1998 DeafNation Football: Final Power Ratings

11-Man Football Power Ratings

• 1st: Texas — 8-2 (8-3 overall)
• 2nd: Model Secondary — 9-1
• 3rd: Illinois — 6-3 (6-4 overall)
• 4th: Alabama — 7-2 (7-3 overall)
• 5th: Indiana — 4-6
• 6th: South Carolina — 6-3
• 7th: California-Fremont — 2-8
• 8th: Wisconsin — 3-6
• 9th: Maryland — 1-8
• 10th: Florida — 4-6
• 11th: Eastern North Carolina — 2-8
• 12th: Louisiana — 3-6
• 13th: California-Riverside — 1-9
• 14th: Tennessee — 0-11

Reading in between the lines again and again all over this publication’s coverage on the rationale of Texas being picked over Model Secondary let alone all other contenders, you should find out why. Yes, Texas barely is standing alone as the Team of the Year but not at all by a prohibitive margin in consideration of criteria and factors. 2nd — Model Secondary – 9-1

Went 9-1 on a rather increasingly weak schedule as you can see their opponents as profiled. A good number of turnaround factors from last year is strongly offset by those opponents respective decline in performance compared to last year. This year there were too many close calls against weak and troubled teams such as Saint James, Massanutten Military Academy and Florida. Those factors proved to make the difference in addition to other criteria and factors taken in consideration. talk about huge breaks, only accountability factors has Model Secondary over Illinois and Alabama in that order. Say Illinois and Alabama had won one more game each as both were supposedly favored but lost, they will be atop Model Secondary in a heartbeat, count on that as only lifesaver like breaks saved face. On the other end, SilentNews named Model Secondary as its 1998 11-Man Football Team of the Year and that is after, conveniently and on more than controversial notes, naming 4-3 and 4-4 overall Washington as its 1998 8-Man Football Team of the Year. Still, watch out for Texas once again marching on red carpet in Washington, D.C. next year to answer to Model Secondary, as self-claimed to be favored, seeking redemption from two past losses to Texas in 1988 and 1996. 3rd — Illinois – 6-3 and 6-4 Overall.

That is an exceptional team that quite a number claims to be the best team. How can it be that Illinois be rated below Model Secondary let alone Texas? Very tough to say and heartbreaking to put down here. Illinois finds themselves at 3rd thanks to a glaring 28-6 and more than decisive loss to 4-6 Carrollton playing in the other division of the same conference as of Illinois’ own. Its warranted that Carrollton is a prohibitively stronger team than the likes of Model Secondary’s opponents as follows 4-6 Florida and Quantico let alone 3-5 Massanutten Military Academy as well as Alabama’s lone “accountability criteria” loss, a 3-7 opponent in Wadley. Carrollton’s schedule strength is remarkably the same as of Illinois’. That accountability factor having Illinois supposedly going 7-2 and 7-3 overall and the fact that Illinois did not score more points than they allowed even after below mentioned fictional and fair modifications is the rationale of Illinois not having a higher rating.

Its very important to merit Illinois those days. Among these four contenders, Illinois is the only team to accomplish and/or bear these outstanding feats. 1) Score in double digits every game even against state powers. 2) Face three teams that won more than 10 games overall. 3) Lost to more than one team that combined to lose less than 10 games, that accounting for a sterling 34-9 overall record. 4) Face teams that combined records to be more than .500 in winning percentage. 5) Most distinctively, win 2 games versus non-Deaf schools and/or Deaf schools of quality schedule strength.

Its known that amongst the contenders, Illinois arguably has the toughest and without doubt especially most consistent schedule strength hands down, no buts, ifs and doubts about it. Enrollment of opponents combined for a 244 figure. The range also proves to be consistent as its like automated that the largest school on Illinois’ schedule be no more than 336 students.

