The Inter-Mountain photo by Joey Kittle Elkins moved up one spot to sixth in this week’s Class AAA WVSSAC playoff ratings released on Tuesday afternoon. The Tigers visit Class AA, No. 11 Philip Barbour this Friday night.

ELKINS — With Week 5 of the high school football season on tap this Friday, the playoff picture is starting to take shape to a degree as some teams hit the midpoint of the campaign.

Off to a 4-0 start for the first time in 12 years, Elkins moved up a spot to sixth in the WVSSAC Class AAA playoff ratings released on Tuesday afternoon.

The Tigers are one of four teams that hail from the Big 10 Conference among the top 10, with Fairmont Senior tied for first, defending state champion Bridgeport third and North Marion ninth.

Elkins’ opponent on Friday night, Philip Barbour, dropped from fourth to 11th after falling at Bridgeport.

The Colts (2-2) have lost two straight games, including at North Marion on Sept. 12.

They will host the Tigers for homecoming at George Byrer Field at BC Bank Park.

Independence is first in Class AA, followed by Frankfort and Bluefield.

Petersburg, South Harrison and Mingo Central are tied for fourth.

After seeing its 23 regular-season win streak snapped at the hands of Class AA, No. 2 and defending state champion Frankfort last Friday, Tucker County remained seventh in Class A.

The Mountain Lions (3-1) look to regroup on Friday night when No. 13 Webster County visits R.H. Armstrong Memorial Field at Class of 1984 Alumni Stadium.

Cameron tops the Class A ratings, followed by Wahama, Wheeling Central, Meadow Bridge at Pendleton County, which hosts Tygarts Valley on Friday.

The Bulldogs (1-3) can make a jump in the ratings with a win as they are 18th this week after losing at home to Bath County (Va.).

In Class AAAA, Morgantown is first, George Washington second, Wheeling Park third and Huntington and University tied for fourth.

Buckhannon-Upshur is just out of the top 16 at 18th and will return to action Oct. 3 at Fairmont Senior.