Top 25 Ohio high school football rankings (10/3/2023)

Massillon remains No. 1, while Archbishop Hoban jumps to No. 2 after beating Walsh Jesuit

There was only one new entry in the SBLive Power 25 this week - Wadsworth at No. 20 -  as the top teams start to settle into their positions. With three weeks remaining in the regular season, many teams are looking to earn a home game - or possibly two - to open the postseason. And with all the talent at the top, it will be nearly impossible to pick a favorite once the playoffs begin in less than four weeks.

Massillon stays at No. 1 for the third straight week and Archbishop Hoban has reached the No. 2 spot, while Sandusky Perkins has broken into the top 10 for the first time this season. 

SBLive Ohio Power 25

1. Massillon (7-0)

Last Week: 1

Massillon held the best team from Washington, D.C. to only nine first downs in a 28-7 win over St. John’s College on Friday night. DaOne Owens led the Tigers with his arm and his feet, throwing for 155 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 47 yards and another touchdown. St. John’s did not do themselves any favors, amassing six personal fouls, part of their 157 yards in penalties on the night. The Tigers will head on the road for the first time in 2023, facing Austintown Fitch this Friday.

2. Archbishop Hoban (6-0)

Last Week: 4

The game of the week was more one-sided than anybody could have expected. Hoban put up 37 points on then-No. 6 Walsh Jesuit in the first quarter, en route to a 57-7 win at Dowed Field. The Knights’ defense shined once again, currently averaging 5.2 points against per game late into the season. Hoban will host Glenville on Friday night.

3. Toledo Central Catholic (7-0)

Last Week: 2

St. John’s Jesuit came into this rivalry contest on a hot streak, winning each of their last three games. Toledo Central Catholic had other plans as they pulled away in the second half for the 35-7 victory. Senior Marquan Braswell ran 20 times for 174 yards and four touchdowns. The Fighting Irish head back up north to face Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep (Michigan) on Friday.

4. Avon (7-0)

Last Week: 3

There was no stopping Avon as they pulled away early, taking down Berea-Midpark, 41-0. The Eagles scored on every possession in the first half, taking a 38-0 lead into halftime, summoning the running clock for the second half. It appears that Avon Lake at Avon in Week 10 will decide the Southwestern Conference once again. But before then, the Eagles host Midview this Friday.

5. St. Edward (6-1)

Last Week: 5

St. Edward has been on a mission since their lone loss two weeks ago. In Week 7, they rolled over rival St. Ignatius, 42-7. This marks the Eagles’ 7th straight win over St. Ignatius. Casey Bullock threw for three touchdowns in his return, while Jon Slaper added two on the ground. St. Edward hosts Clarkson Football North (Ontario) on Saturday.

6. Youngstown Ursuline (7-0)

Last Week: 9

In their greatest challenge since opening night, Ursuline came out on top, 34-20 on the road over  St. Vincent-St. Mary. Jack Ericson threw three touchdowns, but Ursuline put the game away on the backs of a Jy’Quise Liaison kick return for a touchdown and a Christian Lynch touchdown run in the fourth. The Fighting Irish return home to face Villa Angela-St. Joseph on Friday.

7. Gahanna Lincoln (7-0)

Last Week: 8

Gahanna Lincoln wasted no time in this one, with Diore Hubbard breaking off an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. The West Virginia commit would be responsible for all three Lion touchdowns as Gahanna won 20-7 over New Albany. Hubbard racked up 252 yards on 21 carries on the night. Gahanna Lincoln hosts Westerville Central this Friday.

8. Princeton (7-0)

Last Week: 10

Princeton used a tough running game to wear down Fairfield en route to a 35-14 win, improving to 6-0 in the Greater Miami Conference. Six players recorded carries for the Vikings, led by David Hambrick’s seven rushes for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Deangelo Birch threw for 210 yards and two scores on the night, finding Jordan Houston with both touchdown passes. Princeton hosts Middletown on Friday night.

9. Sandusky Perkins (6-0)

Last Week: 11

Perkins breaks into the top 10 with a 49-14 win over previously undefeated Edison. Logan Lesch went 21-of-28 for 428 yards and six touchdowns. Weston Sturzinger and Braylon Collier were his top targets, tallying 200 and 175 yards respectively, both hauling in three scores. The Pirates will host Norwalk on senior night this Friday.

10. Marion Local (7-0)

Last Week: 7

Marion Local rolled on Friday night, defeating cross-county rival Fort Recovery, 49-0. The win marks head coach Tim Goodwin’s 300th in his career at Marion Local. Goodwin becomes just the 18th coach in Ohio to reach the 300-win mark, all coming at the small school in Maria Stein. Goodwin and the Flyers will look for number 301 when they host Anna on Friday.

11. Lakota West (5-2)

Last Week: 13

Lakota West picked up its fifth win in in a row with a 59-7 victory over Oak Hills. The Firebirds ran for 263 yards, led by Braydon Johnson who had 72 yards and a touchdown. The Firebirds face Jamison Kitna and Lakota East on the road this Friday.

