Lakota West still at the top, St. Edward moves to No. 3: The SBLive Ohio Top 25
As the sun begins to set on the regular season, 448 teams will have their season continue through the OHSAA playoffs beginning Halloween weekend. But there are still some spots left to be filled. Needless to say, all 25 of these teams will be playing in Week 11. But there are conference titles and home field advantages to be won in the final week of the regular season.
(Photo by Michael Noyes)
The SBLive Ohio Top 25:
1. Lakota West, West Chester (9-0) Last week: 1
The Firebirds clinched a share of the Greater Miami Conference title with a 33-7 win at Middletown. Mitch Bolden threw for three touchdowns and ran in the other two while the Lakota West defense held the Middies to 115 yards of offense. The Firebirds can win the outright GMC title with a win over Colerain on Friday.
2. Archbishop Hoban, Akron (9-0) Last Week: 3
The Knights took care of business with ease, defeating a winless Benedictine team, 48-0 on Friday. Hoban has clinched a pair of home games to begin the Division II postseason and will be a top 2 seed regardless of their Week 10 contest against...
3. St. Edward, Lakewood (8-1) Last Week: 6
Don't let the score fool you, there was plenty of action in the Eagles' 6-0 win over Moeller on Saturday. St. Edward had two 100-yard rushers in Casey Bullock and Marvin Bell. St. Edward was hawkish on defense, forcing three turnovers. Ultimately, Ben Lavelle's two field goals were the difference. The Eagles host No. 2 Hoban on Friday night.
4. Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati (8-1) Last Week: 2
The Crusaders were shut out in their first loss of the season as mentioned above. Jordan Marshall ran for 106 yards on 21 carries. Joe Ginnetti and Rashaad Glenn recorded 15 and 12 tackles respectively. Nonetheless, Moeller has clinched two home games in the OHSAA playoffs and could get the No. 1 seed in Division I, Region 4 with a win against Detroit King (Michigan) on Friday.
5. Princeton, Cincinnati (8-1) Last Week: 4
The Vikings had no problem with Sycamore, playing with a running clock throughout the second half in a 42-7 win. Riley Woods had only three carries, but turned them into 133 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings can clinch a top 4 seed with a win over Mason on Friday.
6. Massillon (7-1) Last Week: 5
The Tigers were off this past week. They host Canton McKinley in the grandest rivalry in Ohio high school football this Saturday.
7. Toledo Central Catholic (8-1) Last Week: 7
The Fighting Irish clinched at least a share of the Three Rivers Athletic Conference with a 42-0 win over Fremont Ross. With the win, TCC has also clinched hosting home games in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Fighting Irish will end the season at Toledo St. Francis this Friday.
8. Avon (8-1) Last Week: 8
Seven straight Southwestern Conference titles for Avon after a 42-7 beatdown of Midview. Evan Garcia opened the game with a 52-yard punt return and the Eagles never looked back. Avon will host winless Amherst on senior night before the postseason kicks off.
9. Medina (8-1) Last Week: 9
The Bees have scored at least 40 points in each of their last eight games. This time, it was a 55-13 win over Lorain. Despite their offensive firepower, the Bees may need to head on the road in the second round of the playoffs. A win over Solon in Week 10 makes that fate less likely.
10. Springfield (7-1) Last Week: 10
The Wildcats are back to looking like a top-10 team after 48 minutes of domination against Miamisburg. Springfield held Miamisburg to only 96 yards of total offense while forcing a pair of turnovers. Bryce Schondelmyer was lights out, going 25-for-31 for 353 yards and three touchdowns. The Wildcats end the season at Northmont on Friday.
11. Riverside, Painesville (8-1) Last Week: 11
The Beavers now have six wins against teams with winning records after a 42-25 win over Kenston. The win clinches a share of the Western Reserve Conference title and a first round home game come playoff time. Riverside heads to Willoughby South to end the regular season.
12. Highland, Medina (9-0) Last Week: 12
Division II, Region 6 is looking crowded with Avon, TCC, and now the undefeated Highland Hornets. The Hornets' defense was impenetrable once again, beating Aurora, 30-3. Highland hosts Copley before staying at home for the first two rounds of the playoffs.
