Below are our Week 2 power rankings, which exist for a different purpose than the state media poll (this is where strength of schedule and quality of play matters), along with a tidbit about each team.
Questions and comments shall be sent to kfadd32@gmail.com.
Note: All lines are generated from USA Today’s high school football score predictor.
1. St. Frances Academy Panthers (Record: 2-0) LW: 1
County: Baltimore City, MIAA A Conference
Last week: def. Bishop Sullivan Catholic, 29-8
This week: at IMG Academy (Fla.) on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 33-point underdogs)
Wins: Canada Prep by 45 (Ontario), Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Va.) by 21
Losses: None
After a 45-0 victory against Canada Prep, the Panthers added to their claim as the top team in Maryland with a 21-point win against the top-ranked team from Virginia by MaxPreps, Bishop Sullivan Catholic. They’ll now face their stiffest test of the season on the road against national power IMG Academy.
2. DeMatha Catholic Stags (1-1) LW: 2
County: Prince George’s, WCAC
Last week: def. Avalon, 28-0
This week: at Franklin on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 27-point favorites)
Wins: Avalon by 28
Losses: Bishop Gorman (Nev.) by 23
Coach Elijah Brooks stated at the beginning of the year that the Stags will lean heavily on its defense this fall. With 5-star running back MarShawn Lloyd out for the season (broken wrist) and quarterback Ty Lenhart out for the time being with an illness, DeMatha’s defense rose to the occasion on Friday by pitching a shutout.
RELATED: 2017 DeMatha football preview
3. Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. Pumas (1-0) LW: 4
County: Prince George’s, MPSSAA Class 4A South
Last week: def. Surrattsville, 57-0
This week: vs. Calvert Hall on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 20-point favorites)
Wins: Surrattsville by 52
Losses: None
Wise smashed Surrattsville on Saturday afternoon, 57-0, to push its win-streak to 29 games. That streak, however, will be on the line on Friday as the Pumas welcome Calvert Hall, a MIAA power out of Baltimore, to The Den.
RELATED: Wise football coach DaLawn Parrish and Florida State commit A.J. Lytton discuss the upcoming season
4. St. John’s College Cadets (1-1) LW: 3
County: District of Columbia, WCAC
Last week: LOSS to De La Salle (Calif.), 35-31
This week: vs. St. Joseph Regional (N.J.) on Saturday at 2 p.m. (Line: 1-point favorites)
Wins: Jones (Fla.) by 19
Losses: De La Salle (Calif.) by 4
The Cadets had nationally ranked De La Salle on the ropes for a good two and a half quarters, and then slip-ups reminiscent of the 2016 WCAC title game sent a 17-point halftime lead to ruination. Despite the loss, SJC showcased its potential on ESPNU, and because of that, a sizeable penalty shouldn’t be slapped against the Cadets. They’ll have to recover quickly against SJR, the 22nd-ranked team nationally by MaxPreps.
5. Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers (1-0) LW: 5
County: Anne Arundel, MIAA A Conference
Last week: def. Annapolis, 56-14
This week: vs. Bishop Moore (Fla.) on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 21-point favorites)
Wins: Annapolis by 42
Losses: None
Senior tailback Julius Chestnut ran for 96 yards and four touchdowns in the Cavs’ 42-point rout of crosstown opponent Annapolis.
6. McDonogh School Eagles (1-0) LW: 7
County: Baltimore County, MIAA A Conference
Last week: def. La Salle College (Pa.), 21-9
This week: at Bishop McNamara on Saturday at 1 p.m. (Line: 23-point favorites)
Wins: La Salle College (Pa.) by 12
Losses: None
Virginia Tech commit DeJuan Ellis totaled 322 all-purpose yards (101 passing, 141 rushing and 80 receiving) and scored twice to propel the Eagles past Pennsylvania power La Salle on Friday. Ellis scored on a pair of 80-yard plays — a QB sneak up the right sideline (highlight below) and on a reception out wide.
