by 1. Massillon Washington Tigers (10-0, Last Week: 35-0 @ Canton McKinley, Previous Rank: 1)
The Tigers finished a perfect regular season on Saturday afternoon with a 35-0 shutout of arch-rival Canton McKinley. On their first offensive play, QB DaOne Owens hooked up with Braylyn Toles for a 41-yard touchdown, and Massillon never looked back. Owens finished 9-13 for 108 and two touchdowns through the air and added another 52 yards rushing. Mike Wright Jr. dominated both sides of the ball with three sacks and a rushing touchdown. The Tigers begin their quest for their first state championship since 1970 on Friday night when they host Grove City Central Crossing (4-6).
2. St. Edward Eagles (9-1, Last Week: 14-7 @ Archbishop Hoban, Previous Rank: 3)
The Eagles kept their hot streak rolling with a 14-7 win over Hoban in a defensive slugfest. Sophomore RB carried the load offensively with 130 yards and a touchdown on the ground in a game where QB Casey Bullock left with an injury. The defense held the Knights to just 123 yards and kept them off the scoreboard. Notre Dame commit Loghan Thomas added a sack, his seventh, and 3.5 tackles for loss. The Eagles kick off their three-peat attempt Friday night when they host the Elyria Pioneers (1-9).
3. Archbishop Hoban Knights (8-1, Last Week: 7-14 vs. St. Edward, Previous Rank: 2)
The Knights’ undefeated campaign ended last week in a 14-7 heartbreaker to St. Edward. Things couldn’t have started better for Hoban when Ohio State commit Eli Lee got a pick-six to put them up 7-0 early. Unfortunately, that was the last score for the Knights as they battled an elite Eagles defense and rain throughout. Freshman RB Brayton Feister continued to lead the offense with 70 of the Knights’ 88 yards rushing. Hoban begins its quest to avenge last year’s championship loss when they host Ellet (3-7) on Friday night.
4. Avon Eagles (10-0, Last Week: 45-0 vs. Avon Lake, Previous Rank: 4)
The Eagles wrapped up their perfect regular season last week and claimed the Silver Rail Trophy with a 45-0 shutout of rival Avon Lake. Cincinnati commit Jakorion Caffey turned in another impressive performance on the ground with 154 yards and two scores. The defense dominated the contest, forcing nine Shoreman fumbles, recovering two, and holding them to negative rushing yards. Heavy favorites in Region 6, the Eagles kick off their playoff run Friday night when they host St. John’s Jesuit (4-6).
5. Cleveland Heights Tigers (9-1, Last Week: 41-31 @ Shaker Heights, Previous Rank: 5)
In their first year in the Greater Cleveland Conference, the Tigers clinched the outright crown with a 41-31 win over the Red Raiders. Junior RB Marquise Davis put an exclamation point on his resume for the prestigious Mr. Football award with 151 yards and three touchdowns. Senior John Gordon added two more touchdowns on the ground. Cleveland Heights enters the postseason as the #2 seed in Region 1 and kicks things off Friday night when they host Euclid (1-9).
Just Missed
Glenville Tarblooders (7-3, Last Week: 42-7 @ John Marshall)
The Tarblooders extended their Senate League win streak to 166 games with a 42-7 win over John Marshall. After winning their first-ever state title a season ago, Glenville will kick off its repeat campaign in Division IV Friday when they host Lima Bath (4-6).
Medina Bees (7-3, Last Week: 35-0 @ Solon)
The Bees finished the regular season on a high note with a 35-0 shutout of the Solon Comets. QB Danny Stoddard turned in another impressive performance with 290 yards and three first-half passing touchdowns, each to a different receiver. Medina enters the postseason as the #6 seed in Region 1 and hosts John Marshall (4-5) Friday night.
Mentor Cardinals (7-3, Last Week: 48-12 vs. Euclid)
After the Panthers tied the game at 6-6, the Cardinals scored 42 unanswered points and cruised to a 48-12 victory. QB Scotty Fox led the way offensively with 196 yards and three touchdowns on 11 completions. Mentor, the #5 seed in Region 1, kicks off their postseason run when they host St. Ignatius, who defeated the Cardinals 16-14 in Week 2.
Wadsworth Grizzlies (8-2, Last Week: 49-0 @ North Royalton)
The Grizzlies bounced back from a nailbiting loss to Fort Hill (MD) with a 49-0 blowout over North Royalton. Senior RB Kyle Figuray turned in a dominant performance on the ground with 175 yards and two scores on 14 carries. Wadsworth enters the postseason as the #3 seed in Region 1 and will host Brunswick (3-7) Friday night.