Illinois faced three teams that won 10 games, yeah that provides cause for reasoning as to why three games resulted in lopsided yet sportsmanship like affairs. In fair consideration, despite the fact that those three teams did not run up the score. Get this, after taking 14 points off the (49-0, 35-14 and 41-15) scoring output of those 10 win teams against Illinois, the fictional numbers does not look convincing enough as it will still find Illinois scoring 190 points and allowing 190 – instead of the actual output of scoring 190 points and allowing 232 points.

Sad to say but Illinois, rarely facing deaf schools, especially in the latter half of this decade, is sentenced, no pun intended, to no deaf school competition for the next ten years as conference and other stringent state association implications disallowed that happening. Its also noted that after all those restrictions, Illinois is only allowed nine regular season games as imposed by their state association. 4th — Alabama – 7-2 and 7-3 Overall

A rather better team than on paper. Only a disappointing 27-6 loss to 3-7 Wadley was very costly to Alabama as classified in the very accountability issue. At least one may argue that small Wadley did face certain schools of considerably larger enrollments. Its all moot as Wadley lost in a narrow 14-6 nail bitter to Donoho before getting blown out by 38-15 score to Bibb Graves. Those two above mentioned opponents of Wadley’s also lost to Alabama fair and square therefore that accountability factor well established.

That coupled with Alabama’s close call wins: 18-13 against 3-7 and 3-8 overall Donoho and 28-27 edging over 5-5 and 5-6 overall Bibb Graves shows the general picture of Area play nearly pushing Alabama to 5-4. Its DeafNation pleasure to indicate that a late October weekend has both Alabama and Texas open. After Alabama finally facing Florida and winning 18-8, its DeafNation’s holiday wish that both teams coached by brothers-in-law would face each other for the first time ever. Its up to Alabama to answer to Texas’ challenge. 5th — Indiana – 4-6

Indiana thrived on some good breaks there and there on parts of South Carolina’s schedule strength, California-Fremont losing 3 league games by total of 12 points, Indiana beating Wisconsin fair and square and finally after defeating Maryland 45-6, finding Maryland stumbling to a 1-8 record and yet winning over 4-6 Florida. Also Indiana won a 8-Man game over Kentucky by score of 52-12 and a schedule extension in defeating winless South Decatur by score of 22-21. Major break there for Indiana this time. 6th — South Carolina – 6-3

South Carolina’s 16-14 win over Lockhart was the real factor to a #6 rating despite a 40-14 loss to Lockhart in the latter of the home-away season series. That combined with a 28-22 win over Eastern North Carolina, really tided up matters after taking in consideration of a 30-0 whipping of 8Man North Carolina and 42-20 romp of 0-11 Tennessee thrown in with two Junior Varsity level wins 18-13 over Class AA Chapman and 20-0 win over Class A Polk County of North Carolina. Big break there as accountability issues hurt California-Fremont the most. 7th — California-Fremont – 2-8

Once again, near misses plagued California-Fremont’s rating situation. California-Fremont was most accountable to go 5-5 but botched two games and lost a hard fought game. Also mentioned is a 12-7 close call against 1-9 California-Riverside. All-important accountability factors proved to be costly as a 5th rating all but vanished in thin air. Watch out for them next year as they host Model Secondary at home in the first ever coast to coast encounter in deaf schools football history. 8th — Wisconsin – 3-6

Close calls and more cost Wisconsin a chance at a #6 rating given South Carolina and California-Fremont’s situation as intact. Numerous tanking collapses in 4th Quarter play hurt the most this year. Noted scores of losses are as follows: 16-6 to Lake Forest Academy that went 2-4 in conference play; 19-14 loss to 7-1 Marantha Baptist; and a disappointing 36-30 loss to 2-6 Mooseheart. The last followed by a lopsided 35-6 loss to 7-2 Williams Bay. Prior to those heartbreaking losses, Wisconsin lost 40-24 to 2-8 Ethan Allen as well as 28-16 to 5-4 North Shore Country Day. Perfect benchmark opportunity came in form of facing 4-6 Indiana, still Wisconsin lost 28-14, fair and square. 9th — Maryland – 1-8 10th – Florida – 4-6

How about that, a 1-8 team edging 4-6 team for 9th. To call Florida’s loss to Maryland an upset, its all about giving slack when nobody should. Florida got 10th after a 18-16 loss to Maryland followed by a 20-18 loss to 2-8 Saint Joseph Academy.

