Is the drama gone for the girls lax playoffs? Eric Rueb talks about it in this week's power ranks

Is it time to start engraving the girls lacrosse championship trophies?

It sure looks that way.

The girls lacrosse playoffs have provided plenty of drama the last few years, but as we get through the midway point it seems like we’re headed toward a championship weekend where you can name all four winners right now.

Moses Brown. North Kingstown. Westerly. North Smithfield.

I don’t know what the fix is – outside of the RIIL dumping its current formula and creating one that actually includes variables that are important – because I don’t understand lacrosse the same way I understand basketball or football.

Maybe that’s the key.

Maybe it’s time for the RIIL, PCOA and whatever other subcommittees there are that put together realignments, postseasons and scheduling to sit back and realize you can’t apply the same things to football that you can to basketball or lacrosse.

I’m two years into being a lacrosse dad and it didn’t take me long to realize one thing. Lacrosse is an incredibly niche sport, one that’s probably better left to be ruled by the people who actually understand it.

So why don’t we let them come up with the solutions to create parity in the state and when it comes time for votes, don’t. Just do what the smart lacrosse people say.

I want this both for the betterment of the sport and, selfishly, because when there is a crazy amount of competition, the playoffs are the busiest and best time to be doing my job.

Maybe things will change in the second half. Maybe not.

But it’s probably a wise idea to maybe not engrave trophies quite yet.

What is it time for?

It’s time for coaches to start sending results in with a little more regularity.

We’ve prided ourselves on covering all sports and all divisions, but it’s clear – even with a three-man staff now – that the Providence Journal cannot be everywhere every night.

The daily roundups used to be a big part of the Journal print edition. While early deadlines have ended that practice, we’re trying to make it a part of our daily online coverage.

We’re not prohibited by space. We don’t have to pick the best 7-10 games from all of the day’s sports anymore. Online, we just run them all.

Problem is we haven’t been getting results at the frequency I’d like. Those roundups are designed for athletes to share their successes with friends and family and see their names published somewhere for all to see.

Selfishly, they also serve as an incredible tool for us as we look for stories, figure out which teams to cover or try and pick postseason awards like All-State.

Reporting scores for lacrosse is incredibly easy. Coaches can call us – 401-277-7340 – or email us – PJSports@ProvidenceJournal.com – to give us the final score, the top three goal scorers from the winning team, the top scorer from the losing team, plus any other pertinent information to the game (like who scored a game-winning goal). If a goalie had a huge game, give us those save numbers.

The responsibility of reporting scores is on the coach of the home team, but at this point if you’re a road team and you win and you want to make sure your players and team get the credit they deserve, we’re not going to be mad if you send it in.

If you’ve been sending in scores, thank you. If you haven’t, please start.

With that said, let’s get on to the ranks:

Journal Girls Lacrosse Power Ranks – Division I

1. Moses Brown (9-0 Division I)

It’s the Quakers’ world and everyone’s just living in it. We’re at the midway point of the season and the question isn’t if Moses Brown will win the state title; it’s by how much. Moses Brown’s chemistry is unmatched, its communication is impressive and, oh yeah, it has the talent to boot. The Quakers have a potential quarterfinal preview Tuesday on the East Side against Portsmouth before playing at Prout on Thursday.

2. La Salle (6-2 Division I)

Last week was an impressive one for the Rams, who took down Barrington and Portsmouth and look very much like a team that intends to make it to the championship game. La Salle will continue to try and prove as much Monday in a revenge game with Prout before traveling to play South Kingstown on Thursday.

3. Prout (4-2 Division I)

The Crusaders have been a terrific story to this point of the season, but this week should tell us whether or not they’re truly contenders. Prout won its lone game of the week last week, but his week’s schedule is its toughest stretch of the year until the postseason hits. The Crusaders travel to play La Salle Monday, host Moses Brown Thursday, then travel to the East Bay on Saturday morning to play Barrington.

4. Portsmouth (4-3 Division I)

While Prout is the story of the first half of the season, the Patriots aren’t that far behind. Portsmouth has beaten everyone minus the three teams ahead of it and isn’t that far from being No. 2 or 3. The Patriots need to start building momentum in the second half of the season and while that might be tough Tuesday at Moses Brown, a good showing Thursday at Barrington and at East Greenwich Saturday would go a long way.

Sauteing: Barrington (2-4 Division I)

Journal Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings – Division II

1. North Kingstown (4-0 Division II)

The Skippers’ overtime win over Cumberland was a curious result, but it was apparently what they needed because what followed was scary. NK’s dominant victory over Chariho really proved that the defending champs are the team to beat (and, as previously stated, that after winning the title the biggest school in the state should have elected to move up) and there isn’t much teams can do about it. The Skippers will try to continue their forward momentum with a three-game week – Monday at Middletown, Tuesday at Mt. Hope and Friday at Burrillville.

