The revamped AIA power rankings system is one that should be embraced. The missing component of the previous system is the factoring in of opponent's opponent victory points. This is the truest measure of a school's schedule as it adds in not only the teams you played and how they fared but the teams your opponents played and how those teams fared. A trickle down effect, if you will.

Last year for example in football, Mesa High finished 12th in the old power rankings system among 5A schools. Had the new system been in place last year, Mesa would have risen to eighth ( a first-round home playoff game to boot). Playing games against Brophy, Chandler, Desert Vista, Hamilton, Red Mountain (The famed Fiesta Region) was tough enough. The Jackrabbits played teams from five other regions in non-league (including Westwood, Horizon and Dobson, which in turn played very good teams. That's why Mesa would have had the second-highest total among 5A schools in the opponent's opponent victory points portion of the power point total  and explains their rise in the power rankings system..

St. Mary's took a similar jump in football had the new system been in place last year. The Knights would have risen from tied for 10th to fifth and had the highest opponent's opponent victory points factor. Playing in the competitive and successful 5A Desert Valley Region (Chaparral, Desert Mountain, Horizon, North Canyon, Pinnacle) plus non-region teams such as Millennium (Centennial on its schedule) and Brophy (the entire Fiesta Region on its schedule) and the jumps make sense. It's similar to the Calpreps system that was used a few years back for basketball. Not only do the jumps Mesa and St. Mary's would have taken make sense, but it is the missing piece that makes it  superior  the old.