Florida the lone opponent that Maryland defeated has 4 wins, now compare that to Florida’s four defeated opponents combined record of 3-35. That has Maryland having an 4 to 3 edge in that matter.

Sorry but enough said as its common sense, its no upset so is the notion that Model Secondary squeaking by Florida 15-14 in two overtimes is virtually no surprise. Do not be fooled by that squeaking in bleak weather. It hurt Florida as much as it does for Model Secondary. No excuses especially that Florida outperformed Model Secondary on many statistical fronts. It only shows that Model Secondary played more than excellent against Maryland, it also made statements at expenses of stretching towards a 33-0 win. 11th – Eastern North Carolina – 2-8

Florida put Eastern North Carolina apart by score of 34-6 and already season performance dots a loss to Junior Varsity caliber Chatham Central 34-30, that does not bode well in ratings despite staying competitive in losing 34-27 to 4-6 Mattamuskeet which lost all of their six games on rather lopsided notes. 12th – Louisiana – 3-6

Played six 11-Man games compared to three 8-Man games. Conveniently added Junior Varsity caliber CHPSC “B” to schedule, defeating them by score of 38-12. Despite one 11-Man 28-14 win over Ecole Classique, an accountable Louisiana stumbled in 8-Man play to Kentucky and Mississippi before saving face in a statement spelling 60-14 rout of Georgia. 12th rating is a close call over California-Riverside and behind Eastern North Carolina. 13th – California-Riverside – 1-9

That is one indeed underrated team that did not live up to its accountability to go 3-7. Laverne Lutheran escaped with a 15-14 win. One persistent effort can be noted in a 12-7 loss to California-Fremont. 14th – Tennessee – 0-11

A disappointment where the team did not go 3-8 as figured potential wise. After a 50-14 humiliation on hands of 8-Man Kentucky, lowest point of season marks a 32-22 loss to 8-Man North Carolina.

6/8/9-Man Football Power Ratings — Rationale

As team accomplishments elaborated elsewhere in this issue of DeafNation, Minnesota fared better than Kentucky in facing Deaf schools among other criteria and factors. Kentucky’s 6-4 record includes two wins over Mississippi in addition to a 45-0 win over near winless North Carolina. Yes, rather tiny in enrollment, Minnesota faced Junior Varsity caliber squads of schools with considerably larger enrollments of 1,000+. 2nd — Kentucky – 6-3 and 6-4 Overall

Kentucky played it very close by 8-Man football standards in a big fashion this year, its first year in official 8-Man play. Kentucky opened season with a resounding statement against near winless North Carolina, winning by shutout score of 45-0. Reality check came in form of Beth Haven Christian in a 52-7 humiliation loss. Mississippi at 3-4 nearly stole one from Kentucky only to lose in a 34-28 nail bitter.

Keep in mind that the following game’s circumstances still largely in question as Allen Central at 4-5 and an enrollment of 528 followed in Beth Haven’s act of putting reality checks on Kentucky by a 36-6 dominating win. The actual caliber and other factors are still unknown to date.

Georgia challenged Kentucky but went down 44-30 in a game that is closer than the score indicates. Small but 11-Man caliber Louisiana and Kentucky went down the wire in a wild three overtime 8-Man thriller with Kentucky coming out on top as the scoreboard read 44-42. Its also noted that Louisiana went 1-2 in 8-Man play losing to Mississippi and Kentucky but shocking Georgia by a large margin.

