Analyst's Take: What Power Scores Has Right (And Wrong) in Week 6

Prep Redzone got a major upgrade this week with the rollout of Power Scores. The algorithm uses five factors to rank teams in the state. It's a computer model, so it's not perfect, but I think it will add significant value to the site. Here, I'm looking at the current rankings to tell fans what <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/team-database/">Power Scores</a> has right and what it's gotten wrong.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Did Power Scores Get Right?</h2>   I'm not going to dive into the ins and outs of Power Scores here. If you want an in-depth look at Power Scores, check out last week's <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/analysts-take-what-power-scores-has-right-and-wrong-in-week-5/">Analyst's Take</a>.   What I will reiterate is that I don't touch these rankings. The only influence I have whatsoever is that I helped calibrate the classification coefficient (Basically, the number that attempts to identify the differences in average talent between each classification).   That means I'm free to agree or disagree with the ratings as often as I'd like.   First, check out this week's <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/team-database/">Power Scores</a>. There was some movement, but the majority of the top 10 stayed relatively stable. Cleveland remains at the top, which seems fair for the team with the state's longest regular-season winning streak. Millbrook and Grimsley climbed after easy wins. Grimsley is a bit low in the rankings due only to opponents' winning percentage and an early-season bye, but as the Whirlies continue in conference play, they'll move up.   The Whirlies' consistency up front, led by offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='903425' first='Jackson' last='Sammons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='850278' first='Nick' last='Kashubara'], has allowed them to endure some other injuries on the offense. I am interested to see if the running game can get back to last year's levels, though, especially with 7A being so strong.   It's good to see Clayton and Mallard Creek rising back up the rankings. We're still early in the season, so teams with a loss, even to a good team, are still trending behind undefeated teams. As more teams lose, though, teams like Myers Park, Garner, and Weddington are rising back up the rankings. All five of those mentioned teams have just one loss to a top 30 team.   Clayton fell early to No. 3 Hoggard, behind a huge defensive game and an efficient night from Vikings' quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1678657' first='Matthew' last='Boring'], but has rebounded since, as [player_tooltip player_id='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1660473' first='Noah' last='Smith'] have put up some excellent numbers in the running game. I'm also intrigued by freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1905582' first='Khalin' last='Rogers'], a guy who was dominant in middle school and who has flashed as a future star when he's gotten run late in games.   Mallard Creek lost by a wide margin to one of the best teams in football, but has otherwise continued to prove me wrong and looks every bit a state title contender. Receivers Mason Kelly and [player_tooltip player_id='338729' first='Khalil' last='Price'] have been unstoppable, and a strong defensive line has harassed even the best offensive lines on a tough schedule.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Did Power Scores Get Wrong?</h2>   I have two main gripes this week. First, Myers Park beat Weddington, 28-18, on the road in Week 2. Both teams are 4-1, but Power Scores ranks Weddington 29th and Myers Park 36th. Both teams should be higher, but the main gripe here is that Myers Park has done nothing to suggest it is a worse team than a top team it beat other than win tough games by fewer scores.   In that early-season game, Ramir Watson was kept somewhat in check by the Warriors, but [player_tooltip player_id='1671887' first='Chaz' last='Portis'] got behind the defense several times, and [player_tooltip player_id='832280' first='Brody' last='Keefe'] had a couple of contested catches as Myers Park had 186 yards on just 10 completions. The stars on defense showed up, as [player_tooltip player_id='1309069' first='Camdin' last='Portis'] had two picks and [player_tooltip player_id='987160' first='Damaad' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1002307' first='Rodney' last='Dunham'] each had a sack.   Myers Park has a consistent running game, something that was a bit of a question mark and deserves to be higher in the rankings. As they hit conference play, the Mustangs should jump several lower-classification teams that won't have the same strength of schedule.   There's one class I think is overrated by the rankings, and another with the wrong teams ranked, in my opinion.   5A has four teams in the top 27. Overall, I think the depth of that class is excellent, but I'm not convinced the top-end teams are at the level of 6A, 7A, and 8A.   Croatan has had an excellent start to the season, but the schedule has been quite easy. The Cougars have beaten three teams from lower classifications by an average of 49 points and blown out two teams from higher classifications with a combined 2-8 record.   The schedule gets more difficult, which means quarterback Kannon McBride and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1705645' first='Andrew' last='Boucher'] will have opportunities to impress against top competition soon, starting with Havelock this week. If the Cougars keep winning, they shouldn't fall much, but I have a feeling the algorithm will start to ding them soon.   I expect teams like East Lincoln and St. Paul's to stay up in the rankings, while teams like Crest and Hunt, each of which holds losses to top 7A teams, could catch up in the coming weeks.   In 3A, the best teams (in my opinion) don't stand atop the algorithm's rankings. Why? Teams like Shelby, Lincolnton, and even Mount Airy lost games they were never supposed to win. Shelby lost two close games to top 5A and 6A teams, so they're ranked 16th in the class. Give it three weeks, and the Golden Lions should be in the top seven to 10. I'm a bit concerned about the lack of a running game, but freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1905611' first='Jonas' last='Woods'] has had some promising snaps.   I'm fascinated by 3A and think we could see two dozen teams spend time in the top 10. Watch out for teams like Ayden-Grifton and Princeton with superstar athletes ([player_tooltip player_id='1704839' first='EJ' last='Ruffin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1616304' first='Teo' last='McPhatter']) who can single-handedly turn close games. We could see a bunch of upsets that shake up the rankings down the stretch.   What do you think of Power Scores? Let us know! See an issue, DM me on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>).

Prep Redzone got a major upgrade this week with the rollout of Power Scores. The algorithm uses five factors to rank teams in the state. It's a computer model, so it's not perfect, but I think it will add significant value to the site. Here, I'm looking at the current rankings to tell fans what Power Scores has right and what it's gotten wrong.