SOCCER ELITE EIGHT: Lexington moves into No. 1 spot

The weather was clear for the most part this past week, but some teams were on Spring Break. That limited the number of games played across West Tennessee.

Two weeks into the season, there are no clear cut favorites in the area as many of the teams are beating each other and scores are leaving coaches shaking their heads.

Some of that is youth and inexperience on many of the top teams, and if that is the case, those teams will get better as the season progresses.

So here are the new rankings:

1Lexington (14 A-AA) (5-0-1) – The Tigers beat Scotts Hill in their only win during the past week. Lexington is off to an undefeated start, including two wins and a tie in the Smoky Mountain Cup. A true test will be next Thursday on the road at USJ. Last week: No. 2.

2Sacred Heart (D2-A) (1-2) – The Knights took two losses to quality teams from Memphis in the past week – St. Benedict and St. George’s. The loss to St. George’s move Sacred Heart to 1-1 in district play. Last week: No. 3.

3USJ (D2-A) (1-1) – The Bruins responded from a loss to open the season with a big win over Trinity Christian Academy. USJ moved the ball better and attacked better on the offensive third of the field. Last week: No. 5.

4Crockett County (13 A-AA) (2-0) – The Cavaliers finally got their season started and picked up two District 13 A-AA wins on the week. Crockett County beat Obion County and McKenzie by 4-1 scorelines. Last week: No. 6.

5Madison (15 A-AA) (2-4) – The Mustangs fell to Dyersburg 2-1 in their only game this past week to drop them well below a .500 record. Madison does have wins over South Gibson and North Side. Last week: No. 1.

6TCA (15 A-AA) (3-1) – The Lions are now 3-1 with all four games being played in the last week. TCA beat JCM, Covington and Ripley with the loss coming against perennial powerhouse USJ. Last week: Not ranked.

7JCM (15 A-AA) (3-1) – The Cougars split a pair of games against teams in the West Division of District 15 A-AA. JCM fell to TCA, but the Cougars responded with a 5-0 win over Covington to continue a hot start. Last week: No. 4.

8Trenton Peabody (14 A-AA) (2-1) – The Golden Tide have won two matches in a row with a 1-0 win over Haywood and 6-1 win over Liberty. Games will get tougher for Peabody, but the team is playing with confidence in the early season. Last week: Not ranked.

Dropped out: Haywood (1-2-1); North Side (2-3-1)

Teams eligible for the Dirty Dozen rankings are those who represent schools from The Jackson Sun’s 13-county circulation area: Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Crockett, Weakley, Carroll, Benton, Decatur, McNairy and Hardin. Records are as of Wednesday.

Michael Odom, 425-9754