Lions back in familiar spot in Dirty 30

The showdown in Scooba is over and East Mississippi is back in a familiar spot, taking over the lead in the JCGridiron.com Dirty 30 Rankings after a 51-32 win over Northwest. The Lions should wrap up the north title this weekend before entering the playoffs.

East Mississippi has been on top of the JCG Dirty 30 for all but two weeks this year, and despite some issues on the defensive side of the ball the Lions have one of the greatest offenses ever assembled. East Mississippi never trailed against Northwest on Saturday, rolling up 614 yards of offense against a very formidable opponent. The Lions received a spectacular performance from quarterback DeAndre Johnson, who threw for five touchdowns while leading the team in rushing. Johnson was named the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by JCGridiron.com just eight days earlier. East Mississippi finishes up the regular season against Coahoma and Hinds, two programs with a combined two wins on the season.

Northwest may have lost the game but didn’t fall far in the rankings. The Rangers now come in at No. 8 in the Dirty 30 and still will get a shot at revenge should they make the playoffs. It isn’t going to be easy, however, as Northwest has home dates with No. 42 East Central and No. 13 Northeast to close the regular season.

Arizona Western made a big jump this week, climbing three spots to No. 2. The Matadors crushed Phoenix 59-12 over the weekend and have been making a mess off the conference. With four games remaining, a date with No. 11 Mesa on the road on November 5 could be the difference between Arizona Western playing for an NJCAA title or not. Arizona Western continues this week with a game at Pima, a team they beat 20-0 in week three.

The race for supremacy in Southern California is a dogfight and Riverside and Fullerton have taken the lead. Riverside moved up to No. 3 in the rankings this week and Fullerton is right on their heels at No. 4. The Tigers play the softer part of the Central League before late-season matchups against No. 16 Mt. San Antonio and No. 23 Long Beach. Fullerton made a major statement this week with a bruising 79-18 win over Grossmont. The Hornets now have a critical date at No. 14 Saddleback, who is smarting after a major stumble against Golden West.

Garden City could wrap up their first Jayhawk title in decades this week if they can beat No. 21 Dodge City. The Broncbusters overcame a difficult challenge this past weekend by winning a grudge match at Iowa Western, 27-17. Garden City keeps finding ways to win and moved up to No. 5 in the rankings with the win. The Busters scored just one offensive touchdown in the game, but returned three interceptions for touchdowns against the Reivers.

Santa Rosa last won a piece of a conference title in 2006, but that was when the northern half of the state had a disastrous playoff structure and the Bear Cubs were relegated to a meaningless bowl game rather than a playoff appearance. Santa Rosa could take a major step towards the playoffs this week when they travel to No. 19 San Francisco, a program that has suddenly found its stride. Santa Rosa moved up to No. 7 in the rankings this week with a dominating 34-0 win over Contra Costa. It was the second straight shutout for the Bear Cubs, who have allowed just 57 points all season. San Francisco blasted Diablo Valley on Friday 49-7, knocking the Vikings down 15 spots in the rankings.

Trinity Valley is another that could win a title this week and the Cardinals moved up to No. 9 in the rankings after a 65-41 win over Tyler. The shootout win over the Apaches gave TVCC the upper-hand in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference race with two games remaining. A win by the Cardinals this week at home against No. 40 Kilgore would give them wins over the next three teams in the standings with just one week remaining.

Central Lakes wrapped up a perfect regular season in the Minnesota ranks and moved onto the big board at No. 29 this week. The Raiders have been cruising as of late, outscoring their last five opponents 236-73.

#4 Fullerton at #14 Saddleback
#5 Garden City at #21 Dodge City
#7 Santa Rosa at #19 San Francisco
#42 East Central at #8 Northwest Mississippi (Th)
#40 Kilgore at #9 Trinity Valley
#52 Sacramento City at #10 American River
#41 Siskiyous at #12 Butte
#32 Holmes at #13 Northeast Mississippi (Th)

The rest of the Dirty 30 Rankings follow. Just a reminder, the JCGridiron.com Dirty 30 Rankings do not recognize games against Club Teams or Prep Schools.

* = forfeited game