by Now that the regular season has ended, it’s on to the playoffs. But first there is the matter of the final Top 25 rankings.
1. Avon
Previous rank: 1
2024 record: 10-0
Results: Defeated St. Ignatius, 42-12; defeated Canton McKinley 21-14; defeated Glenville, 13-21; defeated Elyria, 58-0; defeated North Ridgeville, 38-7; defeated Olmsted Falls, 35-14; defeated Berea-Midpark, 49-7; defeated Midview, 49-10; defeated Amherst, 42-7; defeated Avon Lake, 42-10.
Comment: This might be coach Mike Elder’s most complete team, but will it be enough to get the Eagles to the top of the mountain, where they clearly long to go?
2. Mentor
Previous rank: 3
2024 record: 10-0
Results: Defeated Massillon Jackson, 36-13; defeated St. Ignatius, 20-14; defeated Erie (PA) McDowell, 50-14; defeated Medina, 49-14; defeated Cleveland Heights, 35-27; defeated River Rouge (MI), 47-21; defeated Shaker Heights, 45-6; defeated Brunswick, 45-14; defeated Strongsville, 44-17; defeated Euclid, 51-10.
Comment: With Scotty Fox slinging the ball around the field, the Cardinals have posted huge offensive numbers on the way to another Greater Cleveland Conference title.
3. Walsh Jesuit
Previous rank: 6
2024 record: 10-0
Results: Defeated Youngstown Ursuline, 37-35; defeated Erie (PA) McDowell, 47-21; defeated St. Vincent-St. Mary, 52-0; defeated St. Ignatius, 42-7; defeated Akron Firestone, 49-0; defeated Benedictine, 20-12; defeated Akron Hoban, 19-14; defeated Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 63-21; defeated Brunswick, 38-7; defeated Padua, 42-0.
Comment: After taking down Akron Hoban, the dangerous Warriors finished the season by outscoring three opponents by the combined score of 143-28.
4. Akron Hoban
Previous rank: 2
2024 record: 8-2
Results: Lost to Severn Archbishop Spalding (MD), 28-14; defeated Don Bosco Prep (NJ), 21-7; defeated Akron Buchtel, 56-0; defeated Akron East, 42-6; defeated St. Ignatius, 45-14; defeated Mount Vernon (IL), 56-13; lost to Walsh Jesuit, 19-14; defeated Glenville, 20-0; defeated Central York (PA), 41-7; defeated St. Edward, 24-21.
Comment: After some ups and downs, including a shocking loss to Walsh Jesuit, it appears that once again the Knights will be a factor in determining who wins this year’s Division II state title.
5. Highland
Previous rank: 8
2024 record: 10-0
Results: Defeated Hudson, 31-24; defeated North Royalton, 50-20; defeated Brunswick, 37-0; defeated Copley, 44-7; defeated Tallmadge, 49-0; defeated Barberton, 49-7; defeated Kent Roosevelt, 56-7; defeated Revere, 41-0; defeated Cuyahoga Falls, 56-0; defeated Aurora, 34-0.
Comment: Fueled by last year’s regional final run, the Hornets could make things interesting in Division II Region 6 with the likes of Avon and Wadsworth.
6. Glenville
Previous rank: 10
2024 record: 7-3
Results: Defeated Upper Arlington, 6-0; lost to Powell Olentangy Liberty, 24-13; lost to Avon, 13-12; defeated John Hay, 34-0; defeated East Tech 48-0; defeated St. Edward, 28-27; defeated Rhodes, 35-14; lost to Akron Hoban, 20-0; defeated John Marshall, 48-6; defeated Cleveland JFK, 41-0.
Comment: Is there anyone out there who doesn’t believe that this three-loss team is the one to beat for the Division IV state title?
7. St. Edward
Previous rank: 4
2024 record: 5-5
Results: Defeated Pickerington North, 28-0; defeated St. Joseph’s Prep (PA), 35-21; lost to Boyle County (KY), 38-21; defeated Cincinnati Elder, 24-17; lost to Massillon, 31-21; lost to Glenville, 28-27; defeated St. Ignatius, 28-6; defeated Clarkson (Can) Football North, 22-12; lost to Cincinnati Moeller, 35-30; lost to Akron Hoban, 24-21.
Comment: Don’t be fooled by the record. After facing a brutal schedule, the Eagles are a team that nobody will want to face in the playoffs.
8. Nordonia
Previous rank: 7
2024 record: 8-2
Results: Defeated Bedford, 41-6; defeated Berea-Midpark, 35-28; defeated Mayfield, 35-7; defeated Solon, 45-7; defeated North Royalton, 46-13; defeated Twinsburg, 40-14; lost to Wadsworth, 37-36; lost to Hudson, 23-22; defeated Stow-Munroe Falls, 47-20; defeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 49-13.
Comment: The Knights are just two one-point losses to playoff teams from having an undefeated season and a conference championship.
