Published: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 / Updated: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 08:00 AM

Bearcats and Blue Eagles stay put in state poll

COLUMBIA -- There were no surprises, but several interesting situations in this week's McClatchy Prep Writers high school football poll.

Class AAAA stayed the same until later down in the list. Byrnes stayed No. 1, Rock Hill No. 2, Dorman No. 3, Berkeley No. 4 and Clover No. 5. South Pointe, coming off a huge win over Lancaster, is No. 9.

Class AAA stayed about the same, but presented an interesting scenario in the middle of the pack. Chester fell from the No. 1 spot last week to No. 5 after losing to region rival Fairfield Central. The Cyclones have company this week after ending up in a tie for fifth with Chapin, a fellow Region 4-AAA member.

Chapin (7-0) is coached by Scott Early, whose Myrtle Beach team beat the Cyclones in last year's state championship game. Myrtle Beach is tied with Daniel for the second spot in Class AAA. Chester travels to Chapin on Friday night for a key game.

The Cyclones must win to stay in the hunt for the region title with only three weeks left in the regular season for the states three lower classifications.

NOTE — This week's high school football page will appear in Wednesday's edition of The Herald.

McClatchy Prep Writers poll

Class AAAA

1. Byrnes (6-1) 79

2. Rock Hill (7-0) 69

3. Dorman (7-0) 68

4. Berkeley (7-0) 51

5. Clover (6-1) 41

6. Boiling Springs (7-0) 37

7. Irmo (6-1) 32

8. Summerville (6-1) 24

9. South Pointe (5-2) 16

10. Beaufort (6-1) 7

Others receiving votes: North Augusta 6, Mauldin 5, Blythewood 3, Sumter 1, Gaffney 1

Class AAA

1. Marlboro County (7-0) 9

T2. Myrtle Beach (6-1) 68

T2. Daniel (7-0) 68

4. Airport (7-0) 52

T5. Chapin (7-0) 43

T5. Chester (6-1) 43

7. Lake City (6-1) 32

8. Belton-Honea Path (6-1) 23

9. North Charleston (6-1) 19

10. Clinton (5-2) 5

Others receiving votes: Fairfield Central 3, Greenville 3, Camden 2

Class AA

1. Woodruff (7-0) 79

2. Timberland (7-0) 73

3. Abbeville (6-1) 64

T4. Pendleton (6-1) 41

T4. Dillon (5-2) 41

T6. Strom Thurmond (5-2) 31

T6. Columbia (6-1) 31

8. Central Pageland (5-2) 30

9. Silver Bluff (5-2) 15

10. Waccamaw (6-1) 11

Others receiving votes: Chesnee 7, Cheraw 4, Burke 2, Mid-Carolina 2, Newberry 1

Class A

1. Chesterfield (7-0) 79

2. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (7-0) 70

3. Williston-Elko (7-0) 63

4. Calhoun County (6-1) 52

5. McBee (8-0) 42

6. Allendale-Fairfax (6-1) 39

7. Carvers Bay (7-1) 36

8. Lamar (6-1) 23

9. Hemingway (6-1) 21

10. Cross (6-1) 6

Others receiving votes: Christ Church 5, St. Johns 1, Blackville-Hilda 1, Lake View 1, Ninety Six 1.

Voters: Steve Wiseman (The State), Barry Byers (The Herald), Justin Jarrett (Hilton Head Island-Packet/Beaufort Gazette), Shane Bowen (Myrtle Beach Sun News), Kevin Melton (Spartanburg Herald-Journal), Bob Castello (Greenville News), Phil Bowman (Charleston Post and Courier) and Cam Huffman (Aiken Standard).