12. Badin (7-0)

Last Week: 12

A balanced attack saw Badin stay undefeated with a 42-14 win over Archbishop Carroll. Quarterback Alex Ritzie went 14-of-18 for 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sophomore Rocco Milazzo received the majority of the carries for the first time this season, powering for 88 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams host Alter this Friday in a battle of the only two remaining undefeated teams in Greater Catholic League Co-Ed play.

13. Archbishop Moeller (4-3)

Last Week: 15

With a convincing 38-7 win over Elder, Moeller wins their first back-to-back Greater Catholic League South titles since 2013 and 2014. Michigan commit Jordan Marshall had 113 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns and broke the Moeller career rushing record in the process. The Crusaders defense tormented Elder passers all night, picking off four passes in the process. Moeller will face St. Ignatius at Mount St. Joseph this Saturday afternoon.

14. Milford (7-0)

Last Week: 14

Luke Brand was on point in Milford’s 41-7 win over Walnut Hills. The junior went 14-of-19 for 224 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another score in the third quarter. Ashton Warther led the Eagles with five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles face their final road test before the postseason when they battle 6-1 Winton Woods on Friday in Eastern Cincinnati Conference action.

15. Medina Highland (6-1)

Last Week: 16

Highland lived in the Roosevelt backfield all night as the Hornets earned a shutout win, 42-0. The Highland defense tallied seven sacks on the night while limiting Roosevelt to only 29 yards rushing. On the offensive side, Evan Grant, filling in for Casey Myser, ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Highland heads to Revere on Friday.

16. Pickerington North (7-0)

Last Week: 17

After a nail biter last week, Pickerington North left nothing to chance. The Panthers played the second half with a running clock, taking down Westland, 55-6. Dorian Hamilton was the catalyst on offense, rushing for 70 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers defense came away with eight tackles for loss, and four interceptions, including a Ryan Miller pick-six. Pickerington North hosts Grove City this Friday.

17. Walsh Jesuit (6-1)

Last Week: 6

Walsh suffered their first loss of the season to then-No. 4 Hoban, 57-7 on the road. Walsh Jesuit will look to rebound when they host Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin on senior night this Friday. 

18. Liberty Center (7-0)

Last Week: 20

In a game that would decide the Northwest Ohio Athletic League, the game itself was decided before halftime. Liberty Center was in control from kickoff to the final horn, defeating Patrick Henry, 62-0. Colton Kruse scoried six touchdowns on the ground for the Tigers while also tallying a fumble recovery on defense. Cam Kahle was stellar on defense and special teams, picking off two passes and returning a punt 52 yards for a touchdown. Liberty Center heads to Evergreen in their last road test of the season.

19. Medina (5-2)

Last Week: 23

Medina has found its groove on both sides of the ball. It showed in their Greater Cleveland Conference game against Strongsville, winning 56-21. Danny Stoddard went 17-of-24 for 249 yards and five touchdowns. Austin Knowles had eight catches for 164 yards and three touchdowns, setting a new Medina County touchdown reception record in the process with 33 in his career. The Bees head to Cleveland Heights for an SBLive Ohio Power 25 battle in Week 8.

20. Wadsworth (6-1)

Last Week: Unranked

Wadsworth has been on the cusp of the SB Live Ohio Power 25, but just could not get over the hump. Finally, after a 55-14 win at previously undefeated Nordonia, the Grizzlies break into the conversation. Will Stack was 12-of-17 for 162 yards and two touchdowns while also carrying the ball 17 times for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Wadsworth is now in sole possession of first place in the Suburban League National Conference. The Grizzlies host Stow-Munroe Falls on senior night.

21. Cleveland Heights (6-1)

Last Week: 19

Despite a slow start, Cleveland Heights stayed perfect in the Greater Cleveland Conference with a 42-28 win over Solon. The Tigers were only up 14-0 going into halftime in a game that was much closer than the scoreboard described. However, the Tigers broke it open in the third quarter, pounding in a trio of touchdowns to create separation. Cleveland Heights host Medina in a game that could decide the conference on Friday.

22. Hudson (5-2)

Last Week: 21

The Hudson rushing attack has the Explorers returned to the win column, 17-6 over Brecksville. Ian Ludewig was the workhorse for Hudson, tallying 32 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown. Teagan O’Guinn earned plenty of work, racking up 14 carries for 59 yards. Hudson will look to keep the momentum going when they host Nordonia on senior night.

23. Painesville Riverside (7-0)

Last Week: 22

Riverside controlled the first half en route to a 43-14 win over Eastlake North on Friday night. Jason Mackey led the offensive effort with 154 rushing yards on 13 carries, adding a pair of touchdowns. Mikey Maloney was 11-of-17 for 178 yards and two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. The Beavers head on the road to face 6-1 Kenston on Friday.

24. Anderson (6-1)

Last Week: 24

Justice Burnam went 21-of-27 for 384 yards and six touchdowns in Anderson’s 46-20 win over Little Miami. . Brodey Berg was his top target on senior night, tallying five catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Raptors are on the road the rest of the way, and face West Clermont this Friday.

25. Perry (7-0)

Last Week: 25

Perry put up five touchdowns in the first quarter and never looked back, taking down Orange, 42-14 on Friday night. Jayden Studio led the Pirate effort with four touchdowns on the ground, all in the first quarter. Perry will host Chagrin Falls on senior night this Friday.