Westminster Christian Academy, Parkway South move into state football polls

The Westminster Christian Academy Wildcats and the Parkway South Patriots have crashed into the Missouri high school football rankings.

The Wildcats (3-0) are No. 10 in the new Class 4 poll while the Patriots (3-0) are tied for 10th in the Class 6 poll. Parkway South is tied with Raymore-Peculiar.

The state poll is compiled by a 14-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

In Class 6, CBC remains the No. 1 school. The undefeated Cadets (3-0) have help the top spot since the beginning the season.  CBC garnered nine first-place votes and a total of 341 points. No. 2 Blue Springs got the other five first-place votes. CBC will play at Lindbergh in a 7 p.m. nonconference tilt.

Lafayette (3-0) remained No. 4 while De Smet (2-1) stayed at No. 6. Lafayette  goes to Cedar Hill to play Northwest at 7 p.m. in a  Suburban West Conference game. De Smet faces Chaminade in a 7 p.m. Metro Catholic Conference game.

Parkway South plays at Marquette in a 7 p.m. Suburban West Conference matchup.

In Class 5, Parkway Central (3-0) picked up five votes. The Colts will play winless Parkway West this week but the following week on Sept. 21, Parkway Central will entertain No. 6 Webster Groves. A victory over the Statesmen likely will vault the Colts in the statewide rankings.

Westminster coach Cory Snyder said he is happy to have his Wildcats ranked. However, he is not buying anyone trophies just yet.

“It’s an honor but we don’t put a lot of stock in early season rankings,” Snyder said. “There are a lot of good teams that are 3-0 or 2-1 right now and it’s nice to be included with them.  We know that there is still a long way to go and that we have to improve each week.”

Snyder added he did not know the last the time the Wildcats were ranked in the state polls. For now, Snyder said he has not discussed about the polls to his team.

“We haven’t talked about it and I’m not sure that we will,” Snyder said.

Parkway South coach Joe Rosewell said he has talked about it with his Patriots.

“I definitely have addressed being ranked, it’s not something that a coach can hide or tell the kids to ignore,” Rosewell said.  “We have talked about how being ranked is a recognition of the work that they have put in thus far, but by no means is being ranked in Week Three our team goal.  Being ranked is simply an outcome of us working toward our goal,  which like all teams is a state championship.

” We talked about how quickly that team ranking will disappear if we take our eyes off our team goal.  To my satisfaction, the team took it like I hope they would — they are pleased, but by no means satisfied.”

Rosewell said he did not play when the last team at Parkway South was ranked.

“I know we were ranked in 2002, and we were ranked in the year-end rankings in 1999 and 2000,” Rosewell said. “I am not sure if we have been ranked since.”

The polls are nice for the teams but there are games to be played. Westminster plays a Metro League game with Lutheran South. The Wildcats will travel to South County to play the Lancers at 7 p.m.

“We are really focused on Lutheran South this week,” Snyder said. “ I wouldn’t say that we will downplay the ranking or focus on it.  We want to focus on the things that we can control and not let things that are external take away that focus.”

That includes putting too much stock in the 3-0 start by the Wildcats.

“It’s great to be 3-0.  You always want to enjoy the victories while keeping perspective,” Snyder said. “ Our kids have been working hard during the week and playing hard when it’s game time.  We know where we were a year ago, finishing 2-8 and while we are enjoying the early season success, we know that we aren’t where we want to be yet for 2012.

“I tell our kids each week that it would be a shame if our last win is the highpoint of their season.”

Rosewell agreed.

“At this point in the season I am pleased with our progress but I am definitely not satisfied,” Rosewell said. “There are many areas we need to continue to improve on.  And the team understands that if we stay where we are at right now, by week 6, 7, 8, 9. and 10 we will be in big trouble.  We have to continue to work hard and improve each week to achieve our team goal. ”