New No. 1 team debuts in Week 8 Kalamazoo-area football power rankings

KALAMAZOO, MI – The race for Michigan's high school football postseason is officially here, and teams in Southwest Michigan are starting to kick things into high gear.

That's left plenty of movement in this week's power rankings.

And a new team at No. 1.

Perhaps no team earned a bigger winner than the Tigers, who knocked off two-time defending state champion Martin, which ascended them not only to being ranked No. 1 in the latest Associated Press polls –– but it's also vaulted them to being top-ranked in this week's 8-player area rankings.

Other Kalamazoo-area squads like Parchment, Mattawan, Portage Central Schoolcraft all earned major victories over legitimate teams in Week 7, with some now set up ideally for an outright conference championship while others have already wrapped up conference crowns.

Check out which teams are surging entering a crucial Week 8 of the season below, along with a fresh set of power rankings.

There might not be an area team that's firing on all cylinders like Parchment's offense, which has dropped 50-plus points in back-to-back games including last week's huge upset victory over state-ranked Constantine. The Panthers, now ranked eighth in Division 6, are red-hot backed by their four-game winning streak and have an opportunity to capture their first conference championship on Friday at home against rival Kalamazoo United.

The dynamic and prolific tandem of seniors Jaden Taylor and Jalen Kampen have been at the forefront of a talented Parchment senior class, as Taylor tallied four touchdowns and 131 rushing yards in the Panthers' win over Constantine on Friday. But perhaps most underrated part of Parchment's squad this season has been their defense, allowing just over 13 points per game led by a trio of shutouts.

If the Panthers win on Friday against United, look out Division 6 opponents.

The Wildcats came up with one of the biggest upsets of Week 7 around the state, stifling Division 3 No. 5-ranked St. Joseph with a second half shutout and handing the Bears their first loss of the season, 24-7. Mattawan has now won three of its last four games after a 1-2 start, all led by strong quarterback play from Preston Shackelford and a defense that's allowed just seven points per game over its last three games.

Friday's win over the Bears vaulted Mattawan into the Division 2 playoff picture, and with two games remaining, their last two games will be crucial in punching a postseason ticket. Perhaps no game is more important than their showdown with Kalamazoo Central this Friday –– a win there and they'll almost certainly be postseason bound.

With Friday's win, hands down and no questions asked, Gobles is now the best team in 8-player football. The Tigers' Week 7 victory over two-time defending state champion Martin knocked the Clippers off their top-ranked throne, propelling the Tigers to No. 1 in the latest Associated Press polls and has Gobles on the cusp of their first unbeaten season since 2006.

The Tigers have perhaps one of the most lethal rushing attacks in the state backed by all-state senior running back Mason Mansfield and emerging senior quarterback Preston Misak. After reaching the regional championship game last season, Gobles looks the part of a state championship team entering Week 8.

Thanks to last week's dominant 56-7 victory over Saugatuck, Schoolcraft wrapped up its first SAC-Valley conference championship in four years. The eighth-ranked Eagles have now won four consecutive games after their Week 3 loss to Constantine and have leaned more on their talented sophomore quarterback in recent weeks to victories.

Jack DeVries was supremely efficient in Friday's win over the Trailblazers, completing 11-of-12 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a 12-yard rushing touchdown. DeVries' stellar play, combined with the continued playmaking of wide receiver Drew Enright and running backs TJ Luteyn and Cooper Howard, have Schoolcraft humming at the right time.

White Pigeon

With last week's 40-6 victory over Centreville, White Pigeon wrapped up its second straight Southwest 10 Conference title. The Division 8 No. 6-ranked Chiefs are unbeaten once again entering the home stretch of the season and have dominated opponents thanks to a stout defense and a bevy of talented running backs.

White Pigeon's defense has allowed an eye-popping 5.86 points per game this season led by all-state lineman Chaz Underwood, while junior running back Taylor Stewart continues to impress on the ground. Stewart piled up 266 yards and four touchdowns last week against the Bulldogs, junior Ty Strawser added a touchdown reception and a touchdown pass and senior Jordan Pisco caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.

The Chiefs will now get a rematch with powerhouse Ottawa Lake Whiteford in Week 8, a squad that's knocked White Pigeon out of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

On the bubble: Loy Norrix (5-2), Lawton (5-2), Portage Northern (4-3), South Haven (3-4), Three Rivers (3-4), Vicksburg (3-4), Centreville (2-5)

Previous ranking: No. 5

Last week: Lost to Parchment (51-30)

This week: at Watervliet (1-6)

Previous ranking: No. 9

Last week: Forfeit win over Cassopolis

This week: at Hopkins (6-1)

Previous ranking: No. 10

Last week: Defeated Battle Creek Central (66-14)

This week: at Mattawan (4-3)

Previous ranking:

Last week: Defeated St. Joseph (24-7)

This week: vs. Kalamazoo Central (5-2)

Previous ranking: No. 8

Last week: Defeated Portage Northern (23-6)

This week: at Battle Creek Lakeview (1-6)

Previous ranking: No. 4

Last week: Defeated South Haven (35-0)

This week: at Parchment (6-1)

Previous ranking: No. 7

Last week: Defeated Constantine (51-30)

This week: vs. Kalamazoo United (6-1)

Previous ranking: No. 3

Last week: Defeated Saugatuck (56-7)

This week: at Delton Kellogg (2-5)

Previous ranking: No. 2

Last week: Defeated Centreville (40-6)

This week: vs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (3-4)

Previous ranking: No. 1

Last week: Defeated Three Rivers (41-0)

This week: at Otsego (2-5)

Previous ranking: No. 5

Last week: Defeated Eau Claire (65-30)

This week: at Bangor (0-6)

Previous ranking: No. 4

Last week: Defeated Bellevue (36-6)

This week: vs. Mendon (7-0)

Previous ranking: No. 1

Last week: Lost to Gobles (20-14)

This week: vs. Fennville (3-4)

Previous ranking: No. 3

Last week: Defeated Battle Creek St. Philip (62-20)

This week: at Climax-Scotts (6-1)

Previous ranking: No. 1

Last week: Defeated Martin (20-14)