by 17. Cleveland Heights
Preseason rank: 5
2024 record: 2-3
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.
Comment: The return of Kentucky recruit Marquise Davis to prominence could help this team get well in a hurry as the remaining schedule is filled with winnable games.
18. Benedictine
Preseason rank: unranked
2024 record: 4-1
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.
Comment: The Bengals face unbeaten Walsh Jesuit at John Carroll on Friday and two weeks later have another stiff test in 5-0 Erie (PA) Cathedral Prep.
19. Chardon
Preseason rank: 19
2024 record: 3-1
Results: Defeated Orlando Timber Creek (FL), 29-7; defeated Tiffin Columbian, 42-0; defeated Avon Lake, 28-7; lost to Columbus Watterson, 41-7.
Comment: With so many new people at the varsity level this year, it will be interesting and also crucial to see how the Hilltoppers respond to getting thwacked last week.
20. Olmsted Falls
Preseason rank: 20
2024 record: 4-1
Results: Defeated Solon, 16-13; defeated Brunswick, 27-3; defeated Canfield, 35-6; lost to North Ridgeville, 43-17; defeated Elyria, 42-0.
Comment: The hiccup against North Ridgeville was uncharacteristic, but the Bulldogs got well in a hurry with a 42-0 blanking of Elyria.
21. Amherst
Preseason rank: unranked
2024 record: 5-0
Results: Defeated Copley, 34-18; defeated Buckeye, 42-21; defeated North Olmsted, 24-7; defeated Midview, 21-16; defeated Berea-Midpark, 60-41.
Comment: Undersized at just about every position, the Comets have a hard-nosed mentality that says they will go as far as quarterback Cole Norris can carry them.
22. Gilmour Academy
Preseason rank: unranked
2024 record: 5-0
Results: Defeated Valley Forge, 49-14; defeated Warrensville Heights, 48-0; defeated Hawken, 33-13; defeated Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 48-21; defeated John Marshall, 42-6.
Comment: The Lancers are putting up lots of points as they build toward what they hope to be a deep run into the Division III playoffs.
23. Avon Lake
Preseason rank: 15
2024 record: 3-2
Results: Defeated Strongsville, 21-12; lost to Benedictine, 40-16; lost to Chardon, 28-7; defeated Berea-Midpark, 36-35; defeated Midview, 28-14.
Comment: The Shoremen appear to have righted the ship after big comebacks on consecutive weeks to take down Berea-Midpark and Midview.
24. Streetsboro
Preseason rank: unranked
2024 record: 5-0
Results: Defeated CVCA, 29-21; defeated Normandy, 58-0; defeated Alliance 56-6; defeated Coventry, 77-0; defeated Akron Springfield, 49-0.
Comment: After a relatively close opener against CVCA, the Rockets trounced their next four opponents by the combined score of 240-6.
ONE MORE TEAM TO GO, WHO MADE IT?
