The Miles City Cowboys climbed to No. 1 in the final MontanaSports.com high school football power rankings of the regular season. The Cowboys enter the postseason as the lone unbeaten in Class A.
The record clinched the Eastern A crown for the Cowboys, giving the program a bye in this weekend's first round of the playoffs. Miles City awaits the winner between Whitefish and Frenchtown. Frenchtown fell from the polls after falling to Libby, the new No. 5, last Friday.
Hamilton finished a couple points behind Miles City in second place, ahead of Western A champion Dillon, which was No. 3. Both the Broncs and Beavers join Miles City in receiving byes this weekend, while Laurel is also off after securing the No. 2 seed from the Eastern A.
The Class A scores and pairings can be found here.
Class AA saw a minor shakeup after Bozeman topped previously-unbeaten Billings West for the Eastern AA title and ensuing No. 1 seed in the postseason. The Hawks moved to No. 2 in the polls, still behind undefeated Butte, while Missoula Sentinel is third, West fourth and Helen Capital fifth. Helena High received votes in the poll after a close crosstown loss to Capital last weekend.
Butte receives the lone bye in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs, while Bozeman, Sentinel, West and Capital host Missoula Big Sky, Billings Skyview, Kalispell Flathead and Belgrade, respectively.
Class AA playoff scores and pairings can be found here.
The Class B rankings saw a slight change, with the top four teams -- Fairfield, Eureka, Manhattan and Red Lodge -- holding their position, while Malta moved ahead of Florence for the fifth spot. The Mustangs clinched the Northern B's No. 2 seed and moved in front of Florence, the Western B's second-seeded team, in this week's poll. Malta hosts Jefferson, while Florence welcomes Shepherd in the first round of the playoffs.
Other playoff matchups see Baker making the longest playoff trek of the opening round, traveling to Eureka, while Huntley Project renews its recent rivalry with Missoula Loyola by welcoming the Rams to Worden.
The Class B playoff scores and pairings can be found here.
Fairview held the No. 1-ranking from start to finish during the regular season, entering playoff play as a state-title favorite in many eyes. The Warriors welcome Choteau in the opening round of the playoffs. Fort Benton and Alberton-Superior, each champions in their respective leagues, finished tied for second in this week's polls. West Yellowstone is No. 3, while a two-way tie between Great Falls Central and St. Ignatius rounded out the rankings.
Thompson Falls and Drummond-Philipsburg also received votes, meaning every 8-Man West team received votes in the poll.
The 8-Man playoff scores and pairings can be found here.
The 6-Man power rankings saw an unusual three-way tie for the final spot in the poll, with Shields Valley making its initial appearance after the final week of the regular season. Shields Valley downed Bridger to clinch the 6-Man South title on Saturday, 44-12. The Rebels tied with Power-Dutton-Brady and Westby-Grenora, a pair of teams that lost their final games of the season -- P-D-B against Big Sandy, and MonDak fell to Jordan. The Pioneers and Mustangs are ranked No. 1 and 2, respectively, once again in the poll. Hot Springs is third and Wibaux No. 4.
The 6-Man scores and pairings can be found here.
The MontanaSports.com high school football power rankings, along with team records, can be found below. To view updated high school football standings, please click here.
Class AA
1. Butte (9-0)
2. Bozeman (7-1)
3. Missoula Sentinel (8-1)
4. Billings West (7-1)
5. Helena Capital (7-2)
Receiving votes: Helena High (5-4).
Class A
1. Miles City (8-0)
2. Hamilton (8-1)
3. Dillon (8-1)
4. Laurel (7-1)
5. Libby (7-2)
Receiving votes: Frenchtown (7-2).
Class B
1. Fairfield (8-0)
2. Eureka (8-0)
3. Manhattan (8-0)
4. Red Lodge (8-0)
5. Malta (7-1)
Receiving votes: Florence (6-2).
8-Man
1. Fairview (8-0)
T2. Fort Benton (8-0)
T2. Alberton-Superior (9-0)
4. West Yellowstone (8-0)
T5. Great Falls Central (6-2)
T5. St. Ignatius (8-1)
Receiving votes: Thompson Falls (8-1), Drummond-Philipsburg (6-3)
6-Man
1. Big Sandy (8-0)
2. Jordan (8-1)
3. Hot Springs (9-0)
4. Wibaux (6-2)
T5. Westby-Grenora (6-3)
T5. Power-Dutton-Brady (6-1)
T5. Shields Valley (7-1)
