For the first time all season, a school other than Hughson sits atop the small-school rankings

Small School

Editor's note: Comprised of teams from the Trans-Valley League, Mother Lode League, Southern League, Central California Athletic Alliance. Last week's ranking, and record through April 21, 2019, are in parentheses:

1 (2). Argonaut (14-2) — Entered the week tied for first with then No. 5 Sonora and swept the Wildcats into a second-place tie with Bret Harte, which the Mustangs will play next week (Sonora and Bret Harte square off this week). 

2 (1). Hughson (16-3) — The Huskies may be the most talented small-school team, but after a split last week, they’re the third-best team in the Trans-Valley League standings behind Ripon and Livingston. We can’t justify leaving Hughson at the top, but something tells us they’ll be back.

3 (nr) Ripon (9-6) — The Indians deserve to get back into the rankings for being the first team to knock Hughson out of the top spot all season. 

4. (3) Mariposa (14-2) — Despite a split against Waterford, the Grizzlies maintain a share of first place in the Southern League with the Wildcats and Ripon Christian, who are both making strong cases to be included in the Top 5.

5 (5). Sonora (9-6) — The Wildcats lost a pair of Mother Lode League games to new No. 1 Argonaut, which was No. 2 when the teams met last week. We’re willing to give Sonora one more in the rankings. Let’s see how they fare against Bret Harte.