It’s not just the record that matters but how that fits with expectations.

Here’s prep football expert Brian E. Preece’s breakdown of how the teams have done so far (in alphabetical order):

American Fork (A+): The Cavemen have started off 5-0 and have dominated their opponents outsourcing them 189-62. Now the Region 3 wars begin and one couldn’t ask for a better way to prove yourself by taking down Lehi, the 2-time returning state champs and the top team in the Preece Power Poll.

ALA (C-): Though the Eagles are 1-4, there have been some signs of life. Running back Kannon Huntsman is among the state leaders in rushing and rushing touchdowns and the heart of league play is ahead.

Cedar Valley (C-): The Aviators seemed poised to take flight and a win over rival Westlake was nice. But when the Aviators stepped down to play two teams from 4A Region 11, they didn’t get off the ground getting blown out by both Bear River and Ridgeline by a combined 80-14 margin.

Lehi (A-): The Pioneers have won 24 straight games and are 5-0. There haven’t been any unpleasant surprises but sometimes the engine doesn’t seem to be running on all cylinders. A win against undefeated American Fork would be big setting up the ultimate Region 3 showdown with rival Skyridge.

Lone Peak (C+): The Knights are 2-3 but have played a brutally tough schedule against the likes of Corner Canyon, undefeated Mountain Ridge and Timpview. The Knights defense carried the day with four pick sixes (not a misprint) against Highland, Arizona.

Maple Mountain (B+): After going 1-9 last year and missing the playoffs, winning three games is huge for the Golden Eagle program. One of their two losses was to Lehi so no shame there, but dropping a game to rival Salem Hills had to sting a little bit.

Mountain View (D): The Bruins have been more competitive overall this year than last year. Two more realistic chances to win with games against Uintah and a non-league tilt against Jordan remaining.

Orem (C+): The grade might seem high for a program with a lot of expectations. A 44-0 shutout win against Wasatch might salvage the Tiger seasons after two heartbreaking losses in overtime in successive weeks against Spanish Fork and West Jordan. As sophomore QB Cole Engemann gets better each game, the Tigers will remain a force in 5A..

Payson (C): With another head coach in Brian Wall, the Lions have remained competitive and have two wins to their credit. But 4A Region 8 will have some tough tests as games with Provo, Spanish Fork and Timpanogos remain.

Pleasant Grove (A+): The Vikings are 5-0 and have been impressive this season, perhaps the surprise team of all of 6A. Now the Region 3 wars begin and the big question is if the Vikings can compete in a league that has a lot of great programs.

Provo (B+): The Bulldog defense has been stellar posting two shutouts. Their two losses are to Timpview and Clovis East out of California so no shame there. A big 21-20 win against 5A Olympus on the road is impressive.

Salem Hills (B+): Much like Maple Mountain, the Skyhawks are coming off a very rough season but have posted a 3-2 mark. Now Salem Hills enters the meat of their 4A Region 8 schedule with remaining games against Spanish Fork and Timpanogos that will really test their wares.

Skyridge (A): The Falcons are the returning 6A state champions and look very strong. Not even replacing their longtime head coach or bringing a new QB into the program have slowed them down. And of course, Friday September 22 is circled on the calendar as the Falcons visit Lehi.

Spanish Fork (C): After starting 0-2 the Dons didn’t panic, getting a huge overtime win on the road against Orem. The Dons backed that up with nice wins against Uintah and Mountain View but huge league games remain with Payson, Provo, Salem Hills and Timpanogos.

Springville (B-): It’s not so much that the Red Devils are 3-2 with losses to Crimson Cliffs and Timpview that is alarming. A lot of teams are going to get beat by those teams. But not to be terribly competitive in those losses is what is concerning because the Red Devil coaches, players and fans have big aspirations in 5A.

Timpanogos (A-): It’s been a near perfect season for the Timberwolves with just a two-point loss to undefeated Park City. With Chase Riggs back at QB, teams like Payson, Provo and Spanish Fork can’t afford to overlook these pesky Timberwolves.

Timpview (B): The Thunderbirds have played a demanding schedule and being 3-2 at this stage of the season was probably expected. However, their coaches and their fans would like to see the offense light up the scoreboard a bit more going forward.

Westlake (D): The Thunder started the season off right with a stirring 22-21 win against Weber in overtime. But since then the Thunder have lost four straight and winning a game in Region 3 isn’t likely.