Kyle McFadden on Twitter
@DeJuanEllisll clocked the 2nd best 40yd dash at the D.C. @TheOpening (4.48). He shows off that speed on this 80-yd TD run vs La Salle (Pa) https://t.co/piPQVnOcNR
7. Gonzaga College Eagles (D.C.) (1-1) LW: 6
County: District of Columbia, WCAC
Last week: LOSS to Viera (Fla.), 21-6
This week: at Peddie (N.J.) on Friday at 8 p.m. (Line: 20-point favorites)
Wins: No. 14 Gilman by 38
Losses: Viera (Fla.) by 15
After a pristine opener versus Gilman, the Eagles only mustered 32 yards on the ground in 22 attempts and dropped the first game under the lights on Eye Street against Florida stalwart Viera.
8. Damascus Swarmin’ Hornets (1-0) LW: 8
County: Montgomery, MPSSAA Class 2A West
Last week: def. Blake, 41-17
This week: vs. Sherwood on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Line: 26-point favorites)
Wins: Blake by 24
Losses: None
Damascus’ signature offensive line paved the way for 277 yards on the ground in the 24-point victory over Blake. Gage Dickens, formerly from Urbana, accounted for over half of the rushing output with 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Swarmin’ Hornets will face their toughest test of the regular season in Week 2 against ranked Sherwood.
RELATED: Damascus coach Eric Wallich, Bryan Bresee and Michael Jurgens discuss the upcoming season and more
9. Quince Orchard Cougars (1-0) LW: 9
County: Montgomery, MPSSAA Class 4A West
Last week: def. Bethesda-CC, 55-7
This week: at Blair on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Line: 23-point favorites)
Senior quarterback Doc Bonner went 7-for-10 passing with 152 yards and a touchdown in the 55-7 win over Bethesda-Chevy Chase on Friday night.
RELATED: Quince Orchard coach John Kelley and quarterback Doc Bonner discuss the upcoming season and more
10. Good Counsel Falcons (1-0) LW: 10
County: Montgomery, WCAC
Last week: def. No. 24 Gilman, 23-10
This week: vs. Mount St. Joseph on Friday at TBD (Line: 8-point favorites)
Wins: No. 24 Gilman by 13
Losses: None
The Andy Stefanelli era got off on the right foot with a 13-point win over ranked Gilman on Friday. Latrele Palmer paced the Falcons with 64 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
CAPSULE: Legendary coach Bob Milloy gets historic win No. 400
11. Northwest Jaguars (1-0) LW: 11
County: Montgomery, MPSSAA Class 4A West
Last week: def. Wootton, 53-36
This week: vs. Walter Johnson on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Line: 35-point favorites)
Wins: Wootton by 17
Losses: None
Tailback Juwon Farri found the endzone four times to lead Northwest past Wootton on Friday night, 53-36.
12. Bullis School Bulldogs (1-0) LW: 13
County: Montgomery, IAC
Last week: def. Archbishop Carroll (D.C.), 37-0
This week: at Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) on Saturday at 1 p.m. (Line: 27-point favorites)
Wins: Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) by 37
Losses: None
The Bulldogs got off the 2017 season off to a strong start with a 37-0 rout of Archbishop Carroll (D.C.).
13. Walkersville Lions (1-0) LW: 13
County: Frederick, MPSSAA Class 2A West
Last week: def. New Era Academy, 59-0
This week: vs. Liberty on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 28-point favorites)
Wins: New Era Academy by 59
Losses: None
Jacob Wetzel, Ty Littleton, Aaron Jahnke, Christian Policelli (five tackles), and Josh Polce (twice) all found the end zone on Friday evening in the Lions’ 59-0 rout of New Era Academy. Quarterback Billy Gant assisted on both of Polce’s scoring grabs of 35 and 42 yards.
