MIAA releases initial power rankings for fall season

By THOMAS JOHNSTON

Staff Writer

Published: 09-27-2024 4:36 PM

High school teams around the state found out where they currently stand on Friday, as the MIAA released its initial power rankings of the fall season. 

The formula for making the state tournament hasn’t changed: the top 32 teams in each division earn an automatic spot while each time with a record over .500 also gets a bid, whether ranked in the top 32 or not. For football, only the top 16 ranked teams in each division make the postseason with no exception for teams with a .500 record. 

All records listed below are what the MIAA used to formulate its ranking and do not account for any games played on Friday. 

The Frontier field hockey team is the highest ranked team in the Recorder area, as the Redhawks’ 6-1-1 start has them ranked No. 3 in the Div. 4 field. 

Also in the Div. 4 field, Greenfield (3-3) earned the No. 15 ranking while Franklin Tech (7-2-1) enters the rankings at No. 31. Turners (No. 43, 2-6-1), Mahar (No. 47, 1-7) and Mohawk Trail (No. 48, 0-9) currently sit outside the top 32. 

In the Div. 8 football field, Franklin Tech comes in at No. 9 in the rankings following its 2-0 start to the season. Mahar, also 2-0, sits at No. 10 in the rankings. Frontier (0-2) is ranked No. 21, Athol (2-0) is ranked No. 30 while Greenfield (0-2) is ranked No. 47. 

The Frontier boys soccer team sits at 6-1-1 on the season, which earned it the No. 4 ranking in the Div. 4 field. 

In the Div. 5 boys soccer field, Pioneer (No. 9, 6-0-2) and Turners (No. 23, 4-2) entered in the top 32 while Mahar (No. 49, 0-5-1), Greenfield (No. 54, 2-4-2), Athol (No. 74, 1-7) and Franklin Tech (No. 83, 0-5-2) are on the outside looking in. 

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

UMass football: Amid coaching search, pair of blunders has athletic department in the spotlight
Authorities identify Northampton man found dead in Gill
SAPHE 2.0 to modernize local health care
Markey predicts RFK Jr. hearing will spark ‘uproar’
Home heating help on tap: Residents urged to apply for fuel assistance
Franklin Tech accepting applications for adult education courses

With an 8-0 opening to the season, the Frontier girls soccer team entered at No. 29 in the Div. 4 rankings. Over in Div. 5, Greenfield (5-1) is ranked No. 32 while Athol (No. 38, 5-1-1), Pioneer (No. 44, 3-1-1), Franklin Tech (No. 48, 3-3-1) and Mahar (No. 49, 0-8-1) come in outside the top 32. 

The Frontier girls volleyball team reached the Div. 4 semifinals last year and in the initial power rankings, are ranked No. 5 in the field with a 5-4 record. Mohawk Trail (7-1) is the highest ranked Recorder area team in the Div. 5 field, coming in at No. 19. 

Turners, a Div. 5 semifinalist last year, is ranked No. 24 with a 7-3 record while Mahar (No. 33, 5-3), Franklin Tech (No. 34, 4-5), Athol (No. 48, 2-6), Greenfield (No. 49, 4-4) and Pioneer (No. 70, 0-8) are currently outside the top 32.