Here’s the full midseason power poll rankings (Utah Valley teams in bold):

Rank/Team (Classification)/Record/Previous Rank (Change)

1. Lehi (6A) 5-0 1 (NC)

2. Skyridge (6A) 5-0 2 (NC)

3. American Fork (6A) 5-0 7 (+4)

4. Corner Canyon (6A) 4-1 3 (-1)

5. Pleasant Grove (6A) 5-0 9 (+4)

6. Mountain Ridge (6A) 4-0 20 (+14)

7. Timpview (5A) 3-2 4 (-3)

8. Syracuse (6A) 4-1 13 (+5)

9. Davis (6A) 4-1 22 (+13)

10. Lone Peak (6A) 2-3 5 (-5)

11. Bingham (6A) 1-4 6 (-5)

12. Crimson Cliffs (4A) 4-1 12 (NC)

13. Brighton (5A) 4-1 25 (+12)

14. Box Elder (5A) 5-0 31 (+17)

15. Sky View (4A) 5-0 51 (+36)

16. Ridgeline (4A) 4-1 33 (+17)

17. Provo (4A) 3-2 32 (+15)

18. Springville (5A) 3-2 16 (-2)

19. West (5A) 2-2 11 (-8)

20. Park City (5A) 5-0 39 (+19)

21. Stansbury (4A) 3-2 14 (-7)

22. Timpanogos (4A) 4-1 48 (+26)

23. Herriman (6A) 3-2 24 (+1)

24. Roy (5A) 3-2 28 (+4)

25. Olympus (5A) 2-3 26 (+1)

26. Salem Hills (5A) 3-2 64 (+38)

27. Maple Mountain (5A) 3-2 68 (+41)

28. West Jordan (5A) 2-3 21 (-7)

29. Spanish Fork (4A) 3-2 35 (+6)

30. Orem (5A) 2-3 10 (-20)

31. East (5A) 2-2 17 (-14)

32. Alta (5A) 3-2 18 (-14)

33. San Juan (2A) 5-0 55 (+22)

34. Snow Canyon (4A) 4-1 45 (+11)

35. Mountain Crest (4A) 3-2 53 (+18)

36. Bonneville (5A) 3-2 46 (+10)

37. Green Canyon (4A) 4-1 56 (+19)

38. Hunter (5A) 3-1 37 (-1)

39. Woods Cross (5A) 3-2 34 (-5)

40. Highland (5A) 3-2 54 (+14)

41. Bountiful (5A) 2-3 19 (-22)

42. Riverton (6A) 0-4 15 (-27)

43. Desert Hills (4A) 2-3 23 (-20)

44. Dixie (4A) 1-4 41 (-3)

45. Morgan (3A) 2-3 29 (-16)

46. Kearns (5A) 1-4 42 (-4)

47. Northridge (5A) 3-2 65 (+18)

48. Bear River (4A) 3-2 61 (+13)

49. Canyon View (3A) 5-0 66 (+17)

50. Richfield (3A) 5-0 69 (+19)

51. Weber (6A) 2-3 36 (-15)

52. Granger (5A) 2-3 38 (-14)

53. Copper Hills (6A) 4-1 72 (+19)

54. Farmington (6A) 0-4 8 (-46)

55. Cedar Valley (5A) 2-3 47 (-8)

56. Westlake (6A) 1-4 40 (-16)

57. Enterprise (1A) 5-0 79 (+22)

58. Pine View (4A) 3-2 75 (+17)

59. Manti (3A) 4-1 70 (+11)

60. Viewmont (5A) 2-3 59 (+1)

61. Payson (4A) 2-3 49 (-12)

62. Fremont (6A) 1-4 27 (-35)

63. Duchesne (1A) 4-1 89 (+26)

64. Summit Academy (2A) 3-2 85 (+21)

65. Beaver (1A) 4-1 73 (+8)

66. Logan (4A) 2-3 58 (-6)

67. Grantsville (3A) 2-3 43 (-24)

68. Wasatch (5A) 1-4 30 (-38)

69. Cedar City (4A) 1-4 63 (-6)

70. Juab (3A) 3-2 50 (-20)

71. Layton (6A) 0-4 52 (-19)

72. South Summit (2A) 3-2 57 (-15)

73. Emery (3A) 3-2 77 (+4)

74. Kanab (1A) 4-1 92 (+18)

75 Cyprus (5A) 1-4 71 (-4)

76. Ogden (3A) 3-2 80 (+4)

77. Ben Lomond (3A) 3-2 100 (+23)

78. Skyline (5A) 0-5 44 (-34)

79. Hurricane (4A) 1-4 91 (+12)

80. Millard (1A) 2-2 95 (+15)

81. Delta (3A) 3-2 84 (+3)

82. Providence Hall (2A) 4-1. 81 (-1)

83. North Summit (1A) 4-1 104 (+21)

84. Jordan (4A) 1-4 60 (-24)

85 Union (3A) 1-3. 83 (-2)

86. Uintah (4A) 1-4 86 (NC)

87. Layton Christian (2A) 1-3 76 (-11)

88. Tooele (4A) 1-4 74 (-14)

89. Mountain View (4A) 1-4 88 (-1)

90. Milford (1A) 2-3 93 (+3)

91. North Sanpete (3A) 1-4 67 (-24)

92. Hillcrest (4A) 1-4 90 (-2)

93. Clearfield (5A) 0-5 82 (-11)

94. Juan Diego (3A) 0-4 62 (-32)

95. Cottonwood (4A) 0-5 94 (-1)

96. Murray (4A) 0-5 78 (-18)

97. Taylorsville (5A) 0-5 87 (-10)

98. Carbon (3A) 1-4 99 (+1)

99. Judge Memorial (2A) 1-4 97 (-2)

100. Gunnison (1A) 4-1 105 (+5)

101. ALA (2A) 1-4 102 (+1)

102. South Sevier (2A) 1-4 96 (-6)

103. North Sevier (1A) 1-4 98 (-5)

104. Grand (2A) 1-4 101 (-3)

105 Rich (1A-8) 3-1 107 (+2)

106. Monticello (1A-8) 2-2 106 (NC)

