Prep softball rankings, 10/8

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Here is this week's state prep softball rankings.

(Records through Tuesday)

Class A                                              Pvs

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  1. Papillion-La Vista (27-1)                1

  2. Lincoln Southwest (27-6)             2

  3. Lincoln North Star (29-5)              3

  4. Millard North (18-7)                       4

  5. Papillion-La Vista South (21-5)     5

  6. Millard West (15-9)                       6

  7. Millard South (13-12)                    NR

  8. Lincoln East (19-11)                     8

  9. Lincoln Southeast (21-14)            9

10. Omaha Westside (15-8)               7

Contenders: Fremont, Omaha Marian, Bellevue East 

Comments:  Millard South jumps back in the ratings with wins against Omaha Westside and Lincoln Southwest at the Millard South Tournament. The Patriots are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Projected district champions: District A-1, Papillion-La Vista with the upset special going to Fremont. A-2, Lincoln Southwest with the upset special Millard South. The Patriots upset Lincoln East, ranked fifth last season, advancing to state for the fourth straight season. A-3, Lincoln North Star, with the upset special Omaha Marian. The Navigators, fresh off their best season ever, are looking to advance to the state tournament for the first time in school history. A-4, Papilllion South, with Lincoln Southeast as the upset special. The Knights have the potential, if they can take advantage of men on base. A-5, Millard North and upset special Millard West. A-6, two tough teams here in Omaha Westside and Lincoln East. The coin flip goes to Omaha Westside. A-7, this district guarantees that at least one team with a losing record will advance to state. Grand Island gets the nod here.

Class B                                               Pvs

  1. Omaha Skutt (17-2)                      1

  2. Seward (20-1)                             3

  3. Blair (19-2)                                   2

  4. Omaha Gross (16-8)                    4

  5. Beatrice (17-8)                             5

  6. Waverly (17-6)                             6

  7. Lincoln Pius X (16-10)                  7

  8. Ralston (14-10)                            NR

  9. Aurora (20-7)                               9

10. Cozad (18-5)                               10

Contenders: Scottsbluff, McCook, Columbus Lakeview, Elkhorn.

Comments: Ralston moves in with a surge at the end of the season. The Rams won 11 of their last 13, with losses to Papillion and Papillion-La Vista South. 

Projected district champions: B-1, Blair with challenges from Omaha Skutt and Elkhorn. Despite a 12-11 record, the Antlers have a four-year string of state titles to defend. B-2, Omaha Gross, with Ralston a close second. B-3, Columbus Lakeview looks be the one to beat, but O’Neill could provide a challenge. B-4, Seward. This is probably the toughest district in the state, with four teams in the top 10. Beatrice, with state tournament history on its side, looks to be the top contender to challenge Seward. B-5, Aurora. B-6, this district is interesting as every team played each other throughout the season. It should come down to Cozad and McCook.

Class C                                               Pvs

  1. Yutan/Mead (21-1)                       2

  2. Wayne (21-4)                               1

  3. Bennington (21-5)                        3

  4. Twin River (21-3)                        4

  5. Milford (17-8)                                 —

  6. Fillmore Central/E-M (17-8)           5

  7. Centennial (18-10)                        6

  8. Central City (15-7)                        8

  9. Wahoo (18-5)                               7

10. Gothenburg (19-3)                       10

Contenders: Syracuse, Douglas County West, Bishop Neumann.

Comments: Another new No. 1, Yutan/Mead, after a 2-1 win against Wayne in the Yutan/Mead tournament. Milford leapfrogs into the ratings for the first time since the preseason, winning the Southern Nebraska Conference with four tournament wins each over Centennial and Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan. Wahoo falls after losing three of its last five games.

Projected district champions: District C-1, Wayne. The Blue Devils, perennial state tournament participants, could see challenges from defending champ Tekamah-Herman as well as Logan View/Scribner-Snyder. C-2, a number of good teams here, but Yutan/Mead seems to be the clear choice on paper. A number of teams in the top 10 here. C-3, an open district. Milford has history and a winning streak on its side. Syracuse and Ashland-Greenwood could challenge. C-4, Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan is the clear-cut favorite. C-5, Twin River and Centennial could battle it out. C-6, Gothenburg.