The LHAC Power Index Week 5 Power Rankings
Tagged under: District 5, District 6, District 9, News
Hunter Myers | September 23, 2025
Welcome to the LHAC Power Index Week 5 Rankings. Last week, the model went 6-4 missing on Johnstown, Chestnut Ridge, Philipsburg, and Huntingdon. That brings the total record to 36-14 (72%) on the season.
Last week the model missed a lot of games but two of the games were within a two-point spread. This tells us two things: the Laurel Highlands is a very competitive league, and the model is starting to dial in. As the model begins to make tiers, the spreads are going to get a lot closer. For example, the model has a clear top tier, a second tier (3-4), and then 5-9 are all very close as well. This also shows just how chaotic Week 5 was, with five of the model’s top 10 teams from last week suffering a loss.
As the season swings into October, we’re in for some good football. Shall we see the Week 5 rankings…
| Rank | Trend | Team | ELO | Previous Rank |
| 1 | 0 | Richland | 1801 | 1 |
| 2 | 0 | McCort | 1761 | 2 |
| 3 | 0 | Bishop Guilfoyle | 1696 | 3 |
| 4 | 0 | Penn Cambria | 1670 | 4 |
| 5 | 1 | Forest Hills | 1554 | 6 |
| 6 | -1 | Clearfield | 1552 | 5 |
| 7 | 2 | Bellwood-Antis | 1533 | 9 |
| 8 | 2 | Huntingdon | 1525 | 10 |
| 9 | -2 | Philipsburg | 1508 | 7 |
| 10 | 2 | Bald Eagle | 1498 | 12 |
| 11 | -3 | Tyrone | 1487 | 8 |
| 12 | -1 | Bellefonte | 1481 | 11 |
| 13 | 0 | Central | 1448 | 13 |
| 14 | 2 | Chestnut Ridge | 1431 | 16 |
| 15 | -1 | Bedford | 1418 | 14 |
| 16 | -1 | Somerset | 1415 | 15 |
| 17 | 0 | Central Cambria | 1385 | 17 |
| 18 | 0 | Westmont | 1295 | 18 |
| 19 | 1 | Johnstown | 1289 | 20 |
| 20 | -1 | Penns Valley | 1251 | 19 |
Week 5 Takeaways:
- The top four remain unchanged after they all took care of business in Week 5. Richland beat our number 6 team by 26, while McCort handled Somerset 55-7, Bishop Guilfoyle ran for six touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Central, and Penn Cambria pitched a 36-0 shutout over Central Cambria. Next week most of the top four will face very winnable games, however, BG will face off against Tyrone, which could be a real test
- Forest Hills cracks the top five despite a 33-7 home loss to Richland. The Rangers threw two interceptions and were never able to get their ground game moving, managing just 89 rushing yards. However, this week Forest Hills will get two easier weeks before defending home turf against Bishop Guilfoyle in Week 8
- Bellwood-Antis and Huntingdon each jump two spots after big wins. The Blue Devils took down rival Tyrone by 19, holding a very good Golden Eagles offense to just 204 yards. Huntingdon won another nail-biter, beating Clearfield 28-27, behind 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns on a very good Bison defense. Up next: Bellwood travels to Philipsburg in another tough matchup, while Huntingdon will play Central at home
- Philipsburg and Tyrone both tumble after their Week 5 losses to Bald Eagle and Bellwood-Antis respectively. Philipsburg fell by seven after throwing two interceptions and rushing for just 99 yards. Tyrone lost to their rivals, Bellwood by 19 points after throwing two interceptions and only rushing for 44 yards. It doesn’t get any easier, as Philipsburg gets the Blue Devils and Tyrone traveling to play Bishop Guilfoyle at Mansion Park
- Chestnut Ridge claws out of the bottom five, rising two spots this week after a big 35-7 win over Bedford. RB Jayden Imler went off for 277 yards and four touchdowns, powering the Lions to their second win of the season. They will get the chance to further their momentum with a matchup against fellow two-win team, Central Cambria this week
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