2. Chariho (6-1 Division II)

A loss in late April is better than one in early May, so expect the Chargers to learn and move on from last Friday’s defeat to North Kingstown. Chariho needs to continue to keep working, keep working on building up its supporting cast and seeing if it can create depth similar to NK’s. The Super Chargers will try to get started Friday at Middletown before traveling to play Pilgrim Saturday.

3. Burrillville (5-1 Division II)

Nobody loves being ranked third more than the Broncos, because they’ll use it as motivation for their eventual run toward another title game. Burrillville is the toughest team in this division and they’ll need every ounce of that physicality for this week’s games. The Broncos travel to play Smithfield Tuesday and Cumberland Wednesday before Friday’s D-II title game rematch at home against North Kingstown.

4. Cumberland (5-2 Division II)

Are the Clippers the darkhorse of Division II? The overtime loss to North Kingstown instantly makes Cumberland a viable threat, but it needs a big win to really prove it can be a title contender. If the Clippers could get one Wednesday at home against Burrillville, it would be a good start but they’ll have to remained focused on Friday when they travel to play Pilgrim.

Sauteing: Smithfield (4-4 Division II), Toll Gate (3-3 Division II)

Journal Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings – Division III

1. Westerly (9-0 Division III)

Four. That’s how many regular season games the Bulldogs have left and if there’s something scarier than undefeated Westerly heading into the postseason, it’s well-rested and undefeated Westerly heading into the postseason. The Bulldogs won’t have a league game until May 7, which will give them a chance to rest, heal up and fine tune a machine that hasn’t been stopped all season.

2. Narragansett (6-1 Division III)

Two wins last week made it six in a row for the Mariners, who look like a team that plans very much on making their season-opening loss to Westerly a distant memory. Narragansett has a huge test to start the week playing at Bay View on Monday before getting the rest of the week off. A win would go a long way for the Mariners’ title hopes.

3. Bay View (3-2 Division III)

Not only was last week’s loss to East Providence shocking, but it was also the Bengals’ second in three games. For most programs, this would be a “sky is falling” moment, but Bay View will be just fine. The Bengals play a must-win type of game Monday at home against Narragansett, then host Providence Country Day Tuesday and end the week with a game at Ponaganset Thursday and at Mount St. Charles on Saturday. By Sunday, we’ll know exactly where Bay View stands in the D-III race.

4. East Providence (4-3 Division III)

The win over Bay View last Tuesday was a heck of a way to start the week, but getting their doors blown off by Westerly wasn’t how the Townies wanted to close it. East Providence needs to put that loss out of mind because this team has the firepower to contend for the title. The Townies have one game on the schedule this week, playing at Mount St. Charles on Friday.

Sauteing: Mount St. Charles (3-3 Division III)

Journal Girls Lacrosse Power Rankings – Division IV

1. North Smithfield (5-0 Division IV)

With the wins they had this week – beating Scituate, Classical and Lincoln by a combined 47-13 – it’d probably be safe to start planning a championship celebration, but the Northmen know the job isn’t done until it’s done. Favored or not, North Smithfield will continue to work hard and get back on the grind with three games this week – Monday at home against Coventry, Tuesday at North Providence and Friday at home against Tiverton.

2. Classical (5-1 Division IV)

The Purple had the best player on the field against North Smithfield but couldn’t match the Northmen’s depth. Once Orla Howlett picked up her second card, there was no chance of a comeback. Classical bounced back nicely with a win over Tiverton. If Howlett’s support cast can continue to grow, the Purple can be a championship team. They’ll get back to work Monday at home against Johnston before traveling to Coventry Thusday and ending the week at home against Scituate.

3. Lincoln (5-2 Division IV)

If the Lions are going to contend in D-IV, they know they’ll need to be better than they were in their 18-6 loss to North Smithfield. Lincoln’s calling card is its defense and it needs to continue to win draws and dominate with defense. If the Lions can continue to dictate pace, they could surprise one of the top dogs. Lincoln has two games this week, hosting Johnston on Tuesday and playing at Tiverton Thursday.

4. Tiverton (4-2 Division IV)

The Tigers might be the best team nobody is talking about – and this week could prove it. If Tiverton is going to make a run at a title, it needs good performances and a few wins in the coming days. The Tigers start Monday at Scituate, host Lincoln on Thursday and close at North Smithfield Friday. If Tiverton comes away with a clean sweep, it might be the top dog next in next week’s rankings.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The Providence Journal midseason power rankings for RIIL girls lacrosse