So were one-fifth of the way through the regular season, and St. Tammanys largest district has just one non-district game remaining. To me, this past week and the next week are the ones in which we learn the most about our football teams.

We also begin to realize we underestimated some, overestimated others, and the rest? Well, you get the picture.

Not to spoil the surprise, but its clear we underestimated St. Pauls, and Im trying to figure out how that happened. So many times it seems like the Wolves could be primed to have a down season, and then they go 7-3 or the like. Of course, 7-3 for St. Pauls is sort of a down year.

There are plenty of teams I have my eye on this week to see if they take the next step, recoup from a tough loss or regress once again.

One thing for sure is the next eight weeks certainly will be interesting, and anyone who tells you they know whats going to happen is either full of it or kidding themselves.

On to the Week 3 rankings

1. Lakeshore (2-0, last week: 1)

Ho-hum, the Titans have scored more than 100 points over the course of their first two games, and they might put up 50 in consecutive outings this week when they host Northshore. Last year, they scored 97 in Weeks 1 and 2 combined, and their state runner-up season of 2017, they scored 84. Oh, and theyve won 24 straight regular-season games.

2. St. Pauls (2-0, last week: 8)

The Ole Picker always taught me Golden Rule No. 1 was to never pick against John Curtis. I think he forgot to tell me Golden Rule No. 2 was to never underestimate a team coached by Ken Sears. Wont happen again. I say this just minutes after I picked the Wolves to lose this week. It is Destrehan, though. I know, Im a dummy.

3. Pearl River (2-0, last week: 7)

Many prognosticators had the Rebels high in their rankings before the season began. I am always a little slow, but in my defense, it is a little tough to get super excited about the competition they have faced. Problem is, the road doesnt get much tougher any time soon, and they should be 6-0 heading into a Week 8 matchup against Lakeshore.

4. Slidell (1-1, last week: 2)

Its one thing to lose to a team like Rummel, who very well could end up as No. 1 or 2 in the metro area by seasons end. However, to give up almost 40 points and to get shutout is something completely different. Im sure Coach Larry Favre will get the Tigers back into shape, but no longer can they be considered the clear-cut favorite to repeat in District 6-5A.

5. Covington (1-1, last week: 3)

If I had to pick a surprise loss this week in St. Tammany, I think the Lions falling to Holy Cross is it. Both teams are basically the same as last season, albeit with more experience, and the 2018 contest ended in a 6-0 win for Covington. Things certainly dont get any easier for the Lions this week at Dutchtown as they try to avoid falling to 1-2 for the second consecutive season.

6. Mandeville (1-1, last week: 4)

No shame in losing to Hahnville, but it was they way it happened which has to be disconcerting for Coach Hutch Gonzales. Four turnovers and a blocked field goal, and the same offense that scored 65 points in Week 1 gained fewer than 130 yards the next. The good news is the defense was outstanding, and theyll need a similar effort against Hannan this week.

7. Hannan (0-2, last week: 5)

The Hawks wanted to take the next step in competition, and the growing pains have hit in a hurry. A bigger problem is they could be staring at 1-5 before they enter District 8-3A play in Week 7. Good news is everyone makes the playoffs in Division II.

8. Fontainebleau (0-2, last week: 6)

No question Chris Blocker and company are disappointed after falling to Franklinton last week, and this week in their home opener, theyll have to face a team with more firepower in Walker. Despite having one of the metro areas top running backs in Iverson Celestine, it isnt going to mean much if they cant get some stops on defense. I have a feeling were going to see their best game of the year to date this week.

9. Salmen (1-1, last week: 10)

What a win for Coach Eric Chuter and the Spartans, and it isnt nexessarily just the win but the complete domination of Northshore. Mikell Marco looked like he had something to prove, as did the Salmen defense. Can they keep moving forward in the rebuilding process under Chuter?

10. Northshore (0-2, last week: 9)

We all knew this team would endure some growing pains following the programs first coaching change in more than a decade. Coach Josh Buelle said his No. 1 goal really was that the team was much improved from Week 1 to Week 10, and that goal remains intact. Dont give up on the Panthers just yet.

11. Pope John Paul II (0-2, last week: 11)

The Jaguars are a work in progress, and they will have some opportunities for wins later in the season. In fact, after this week they have just one more game against teams from higher classifications.

12. Northlake Christian (0-2, last week: 12)

A step forward was taken by the Wolverines this week, and theres no reason to think they wont gain their first victory under Coach James Willis this week against Cohen. Three very tough weeks lie on the schedule after this one.

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Lakeshore solidifies spot at No. 1 in St. Tammany Farmer rankings; St. Paul's jumps to No. 2 - NOLA.com