History has its interesting twists, last year 3-6 Indiana stumbled in upset fashion to 3-6 and 3-7 overall Kentucky by score of 20-19 after three touchdowns called back and none recovered in scoring. That did linger in Indiana’s football program for a solid year. In doing so, it was willingly agreed for the second time that it the match-up be a 8-Man game and that field dimensions will be of national 8-Man standards. Indiana chalk drew the field to be too narrow and corrections could not be made as Kentucky objected to no avail. Kentucky features a sweeping offense that makes use of the standard dimensions especially on the width portion. It was all but bad news for Kentucky, yet Indiana trailed 12-0 at end of 1st Quarter. Kentucky was on a roll but Indiana maneuvered at 2nd Quarter’s start, spreading their defense across the too narrow and non-standard dimension field. That was enough a strategy, Kentucky was done for the day in a 52-12 loss as Indiana’s offense proved to be too strong for Kentucky as keep in mind Kentucky can simply spread out their defense on the too narrow and non-standard dimension field.

Hapless and 0-11 Tennessee, short of more than already enough players suspended, reverted to 8-Man versus Kentucky. It was a long day as Kentucky all but dominated the game in and out to win in a 50-14 rout.

Opportunistic situation to make a statement for Team of the Year contention, Kentucky took another shot at twisting the fork in Mississippi in a repeat encounter to pad Kentucky’s record. Only this time Kentucky dominated 33-12 over Mississippi to help close out their season at 3-4.

The practically all-comers caliber state 8Man playoffs had Kentucky drawing 6-3 Beth Haven again, and a 42-24 reading found Kentucky on the losing end to close out their first official year in the more comfortable cushions of 8-Man football after falling on hard times in 11-Man in recent years due to declining enrollment.

Here’s the vastly very different profiles on two of Kentucky non-deaf opponents featured on schedule: Beth Haven Christian – Enrollment 88 = Record: 5-4 Won 32-0 over Louisville Christian Academy – 0-6 Won 26-14 over Caverna – 2-9 Won 52-7 over Kentucky School f/t Deaf – 6-3 and 6-4 Overall Won 18-7 over Berea – 2-8 Lost 49-48 to Bethlehem – 5-5 and 5-6 Overall Lost 34-16 to Trimble County – 4-6 Lost 24-14 to Eminence – 8-2 and 9-2 Overall Won 48-19 over Kentucky Country Day – 2-7 Lost 40-22 to South Floyd – 5-6 N/A – Hillcrest – Ohio – N/A Allen Central – Enrollment 528 – Record: 4-5 Lost 22-12 to Powell County – 5-5 Won 31-18 over Betsy Layne – 1-9 Won 34-14 over Jenkins – 0-10 Lost 49-20 to Tolsia – N/A – West Virginia Won 36-6 over Kentucky School f/t Deaf – 6-3 and 6-4 Overall Lost 33-14 to Eklhorn City – 3-7 Lost 49-42 to Bethlehem – 5-5 and 5-6 Overall Lost 58-36 to South Floyd – 5-5 and 5-6 Overall Won 52-0 over Casey County – 1-9 3rd — New Mexico – 4-3

This is one heartbreaker of a team who also could have gone 2-5 or 6-1 in a heartbeat. Last year had a virtually hopeless situation that even the likes of then 3-4 Colorado routed 50-0 followed by Arizona on a Junior Varsity caliber 7-1, putting a 58-6 drubbing.

This year was about bittersweet redemption only it could not be more bittersweet if not for two nail bitter losses in wild 6-Man action and Arizona making a statement, optionally canceling out on New Mexico and going for an playoff loss to Orme that was already more than written for before play even started.

