Category: Dunbar Feature

Defending state champ Dunbar maintains position in Top 10; McDonogh slips

Pictured above: Dunbar's Rashard Williams (left) and Davonta Ayers flex after the Poets defeated rival Mervo Monday afternoon at Poly. The east Baltimore school is No. 7 in this week's VSN's Football Top 20.

by Derek Toney

Facing arguably its toughest stretch of the season, Dunbar High is firmly entrenched in the upper half of the latest VSN Football Top 20.

The defending Class 1A state champ and 7th-ranked Poets completed its Sept. 21 match with previously undefeated and No. 13 Mervo Monday afternoon at Poly. Dunbar, which played last Thursday afternoon (defeated Digital Harbor), won 34-8 Monday to remain undefeated.

The east Baltimore school, winners of 19 straight dating back to last season, will have a third opponent in 10 days when takes on undefeated and No. 18 Edmondson Saturday afternoon at Sugar Cain Field.

For the first time this season, all 20 teams from the prior polling are back, with St. Frances Academy, Broadneck, Mount St. Joseph, Calvert Hall College and Archbishop Spalding making up the Top 5. Milford Mill Academy, Dunbar, Glenelg, Howard and McDonogh School completes the Top 10.

Here is the entire 2018 VSN Football Top 20 for week 8:

VSN FOOTBALL TOP 20 POLL - WEEK 8

1. ST. FRANCES ACADEMY (5-0)

Previous rank: #1

Last week: The Panthers defeated St. Thomas More (CT), 55-0.

This week: at Northeast (PA), Oct. 26

2. BROADNECK (8-0)

Previous rank: #2

Last week: The Bruins defeated Meade, 27-7.

This week: at Glen Burnie, Oct. 26

3. MOUNT ST. JOSEPH (7-1)

Previous rank: #3

Last week: The Gaels did not play.

This week: at High Point (NC) Christian Academy, Oct. 26

4. CALVERT HALL COLLEGE (7-1)

Previous rank: #5

Last game: The Cardinals did not play.

This week: vs. No. 9 McDonogh School, Oct. 26

5. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING (4-2)

Previous rank: #5

Last week: The Cavaliers defeated Friendship Collegiate Academy (DC), 28-8.

This week: vs. Gilman School, Oct. 26

6. MILFORD MILL ACADEMY (8-0)

Previous rank: #6

Last game: The Millers defeated Catonsville, 55-0.

This week: vs. No. 19 Dundalk, Oct. 26

7. DUNBAR (7-0)

Previous rank: #7

Last week: The Poets defeated Digital Harbor, 50-0.

This week: Monday, the Poets defeated No. 12 Mervo, 34-8, at Poly, in completion of Sept. 21 game. The Poets host No. 18 Edmondson, Oct. 27

8. GLENELG (8-0)

Previous rank: #8

Last week: The Gladiators defeated River Hill, 12-0.

This week: at Mount Hebron, Oct. 26

9. HOWARD (7-1)

Previous rank: #10

Last week: The Lions defeated Hammond, 38-0.

This week: vs. Reservoir, Oct. 26

10. MCDONOGH SCHOOL (2-5)

Previous rank: #9

Last week: The Eagles lost to St. Vincent-St. Mary (OH), 19-7.

This week: at No. 4 Calvert Hall College, Sept. 26

11. LIBERTY (8-0)

Previous rank: #11

Last week: The Lions defeated Manchester Valley, 42-0.

This week: vs. Francis Scott Key, Oct. 26

12. FRANKLIN (6-2)

Previous rank: #12

Last week: The Indians defeated Perry Hall, 56-30

This week: vs. Dulaney, Oct. 26

13. MERVO (6-1)

Previous rank: #13

Last week: The Mustangs defeated Douglass, 42-0.

This week: Monday, the Mustangs lost to No. 7 Dunbar, 34-8, at Poly, in completion of Sept. 21 game. The Mustangs play Digital Harbor, Oct. 26 at Latrobe Park.