by The long wait is finally over; Week 1 is upon us. While some teams kick off action tonight, most of the state will play their first game Friday night. With so many talented teams in Northeast Ohio, whittling down the top teams in the area is a tall task. Before the action gets underway, let’s look at the top five football teams in Northeast Ohio.
1. St. Edward Eagles (Last Season: 15-1, Division I State Champions)
Coming off of their second straight Division I title, the Eagles are once again the favorites to take home the crown. Senior QB Casey Bullock (Davidson) returns under center and is looking to become the first QB to win back-to-back championships in school history. Bullock will be protected up front by one of the best offensive lines in the state, led by Deontae and Devontae Armstrong (Ohio State), along with Michigan commit Ben Roebuck. Senior Kyan Mason (Akron) should also be instrumental in the offense. The Eagles face a tough test right out of the gate in three-time defending Indiana 6A Champion Center Grove Saturday afternoon in the Northeast Ohio vs. America Showcase, the #7 game of the week according to MaxPreps.
2. Archbishop Hoban Knights (Last Season: 14-2, Division II Runner-Up)
With Mr. Football Lamar Sperling off to Buffalo and a new quarterback under center, the Knights’ offense will look a bit different this fall. One thing that remains the same is the dominant defense they return. Hoban brings back a bunch of talent on defense, including four senior Division I commits: Rickey Williams (West Virginia), Tysen Campbell (Central Michigan), Devin Bell (Miami (OH)), and Jordan Pritchard-Sewell (Holy Cross). Junior Tylan Boykin will make the switch from CB to QB, a position he has played in the past, and looks to lead the Knights back to the title game. Hoban will kick off their season against Kentucky powerhouse Frederick Douglass Saturday in the Northeast Ohio vs. America Showcase, a top ten game in the country according to MaxPreps.
3. Glenville Tarblooders (Last Season: 15-0, Division IV State Champions)
Head Coach Ted Ginn Sr. and the Tarblooders finally broke through last season for their first championship in school history in a playoff run that saw them outscore five of six opponents by 20+ points. Glenville made headlines this offseason with the commitments of senior Bryce West and Damarion Witten to the Buckeyes. Also returning for the Tarblooders is senior RB D’Shawntae Jones, who ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s title game. Upping the difficulty of their schedule this year, Glenville will take on the reigning Class 4 Virginia State Champion Dinwiddie Generals in the Northeast Ohio vs. America Showcase on Saturday night.
4. Medina Bees (Last Season: 11-2, Lost Regional Semifinals vs Mentor 42-21)
Though last season ended earlier than they would have liked, the Bees have the potential to be a real challenge to St. Edward in Region 1. Medina returns Division I Offensive Player of the Year Danny Stoddard (5,035 yards, 58 TD) and two of his favorite targets in All-Ohio receivers Austin Knowles and Jack Wojciak. On defense, honorable mention All-Ohioans Nathan Nunn and Tallen Hulvey return. The Bees will kick things off Friday night when they hit the road to take on Stow-Munroe Falls.
5. Massillon Tigers (Last Season: 12-2, Lost State Semifinal vs Hoban 41-20)
People love to hate on Massillon, but it is hard to deny that this year’s Tigers are a talented bunch. Returning under center for his third season is QB Jalen Slaughter, and transfer DaOne Owens will also split time at the position. On the defensive side of the ball, First-Team All-Ohio LB Dorian Pringle returns along with NC State commit Chase Bond on the defensive line. All eyes will be on Paul Brown Tiger Stadium Friday night as the Tigers (#4 in all-time wins) take on the winningest program in high school football history, the Valdosta Wildcats (GA), in the Northeast Ohio vs. America Showcase.
Just Missed
Avon Eagles (Last Season: 12-2, Lost Regional Finals vs Toledo Central Catholic 28-20)
Always a threat in Division II, the Eagles are poised for yet another big season. Third-Team All-Ohio RB Jakorion Caffey (Cincinnati) and first-teamer OL Luke Hamilton (Michigan) are returning on offense. An honorable mention All-SWC CB a year ago, Nolan Good takes over under center for the graduated Sam DeTillio. Avon starts their season Friday night when they host the Brunswick Blue Devils.
Cleveland Heights Tigers (Last Season: 10-2, Lost Regional Quarterfinals vs St. Ignatius 50-49)
Coming off of three straight Lake Erie League titles, Cleveland Heights moves to the tough Greater Cleveland Conference this season. Though Mr. Football finalist QB Darreon Fair is gone to graduation, the Tigers return junior RB Marquise Davis, who currently holds 22 Power 5 offers. Their season gets underway Friday night travel to Berea-Midpark to take on the Titans.
KeeOnSports will have full game coverage of all seven teams in Week 1! Be sure to follow @SportsKee1 on Twitter for everything high school football.
