ELITE 8: North Side soccer moves up to No. 2

A few changes this week with a new team ranked No. 2 in the poll and a new team entered the poll.

This week should clear things up as five of the eight teams ranked in the poll will be playing in the Best of the West soccer tournament at USJ.

1. Jackson Christian (15 A-AA) (7-1-1) – The Eagles picked up two wins this past week, but now they must prepare for the Best of the West Tournament with North Side, Dyersburg and Lexington in the group play. Results: Beat Scotts Hill, Riverside. Last week: No. 1.

2. North Side (15 A-AA) (8-0) – The Indians are unbeaten through eight games. Their next game will be the toughest as they play Jackson Christian on Tuesday for the No. 1 seed in the West Division of District 15 A-AA. Results: Beat South Gibson. Last week: No. 4.

3. Lexington (14 A-AA) (6-4) – The Tigers defeated their second divisional opponent on the season, and they are a win over McNairy away from earning the No. 1 seed in the South Division of District 14 A-AA. Results: Beat Chester County. Last week: No. 3.

4. Sacred Heart (Division II-A) (4-2-2) – The Knights suffered their worst loss of the season and fell into a three-way tie for first place in the district. They play Tipton-Rosemark this week to end district play. Results: Lost to St. George’s. Last week: No. 2.

5. Madison (15 A-AA) (6-3) – The Mustangs had the week off, but they play TCA on Monday and USJ on Tuesday in group play of the Best of the West Tournament. Results: Did not play. Last week: No. 5.

6. McNairy Central (14 A-AA) (8-0-1) – The Bobcats chance to claim first in the South Division of District 14 A-AA got delayed until Monday at 6 p.m. at Lexington. Results: Did not play. Last week: No. 6.

7. USJ (Division II-A) (7-4) – The Bruins look to have turned a corner on the season as they picked up three straight wins. One of those was over St. George’s to force a three-way tie for first in the district. Results: Beat St. George’s, Harding Aca., Tipton-Rosemark. Last week: No. 7.

8. Trenton Peabody (14 A-AA) (9-3-1) – The Golden Tide went 4-0 on the week and could clinch No. 1 in the North Division with a win over Union City this week. Results: Beat Union City, Haywood, Milan, Gibson Co. Last week: Not ranked.

Dropped out: Chester County (3-2-1).

Teams eligible for the Elite Eight 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. 

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.