South High, coming off a blowout conference victory at Chugiak and headed to a big game Outside this week, moved into the No. 1 ranking among large-school football teams in the Alaska Sports Broadcasting Network Poll released Monday.
The Wolverines (2-0) of the Cook Inlet Conference, previously No. 2, whacked Chugiak 57-12 on Saturday night. That win, combined with Dimond's 26-13 CIC victory over previously top-ranked West on Friday, thrust South to the top of the poll.
With the exception of West, which fell out of the poll, every large-school team moved up one spot. Bartlett (2-0) of the CIC climbed to No. 2 following a 28-0 conference win over rival East, Service (2-0) of the CIC ascended to No. 3 following a 72-0 win over Eagle River and Colony (2-0) of the Railbelt Conference rose to No. 4 after a 42-20 conference win over West Valley.
Dimond of the CIC (1-1) moved into the poll at No. 5.
South this week travels to Texas to take on the Stephenville Yellow Jackets, who play in the 4A division in a state where the schools with the largest enrollments play in 6A. Stephenville, which will be playing its season opener, went 12-2 last season and is ranked No. 3 in one preseason poll of 4A teams.
No CIC teams play a ranked opponent this week. The biggest matchup in the league is Friday, when Service entertains West.
In the poll for medium and small schools, where all five ranked teams are 2-0, defending state medium champion Soldotna remained No. 1 after its 33-0 victory at Palmer, a large-school team.
Juneau, previously No. 2, fell out of the rankings after a 35-22 loss to Wasilla.
North Pole moved up one spot to No. 2, Eielson jumped one spot to No. 3 and Nikiski climbed one position to No. 4. Barrow entered the poll at No. 5 after a 56-6 win over Monroe.