by It may be hard to believe, but we are already near the halfway point of the 2023 season. As most teams start conference play this week, the cream is rising to the top in Northeast Ohio. Before Week 4 action kicks off, take a look at this week’s Top Five.
1. St. Edward Eagles (3-0, Last Week: 42-14 vs. Rock Creek Christian (MD), Previous Rank: 1)
Another week, another big win over an out-of-state opponent for the Eagles. Senior LB Jon Slaper proved to be the star Saturday afternoon, taking both an interception and fumble recovery to the house. Eddie Andrews also took a kickoff 79 yards for a score to put an exclamation point on the massive defensive effort. QB Casey Bullock was 13-17 for 167 yards and two touchdowns. St. Edward heads south for their first real road game of the season when they take on Cincinnati Elder (2-1). The Panthers took down Springboro 28-7 in Week 3.
2. Archbishop Hoban Knights (3-0, Last Week: 34-6 vs. Trinity Episcopal (VA), Previous Rank: 2)
Like the Eagles, the Knights started the 2023 campaign with three out-of-state opponents. Also, like the Eagles, Hoban moved to 3-0 Saturday, knocking off Trinity Episcopal 34-6. RB Caleb Jones continued his hot start with a 148-yard, three-touchdown performance. Defensively, sophomore DB Elbert “Rock” Hill IV stole the show with two interceptions, including a highlight-worthy, jumping pick-six. The Knights will be the road team this Saturday as they travel across town to take on Akron East (3-0). Last week, the Dragons stayed unbeaten by shutting out Elyria 35-0.
3. Massillon Tigers (3-0, Last Week: 51-10 vs. Mansfield Senior, Previous Rank: 4)
The Tigers took a 35-10 lead into the half and never looked back, taking down the Mansfield Tygers 51-10. Massillon racked up 320 yards on the ground, led by Peytton Mitchell for 112 yards and DaOne Owens with 130. The Tigers continued to split time between quarterbacks as Jalen Slaughter went 6-9 for 84 yards and two touchdowns while Owens went 2-5 for 35 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the swarming Tigers D held the Tygers to -19 yards rushing. This week, Massillon hosts Elkhart (1-2) from Indiana.
4. Avon Eagles (3-0, Last Week: 24-16 vs. Glenville, Previous Rank: 5)
The third and fourth spots in this week’s poll are probably interchangeable, especially after the Eagles’ mammoth win 24-16 over powerhouse Glenville. QB Nolan Good bounced back from an early interception to lead the way, finishing 19-24 for 238, three scores, and 81 yards on the ground. Avon’s defense held Tarblooders’ star RB D’Shawntae Jones to just 28 yards and came up with key turnovers and big fourth-down stands. The Eagles kick off SWC play this week when they travel to Elyria (0-3). The Pioneers fell 35-0 to Akron East in Week 3.
5. Glenville Tarblooders (2-1, Last Week: 16-24 @ Avon, Previous Rank: 3)
Despite the loss in front of a packed house on the road, dropping the Tarblooders too far in the rankings is hard. With their usual running game stifled by the Eagles, QB Ruel Tomlinson led the way with 176 yards and two scores through the air with 87 yards on the ground. Originally 16-point underdogs, according to Fantastic50.net, Glenville was right in the game until the very end. With a huge matchup against IMG Academy (FL) looming in Week 5, the Tarblooders will look to get back in the win column this week against John Adams (0-3). The Rebels lost 36-0 against Cleveland JFK last week.
Just Missed
Cleveland Heights Tigers (2-1, Last Week: 34-31 @ Hudson)
If the margin of Glenville-Avon had been more significant, the Tigers could very easily find themselves in the Top Five. Junior RB Marquise Davis continued his insane start to the season with 333 yards and four touchdowns against a tough Hudson squad. Cleveland Heights makes its GCC debut Friday night when they travel to Brunswick (0-3).
Hudson Explorers (2-1, Last Week: 31-34 vs. Cleveland Heights)
The Explorers rushed out to a 17-0 lead over Cleveland Heights but couldn’t contain Marquise Davis, falling 34-31. Despite leaving the game early due to an injury, star RB Ian Ludewig ran for 167 yards and a score, giving him nearly 682 yards and nine touchdowns in three games. The Explorers will look to right the ship Friday night when they travel to Stow-Munroe Falls (0-3) for their Suburban-National Conference opener.
Medina Bees (2-1, Last Week: 40-23 vs. Wadsworth)
After a tough loss in Week 2, the Bees bounced back in a big way with a convincing 40-23 win over Wadsworth. QB Danny Stoddard showed why he is one of the best in the state, going 27-38 for 359 yards and four touchdowns, adding another 90 yards rushing. The Bees will head to Mentor this Friday with revenge on their minds after the Cardinals (1-2) bounced Medina from last year’s playoffs.
KeeOnSports will be LIVE from Brunswick on Friday night as the Blue Devils host the Cleveland Heights Tigers. Subscribe to the KeeOnSports YouTube channel so you don’t miss a second of the action!
