Topeka-area high school football rankings after seven games of action
Each high school football team has at least two weeks left in its season before it's win-or-go-home time.
Here's where the Topeka-area high school football teams are ranked after Week 7.
More:Week 7 Topeka-area, and statewide, high school football scores and stats
Big schools' high school football rankings
Washburn Rural (5-2)
Washburn Rural took care of business this week in a 49-14 win over Emporia. Washburn Rural has now won two in a row after dropping two in a row.
Although the wins came against teams they should beat, it's a perfect time to fine tune the things they need to before a postseason run, and it's showing on both sides of the ball.
2. Highland Park (5-2)
The last time Highland Park won more than one game was 2011, according to KansasFootballHistory.com and 1995 was the last time Highland Park won 5 of more games, finishing that year with a 5-4 record.
Highland Park beat Northeast 63-0 this week to stop a two-game skid and is back up in the rankings because players put themselves in the driver's seat to make the postseason.
3. Seaman (4-2)
More:Seaman football falls short against Basehor Linwood: 'Give them credit for executing'
A comeback attempt fell short this week against a top 5A team in Basehor Linwood, 47-32. A younger Seaman secondary lost the battle against an experienced quarterback for Basehor Linwood. The offense continues to show growth, too.
The offense showed it can score against a good defense, and the defense has flashed its potential. Everything just all has to come together at the same time against quality opposition.
4. Shawnee Heights (4-3)
Shawnee Heights' rushing attack got back on track this week, Allen Baughman's offensive line paved the way for him to score five touchdowns, bringing his season total to 15 rushing touchdowns with 1,140 rushing yards on 152 carries.
While Shawnee Heights' offense may be more one dimensional than they would like, other teams still have to prove they can stop it and their defense has shown what it can be when its firing on all cylinders.
5. Topeka High (1-6)
A rough season continued for Topeka High in a 54-12 loss to Junction City, but the duo of quarterback Peyton Wheat and wide receiver Jayden Norman continue to be a bright spot for the Topeka High offense.
6. Topeka West (1-6)
Topeka West fell to Shawnee Heights, 49-6 on Friday. Topeka West was without its head coach this week. Russell Norton, who stepped away last week and was replaced by defensive coordinator Tre Parker as interim head coach.
Small schools' high school football rankings
Silver Lake (5-2)
Silver Lake coach Logan Pegram said the rivalry win over Rossville could be used to generate some momentum down the stretch.
After its second big win in a row, this one a 54-14 over Maur Hill, I've moved Silver Lake to the top spot with this week's matchup against a one-loss Atchison County team a chance for the team to set the tone heading into the postseason.
2. Hayden (6-1)
More:Holton football routes Hayden on senior night: 'All our preparation is for Hayden'
It was a difficult decision to move Hayden from the top spot, especially when looking at who the top two teams played. But the manner in which Hayden lost, 37-13 with no offensive scores until late in the game, to a team they'll likely see in the postseason was why they were moved down.
The defense couldn't get a stop, and the offense couldn't generate sustained drives either. Knowing Bill Arnold, he'll have his team more prepared if Hayden is to see Holton down the road.
3. Rossville (3-4)
Knowing what I know now after seeing Holton vs. Hayden, I might not have moved Rossville down so quickly. Holton's a bonafide state contender and Rossville, as it has done throughout the year, bounced back with a 56-6 route of Pleasant Ridge.
4. Cair Paravel (2-4)
Cair Paravel lost to Chase County on Friday, 54-8, and finally get an opponent with under a .500 record next week after a brutal schedule.
Tips or story ideas? Email Seth Kinker at skinker@gannett.com or DM him on Twitter @SethKinker.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural, Silver Lake lead Topeka-area football rankings