Mountainair, even though considerably strong despite losing in 1st round of State playoffs to finish 8-1, made an insulting statement by electing to send only their reserves against New Mexico. New Mexico practically closed out on them halfway in the game by score of 56-0. Well regarded Pine Hill, an eventual 4-4 team came in quite confident, but nearly fell only to survive a 66-61 wild shootout. An underrated 3-6 and 3-7 overall squad in Corona managed to defeat New Mexico in a 57-53 thriller. Keep in mind that in addition to respectful non-district opponents, Corona had the invincible powerhouse and state champion in Roy on schedule. New Mexico made quick work of winless Vaughn in a 47-0 sweep. The last game had dreaded Roy around the corner and pride still remained intact despite the expectant season ending 46-0 loss. State playoff implications was all but dashed in the 57-53 loss to district foe Corona. Interesting to mention, enrollment figures of those opponents surely does vary as follows: Mountainair (133), Pine Hill (107), Corona (41 – reported as K12 but likely to be actually 9th-12th grades), Vaughn (125 – reported as K-12 but may be only 9th-12th or 6th or 7th-12th) and Roy (116). 4th — Arizona – 3-5 and 3-6 Overall

Arizona joined the Varsity ranks and found goings quite harder than the more comfortable environs of a practically Junior Varsity schedule feasted on last year’s 7-1 including a 41-0 loss to Phoenix’s Arizona Lutheran Academy’s Varsity which placed 3rd in conference play.

Season opened with an overwhelming 46-0 rout on hands of 7-1 and 8-2 overall Joseph City. After realizing injuries taking a toll on depth, the coaching staff openly questioned the players attitude towards the next game and determined that a forfeit loss to Clifton is all but necessary. That is one accountability criteria that Arizona missed in a big way. 7-1 and 7-2 overall Arizona Lutheran Academy repeated in its domination of Arizona to tune of a 48-6 steamrolling. A huge breather came in form of long dormant Salome which Arizona conveniently took advantage to win by 46-0 score.

One big benchmark test of accountability nearly took the wind out of Arizona’s momentum. that is a 1-7 situation in sister school Phoenix Day lining up for Arizona. Still young, Phoenix Day managed to stay on par in a game that stretched towards overtime play with Arizona coming out on top 40-34 in the biggest thriller ever played in the rivalry first played in 1982.

Fort Thomas stumbled in facing confident Arizona but Arizona could not clip the win as Fort Thomas came out in the long run to win 70-50. The tradition in 8-0 and 11-0 and state champions Saint David rode its vast depths in and out in facing Arizona, winning in a 72-40 yawner. Finally Arizona found itself accountable to win a key game against injury plagued Patagonia and lived up to its expectations in a thumping 56-14 win.

Patagonia defeated Clifton in regular season play and that caused a three-way tie breaker for the region’s last slot for the state 8-Man playoffs. Arizona fared well in quarter length shootout wins over Clifton and Patagonia while Patagonia edged Clifton for the “alternate” berth. A bad call there, despite nothing to lose, Arizona declined to face New Mexico’s challenge. The preferred foe was 8-0 and 10-1 overall Orme, the state runner-up to Saint David. Orme took Arizona apart with indiscriminate ease, finishing off on a 63-8 note while New Mexico was unfortunately left shortchanged.

Again, enrollment figures goes here as follows: Joseph City (233), Clifton (130), Arizona Lutheran Academy (150), Salome (180), Saint David (N/A), Patagonia (107) and Orme (127). Enrollment hardly testify of validity on Arizona’s part. Tiny and 1-7 Phoenix Day has an enrollment that is slightly bigger than Arizona’s and still gave Arizona more than a run for their money. 5th — Oregon – 2-6

Tough to grasp that fact but New Mexico was whiskers away from a 6-1 record and who knows a 7-1 record had New Mexico faced Arizona and won. Sorry but that did not take place as Arizona, on an optional basis, conveniently entered a 63-8 losing situation in the 1st round of the State Class A 8-Man Playoffs.

