HS: Fall FAB 50, Oct. 3

by Sheldon Shealer

October 3, 2017

It's real simple.

If Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.) hoists the Indiana Class AA state title trophy later this month, it will come with a national title.

This powerhouse girls soccer team started the season ranked No. 1 in the FAB 50, but slipped from the top spot following a tie in early September. Now, with a 40-match undefeated streak in tact, Penn gets a second crack at No. 1, just in time for the Indiana playoffs.

A loss by former No. 1 Norwin (Irwin, Pa.) allows Penn to regain the top spot, just ahead of Arlington (LaGangeville, N.Y.) and Portland Jesuit (Portland, Ore.). If Penn falters in the postseason, Arlington and Portland Jesuit would be poised to take over No. 1. Both teams have perfect records so far this season and neither team has allowed a goal.

On the boys side, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) reinforced its top ranking with a 5-1 victory over preseason No. 1 Pennington School (Pennington, N.J.), which has since fallen out of the FAB 50. St. Benedict's got a scare from Holy Ghost Prep (Bensalem Township, Pa.), before emerging with a 3-2 victory behind a late penalty kick goal. The result ended Holy Ghost Prep's 11-0 start to the season.

Libertyville (Ill.) and Whitefish Bay (Wis.) moved into the No. 2 and 3 spots this week. Libertyville is the top-ranked team in a strong Chicagoland area, while Whitefish Bay was very impressive at the Go 4 The Goal Fall Classic.

BIG MOVERS: BOYS: Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, N.J.). The state's defending private school champion moves up 14 spots to No. 20 this week. New Jersey's private school race is shaping up like a three-horse race with Delbarton, CBA and Seton Hall Prep. All three could be in the Top 25 come playoff time. ... GIRLS: Westfield (N.J.). Several teams moved up eight spots this week, and Westfield's jump vaulted the team into the No 24 spot this week.

NEWCOMERS: BOYS: No. 27 Severna Park (Md.), No. 36 Edwardsville (Ill.), No. 38 Beavercreek (Ohio), No. 43 Christian Brothers College (St. Louis, Mo.), No. 48 Boulder (Colo.), No. 49 Bridgewater-Raritan (Bridgewater, N.J.) and No. 50 Columbia (Ill.). ... GIRLS: No. 30 Issaquah (Wash.), No. 31 Council Rock South (Holland, Pa.), No. 35 [Epsicopal Academy pa-w] (Newton Square, Pa.), No. 44 Galena (Reno, Nev.), No. 45 Scotch Plains-Fanwood (Scotch Plains, N.J.), No. 47 Washburn (Minneaplois, Minn.), No. 48 Andover (Minn.) and No. 50 Eastern (Voorhees, N.J.).