9. VA-SJ
Previous rank: 9
2024 record: 7-2
Results: Defeated Canton GlenOak, 42-7; defeated Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, 38-7; defeated Mansfield Senior, 60-0; defeated Kenston, 53-35; defeated Cleveland Central Catholic, 48-6; lost to Erie (PA) McDowell, 38-35; lost to Youngstown Ursuline, 24-17; defeated St. Vincent-St. Mary, 37-13; defeated Gilmour Academy, 48-14.
Comment: The loss of OSU commit Bo Jackson certainly hurts, but this is still a very talented team that can really make some noise in the Division III playoffs.
10. Wadsworth
Previous rank: 5
2024 record: 9-1
Results: Defeated Barberton, 42-0; defeated New Albany, 42-21; defeated Medina, 51-7; defeated Twinsburg, 55-10; defeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 56-14; defeated Hudson, 21-14 OT; defeated Nordonia, 37-36; defeated Stow-Munroe Falls, 49-23; defeated Solon, 28-27; lost to North Royalton, 44-37.
Comment: Were the Grizzlies looking past their Week 10 opponent in anticipation of a big postseason run? Only time will tell.
11. Kirtland
Previous rank: 11
2024 record: 10-0
Results: Defeated Dalton, 55-34; defeated Ashland Crestview, 42-6; defeated Ashland Crestview, 42-6; defeated Perry, 22-21 3OT; defeated Independence, 44-0; defeated Cuyahoga Heights, 48-7; defeated Fairview, 65-16; defeated Berkshire, 46-11; defeated Chagrin Falls, 49-0; defeated Crestwood, 37-6; defeated Cardinal, 33-0.
Comment: Kirtland just continues to roll, as the run-dominant Hornets have outscored their opponents 165-17 since losing quarterback Jake LaVerde to a broken arm.
12. Lake Catholic
Previous rank: 13
2024 record: 10-0
Results: Defeated Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, 14-0; defeated Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 33-7; defeated Erie (PA), 37-0; defeated Willoughby South, 47-0; defeated Kenston, 34-20; defeated Holy Name, 35-3; defeated Padua, 46-17; defeated Elyria Catholic, 49-6; defeated Canton Central Catholic, 31-12; defeated Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 26-17.
Comment: The Cougars sit atop perhaps the strongest region in the state regardless of division, with Perry, Streetsboro, 10-0 Beloit West Branch and Glenville nipping at their heels.
13. Perry
Previous rank: 14
2024 record: 9-1
Results: Defeated Madison, 42-10; defeated Euclid, 42-0; lost to Kirtland, 22-21 3OT; defeated Cleveland Central Catholic, 42-0; defeated Geneva, 44-7; defeated Lutheran West, 41-14; defeated Orange, 62-0; defeated Harvey, 49-13; defeated West Geauga, 63-0; defeated Hawken, 68-0.
Comment: Those aren’t typos, folks. Since losing to Kirtland, the defending Division V state champions have won their last seven games by the combined score of 369-34.
14. North Ridgeville
Previous rank: 12
2024 record: 8-2
Results: Defeated North Olmsted, 48-0; defeated Valley Forge, 49-13; defeated North Royalton, 10-0; defeated Olmsted Falls, 43-17; lost to Avon, 38-7; defeated Elyria, 56-7; defeated Midview, 38-20; defeated Berea-Midpark, 42-33; lost to Avon Lake, 12-10; defeated Amherst, 26-7.
Comment: After fighting through the always-tough Southwestern Conference ledger, the Rangers are looking to make some noise in the postseason.
15. Benedictine
Previous rank: 18
2024 record: 8-2
Results: Defeated Canton South, 43-7; defeated Avon Lake, 40-16; lost to St. Francis (NY), 32-17; defeated Strongsville, 21-17; defeated Shaker Heights, 39-7; lost to Walsh Jesuit, 20-12; defeated Elyria Catholic, 42-9; defeated Erie (PA) Cathedral Prep, 42-14; defeated Brush, 39-0; defeated St. Vincent-St. Mary, 39-8.
Comment: Following a relatively close loss to Walsh Jesuit, the Bengals have responded with four consecutive blowout victories and now look to the playoffs.
16. Aurora
Previous rank: 15
2024 record: 9-1
Results: Defeated Twinsburg, 42-6; defeated Lutheran West, 48-0; defeated West Geauga, 37-0; defeated Revere, 42-10; defeated Copley, 49-12; defeated Cuyahoga Falls, 68-7; defeated Tallmadge, 45-14; defeated Kent Roosevelt, 49-14; defeated Barberton, 53-3; lost to Highland, 34-0.
Comment: This ranking is more a reflection of the first nine games, rather than the final one in which the Greenmen played without their best player.
17. Streetsboro
Previous rank: 24
2024 record: 10-0
Results: Defeated CVCA, 29-21; defeated Normandy, 58-0; defeated Alliance 56-6; defeated Coventry, 77-0; defeated Akron Springfield, 49-0; defeated Norton, 55-0; defeated Woodridge, 42-0; defeated Ravenna, 45-14; defeated Field, 49-0; defeated Cloverleaf, 63-15.
