SYRACUSE - As per usual, area teams were well represented in the inaugural 2012 football rankings by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
Nowhere, however, was the area better represented than in Class D, giving credence to the claim that Section 6 Class D football is some of the best and most competitive in the state.
In fact, Section 6 had more ranked teams in Class D than any other section.
Maple Grove, which opened the season by rushing for more than 200 yards in a victory over Silver Creek and then rolled by Cattaraugus-Little Valley, 30-6, a week later, is No. 2 in Class D behind last year's state champion Letchworth of Section 5.
Letchworth defeated Maple Grove a season ago in the Far West Regional.
Right behind the Red Dragons are the No. 4 Frewsburg Bears, who despite graduating key players at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions from last year's team, are 2-0. At No. 8 is Chautauqua Lake, which made the move from Class DD at the beginning of this year following an undefeated season in 2011. The Thunderbirds' 11 victories in a row is the eighth-longest active winning streak in the state.
Rounding out the ranked squads from Class D is Randolph (1-1) at No. 16 and Sherman (2-0) at No. 20.
Following a 2-0 start, Jamestown is No. 14 in Class AA while 2011 state champion Orchard Park, which beat the Red Raiders at Ralph Wilson Stadium, is No. 1.
Fredonia (2-0) leads the Class C rankings at No. 11 while Salamanca, which edged Springville with a late touchdown in week one and then handled Cassadaga Valley in week two, is No. 18 at 2-0.
Hornell (2-0), which has won 41 straight, is No. 1 in Class C.