Boys Top Ten - Week 2

The MWPA has released the Week 2 MWPA Coaches Poll following the second full week of competition.

#1 Hudsonville Eagles

While they didn't get every first place vote, they are still unbeaten, though not untested. For long stretches of their game with now #2 Jenison were within one or tied. Josh Ahrendt's four time defending champions got out of it with a two-goal victory, and still have largely marched past all of their competition. Unfortunately for all of you polo fans, you'll have to wait a little over a month to see the next scheduled rematch (barring any tournament meetings) on October 3rd.

#2 Jenison Wildcats

We read you loud and clear boys! At 5-2, their only losses have come to the state champion and runner up from two months ago...by a combined three goals. Jason Sweedyk's bunch has come a LONG way under his guidance in a short time, and the reigning coach of the year sports four top ten wins in just seven games already. The Cats look for real.

#3 Rockford Rams

Rockford had actually, a fairly quiet week. They lost to #1 Hudsonville but had wins over Zeeland, who is knocking on the door of being ranked, as well as Saline. Craig Peterman's Rams have already played 11 times, and things heat up in a big way when they draw #2 Jenison at home on September 7th, looking for revenge for their August 20th loss to the J-Cats.

#4 Ann Arbor Pioneer Pioneers

The Pio's had a nice bounce back week after their trip west, and took down #7 Birmingham Seaholm, as well as both strong St. Xavier and St. Francis (Ohio) squads in their earylybird tournament to take the tournament title. The Ohio schools had run amok all weekend, but Pioneer did something they don't often do: Win a Barnburner. They won 17-13 and 14-13 games at home, showing off some prolific offensive skills. Don Packard has an intriguing group early on.

#5 Birmingham Seaholm Maples

Fear the Leaf? Apparently! The Maples went south to Ann Arbor and had a strong weekend, finishing 3-1. They defeated a strong St. Xavier (Ohio) squad by three, and ran past the team formerly in front of them, rival Birmingham Groves by seven. The Maples also had a fair showing against Ann Arbor Pioneer who took the game 8-4, but head coach Josh Stephens has a lot to be excited about early on.

#6 East Grand Rapids Pioneers

A BIG mover, the Pioneers clock in at sixth this week after upsetting formerly #2 Ann Arbor Skyline out west. The formerly 10th ranked Pioneers also defeated Zeeland and #9 Ann Arbor Huron. In fact, their only loss right now is to #1 Hudsonville, a team they scored eight times against: More than any team in the state has scored on the Eagles so far. Raheem Brown's Pioneers get a few big tests coming up from September 12-26 - they host Jenison and Hudsonville, and visit Grand Haven, Zeeland and Rockford in that stretch.

#7 Ann Arbor Skyline Eagles

The Eagles played a bit shorthanded and suffered a pair of losses to open the season before getting right against Saline and former #8 Grand Haven this past week. Ashley Hower's group has a strong nucleus back and should rebound back at full strength. They have a bit of time off, but in a district with two other ranked teams, nothing will come easy for the Eagles who are hungry to take the next step.

#8 Birmingham Groves Gators

George Googasian's Gators traded off wins and losses this week, toppling Saline and Dexter before falling to St. Francis. They rebounded with a win over East Lansing before falling to rival and former #7 Birmingham Seaholm. The good news is, they have plenty of spots on their schedule to get back to where they want to be, including dates with pioneer, Huron and an early October meeting with Seaholm.

#9 Ann Arbor Huron River Rats

The River Rats have played a complete and total meatgrinder of a schedule. Two games with nearly ranked Zeeland, and one each with #1, 3, 6, 8 and 10 already (rankings at the time they played). Paul Barnett's River Rats did get a win over Grand Haven and Zeeland but fell to both Jenison and East Grand Rapids, so for now, they're sticking right where they were last week. The Rats have a LOADED schedule and will get plenty of cracks at top ten teams.

#10 Grand Haven Buccaneers

At 4-4 overall, the Buccaneers are actively in first place in District 1 (1-0 in District play). Three of their four losses are to ranked teams, and they have one top ten win in an early season schedule that has been treacherous. Bill Hamm's Bucs get some chances to improve and prove themselves with dates at home against Rockford and East Grand Rapids on September 12 and 14 respectively.

On the Line: Zeeland (88), Lake Orion (39), Dexter (14)

Understanding the Poll: The poll, open to all MWPA Head Coaches, is ranked via a point-percentage scoring model. The points column is percentage of points scored by voters against the maximum total, which is based on number of voters. The period that would signify percentage has been dropped off the beginning of each number.

Unanimous first place ranking nets a score of 1,000 points.

Coaches vote weekly during the season. Polls will be updated Monday afternoons at 3 pm ET. Inquiries on the poll can be directed to the chat feature on the MWPA website. Answering times may vary.