MWPA Announces Week 2 Boys Top Ten

The Michigan Water Polo Association (MWPA) has announced the MWPA Boys Week 2 rankings. The top ten rankings are below. From here on out, the top ten will include a breakdown of previous week results.

#1 Hudsonville Eagles

Talk about your big-time entrances...Josh Ahrendt's defending State Champion Eagles did nothing but win-win-win. 18-8 over then #3 Rockford, 10-6 over then and current #4 Ann Arbor Pioneer (who was undefeated) and 16-4 over now-ranked #8 Birmingham Groves, the Eagles are a perfect 3-0 in their return to action and a unanimous #1 after a LONG time off.

#2 Rockford Rams

Of the ranked teams, Rockford had one of the busiest weeks and with monstrous strength of schedule. Craig Peterman's Rams went 5-1, and the only non-ranked team they played is ranked this week. Back-to-back nights of wins over #10 East Grand Rapids, followed by a close win over #5 Grand Haven got them going. The Rams only loss? To #1 Hudsonville. The Rams rebounded by topping current #4 Ann Arbor Pioneer and current #8 Birmingham Groves.

#3 Dexter Dreadnaughts

The Dreads had a quiet, but good week with a 15-3 win over Grand Blanc. Brian Semple's Dreadnaughts are 5-1, tied for the second most wins in the state on the boys side. Their only loss came in the midst of an absolute heater by Ann Arbor Pioneer who ripped off a 4-0 run against all top-ten teams. The Dreads have excellent strength of schedule (3-1 vs top tens).

#4 Ann Arbor Pioneer Pioneers

Since the last time the polls came out, Pioneer to almost nothing but win, and win against good teams. Their first four games? All wins, all against top tens. They lead the state with six wins. Don Packard's Pioneers have just one loss and it's to #1 Hudsonville in a four goal game. Pioneer made the trip across the state to play the game too.

#5 Grand Haven Buccaneers

The Buccos have been consistently solid to start the season, with good strength of schedule. Three of their four games have come against fellow top-ten teams. Bill Hamm's Buccaneers have just one loss and it's to current #2 Rockford in an 11-7 game played at Rockford. Much like the top four, the Buccaneers will continue to benefit from their strength of schedule in the polls.

#6 Ann Arbor Skyline Eagles

When it comes to strength of schedule, you can't ask for a lot more out of Ashley Hower's Eagles. The Eagles opened and got off to a slow start but played teams 2, 4, and 6 in the MWPA preseason rankings right off the bat. The Eagles have corrected nicely, topping current #8 Groves and by dropping previously unbeaten Lake Orion twice this past weekend.

#7 Ann Arbor Huron River Rats

The River Rats, much like the Eagles, got off to a bit of a slow start, but their strength of schedule was intense. Paul Barnett's Rats have only played top ten teams, all in the same weekend. Their lone win came against #6 Ann Arbor Skyline in a tight contest to open their season. They'll get another crack at current #3 Dexter this coming week.

#8 Birmingham Groves Falcons

Talk about turning some heads, the Falcons did their best to play spoiler in a trip West to Rockford where they gave current State #2 a run for their money, falling 10-8 to the Rams in their pool. Quietly, Bob Sala's Falcons have played an extraordinarily strong schedule. They saw State numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, with a win over Grand Blanc mixed in as well. Though the Falcons are looking for a few more wins, falling by just two to Rockford and three to Pioneer and Skyline, the Falcons have everyone's attention.

#9 Birmingham Seaholm Maples

The Mapes stand pat in ninth after a season opening victory at Walled Lake in which they poured in 24 goals. Josh Stephens' Seaholm squad has been mainly idle, so the small sample size will be put to the test against a few of District 3's more challenging foes upcoming.

#10 East Grand Rapids Pioneers

Raheem Brown's Pioneers are not short on experience against good teams, that much is for sure. They fell to #5 Grand Haven on the road to open their season, picked up a win against West Ottawa, then fell twice to Rockford before battling Grand Haven to a one-goal loss in the rematch this past week. The Pioneers, much like Birmingham Groves are looking for a few more additions to the win column, but one thing is certain, they are battle-tested.

On the Line: Okemos, Zeeland, Hotel

What is "On The Line?": The first three teams outside the MWPA Poll in terms of percentage points - listed for context.

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 12 pm ET. Inquiries on the poll can be directed to the chat feature on the MWPA website. Answering times may vary.