Plenty of success from the top-ranked teams means stability at the top this week.
The top five from last week's rankings remains the same. There is some change in the bottom half of the rankings with a couple of new teams making the cut.
All records are as of Saturday morning. Full rankings and rationale after the jump. Be sure to jump in with your take on the rankings in the comments section.
1. Central York boys' tennis (11-0): The Panthers just plowed through Dallastown on Tuesday and easily rolled to a YAIAA Division I title. The district tournament is next and Central is easily the favorite to repeat as champs at the Class AAA level.
2. Central York softball (12-1): That lone blemish on the Panthers' record this season? Central York made New Oxford pay for that early season loss it handed the Panthers this season by pounding the Colonials 8-0 on Friday. The proven success at the district and state level, the experience and talent on the team and the recent strong play puts Central in the No. 2 spot.
3. Red Lion boys' lacrosse (12-0): In their first season of varsity play, the Lions have looked fantastic this season and are in great position to earn the YAIAA Division I title. The District 3 tournament will be the real test for the Lions, who have plenty of skilled players but will be going up against programs that have been established for several years.
4. Central York boys' volleyball (8-1): The Panthers continue to play well in league play and have to be considered a district and state contender because of how well they did last year. They have looked very good in spots this season, and they just need to put it all together before the playoffs.
5. Northeastern boys' volleyball (8-1): Like Central York, Northeastern has looked very good at some points this year. They are very young, but have plenty of talent to spare. Competing in Class AA, the Bobcats may have a better chance to go further in the postseason than a Central York squad that competes in Class AAA.
6. Central York girls' soccer (11-4): The Panthers are still as hot as ever, picking up win after win and taking first place in YAIAA Division I. Central York has a pair of tough games coming up, facing Dallastown and Spring Grove as they look to solidify a division title.
7. Susquehannock softball (10-2): Are the Warriors back to their old dominant selves? Possibly. Sheaf shut out Northeastern this week and Susquehannock snapped it's two-game losing streak, picking up a pair of wins. The Warriors need to find some consistent production on offense, however, if they intend to win a third consecutive state title.
8. Susquehannock boys' lacrosse (9-1): Their only loss came against undefeated Red Lion, so the Warriors have to take at least some solace in that. Building another win streak should help Susquehannock feel even better going into the playoffs.
9. Kennard-Dale girls' lacrosse (9-2): It's hard to figure out the Rams, who lost by 13 goals against Manheim Township on Wednesday, but have easily handled all of the YAIAA competition they have seen. They looked very good on Thursday against York Suburban and seem to have the potential to make a postseason run.
10. Spring Grove baseball (9-6): The Rockets have won nine out of the last 10 and scored 11 runs on the road against Division I leader Central York on Friday. With Spring Grove playing this well, it looks like a team that nobody would be eager to face in either the YAIAA or the District 3 Class AAAA tournament.
I think it's completely ridiculous that you leave track teams out of the equation here. Yes, we get your point. Track is an individual sport. You run for yourself. You qualify for districts and states individually.
But then what's the need for coaches if this isn't a team sport? What's the need for a league championship? Are you telling us that a division title means nothing?
It has fundamental team concepts. Athletes compete for themselves, but they also compete for a higher purpose. Coaches rework lineups to create the best possible chance at earning points.
Completely ridiculous. There, I said it.
You're right about the need for coaches in track and field. If I were making a list of the top 10 coaches for spring sports teams, I would definitely include track and field coaches.
If there were a true district or state team competition, I would include track and field teams in these rankings as well. The thing is, I'm trying to compare different teams from different sports and analyze how well they can do on the local, district and state level. It just wouldn't be possible to do that in track and field without wild speculation.
It's no slight to the athletes and coaches in track and field. It's just that the format that sport takes doesn't fit with these rankings.