WATCH: Walkersville football coach Joe Polce and Jacob Wetzel discuss the upcoming season and more
14. Calvert Hall Cardinals (2-0) LW: 14
County: Baltimore City, MIAA A Conference
Last week: def. Dundalk, 42-7
This week: at No. 3 Wise on Saturday at 7 p.m. (Line: 20-point underdogs)
Wins: Silver Oak Academy by 45, Dundalk by 35
Losses: None
The Cards’ stingy defense forced multiple turnovers on Saturday night to blow past Dundalk at home, 42-7. Now they travel to the Puma Den on Friday to clash with Wise, the back-to-back MPSSAA Class 4A state champions.
Tom Peace on Twitter
Here’s @BiggsWorld5 putting the first points on the board for @CHCFootball1845 https://t.co/mBGhpGCeXx
15. Georgetown Prep Little Hoyas (1-0) LW: 15
County: Montgomery, IAC
Last week: def. Bishop O’Connell (Va.), 35-7
This week: at Gilman on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (Line: 1-point favorites)
Wins: Bishop O’Connell by 28
Losses: None
Sophomore running back Jalen Hampton exploded for 199 yards and a trio of scores on Saturday afternoon to lift his little Hoyas over Bishop O’Connell, 35-7.
Scott Abraham on Twitter
WATCH – @JALEN_HAMPTON23…you are a BAD man The @GPrep_Football RB runs for 199 yards and 3 TDs, highlights tonight on @ABC7News! https://t.co/IujaSvP4qQ
16. Linganore Lancers (1-0) LW: 16
County: Frederick, MPSSAA Class 3A West
Last week: def. Archbishop Curley, 64-6
This week: at Edgewood on Friday at TBD (Line: 18-point favorites)
Wins: Archbishop Curley by 58
Losses: None
The Lancers throttled visiting Curley on Friday night behind six first half turnovers created by stingy defensive play. Joey Felton got things going with a 34-yard pick-six. Tailbacks Davon Butler and Zamarre Snowden rushed for over 100 yards apiece and both found the end zone.
Kyle McFadden on Twitter
@JoeyFelton was everywhere Friday: 34-yd pick-6, fake PAT 2-pt conv run, 2 rec for 17 yds, a big PD & TFL. Dynamic asset for @linganorefb. https://t.co/viMsdcSMk1
RELATED: Linganore coach Rick Conner, Luke Freeman and Zach Willett discuss the upcoming season
17. Riverdale Baptist Crusaders (2-0) LW: 17
County: Prince George’s, Independent
Last week: def. Ballou (D.C.), 35-9
This week: at Oxon Hill on Saturday at 2 p.m. (Line: 17-point favorites)
Wins: No. 19 Bishop McNamara by 27, Ballou (D.C.) by 26
Losses: None
Running back Curtis Murray and quarterback Justus McDougal both found the end zone twice as the Crusaders earned another sizeable win on Friday night. Now they get previously ranked Oxon Hill, which will surely be fired up after an upset loss to Chopticon.
18. North Point Eagles (1-0) LW: 25
County: Charles, MPSSAA Class 4A East
Last week: def. Old Mill, 42-0
This week: at Westlake on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 17-point favorites)
Wins: Old Mill by 42
Losses: None
Navy commit Chelen Garnes crossed the pylon four times in his 166-yard performance during Friday’s rout of Old Mill. Quarterback JeMichael Jones (Howard commit) accounted for four touchdowns of his own as the Eagles rocket through the ranks.
WATCH: Highlights from No. 25 North Point vs. Old Mill
Kyle McFadden on Twitter
Chelen Garnes rips through the line of the scrimmage and takes it to house — 68 yards — to put North Point up 14-0 on Old Mill. https://t.co/iijjd0JPs8
19. Fort Hill Sentinels (1-0) LW: 21
County, Allegany, MPSSAA Class 1A West
Last week: def. University Prep/Sci-Tech/Obama Academy (Pa.), 75-8
This week: vs. Keyser (W.Va.) on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 28-point favorites)
Wins: USO (Pa.) by 67
Losses: None
Life without Brayden Brown is off to a smooth start for the Sentinels as they clobbered USO on Saturday evening, 75-8. Troy Banks III rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns and Luke Hamilton (offer from Navy) recorded 17 tackles.
