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

Massillon and Archbishop Hoban remain the top two teams, while Olentangy makes its 2023 debut

Sam Houseworth | Oct 10, 2023

The top of the SBLive Ohio Power 25 holds true to form from last week as Massillon, Archbishop Hoban, Toledo Central Catholic, Avon, St. Edward and Youngstown Ursuline remain the top six teams

The Cincinnati area is finally being shown some respect as Princeton and Archbishop Moeller climb up the rankings, while Lakota West flirts with a top 10 spot. Both Moeller and Lakota West have looked truly dominant at times, but there is a wrinkle as they are currently the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in Division I, Region 4, meaning if things hold, they could meet in the second round of the postseason.

Looking further down, there is one new team in this week’s SBLive Power 25 (No. 25 Olentangy) with one returning to the list (No. 22 Elder).

SBLive Ohio Power 25

1. Massillon (8-0)

Last Week: 1

It took eight weeks, but Massillon faced Fitch in its first road game of the season. The Tigers were not phased by the new surroundings as they took care of business, 42-7, on Friday night. Ja’Meir Gamble had one of the top performances in the state, leading the Tigers with 233 rushing yards on 17 carries and a pair of scores. DaOne Owens also hit the century mark, rushing for 134 yards on 11 touches and a touchdown. The Tigers head home for senior night against Warren G. Harding on Friday.

2. Archbishop Hoban (7-0)

Last Week: 2

Week 8 was a wake-up call for Archbishop Hoban as they got all they could handle from a motivated Glenville squad. In the end, Ted Ginn Sr.’s squad fell to the No. 2 ranked Knights, 28-16. Freshman running back Brayton Feister pushed Hoban into the lead with a pair of touchdowns, one through the air and another on the ground. The Knights return to action on Saturday at St. Francis (New York.)

3. Toledo Central Catholic (8-0)

Last Week: 3

Toledo Central Catholic has looked like the best team in the state, let alone Division III, the last three weeks. The Fighting Irish controlled Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep (Michigan) from start to finish, posting a 42-0 victory and clinching a spot in the Prep Bowl at Ford Field in two weeks. Senior Marquan Braswell led the TCC offense with 94 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Fighting Irish defense held St. Mary’s Prep to only 33 yards of offense. The Irish host arch-rival Toledo St. Francis de Sales this Friday.

4. Avon (8-0)

Last Week: 4

Avon had no troubles in their Southwestern Conference contest, coasting to a 45-7 win over Midview. It was a record-breaking day for University of Cincinnati commit Jakorion Caffey as he set three school records on the night. On his first carry, Caffey broke Bob LaRosa’s career rushing record of 3,860 yards. Then, in the second quarter, Caffey broke Gerett Choat’s all-time touchdown record with his 59th of his career. He also broke the school record for career points scored. The Eagles face Amherst on Friday for a share of the SWC title.

5. St. Edward (7-1)

Last Week: 5

There are no rest days left for St. Edward after their 35-15 win over Clarkson Football North (Ontario, Canada). Zach Hackleman opened the scoring by hauling in his first of two touchdowns. Fellow sophomore Brandon White added two scores on the ground. The Eagles’ schedule to close out the season features Greater Catholic League South champion Archbishop Moeller on Saturday and No. 2 Archbishop Hoban in Week 10.

6. Youngstown Ursuline (8-0)

Last Week: 6

Ursuline pulled away from Villa-Angela St. Joseph in the second half to secure a 38-18 win and remain undefeated on the season. The Fighting Irish and Vikings were neck-and-neck throughout the first half, exchanging the lead four times. That was until Ursuline pulled away after halftime, outscoring VASJ 17-0 in the second half. Christian Lynch led the Irish offense with a pair of touchdowns on the night. Ursuline will host Chaney this Friday night.

7. Princeton (8-0)

Last Week: 8

Princeton came out of the gates firing on Friday night and never looked back, taking down Middletown, 41-15. Special teams scores were plentiful on Friday night as Donevin Favors tallied a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown midway through the first quarter and Antonio Hunter added his own 64-yard kickoff return in the final seconds of the second quarter. The Viking defense was stellar, holding Middletown to only 99 yards of offense. Princeton will look to clinch a share of the Greater Miami Conference when they had to Colerain on Friday.

8. Gahanna Lincoln (8-0)

Last Week: 7

Gahanna Lincoln continues to solidify their claim as the best team in the Columbus area with a 17-0 win over Westerville Central. Diore Hubbard rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries with both Lions’ touchdowns. Elijah King was a pest on defense, leading the Lions with 3 sacks on the night. Gahanna heads to Grove City this Friday.

9. Sandusky Perkins (7-0)

Last Week: 9

While Norwalk is arguably the most improved team in Division III, they were no match for Sandusky Perkins as the Pirates rolled, 52-3. Isaac Bunts carried the workload, rushing for 157 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half. Norwalk was held to only 21 total yards of offense throughout the night. The Pirates head on the road to crosstown rival Sandusky this Friday night.

10. Marion Local (8-0)

Last Week: 10

Marion Local earned its 40th consecutive win on Friday with a 42-8 victory over Anna. The Flyers continue to prove they are one of the toughest teams to plan for in the state, regardless of division, with a balanced attack. With 192 yards through the air and 181 yards on the ground, the Flyers are as unpredictable as they come. Marion Local heads to St. Henry in the Battle of Route 119 on Friday.

