McCollum makes E-N high school football rankings debut after clinching playoff spot

Not only is McCollum back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015, the Cowboys are in the Express-News Power Rankings for the first time this season. McCollum is 5-2 on the season and hasn’t won six games since 2011. Fredericksburg is also in the rankings for the first time after downing previously ranked Davenport on Friday. East Central dropped the most from No. 11 to No. 19 after a 62-31 loss against Pieper. The top team remained intact. Here’s how the Week 9 rankings unfolded:

Week 9 Power Rankings

1. Johnson

Record: 6-0

Previous ranking: 1

This week: vs. No. 14 Reagan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Heroes Stadium

Notable: The Jaguars can clinch at least a share of the District 28-6A championship on Friday.

2. Smithson Valley

Record: 7-0

Previous ranking: 2

This Week: vs. No. 6 Boerne Champion, 7 p.m., Ranger Stadium

Notable: The Rangers scored a program record of points in a single game with an 89-3 win at Lockhart on Friday.

3. Steele

Record: 5-1-1

Previous ranking: 3

This Week: at No. 19 East Central, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Notable: The Knights are 14-0 all-time against East Central.

4. Brennan

Record: 6-1

Previous ranking: 4

This Week: vs. Warren, 7 p.m. Thursday, Gustafson Stadium

Notable: T

5. Boerne

Record: 7-0

Previous ranking: 5

This Week: vs. SA Veterans Memorial, 7 p.m. Friday, Boerne ISD Stadium

Notable: The Bears have registered three shutouts and surrendered 14 points in going 5-0 in District 29-6A.

6. Boerne Champion

Record: 7-0

Previous ranking: 6

This Week: at No. 2 Smithson Valley, 7 p.m. Friday

Notable: The Chargers are looking for their first win in five tries against Smithson Valley.

7. Medina Valley

Record: 7-0

Previous ranking: 7

This Week: vs. MacArthur, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Panther Stadium

Notable: The Panthers piled up a school record 673 total yards (582 rushing) in an 84-0 victory at Laredo Martin.

8. Alamo Heights

Record: 7-1

Previous ranking: 8

This Week: vs. New Braunfels, 7 p.m. Friday, Orem Stadium

Notable: The Mules haven’t lost to a district opponent other than Boerne since 2019.

9. Harlan

Record: 6-1

Previous ranking: 9

This Week: vs. O’Connor, 2 p.m. Saturday, Farris Stadium

Notable:The Hawks forced four turnovers to hold off Sotomayor 22-19 to stay undefeated in District 29-6A (5-0).

10. Kerrville Tivy

Record: 7-0

Previous ranking: 10

This Week: vs. Austin Northeast, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Antler Stadium

Notable: The normally fast-paced Antlers slowed it down for a methodical 49-13 victory against Austin Travis.

11. Cornerstone

Record: 6-2

Previous ranking: 14

This Week: vs. The Hun School of Princeton (N.J.), Warrior Stadium

Notable: The Warriors return home after going 4-1 on the road.

12. Somerset

Record: 5-2

Previous ranking: 13

This Week: at Pleasanton, 7 p.m. Friday

Notable: The Bulldogs lead the all-time series against Pleasanton 7-5 and have won their last six meetings.

13. Harlandale

Record: 5-2

Previous ranking: 17

This Week: vs. Sam Houston, 7 p.m, Thursday, SAISD Complex

Notable: Harlandale tallied a season-high for points in a 55-12 win against Highlands.

14. Reagan

Record: 4-2

Previous ranking: 18

This Week: vs. No. 1 Johnson, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Heroes Stadium

Notable: John Opara stepped up with Ayden Fernandez out of the lineup with 190 yards and two touchdown on 27 rushes in a 37-14 win against LEE.

15. Pieper

Record: 4-3

Previous ranking: 19

This Week: at New Braunfels Canyon, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Notable: The Warriors recorded their most impressive victory in their first season in Class 6A with a 62-31 win against East Central.

16. McCollum

Record: 5-2

Previous ranking: NR

This Week: vs. Burbank, 7 p.m. Friday, Harlandale ISD Memorial Stadium

Notable: The Cowboys clinched their first playoff spot since 2015 with a 57-21 win against Lanier.

17. Poth

Record: 6-1

Previous ranking: 20

This Week: v

Notable: The Pirates inch up to No. 4 in the Class 3A Division II state rankings.

18. Fredericksburg

Record: 6-1

Previous ranking: NR

This Week: at Canyon Lake, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Notable: The Billies leap into the Express-News rankings following a 36-31 win against Davenport to remain tied with Kerrville Tivy for first in District 13-4A-I

19. East Central

Record: 5-2

Previous ranking: 11

This Week: vs. No. 3 Steele, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Hornet Stadium

Notable: After suffering their first District 27-6A loss against Pieper, the Hornets now face district leader Steele.

20. Sotomayor

Record: 5-3

Previous ranking: 16

This Week: vs. Taft, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Farris Stadium

Notable: Despite losing against Harlan last week, a victory against Taft should put the Wildcats in good playoff position.

Dropped out: Davenport, La Vernia

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This article originally published at McCollum makes E-N high school football rankings debut after clinching playoff spot.