Fort Hill Sentinels on Twitter
The #Sentinels defeat U.S.O. 75-8 for their 26th straight win, start the season 1-0. #GoBigRed
20. Broadneck Bruins (1-0) LW: NR
County: Anne Arundel, MPSSAA Class 4A East
Last week: def. Bowie, 56-6
This week: at North County on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Line: 21-point favorites)
Wins: Bowie by 50
Losses: None
The Bruins created seven turnovers and Jason Carcamo, Tyrice Watson and Ethon Williams each visited the end zone twice in the 56-6 trouncing of Bowie on Saturday.
21. Franklin Indians (1-0) LW: 22
County: Baltimore, MPSSAA Class 3A North
Last week: def. Woodlawn, 52-0
This week: vs. No. 2 DeMatha on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 27-point underdogs)
Wins: Woodlawn by 52
Losses: None
With No. 2 DeMatha looming, quarterback Emmett Avery passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Indians pummeled Woodlawn on Friday night, 52-0.
22. St. Mary’s Ryken Knights (2-0) LW: NR
County: St. Mary’s, WCAC
Last week: def. No. 19 Pallotti, 27-6
This week: vs. Dunbar (D.C.) on Friday at 7 p.m. (Line: 42-point favorites)
Wins: No. 12 Mount St. Joseph by 2, No. 19 Pallotti by 21
Losses: None
For the second week in a row, quarterback Kristian Marks (19 of 22 passing, 165 yards and two total touchdowns) leads the Knights past a ranked opponent. Senior tailback Calvin Bell ran for 119 yards and a score on 20 carries.
23. Mount St. Joseph Gaels (1-1) LW: 20
County: Baltimore City, MIAA A Conference
Last week: Loss against St. Mary’s Ryken, 30-28
This week: at No. 10 Good Counsel on Friday at TBD (Line: 8-point underdogs)
Wins: Cardinal O’Heara (Pa.) by 32
Losses: St. Mary’s Ryken by 2
Freshman quarterback Billy Atkins threw for two more touchdowns, and this time, the Gaels came away victorious ahead of No. 10 Good Counsel.
24. Sherwood Warriors (1-0) LW: 23
County: Montgomery, MPSSAA Class 4A
Last week: def. Magruder, 44-0
This week: at No. 8 Damascus on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Line: 26-point underdogs)
Wins: Magruder by 44
Losses: None
Senior Joey Hunt scored three times — two through the air and one on a pick-six — as the Warriors smashed Magruder on Friday, 44-0. Sherwood will now trek to No. 8 Damascus, which holds a 29-game win-streak and hasn’t lost at home since 2013.
RELATED: Q&A with Sherwood quarterback Michael Mbony
25. Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders (1-0) LW: NR
County: Prince George’s, MPSSAA Class 4A South
Last week: def. Bladensburg, 23-0
This week: vs. Pallotti on Friday at 7 p.m. at Fairland Regional Park (Line: 1-point favorites)
Wins: Bladensburg by 23
Losses: None
The Raiders shutout Bladensburg, 23-0, to open the 2017 season on Saturday afternoon.
Dropped out: No. 18 Oxon Hill (0-1), No. 19 Pallotti (0-1), No. 24 Gilman (0-2)
On the bubble: Allegany (1-0), Annapolis (0-1), Arundel (1-0), Blair (1-0), Bishop McNamara (0-2), Chopticon (1-0), Douglass-PG (1-0), Dunbar (0-1), Elkton (1-0), Gilman (0-2), Gwynn Park (1-0), Howard (1-0), Lackey (1-0), Liberty (1-0), Long Reach (1-0), Loyola Blakefield (0-1), Mervo (1-0), Middletown (1-0), Northern (1-0), North Caroline (1-0), Oakdale (1-0), Oxon Hill (0-1), Pallotti (0-1), Parkside (1-0), Patuxent (0-1), Perry Hall (0-1), Seneca Valley (1-0), St. James (1-0), Tuscarora (1-0)