11. Lakota West (6-2)

Last Week: 11

In a game of stalled drives and self-inflicted wounds, Lakota West shut out their arch-rival Lakota East, 34-0. In a first half defined by missed opportunities, the Firebirds took a 13-0 lead into halftime, with their only touchdown coming on a Taebron Bennie 27-yard punt return. The second half saw the Firebird offense come together, highlighted by a Sam Wiles 16-yard pass to Brennan Remy for a touchdown. The Firebirds host Mason on senior night this Friday.

12. Archbishop Moeller (5-3)

Last Week: 13

Archbishop Moeller controlled every aspect of the contest in their 47-7 win over St. Ignatius. On his senior night, Michigan commit Jordan Marshall added to his Mr. Football resume with 21 carries for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Matt Ponatoski was on target, completing 19-of-23 passes for 195 yards and two scores. The Crusaders return to action on Saturday at No. 5 St. Edward.

13. Pickerington North (8-0)

Last Week: 16

The Pickerington North offense has returned to their old ways, mowing over Grove City, 48-10. Landon O’Connell had an efficient day under center, going 12-of-15 for 248 yards and four touchdowns on the night. Dorian Hamilton only tallied six carries but rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers host New Albany on senior night this Friday.

14. Cleveland Heights (7-1)

Last Week: 21

In a score that reminds us of the good ol’ Arena Football League, Cleveland Heights earns another big win at home, 62-52, over then-No. 19 Medina. Danny Stoddard’s passing attack was unstoppable for Medina, with 495 yards and seven touchdowns on the night. Marquise Davis had 368 rushing yards on 31 carries and scored six touchdowns for Cleveland Heights and special teams played a big role as well, as John Gordon, Jr. had a 50-yard kick return to set up a Tigers touchdown, a pick-six, and two blocked extra points. The Tigers host Euclid on senior night this Friday.

15. Milford (8-0)

Last Week: 14

Defense was the name of the game as Milford came out on top over Winton Woods, 3-0. The Luani brothers spent all night in the Winton Woods backfield, combining for 18 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss. The game was decided with two minutes left in regulation as Mason Cooper kicked a 22-yard field goal between the uprights. The Eagles will look to clinch a share of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference when they host West Clermont on Friday.

16. Anderson (7-1)

Last Week: 24

It was the Brodey Berg show as Anderson rolled over West Clermont, 50-5. Berg was responsible for four touchdowns, all in the first half, on Friday night, while racking up 133 yards of offense on the ground and in the air. Justice Burman was on point, going 25-of-30 for 293 yards and three touchdowns. The Raptors head to Turpin this Friday.

17. Medina Highland (7-1)

Medina Highland won its seventh straight with a 56-20 victory at Revere. The Hornets opened the game with a fumble and that would be the only lowlight from the first team has they would score touchdowns on every other possession in the first half. The Hornets summoned the running clock on the first play in the third quarter a kick return for a touchdown. The Hornets host Cuyahoga Falls before they face Aurora in a Week 10 game that will decide the Suburban League American Conference.

18. Badin (8-0)

Last Week: 12

Badin required a strong second half to fend off an upset-minded Archbishop Alter squad, 29-24. The Rams had no answers for Alter’s two-way star sophomore Noah Jones, who ran 27 times for 152 yards and a touchdown. However, a second half surge by Badin, led by a Zach Yordy 50-yard touchdown run early in the third, saw the Rams remain undefeated. Badin heads to Chaminade Julienne on Friday.

19. Walsh Jesuit (7-1)

Last Week: 17

Walsh Jesuit rebounded with a strong win over Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 34-0 this past Friday. The win makes it four straight in the rivalry contest. The Warriors head back on the road this Friday where they face Mentor Lake Catholic.

20. Liberty Center (8-0)

Last Week: 18

If there are any answers to the Liberty Center offense, nobody has found them ye. as the Tigers rolled over Evergreen, 48-6. This was Liberty Center’s lowest scoring output since a 42-14 win over an Archbold team that is 7-1. Colton Kruse tallied three touchdowns while Colton Chambers added a pair of scores. Liberty Center hosts Delta this Friday.

21. Wadsworth (7-1)

Last Week: 20

There was no stopping the Wadsworth offense as they cruised to a 49-7 victory over Stow-Munroe Falls. The Grizzlies scored a trio of touchdowns in the first and second quarters to summon the running clock for the entire second half. The Grizzlies head out of state to face Fort Hill (Maryland) on Saturday.

22. Elder (5-3)

Last Week: Unranked

Elder returns to the SBLive Ohio Power 25 after a 49-7 win over Life Christian Academy (Virginia). Evan Meier and Trenton Meyer were a two-headed monster in the backfield, combining for 148 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Panther defense held Life Christian Academy to eight rushing yards on 12 carries. All of Elder’s three losses have come to teams currently ranked in the top 15 with two of those losses by a combined five points. Elder heads to undefeated Bishop Chatard (Indiana) on Friday.

23. Hudson (6-2)

Last Week: 22

Hudson needed a last-minute drive to secure a come-from-behind win over Nordonia, 17-14. The Explorers received the ball 64 yards from the end zone with around four minutes to play in regulation, down by 4. Peyton Neher would find Trey Sharp to convert on 4th and 10 at midfield. With the seconds ticking down, Peyton Neher hit Nathan Judy over the middle for a 29-yard touchdown. Hudson survives and heads to North Royalton on Friday.

24. Perry (8-0)

Last Week: 25

Perry remained undefeated, taking down Chagrin Falls on senior night, 41-10. With that win, the Pirates have clinched home field advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Perry heads to West Geauga on Friday.

25. Olentangy (7-1)