PRZMI - Week 9 Power 15

The Prep Redzone Power Scores have updated heading into Week 9! Very interesting insights into how the analytics measure success.   Here, I'll be sharing my thoughts on the Power Scores' Top 15 teams. For more rankings, take a look at our <a href="https://x.com/alex_pallone/status/1980771105712349248">media poll!</a>   1. Portage Central (8-0, 96.01)   Our media poll has Portage Central ranked #10, and that's where I personally ranked them when I turned in my sheet. The reason I'm not ranking them inside the top 5 right now is because of their lackluster strength of schedule compared to other programs. Though Prep Redzone ranking them #1 is not something I'm in major disagreement with. This is a team that has outscored its opponents 370-10. Undoubtedly, Portage Central is the favorite in D2 now that OLSM got upset against Brother Rice.   I'm eager to see this team play in person. I spoke with another member of the media recently, and he had extremely high praise for this Protage Central program, especially Sophomore prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1687693' first='Camden' last='Noe']. If Portage Central goes against another contendor early in the postseason, I'll likely be there.   2. Hudsonville (8-0, 95.96)   This program is here to stay. Whenever a program makes an out-of-nowhere state championship surge like Hudsonville did last year, there's always some doubt if they can turn that into long-term success. I firmly believe that they have. This year, the OK Red only got stronger, while Hudsonville, at least on paper, got a little weaker. This program has not skipped a beat, going 8-0 with an incredibly difficult schedule, and are on their way to another high seed in the playoffs. Personally, I think their front 7 has done an incredible job stopping the run this season, and younger prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='1298758' first='Brady' last='Van Leacke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1049451' first='Tyler' last='Strick'] have stepped up in a big way. They'll have to prove this #2 ranking- as they'll very likely go up against East Kentwood, Rockford, or even both early in the postseason.   3. Detroit Catholic Central (8-0, 95.98)   My #1 team, and the #1 team in our media poll rankings. DCC has looked phenomenal this season. 8-0 in the toughest league in the state, alongside a boatload of Division 1 and Division 2 college prospects. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1157439' first='Duke' last='Banta'] has developed into a real good starter, while brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1148715' first='Samson' last='Gash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1687171' first='Gideon' last='Gash'] are both blue-chip Power 4 prospects. Arguably the most talented team in the state, and the #1 team in the state by a plurality of people.   4. DeWitt (8-0, 95.85)   DeWitt is interesting. In our media poll, we have DeWitt at #11, and that's also where I personally ranked them. Dominant performances throughout this season, but the Capital Area Blue has looked vastly inferior when compared to last season. Though DeWitt absolutely earns the benefit of the doubt because of their state championship contention year in and year out.   5. Grand Blanc (8-0, 95.68)   Some people think Grand Blanc is the #1 team in the state. Honestly, it's hard to disagree. This offense is spectacular. 49 points per game, and they'd have more if they didn't pull their starters during most of their games. Plus, the defense has improved significantly since last season. They're well on track to give up 50+ fewer points than they did last season through 12 games. Of course, the Division 1 bracket is going to be grueling, but I'd confidently pick Grand Blanc over any team in the state except DCC or Cass Tech- they're my #3 team for a reason.   6. Harper Woods (8-0, 95.62)   I had my doubts about Harper Woods early in the year. Last season, they were a good team, but were obviously a step behind the great teams like Groves and Goodrich. This season, they're playing on par with their level of talent. Several Power 4 prospects, including blue-chip WR [player_tooltip player_id='547739' first='Dakota' last='Guerrant']. Right now, they look worlds better than any other team in Division 4.   7. Cass Tech (7-0, 95.25)   The Prep Redzone model and other models like the GoosePoop model consistently have Cass Tech lower than consensus. In my eyes, they're easily the #1 or #2 team in the state. Rich history of championships, developing future NFL players, a ton of recent success, and dominance this season. The reason for the lower-than-average ranking is probably due to their strength of schedule. Nevertheless, Cass Tech will be a goliath in the D1 bracket, and they'll soon be up against another top-10 team.   8. South Lyon (8-0, 94.92)   Here's the first big disagreement between the Prep Redzone model and our media poll. Our poll has South Lyon at #46. There's zero doubt in my mind that South Lyon has surpassed preseason expectations- nobody saw them as a (likely) undefeated team heading into the playoffs. One big reason why I personally don't see them as a top-30 team right now is their strength of schedule. The Lakes Valley conference seems far worse this season than last season.   9. Clarkston (7-1, 94.77)   Clarkston is #9 here, and #6 in our media poll. A team that's only loss came against #6 Harper Woods, and a team that can make a state championship run. When I saw Clarkston during week 1, I thought that they were incredibly disciplined, especially for week 1. They'll likely have a grueling path to get to Ford Field, but I absolutely think they can do it.   10. Carlson (8-0, 94.56)   Could Carlson make a run this season? To nobody's surprise, they're 8-0 and look like the clear best team in the Downriver league. Though they are ranked #23 in the media poll rankings, and #24 in my own rankings. In my eyes, they still need an elite win in order for me to call them a top-10 program. They will very likely have a chance to do just that in the playoffs.   11. Mt. Pleasant (8-0, 94.08)   I'm extremely excited for Mt. Pleasant this postseason. Not a huge shock that they're currently undefeated. Though, I think they have a way better chance than usual to make a semifinal or state championship run. In Snooze2You's Mapetology for week 8.5, Mt. Pleasant is in a district with Bay City Western, Gaylord, and Marquette. All teams that are NOT ranked inside the top 50. Then, they'd face the last survivor team out of Kenowa Hills, Coopersville, Cedar Springs, and Lowell. Personally, I think Mt. Pleasant matched up wonderfully with all of those teams EXCEPT Kenwoa Hills.   12. GR Catholic Central (8-0, 93.96)   GR Catholic Central is back to being the clear favorite in Division 5. Last season, ND Prep came out of nowhere and dominated the division, while GRCC was a step behind where they're usually at. This season, Catholic Central looks as good as they've ever been. Elite efficiency on both sides of the ball, and an 8-0 record against a solid strength of schedule.   13. Saline (7-1, 93.65)   The Saline hype has died down slightly in recent weeks. The preseason hype was massive, and the hype grew even more with wins against Rockford and Dexter. Then, they went into the soft portion of their schedule before suffering a loss to Harper Woods. Most still have Saline as a top-10 team, while I personally have them at #8. On paper, they should easily win their 1st-round matchup, then they'll be a favorite against Belleville.   14. Unity Christian (9-0, 93.56)   Unity replaced a boatload of starters this season. Most faded them in the preseason, but they're looking incredibly strong heading into the final week of the regular season. According to the Prep Redzone Power Score and the Media Poll Rankings, Unity Christian is the #1 challenger to Harper Woods in Division 4. Elite run game, per usual, and a definite mismatch to most programs in the Detroit area.   15. Niles (8-0, 93.08)   Niles is handling business this season. On paper, they look every bit as good as last season's championship run. This season, they're in Division 3, with better playoff competition. Though you could argue that Niles' chances in D3 are more favorable than D4 this season because of Harper Woods' dominance. Nevertheless, Niles has dominated the Wolverine B this season, and they're playing their best football right now. Don't count Niles out this postseason!

The Prep Redzone Power Scores have updated heading into Week 9! Very interesting insights into how the analytics measure success.