Wyoming High School Football Rankings: Week 5, 2016 [POLL]

As teams enter the second half of the 2016 regular season, the latest coaches/media rankings can be a good indicator as to which teams have potential to make the playoffs.

Last week it was #1 vs. #2 in 4A...this week it's happening again. Sheridan is the unanimous #1 and while they are undefeated and the defending state champ, the Energy Bowl trophy has eluded them. #2 Gillette (who shares the ranking with Rock Springs), has won the last 4 Energy Bowls. The rivalry is renewed at Sheridan this weekend. Natrona and Cheyenne South switch spots this week, with the Mustangs taking the #4 rankings, thus the Bison drop to #5.

The 3A rankings are unchanged from last week. Unanimous #1 Star Valley and #2 Green River can't start looking at each other just yet. They both have one more game to play, because the Wolves and Braves clash next week in their state championship rematch. The big game this weekend has #3 Douglas visiting #4 Torrington. That's a game that will have big playoff implications in the East. Worland holds steady at #5 for the second week in a row.

The latest 2A rankings are a bit crowded at the top, which can make a big game even bigger. Glenrock and Greybull are tied for #1, while Big Horn is behind both at #3. The Rams visit the Herders this weekend in what will probably by a game that will decide the top 2 seed in the East. Meanwhile, #4 Lovell moves ahead of #5 Mountain View as a result of last week's game.

Until someone can be the defending champs, Upton-Sundance will continue to be the unanimous #1 ranked 1A team. The Patriots made a big statement with last week's shutout win over Pine Bluffs. PB's undefeated streak is over, and the Hornets were kicked out of the rankings as a result of last week's shutout loss. Rocky Mountain made a big impression on voters. Not only did the Grizzlies get their first win vs. #5 Cokeville last week, they shut out the Panthers, which is no easy task. Their reward is the #2 ranking. #3 Tongue River showed they recovered their loss 2 weeks ago, and are back in the mix, while the team they beat last week...Southeast, drops to #4. The Cyclones have to shake off last week's loss quick, because the Cyclones visit U-S this weekend.

There's not much change in the latest 6-Man rankings. Meeteetse is still on top at #1. Kaycee and Farson-Eden were tied for #2 last week. This week the defending champs have the spot to themselves by 1 vote, so the Pronghorns have to settle for #3 for the moment. Little Snake River and Guernsey-Sunrise tie for #4. This year is the second year in a row that Kaycee visits G-S and this time, it could decide the top seed in the East. Last year was the 6-0 game, that had a lot of people scratching their heads.

Disclaimer: The rankings have no official say on post-season positioning, and are only to be used as a measuring stick on the regular season. Please don't read too much into the rankings.