The Football season hits the midway point this week, and the VST power rankings have seen plenty of movement after last week’s games. A new Valley Mission team enters the list on the heels of a nice win against a West Valley opponent on the road last week. Here is the Valley Sports telegram’s latest power rankings headed into Week Five action around the SFV this week:

1. Birmingham Patriots (1-3) Last Week: #1
   The Patriots had a tough time at home versus Calabasas last week. But until they lose to a city opponent, the Pats will remain at the top of the list. They have one last test on the road at Harvard-Westlake before West Valley play begins in week six.
2. Kennedy Cougars (4-1) Last Week: #2
   The Cougars breezed past previously unbeaten Van Nuys at home to open league play and made a statement that the defending Valley Mission champions were not resting on their laurels. They hit the bye week with their best record start to a season since 2021.
3. Granada Hills Highlanders (2-3) Last Week: #4
   The Highlanders went on the road and put up 375 yards rushing at Fairfax. GHC hits the bye week at 2-3, but feels like a team poised to make noise heading into league play in two weeks.
4. San Fernando Tigers (4-1) Last Week: #7
   The Tigers bounced back from their loss at Alemany with a resounding win over Reseda to move to 4-1. They will have a big test on the road at Van Nuys this week.
5. El Camino Real Royals (2-3) Last Week: #6
   The Royals came out on the short end of the score at home against Palisades last week, but moved up a spot based on the quality of their wins versus the strength of their losses. The Royals get the week off to prepare for the second half.
6. Sylmar Spartans (3-1) Last Week: NR
   The Spartans crack the list this week after a big win on the road at Chatsworth. Sylmar has a dangerous combination in Tim Tanner Jr. and Releo Lopez in their backfield, who could play a huge role in how the Valley Mission goes this season.
7. Panorama Pythons (4-1) Last Week: #8
   The Pythons held Canoga Park to 14 points last week in a win at home to open the Valley Mission portion of their schedule. They will look to notch their fifth victory of the season on the road at Reseda this week.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (1-3) Last Week: #9
   The Cavs were on their bye last week and now turn their attention to a top-20 city matchup versus Crenshaw to open the second half of the season. The result of this game could have major implications for both teams’ postseason seeding.
9. Taft Toreadors (4-1) Last Week: #3
   The Toreadors took their first loss of the season at the hands of a tough Eagle Rock team last week. They hit their bye week with their best first-half record since 2015.
10. Van Nuys Wolves (4-1) Last Week: #5
    The Wolves put up a good fight on the road despite the loss to Kennedy. They will have a chance to regain their early-season momentum with a win at home versus San Fernando this week.