SBLive's Ohio Top 25: Archbishop Hoban is the top team, while Lakota West is second

With two weeks in the books, there is some clarity about what teams have improved, what teams have taken a step back, and what teams are as good as ever. If there is one takeaway, it's that Division II is significantly more competitive at the top and across the entire state. With Avon, Hudson, Kings, and Massillon all showing up in the SBLive Ohio Top 25, it's clear that there are no easy roads to the Division II state championship in 2022.

SBLIVE'S OHIO TOP 25

1. Archbishop Hoban, Akron (2-0) 

The Cathedral Prep Ramblers hadn't lost back-to-back games since September 2019 when they fell to two Ohio teams in St. Edward and Benedictine. But Hoban took out one of the top programs in western Pennsylvania on Friday. Lamar Sperling ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns while junior JacQai Long threw thee touchdown passes as the Knights won in dominant fashion, 47-14. Hoban welcomes Iona Prep on Saturday afternoon.

2. Lakota West, West Chester (2-0)

The defending Greater Miami Conference champions opened up conference play this past week with a running clock destruction of cross-county rival Lakota East, 49-6. Junior Tha Remy III led the Firebirds with three touchdowns. The Firebirds will move forward in GMC play, hosting Sycamore on Friday.

3. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (0-2)

The Bombers have never been afraid of a tough schedule. Anyone looking at their early season slate could picture an 0-2 start. Lakota West silenced any hopes of a revenge tour in Week 1. Then on Sunday, Loyola Academy (Illinois), the heavy favorite to win 8A, pulled away early and never looked back with a 44-20 win over the Bombers. St. X will have no excuses if they can't pull away with a big win in their home opener on Friday against Olentangy Liberty.

4. St. Edward, Lakewood (2-0)

The Division I favorite according to many commentators, the Eagles looked a little more comfortable in their Week 2 win over Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 42-10. Quarterback Casey Bullock found every weakness in the Vikings defense throughout the game, racking up 165 passing yards, 45 rushing yards, and a pair of touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air. The Eagles host Cherry Creek (Colorado) on Saturday afternoon.

5. Springfield (1-0)

The Wildcats finally got to open the season this past Saturday with a 29-22 win over De Smet (Missouri). The 2021 Division I runners-up made a final stand, holding De Smet at the 1-yard-line with 16 seconds left on the clock to seal the win in Indianapolis. The Wildcats will host Trotwood-Madison before they jump into Greater Western Ohio Conference play.

6. Toledo Central Catholic (1-1)

The Fighting Irish righted the ship last Friday with a 31-0 blowout win against Benedictine. Running back Chris Edmonds opened the scoring with a 73-yard touchdown run as TCC never looked back. The senior finished with 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Ty'Waun Clark threw for 167 yards and a touchdown on the night. The Fighting Irish are back at home, facing Olentangy Orange this Friday night.

7. Avon Lake (2-0)

The Shoremen have not given up a point in 96 minutes of football this season. After their 38-0 win at Strongsville in Week 1, Avon Lake pitched another shutout in their home opener against Brecksville, 35-0. Senior Jeremy Dzik completed 14 of 18 passes for 205 yards. The Shoremen host St John the Baptist from Long Island this Friday.

8. Princeton, Cincinnati (2-0)

After two weeks of football, it's clear that the GMC is a two-team race. The Vikings shut out Colerain in their home opener, 28-0. Senior RJ West went 12 for 14 with 197 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Princeton will head to Lakota East on Friday, but know that they must have week 5 circled on their schedules. That's when they host No. 2 Lakota West.

9. Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati (2-0)

Last year's Division I, Region 4 champion has picked up where they left off, displaying dominance on both sides of the ball. Keep an eye on junior running back Jordan Marshall all season long. The 4-star recruit ran for over 200 yards and two touchdowns in the Crusaders' 28-3 win over Trinity (Kentucky). Moeller will face East Central (Indiana) in Week 3.

10. Kings, Kings Mills (2-0)

Another week, another blowout win for the Knights. Kings got to a running clock at Turpin on Friday, upending the Spartans, 42-3. The Knights should have no issues in the early half of their schedule as they head to Walnut Hills on Friday, followed by Loveland in Week 4.

11. Elder, Cincinnati (2-0)

Where was this Elder team last season? After failing to post a winning record for the first time since 2011, the Panthers have come roaring out of the gates. Elder took down the best program from Columbus this past Friday in Pickerington Central, led by Ben Schoster's 167 passing yards and two touchdowns. Next up is a trip to Springboro on Friday night.

