SPORTS

DIRTY DOZEN: After Week 8

Brandon Shields
bjshields@jacksonsun.com

The teams listed in this week’s Dirty Dozen ranking are the same group of teams that were in last week’s list.

There was just some shuffling that happened this time around, but that will happen when a pair of unbeaten teams take their first losses of the season.

Hardin County had been pressing for the top spot in the ranking in recent weeks, and South Gibson had been climbing the ladder. Both teams took understandable tumbles after losing.

Chester County also tumbled after its loss.

Liberty and Dresden are now the top two teams, and neither of them played this week.

Liberty nearly returned to being a unanimous No. 1 this week, but one of the voters on the panel thought Huntingdon is a little better than the Crusaders.

There are a pair of ties this week as Hardin County and Adamsville are both No. 4, and North Side and Peabody are both listed as No. 7.

There will be a pair of Dirty Dozen matchups next week as No. 1 Liberty hosts No. 10 South Gibson and No. 12 Chester County will host No. 4 Hardin County.

1Liberty (9) (7-0): The Crusaders had a week off before hitting the home stretch of the regular season. Total voters’ points: 119. Last week’s ranking: 1. This week’s result: Bye week. Next week: Host No. 10 South Gibson.

2Dresden (7-0): The Lions had two weeks to get ready to compete for the region championship. Total voters’ points: 106. Last week’s ranking: 3. This week’s result: Bye week. Next week: At Union City.

3Huntingdon (1) (7-0): The Mustangs haven’t had many close games yet. Total voters’ points: 105. Last week’s ranking: 4. This week’s result: Won at McEwen 55-0. Next week: At Wayne Co.

4Adamsville (6-1): The Cardinals look to be hitting their stride as the postseason approaches. Total voters’ points: 75. Last week’s ranking: 6. This week’s result: Beat Gibson Co. 63-0. Next week: At Halls.

4Hardin Co. (6-1): This week the Tigers will find out about themselves how they will respond to adversity. Total voters’ points: 75. Last week’s ranking: 2. This week’s result: Lost to No. 7 North Side 29-27. Next week: At No. 12 Chester Co.

6USJ (6-1): The Bruins will return to play next week in district play and try to secure a home game for the first round. Total voters’ points: 56. Last week’s ranking: 9. This week’s result: Bye week. Next week: At Fayette Aca.

7North Side (6-2): The Indians could make an argument for being the hottest team in the area right now with the way they’re playing and the games they’ve won. Total voters’ points: 53. Last week’s ranking: 11. This week’s result: Won at No. 4 Hardin Co. 29-27. Next week: Host Haywood.

7Peabody (6-2): The Golden Tide bounced back nicely from the disappointment last week. Total voters’ points: 53. Last week’s ranking: 8. This week’s result: Won at Lake Co. 53-16. Next week: Host South Fulton.

9Lexington (5-2): All the Tigers can do to make sure they make the playoffs is win, and that’s what they’re doing. Total voters’ points: 38. Last week’s ranking: 10. This week’s result: Beat Obion Co. 43-20. Next week: Host Westwood.

10South Gibson (6-1): The Hornets took their first loss this week, and it doesn’t get any easier next week. Total voters’ points: 33. Last week’s ranking: 5. This week’s result: Lost to Westview 50-25. Next week At No. 1 Liberty.

11Milan (4-3): The Bulldogs hope to get some key injured players back next week for game action. Total voters’ points: 23. Last week’s ranking: 12. This week’s result: Bye week. Next week: Host JCM.

12Chester Co. (5-2): The Eagles have bounced back well from a loss before this week. Total voters’ points: 22. Last week’s ranking: 7. This week’s result: Lost to Crockett Co 19-13. Next week: Host No. 4 Hardin Co.

Other teams receiving votes: Scotts Hill (5-2); Crockett Co. (4-3); Haywood (4-3); Westview (3-4).

Teams representing schools in the Sun’s circulation area are eligibleto be in the Dirty Dozen. The 13 counties are Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Crockett, Weakley, Carroll, Benton, Decatur, McNairy and Hardin. Numbers in parentheses next to a school name indicate first-place votes. A panel of 10 people involved in prep football coverage for the Sun vote on the Dirty Dozen.

— Brandon Shields, 425-9751