Comment: After an eight-point victory in the opener, the Rockets have outscored their opponents 494-35 on the way to a conference title and the No. 3 spot in Division IV Region 13.
18. Strongsville
Previous rank: Unranked
2024 record: 6-4
Results: Lost to Avon Lake, 21-12; lost to Solon, 14-10; defeated Berea-Midpark, 21-6; lost to Benedictine, 21-17; defeated Euclid, 42-0; defeated Cleveland Heights, 28-6; defeated Medina, 49-14; defeated Shaker Heights, 50-0; lost to Mentor, 44-17; defeated Brunswick, 19-9.
Comment: After three losses by a total of 17 points, the Mustangs responded by winning five of their last six to earn a home playoff game against Cleveland Heights.
19. Kenston
Previous rank: Unranked
2024 record: 7-3
Results: Lost to Youngstown Boardman, 19-18; defeated West Geauga, 38-7; defeated Chagrin Falls, 37-14; lost to Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 53-35; lost to Lake Catholic, 34-20; defeated Chardon, 20-3; defeated Mayfield, 21-3; defeated Riverside, 35-14; defeated Willoughby South, 42-0; defeated Eastlake North, 42-7.
Comment: The Bombers seem to have righted the ship with five consecutive victories, including four in a row over playoff-bound teams.
20. Chardon
Previous rank: 19
2024 record: 7-2
Results: Defeated Orlando Timber Creek (FL), 29-7; defeated Tiffin Columbian, 42-0; defeated Avon Lake, 28-7; lost to Columbus Watterson, 41-7; lost to Kenston, 20-3; defeated Willoughby South, 52-0; defeated Mayfield, 31-7; defeated Eastlake North, 42-0; defeated Riverside, 25-14.
Comment: After consecutive losses at midseason, the Hilltoppers have fought their way back to being one of the top teams in Division III Region 9.
21. Cleveland Heights
Previous rank: 17
2024 record: 6-4
Results: Defeated Trotwood Madison, 6-0; lost to Detroit (MI) MLK, 25-21; lost to Hudson, 27-14; defeated Brunswick, 20-17; lost to Mentor, 35-27; lost to Strongsville, 28-6; defeated River Rouge (MI), 14-7; defeated Medina, 44-0; defeated Euclid, 70-27; defeated Shaker Heights, 54-35.
Comment: With Marquise Davis fully back to health, the Tigers are a team to be reckoned with, starting with a first-round revenge game at Strongsville.
22. Olmsted Falls
Previous rank: 20
2024 record: 7-3
Results: Defeated Solon, 16-13; defeated Brunswick, 27-3; defeated Canfield, 35-6; lost to North Ridgeville, 43-17; defeated Elyria, 42-0; lost to Avon, 35-14; defeated Amherst, 44-13; defeated Avon Lake, 43-37 2 OT; lost to Berea-Midpark, 35-14; defeated Midview, 31-10.
Comment: The 21-point loss to Berea-Midpark is a bit of a head-scratcher, but the Bulldogs are back where they always are, in the playoffs.
23. Avon Lake
Previous rank: 23
2024 record: 6-4
Results: Defeated Strongsville, 21-12; lost to Benedictine, 40-16; lost to Chardon, 28-7; defeated Berea-Midpark, 36-35; defeated Midview, 28-14; defeated Amherst, 28-20; defeated Elyria, 28-0; lost to Olmsted Falls, 43-37, 2 OT; defeated North Ridgeville, 12-10; lost to Avon, 42-10.
Comment: After the heartbreaking loss to Olmsted Falls, the Shoremen came back to edge a very good North Ridgeville team, which shows what they are made of.
24. Lorain
Previous rank: Unranked
2024 record: 9-1
Results: Defeated Brush, 40-25; defeated Elyria, 47-13; defeated Sandusky, 8-0; defeated Akron Firestone, 35-27; lost to Willoughby South, 35-32; defeated Garfield Heights, 48-14; defeated Warrensville Heights, 57-20; defeated Shaw, 60-7; defeated Bedford, 32-0; defeated Maple Heights, 34-32.
Comment: Not the greatest strength of schedule, but the Titans came through when they needed to the most, edging Maple Heights for the Lake Erie League crown.
25. Buckeye
Previous rank: Unranked
2024 record: 9-1
Results: Defeated Cloverleaf, 49-21; lost to Amherst, 42-21; defeated Akron Ellet, 41-7; defeated North Olmsted, 28-7; defeated Bay, 31-0; defeated Valley Forge, 45-13; defeated Westlake, 49-7; defeated Normandy, 59-13; defeated Rocky River, 55-0; defeated Lakewood, 51-14.
Comment: With a power running game led by Troy McCann, the Bucks could be a tough out in the Division III Region 10 playoffs.
