WJG Sports Football Power Rankings No. 2

Eight weeks of high school football are in the books WJG Sports coverage area. The results from the last week of games have left us a little bit surprised. After starting 0-5, West Johnston has won back to back contests including a win over county rival Smithfield-Selma. 

Eastern Wayne picked up their first win of the season against county rival Southern Wayne while C.B. Aycock suffered a big loss to New Bern. Princeton remained the only undefeated team in the coverage area with another offensive explosion against Union. Rosewood took care of business in a similar fashion against Hobbton. 

Cleveland remained in the top spot after a blowout win over East Wake to begin Greater Neuse River conference play. However, there was a big shakeup in this week’s edition of the power rankings. 

The We Journal Great Sports crew has updated some rankings of the best teams and players in the area going into week 9. Check them out and let us know what you agree/disagree with on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. 

Make sure to follow WJG Sports on all social media platforms and subscribe to the YouTube channel for the latest highlights and analysis from Wayne, Johnston and Greene County sports. Also, stay tuned to the Just Like Bruddas Podcast with Kai Jones and Laieke Abebe. You can follow both of them on Twitter @MMJKaiJones and @StrikaNation24_.

1. Cleveland (6-1, 1-0 GNRC, W2, Last Week: 1)

2. Princeton (6-0, 1-0 CC, W6, LW: 3)

3. Rosewood (6-1, 1-0 CC, W6, LW: 4)

4. C.B. Aycock (6-2, 2-1 3-A/4-A ECC, L1, LW: 2)

5. Corinth Holders (4-3, 0-1 NAC, 3L, LW: 5)

6. Greene Central (4-3, 1-1 2-A ECC, 3W, LW: 7)

7. Clayton (3-4, 1-0 GRNC, W1, LW: 8)

8. Goldsboro (3-4, 0-1 East C, L1, LW: 6)

9. West Johnston (2-5, 1-0 GRNC, W2, LW: 12)

10. South Johnston (2-5, 0-1 GNRC, L2, LW: 9)

11. Eastern Wayne (1-6, 1-2 3-A/4-A ECC, W1, LW: 14)

12. Wayne Christian (4-3-1, L1, LW: 10)

13. North Johnston (1-6, 0-1 EPC, L3, LW: 11)

14. Smithfield-Selma (1-6, 0-1 GRNC, 6L, LW: 13)

15. Southern Wayne (1-7, 0-2 3-A/4-A ECC, 6L, LW: 12)

16. Spring Creek (1-7, L5, LW: 15)

WJG Sports Player of the Year Rankings

1. Cleveland sophomore Omarion Hampton
2. Rosewood senior Davien Thompson
3. Cleveland senior Dakota Marquess
4. C.B. Aycock senior Tae Jackson
5. Clayton senior Jalen Chadwick
6. Princeton sophomore Jaydon Brooks
7. Corinth Holders senior Marcus Bland
8. C.B. Aycock senior Alijuan Moore
9. Goldsboro senior Jykeis Mclean
10. C.B. Aycock junior Clay Matthews

WJG Sports Defensive Player Of The Year Rankings

1. Cleveland senior Dakota Marquess
2. Corinth Holders junior Ayden Pearce
3. Cleveland junior Hunter Morris
4. Goldsboro junior Brian Buckom 
5. Corinth Holders junior Ayden Pearce
6. Greene Central senior Michael Johnson
7. Corinth Holders senior Marcus Bland
8. Eastern Wayne junior Nick Barrett
9. C.B. Aycock senior Tae Jackson
10. Cleveland senior Garrett Jones

WJG Sports Quarterback of the Year Rankings

1. C.B. Aycock junior Clay Matthews
2. Cleveland sophomore Skyler Locklear
3. Rosewood junior Will Harris

WJG Sports Running Back of the Year Rankings

1. Cleveland sophomore Omarion Hampton
2. C.B. Aycock senior Tae Jackson
3. Clayton senior Jalen Chadwick

WJG Sports Wide Receiver of the Year Rankings

1. Rosewood senior Davien Thompson
2. Corinth Holders senior Marcus Bland
3. C.B. Aycock senior Alijuan Moore