107. Parowan (1A) 0-5 103 (-4)

108. Altamont (1A-8) 1-1 109 (+1)

109. Whitehorse (1A-8) 1-1 110 (+1)

110. Water Canyon (1A-8) 1-2 108 (-2)

111. Monument Valley (1A-8) 1-1 112 (+1)

112. St. Joseph’s (1A-8) 0-2 111 (-1)

113. USDB (1A-8) 0-0 113 (NC)

Utah County Rankings: 1. Lehi (#1) 2. Skyridge (#2) 3. American Fork (#3) 4. Pleasant Grove (#5) 5. Timpview (#7) 6. Lone Peak (#10) 7. Provo (#17) 8. Springville (#18) 9. Timpanogos (#22) 10. Salem Hills (#26) 11. Maple Mountain (#27) 12. Spanish Fork (#29) 13. Orem (#30) 14. Cedar Valley (#55) 15. Westlake (#56) 16. Payson (#61) 17. Mountain View (#89) 18. ALA (#101).

Notes: Lehi (5-0) riding high with a 24-game winning streak still sits at top of the Preece Power Poll (PPP) until knocked off. But the Pioneers have two very tough tests in a row against American Fork and Skyridge. Both are heated rivals for the Pioneers.

Region 3 is very impressive with five teams in the top ten. And none of the four undefeated teams in the league (American Fork, Lehi, Pleasant Grove and Skyridge) should take Lone Peak lightly.

Bingham (1-4 and #11 in the PPP) has probably played the toughest schedule in the state. The Miners have played 6A powerhouses American Fork, Lone Peak, and Skyridge, along with taking on California powerhouse Mater Dei. Their only win didn’t come easy against Crimson Cliffs (4-1, #12 in the PPP), who are the returning 4A runner-ups.

Pretty much every region will have league games going on as we turn into week 6. But with the RPI, region games pretty much have equal value with non-league contests. But here are the top rated teams in the PPP: Lehi 6A; Timpview 5A; Crimson Cliffs 4A; Morgan 3A; San Juan 2A; Enterprise 1A; Rich 1A 8-player..

Morgan (2-3, #45 in the PPP) might seem like a curious choice but the Trojans have truly tested themselves in their non-region tilts. Losses have come to the returning 4A runner-ups Crimson Cliffs (4-1, #12 PPP), 4A Skyview (5-0, #14 PPP) and 4A Green Canyon (4-1, #37 PPP). Morgan also has wins against 4A Bear River and 5A Kearns.

2A San Juan (5-0) still has the state’s longest winning streak at 30 games and has gone over 60 points in three of their five games and have outscored their opponents 281-78. The Broncos truly deserve their #33 ranking in the PPP.

Biggest Climbers in the PPP: Since the preseason PPP, two Utah County teams lead the way in upward movement as Maple Mountain and Salem Hills surged 41 and 38 places respectively. Sky View shot up 34 spots while another Utah County team in Timpanogos improved 26 positions. Also going up 26 places was 1A Duchesne who scored victories over 4A Uintah and perennial small-school powerhouse Beaver. As far as other Utah Valley teams go, Provo made a nice jump moving up 15 positions.

Biggest Decliners in the PPP: Farmington made the 6A semifinals last year but the Phoenix have fallen back to earth with a loud thud going 0-4 and slipping 46 spots in the PPP. Wasatch (1-4), who plays in 5A Region 7 with many Utah County teams, has failed to beat a Utah team with just one win against Madison, Idaho. The Wasps slid 36 positions. Farmington isn’t the only Region 1 team that has disappointed as Fremont (1-4) slipped 35 positions in the latest PPP. Other noteworthy decliners are storied programs Skyline (-34) and Juan Diego (-32). Both are combined 0-9, and Skyline in particular, is looking at its worst season since 1981. As far as county teams go, Orem and Westlake experienced the most slippage falling 20 and 16 spots respectively..