Freeman gains power in power rankings

The Freeman football team has become the beloved of several media types in the region. The Scotties stand alone atop the NWPrepsNow Power Rankings after sharing the top spot with Lind-Ritzville/Sprague the last three weeks. It’s not like LRS (6-0) did anything wrong. The Broncos cruised to another win Friday. But the Scotties (7-0) put an impressive 52-6 shellacking on defending Northeast A League champ Chewelah. Both teams received three first-place votes, but Freeman has 45 points to LRS’s 40. Rounding out the rankings are Ferris (30), which received two first-place votes, Shadle Park (27), Coeur d’Alene (26), which received a first-place votes, and Lake City (10), which makes its first poll appearance. “Can anyone beat the NEA No. 1 team?” panelist Paul Sorenson asked. Another voter asked if Freeman is the best team in the area. “No,” Greg Lee said, “but they deserve my No. 1 vote.” Said Neil Stover: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There is not a more dominant team in the Inland Northwest right now than the Freeman Scotties. If you want proof just check out this stat: Freeman has outscored its opponents 225-21 over the past five games and 279-42 overall.” Ferris, which is tied with Gonzaga Prep and Shadle Park atop the Greater Spokane League, has set the pace in the power rankings for the GSL. “The best team in the area – offensively and defensively,” Lee said. Shadle didn’t receive any first-place votes but the panelists respect the Highlanders’ body of work. “Perhaps the groundskeeper at Central Valley should take the week off and let the grass grow,” Ames said of Shadle’s game Friday at CV. “That might be the only thing that can slow the Highlander offense down.” Two of the power teams – CdA and Lake City – meet Friday in a game that should decide the 5A Inland Empire League’s lone state berth. “I love the passion and precision this team brings,” Sam Adams said. “We are in for an epic showdown Friday night at LCHS.” Added Ames: “A very good football team with the added the incentive of playing for their coach (Shawn Amos) who is battling (cancer).”