Strong Vincent opened its 2008 season with a 41-20 victory over former Class AAA rival General McLane last Friday at Veterans Stadium. The Colonels' victory was noticed not only within District 10, but across the state.

The Pennsylvania Football News had Vincent ranked first in its latest AAA poll, which was released Tuesday. The Colonels, ranked third in PFN's preseason poll, surpassed WPIAL power Thomas Jefferson and West Scranton of District 2.

Thomas Jefferson remained first in the Harrisburg Patriot-News AAA poll despite a 34-13 loss to Cleveland's Glenville High School in Monday's inaugural Friends of Coal Prep Classic at Wheeling, W.Va. Vincent was ranked second and Montour third.

The Colonels return to the Vet on Friday for a 7 p.m. game against Central Tech (0-1).

-- Mike Copper