WEEK 10 RANKINGS

Heading into what is the final week of the regular season for most of The Mercury-area teams ... and little, once again, has changed among the Super Six:

1. Pottsgrove (9-0): Many are saying this is Pottsgrove's best team in years (and that includes more than a few in the recent past). With districts (and perhaps states) ahead, the Falcons will have the opportunity to prove just that.

2. Perkiomen Valley (7-2): The Vikings did absolutely nothing to tear off the tag as the area's second-best team right now. If it weren't for a few missed tackles, last Friday's game at Pottsgrove may have gone into a overtime marathon. Only two losses have been to opponents heading into the playoffs, but they need one against No. 3 Spring-Ford to assure themselves of a spot in the postseason, too.

3. Spring-Ford (8-1): Despite playing without their No. 1 running back since Week Three, the Rams pretty much handled everyone but Pottsgrove. Now the big test comes Friday night in the muck at Perkiomen Valley - or on the turf at Ursinus College or back at Spring-Ford (or so we're hearing in the leftover winds of Sandy). Bottom line is the winner advances into the District 1-AAAA playoffs... while the loser will need help to stay among the Top 16.

4. Phoenixville (6-3): In the beginning of the year, most expected Pannella, Yenchick and White to be carriers of success. Now a whole bunch of others are sharing the load and helped the Phantoms get themselves in a position to make the District 1-AAA playoffs for the second straight year. Up next is Pottsgrove, and an upset of the Falcons will not only create a two- or possible three-way for the PAC-10 lead, but guarantee the Phantoms a good postseason seed.

5. Methacton (4-5): The Warriors are playing better now than they have all season. Bossard is coming off his best game of the year, and Lowery looks like one of the area's better players who never leaves the field. Dealing with Pottstown's speed on Saturday - and with former rival Norristown next week - will determine if the Warriors can finish over the .500 mark again.

6. Pottstown (4-5): Why rank anyone who has lost back-to-back games by identical 55-20 scores? For starters, the losses were to No. 1 Pottsgrove and No. 2 Spring-Ford. If you need a second reason, try finding a defense to stop them.

Don Seeley