13. Elder, Cincinnati (7-2) Last Week: 13
The Panthers have earned back-to-back wins against two premier programs from the state of Indiana, this week over Bishop Chatard, 21-16. Ben Schoster threw for 149 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 49 yards on 19 carries. Elder ends the regular season by hosting conference rival La Salle on Friday night.
14. Winton Woods, Cincinnati (9-0) Last Week: 14
The Warriors' bid for a perfect regular season is looking safe after a 33-7 win over Loveland. Trey Cornist was unstoppable, tallying 184 yards and a touchdown on the night. Winton Woods ends the regular season against Lebanon on Friday.
15. Walsh Jesuit, Cuyahoga Falls (7-2) Last Week: 16
The Warriors won their third straight with a 35-0 shutout of Padua Franciscan. Walsh Jesuit faces St. Vincent-St. Mary on Friday with a win likely getting the Warriors a first round home game.
16. Hudson (9-0) Last Week: 17
Staying in Division II, Region 5, the Explorers are on track for a perfect regular season after a 35-13 win over Brunswick. Hudson will host Stow-Monroe Falls before staying home for their first round playoff game.
17. West Holmes, Millersburg (9-0) Last Week: 18
The Knights are one of the favorites to win the Division IV state championship. Another blowout victory further proves it, a 60-7 win over New Philadelphia. The Knights' toughest path will come in Region 14, where Van Wert and Glenville await. But before then, West Holmes will head to Mount Vernon for their final true road game of the year.
18. Austintown-Fitch (8-1) Last Week: 19
The Falcons had no problems with Boardman, rolling to a 42-20 win. The story of the night was junior running back D.J. Williams setting a new school record with 301 rushing yards. Williams was also responsible for three touchdowns on his 25 carries. Fitch ends the regular season with Warren G. Harding on Friday.
19. Marion Local, Maria Stein (9-0) Last Week: 20
Three weeks, three straight shutouts for the Flyers. Marion Local took down St. Henry with ease, 35-0. However, the best game in west central Ohio in years is this Friday when the Flyers head down the road to undefeated Coldwater with the Midwest Athletic Conference title on the line.
20. Kings, Kings Mills (8-1) Last Week: 21
The Knights found another gear after an unremarkable performance against Lebanon. Kings jumped out to a huge first half lead, dominating Little Miami, 37-7. Will Kocher went 10-for-15 with 228 yards and three touchdowns. Kings ends the regular season at Anderson before hosting a first round playoff game.
21. Chardon (7-1) Last Week: 22
Andrew Bruce ran over, through, and around the Willoughby South defense, gaining 147 yards on the ground and he was responsible for three touchdowns. Chardon came away with a 56-20 win on senior night. The Hilltoppers head to Eastlake North to end the regular season.
22. South Range, Canfield (9-0) Last Week: 24
Fans in Coldwater may disagree, but the Raiders are the favorites to walk away with the Division V state championship this year. They haven't had a close contest yet and are only getting better after a 66-6 win over Lakeview. The Raiders head to Hubbard to end the regular season on Friday.
23. Ursuline, Youngstown (7-2) Last Week: 25
The Fighting Irish are on a collision course with Chardon in Region 9 of the Division III playoffs. In the meantime, Ursuline took care of Youngstown East with ease, 56-8. They finish up at home with Cardinal Mooney on Friday.
24. St. Ignatius, Cleveland (5-3) Last Week: NR
The Wildcats sneak back into the top 25 after a 24-21 win over St. Xavier. Joshua Papesh was efficient, pasing for 203 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats' win on Saturday. St. Ignatius ends the regular season with Football North (Ontario) on Friday.
25. Gahanna Lincoln (8-1) Last Week: NR
We would like to welcome back a Columbus area team to the top 25. The Lions have been on a role in recent weeks with wins over Pickerington Central, New Albany, and this past week, Grove City. The Lions can win the OCC Ohio Division outright with a win over a very tough Pickerington North squad this Friday.