12. Pickerington Central (1-1)

After smoking Olentangy Liberty on opening night, it looked like the same ol' Pickerington Central the Columbus area has come used to. However, the Tigers' offense was suffocated in a 17-7 loss at Elder this past week. Pickerington Central will look to rebound at Wayne this coming Friday.

13. Chardon (2-0)

The Hilltoppers have their eyes set on a three-peat in 2022. After a nailbiter against Olmsted Falls, Chardon looked like their old selves in Canton with a 36-6 win over Camden (New Jersey). Two-way threat Trey Liebhardt led with two receiving touchdowns on offense and two interceptions on defense. The Hilltoppers host First Baptist Academy (Florida) this Saturday.

14. St. Ignatius, Cleveland (1-0)

What a season to be a fan of the Wildcats. After their home opener vs. Springfield being canceled, St. Ignatius had to wait another week to get on the field. St. Ignatius was down 20-14 late in the 4th when Sean Martin would force an interception on defense, then score from 10 yards out to force overtime. There, Martin would score the game winner in triple overtime, giving the Wildcats a 26-20 win over Mentor. The Wildcats get Mt. St. Joseph (Maryland) on Saturday.

15. Mentor (1-1)

Last year, St. Ignatius ended Mentor's playoff run with a 35-32 nailbiter. This year, the Cardinals were on the wrong end of another close contest, falling in triple overtime to the Wildcats, 26-20. Mentor will look to rebound against undefeated Riverside as they return home on Friday.

16. La Salle, Cincinnati (2-0)

All four teams out of the Greater Catholic League-South have a place in the SBLive Ohio Top 25. The Lancers summoned the running clock in their 70-7 win over RFCC (Canada). La Salle heads on the road this Friday to Kettering Fairmont in a battle of the unbeatens.

17. Centerville (2-0)

Centerville dominated both sides of the ball against Dublin Coffman en route to a 48-14 victory. Senior Emable Wakilongo led the Elks with 173 yards on the ground, scoring three touchdowns. On defense, Centerville held the Shamrocks to only 182 total yards plus a pick-six. The Elks host Gahanna Lincoln on Friday night.

18. Avon (2-0)

The Eagles get revenge on Medina from last year, taking down the 2021 Division I regional runners-up, 43-42. Jakorion Caffey carried the entire contest on his back with 25 carries for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Avon will host Glenville on Friday.

19. Medina (1-1)

Despite the loss at Avon, the Battling Bees have put to rest any questions about the firepower of their offense. Friday night was the first time Avon had allowed 40+ points in regulation since October 2018. Medina is back in action on Friday when they face cross-county rival Wadsworth on the road.

20. Hudson (2-0)

The Explorers came out of the gate, firing on all cylinders and forced the running clock early in the second half. Hudson walked away with a 35-0 win over Euclid. The Explorers head on the road to face Warren G. Harding this Friday night.

21. Upper Arlington (2-0)

The Golden Bears were the de facto kings of Columbus in 2021, starting the season at 14-0 and rolling through Region 2 to the state semifinals. This year, they're looking to hold onto that title, opening the season with dominant wins over Reynoldsburg and Toledo St. Francis de Sales. They've outscored their opponents 79-14 in their first two games. Up next for the Bears is fellow undefeated Pickerington North at home.

22. Walsh Jesuit, Cuyahoga Falls (1-1)

The Warriors have all the offensive firepower in the world, but have raised questions on defense in their first two games this season. Walsh Jesuit fell to McDowell (Pensylvania) on Friday, 56-37. The Warriors will play their home opener on Friday against Canisius (New York).

23. Massillon (1-1)

After an opening weekend loss to Moeller, Massillon took out their aggression on GlenOak in a 35-7 walloping on Friday. Willtrell Hartson ran for three of the Tigers' touchdowns on the night. Massillon is back on the road against Mansfield Senior on Friday.

24. Wayne, Huber Heights (1-1)

What a statement. The Warriors made it a quick night for all as the entire second half was played with a running clock. Wayne upended Reynoldsburg, 53-7. Wayne will host Pickerington Central this Friday night.

25. Austintown-Fitch (2-0)

The Falcons have caught the eyes of everybody in the Youngstown media with their opening performances. Fitch took down Foothill (Nevada) in their opener, 42-10. Then followed that up with a comfortable win over Canton McKinley, 38-14. The month of September gets tougher for the Falcons with Ursuline and Massillon both on the road. But this week, the Flacons are at home against GlenOak.