With district duals looming in a couple weeks, it's not too early to take a look at who the top teams are in District 6 and District 5.
Some of them will likely meet up this weekend at the Richland Duals and jockey for position in the standings. The deadline in District 6 to move up or down in the standings is next Thursday.
Before that happens, though, here's my take on the top teams and where they rank:
District 6 Class AA
1. Mount Union: The 14-0 Trojans, who wrestle Huntingdon tonight, took their lumps a little last season with an inexperienced lineup, but they've been doling out those lumps this season.
2. Claysburg-Kimmel: One of those teams that hung with the Trojans was Claysburg, falling 39-32 on Dec. 27. That was before Dylan Weyant returned to the lineup. C-K 103-pounder Josh Brown is battling a broken nose, though.
3. West Branch: The Warriors are 14-1, with their only loss being a 40-18 setback to the Trojans. The Warriors are scheduled to wrestle C-K next Tuesday, but they could tangle this weekend.
4. Huntingdon: The Bearcats seem to be coming around, hanging late with Philipsburg-Osceola and beating defending district tournament champion Juniata. Tonight's match at MU could be interesting.
5. Juniata: The Indians have some obvious holes, but they shouldn't be counted out.
Ones to watch: Moshannon Valley and Penns Valley.
District 6 Class AAA
1. Central Mountain: Surprise, surprise, the Wildcats are 4-0 and are curiously ranked behind DuBois in the top 10 of one set of rankings. As far as the rest of the remaining teams, this is where it gets tricky.
2. Philipsburg-Osceola: I know the Mounties lost to Bellefonte, 45-35, but a slam proved very costly. P-O beat Bald Eagle Area on criteria, and it did it without Andrew Greenawalt in the lineup.
3. Bald Eagle Area: The Eagles beat the Red Raiders, 43-30, but they lost on back-to-back nights to Central Mountain, 37-19, and P-O.
4. Bellefonte: The Red Raiders lost to Central Mountain, 39-30, but there's the P-O win.
5. Mifflin County: The jointure of Indian Valley and Lewistown is 11-2, but it hasn't wrestled any of the favorites yet.
One to watch: Westmont Hilltop.
District 5
1. Bedford: The Bisons have only been challenged by North Star in a 34-31 win the first match of the season. Coach Brian Creps says his team hasn't hit its stride yet. Scary thought for the rest of the competitive district.
2. Chestnut Ridge: The Lions were pounded by Bedford, 59-16, but they beat North Star, 39-28, and another favorite, Berlin Brothersvalley, 35-25. You know they want that Bedford rematch.
3. North Star: In addition to the close Bedford match, the Cougars beat Berlin, 35-30.
4. Conemaugh Township: Township isn't usually a force but it beat Berlin, 34-26.
5. Meyersdale: It also beat Berlin, 33-26.
Ones to watch: Berlin and Somerset.
Todd Irwin can be reached at 946-7464 or at tirwin@altoonamirror.com. He can be followed on Twitter at ToddIrwin1.