Accountability had Arizona expected to go 4-5 and nearly 5-4 if not giving Arizona favored status over Fort Thomas. In actuality, an early season forfeit loss to Clifton proved to be the costly factor in terms of season long consistency, emphasis on the word consistency. Oregon was accountable to go 3-5 but could not. A winnable last season game was scrapped off schedule preventing a shot at a 3-6 (could have been 4-5 or even 5-4) record.

Oregon got to play on a considerably competitive schedule and a third win eluded Oregon thanks to the last game scrapped from schedule. Testimonial to schedule strength, 2-6 Oregon won 18-6 over 4-3 and 4-4 overall Washington, no buts and ifs about that. Its noted that in a heartbeat despite the justified loss, SilentNews conveniently named Washington as its 8-Man Football Team of the Year and that raised more than havoc on part of too many people. Enough said. The old debate on enrollment figures wage here. To think that enrollment figures matter, consider these figures of Oregon’s opponents. Eddyville (60), Falls City (80), Alsea (90), Perrydale (110), Triangle Lake (60), Jewell (50), Saint Paul (215 – Research Unconfirmed). These figures are comparable with Washington’s figures. Enrollment figures adapted as many are K-12 schools. Enrollments were divided by 12 and multiplied by 4 representing 9th12th grades on rounded off figure. 6th — Washington – 4-3 and 4-4 Overall

Reality strikes and Washington is down to earth. Yes, without any doubt, SilentNews named Washington as their 1998 8-Man team of the year because 2-6 Oregon defeated Washington, yeah that is not a typo on this very DeafNation publication. Yes, Oregon did defeat Washington by score of 18-6, fair and square!

In a move that could been easily avoided by scheduling some other foe with ideal maneuvering, Washington instead scheduled weak Mary M. Knight twice on the regular season slate. Thanks to that twisting the fork in Mary M. Knight’s end, Washington padded its record to 4-4, saving face from an actually and a regular season consisting of only three different opponents defeated and losing to four teams on the overall slate, that after an expectant playoff loss. Even if Washington defeated some other team instead of the latter version of Mary M. Knight and/or posted even a superior record than 4-4 or even 5-3, Washington would be content at 6th because Oregon defeated Washington, enough said.

To think that Washington’s opponents are those of considerably higher enrollment figures than those of Arizona, Oregon and even New Mexico. You should look at this. In the ever waging debate on how enrollment figures are accounted for in its validity. You see this would say that nothing is conclusive.

Washington defeated Oakville 58-12 and with 130 students enrolled, Oakville is the largest of Washington’s opponents. How about this, Tahloah with an enrollment of 45 defeated Washington 36-30, fair and square. What more Neah Bay with an enrollment of 66, decimated Washington by score of 66-32. Mary M. Knight, with an enrollment of 75, is a perennial dormant went down twice by scores of 40-6 and 52-6. Finally, Lake Quinault with an enrollment of 80 turned out the lights on Washington in a 30-16 more than decisive win. nose. Its noted that enrollment figures are modified after taking account of K-12, 6th-12th, 7th-12th grades or 10th-12th grades enrollment and dividing it by the differential of each grade range whereas applicable and multiplying by 4 based on numbers that to use for 9th-12th grades. 7th — Iowa – 4-5

This is one interesting season for Iowa after looking at various elements of colorful description. Kansas played tough with Iowa but that was not enough in a 22-8 loss. Against winless Dawson-Verdon, Iowa squeaked by score of 30-22. A good performance against 4-4 Macy was realized in a 22-8 loss. Iowa closed the gap on Minnesota’s dominance in losing again, this time by score of 38-22. Intra-city and Class AAAA Thomas Jefferson Junior Varsity defeated Iowa 29-22, a revenge from last year. Thomas Jefferson’s Junior Varsity feeds into a 4-5 Varsity team. The following week was a humbling blow as Nebraska City Lourdes Junior Varsity defeated Iowa by 22-20 score, that opponent’s Junior Varsity feeds a 7-1 Varsity team. Missouri came up