The LHAC Power Index Week 8 Power Rankings
Tagged under: District 5, District 6, District 9, News, pfn
Hunter Myers | October 14, 2025
Welcome to the LHAC Power Index Week 8 Rankings. Last week, the model had an incredible week, going 9-1, only missing on Central Cambria. That brings its total record to 59-21 (74%) on the season.
The model has been learning and adjusting all season, dialing in its projections for each team, and last week that effort certainly paid off. Last Friday also presented the model with many adjustments, as teams like Bellefonte lost but demonstrated their strength in close games against very good opponents. Next week will feature five must-see matchups between teams of similar strength, along with potential movement in the Laurel Highlands Championship game representatives.
Shall we see the Week 8 rankings…
| Rank | Trend | Team | ELO | Previous Rank |
| 1 | 0 | Richland | 1808 | 1 |
| 2 | 0 | McCort | 1774 | 2 |
| 3 | 0 | Bishop Guilfoyle | 1732 | 3 |
| 4 | 0 | Penn Cambria | 1691 | 4 |
| 5 | 0 | Forest Hills | 1564 | 5 |
| 6 | 0 | Clearfield | 1549 | 6 |
| 7 | 0 | Huntingdon | 1539 | 7 |
| 8 | 3 | Bellwood-Antis | 1512 | 11 |
| 9 | 1 | Bald Eagle | 1501 | 10 |
| 10 | -2 | Tyrone | 1501 | 8 |
| 11 | -2 | Philipsburg | 1498 | 9 |
| 12 | 0 | Bellefonte | 1483 | 12 |
| 13 | 0 | Chestnut Ridge | 1425 | 13 |
| 14 | 1 | Bedford | 1409 | 15 |
| 15 | -1 | Central | 1402 | 14 |
| 16 | 1 | Central Cambria | 1388 | 17 |
| 17 | -1 | Somerset | 1376 | 16 |
| 18 | 2 | Penns Valley | 1301 | 20 |
| 19 | -1 | Westmont | 1281 | 18 |
| 20 | -1 | Johnstown | 1267 | 19 |
Week 8 Takeaways:
- The model’s top seven remains unchanged, even after a week that featured a top-five matchup in Bishop Guilfoyle @ Forest Hills, where the Marauders won 28-14. Week 9 also promises some top-six heavyweight matchups: Bishop Guilfoyle will take on Clearfield, while Forest Hills travels to Johnstown to face Bishop McCort-Carroll—a week that should shake up the top rankings.
- Bellwood-Antis is the highest riser, jumping three spots to #8 after a 46-28 win over Chestnut Ridge. Bellwood is likely the best .500 team in the state, thanks to their veteran offensive line and talented rushing attack, which combined for 216 yards last game. The real surprise was QB Bradyn Partner, who had the best game of his short career with 145 yards and three passing touchdowns. Bellwood still has a chance at the District 6 Class 2A playoffs and will be looking to build momentum heading into the postseason, starting with Bellefonte in Week 9.
- Tyrone and Philipsburg-Osceola both fell two spots, setting up a huge Week 9 matchup. Both teams faced top LHAC competition last week: Tyrone lost 27-10 to Penn Cambria, and Philipsburg fell 42-0 to Bishop McCort. Both sit at 4-4, fighting for the last Class 3A playoff spot. Week 9 will likely determine who earns a chance at a District 6 title.
- Bellefonte likely turned some heads this week, taking top-ranked Richland wire to wire and even leading by three entering the final frame. Unfortunately, they missed out on a signature win by four points, dropping their record to 3-5. That record, however, doesn’t reflect the fact that their five losses came against opponents with a combined 30-10 record, including four teams ranked in the model’s top six. The Red Raiders could be a team to watch in the District Playoffs.
- Penns Valley earned their first win of 2025 last week, beating Greater Johnstown 27-24 behind a 240-yard passing game from Carter Ironside. The Rams rebounded from a heartbreaking Week 7 loss, when they led against Central from start to finish but fell by one touchdown with only 23 seconds left. Penns Valley did not let that setback slow them down, winning their first game since the final week of 2024. The Rams will have one more chance for a win in Week 10 during their crossover game.
Check back tomorrow for the model’s predictions…
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