Through five weeks of the season, I’m not sure we’ve had many more clear cut number one team in the area than Freedom this year. In a year of parody in the EPC, the top three teams in the poll have solidified their footing, but only Freedom has asserted themselves as the top dog.

That all could certainly change in the second half of the season, but Freedom and Saucon Valley are looking like league champs in their respective conferences.

Here’s a breakdown of this week’s poll.

1. Freedom (5-0)

Last week’s rank: #1

Last game before the heat turns up on the Pates again with Easton and Emmaus in the coming weeks.

The Pick: Freedom 49- Pocono Mountain West 7

2. Emmaus (5-0)

Last week’s rank: #2

Gut check win by the Hornets last week.

The Pick: Emmaus 28- Liberty 14

3. Easton (4-1)

Last week’s rank: #3

Rovers stay put after tough loss.

The Pick: Easton 28- Emmaus 24

4. Bethlehem Catholic (3-2)

Last week’s rank: #4

Hawks fell victim to the weekend’s biggest upset, but should rebound this week. Right?

The Pick: Bethlehem Catholic 35- Whitehall 24

5. Parkland (3-2)

Last week’s rank: #5

Will the Trojans fall victim to Nazareth?

The Pick: Parkland 28- Nazareth 21

6. Nazareth (2-3)

Not Ranked

Blue Eagles are back in, but not sure they can pull off another upset in back-to-back weeks.

The Pick: Parkland 28- Nazareth 21

7. Saucon Valley (5-0)

Last week’s rank: #8

Panthers are proving to be the top dog in the Colonial League.

The Pick: Saucon Valley 42- Bangor 17

8. Northwestern (4-1)

Last week’s rank: #9

Should be an easy for the Tigers.

The Pick: Northwestern 35- Palmerton 14

9. Notre Dame GP (4-1)

Not ranked

Crusaders back in the poll just in time for a big game with Palisades.

The Pick: Notre Dame 31- Palisades 28

10. Stroudsburg (4-1)

Last week’s rank: #10

Stroudsburg-Allen. Enough said.

The Pick: Stroudsburg 42- Allen 7

Teams that dropped: Palisades

Teams that entered: Notre Dame GP

Last week’s record: 5-3

Overall record: 30-10