The Dogwood Circle Power Rankings (Week 4)

After a week's hiatus, we're back with the latest edition of the Dogwood Circle Power Rankings, where we ranked each football team in the area based not on how they'd match up against one another, but how they match up against their schedule.

For example, Oakwood may be the area's No. 1 team in this week's rankings, but obviously the Panthers wouldn't be Palestine or Westwood. That being said, against the schedule they've played and still have to play, the Panthers could be considered the area's best team.

Now that we've gotten the explanation out of the way, let's get into the rankings.

1. Oakwood (3-0, Last ranking: No. 1) — Since we've last debuted the rankings, all the Panthers did was top Milford — a top-10 preaseason team, according to sixmanfootball.com — 65-56. It was the first-ever win over Milford for the Panthers, who were off this past week and take on Rockwall Heritage Christian this week on the road.

2. Elkhart (3-1, Last ranking: No. 2) — The Elks dropped a game to Centerville after moving up to No. 2 in the last poll. But, Elkhart rebounded this past week as they throttled Grapeland, 45-26. Jeffrey Wilson and Tevin White continue to shine as a two-headed running attack for the Elks, and the defense has played well all season long. No. 16 Milford is the final non-district test for the Elks, and it could be the toughest.

3. Palestine (2-2, Last ranking: No. 3) — It's been a rough couple of weeks for Palestine since the last rankings. They lost their top-two quarterbacks and got throttled by a very good Van team in Week 3. This past week, the Wildcats squeaked out a win in the final seconds over Mabank, a win the team desperately needed.

4. Westwood (1-3, Last ranking: No. 4) — The Panthers could easily be both 3-1 (or at the worst 2-2) and could also easily be No. 3 in this week's rankings. After mistakes and miscues cost the team their Week 3 matchup against Bullard, they again fell hard in a 28-27 loss to Arp at home last Friday that saw Westwood come up one-yard short of an upset.

5. Frankston (1-3, Last ranking: No. 5) — Frankston finally got a win this past Friday against Alto, one that was long-coming. The Indians' offense has continually shined this season, and the defense has finally started to come around. If the defense can become half as good as the offense, the Indians will climb very quickly.

6. Cayuga (1-3, Last ranking: No. 7) — Cayuga also got its first win Friday, theirs coming against lowly Dawson, 49-6. CHS coach Greg Jenkins said the Wildcats' execution was much better in the game, but they still have a ways to go to become the third-playoff team in a very tough district.

7. Grapeland (1-3, Last ranking: No. 6) — The Sandies have yet to outgain an opponent this year, and it only got worse two weeks ago when QB Cameron Boyd went down with an injury. He could be out at least 5 more weeks, and that severely hampers the Sandies playoff chances. Patrick Walker has been a bright spot for Grapeland, but makes up almost all of the offense.