Peabody (7-1): The Golden Tide possibly have their biggest game of the regular season next week. Total voters’ points: 74. Last week’s ranking: 8. This week’s result: Beat Halls 56-7. Next week: At Union City.

8Chester Co. (7-1): The Eagles got possibly their biggest win ever this week. Total voters’ points: 73. Last week’s ranking: 9. This week’s result: Beat Lexington 13-3. Next week: At USJ.

9McKenzie (6-2): The Rebels’ offense proved itself to be worthy of respect by opposing defenses. Total voters’ points: 38. Last week’s ranking: 11. This week’s result: Beat No. 12 Huntingdon 34-13. Next week: At No. 5 Westview.

10Hardin Co. (5-3): The Tigers are one of the more impressive offensive teams around here. Total voters’ points: 23. Last week’s ranking: 12. This week’s result: Beat Dyer Co. 42-17. Next week: Host Bolivar.

11Milan (5-3): The Bulldogs’ defense keeps Milan in games until the offense makes the plays it needs to. Total voters’ points: 22. Last week’s ranking: RV. This week’s result: Beat Dyersburg 28-21. Next week: At No. 12 Huntingdon.

12Huntingdon (5-3): The Mustangs’ losses are to teams with three combined losses. Total voters’ points: 18. Last week’s ranking: 7. This week’s result: Lost at No. 9 McKenzie 34-13. Next week: Host No. 11 Milan.

Also receiving votes: Camden (6-2); Riverside (5-3); Dresden (5-4).

A group of 12 panelists vote each week in the Dirty Dozen, and teams from the Sun’s 13-county circulation area are eligible for the rankings. Those counties are Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Crockett, Weakley, Carroll, Benton, Riverside, McNairy and Hardin. Numbers in parentheses next to a team’s name indicates number of first-place votes received. RV with a team’s last week’s ranking indicates the team received votes last week but wasn’t among the top 12.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751