Not even the end of October and week 10 is upon us with the early start this year. No one moves out of the top ten this week, but Moeller moves down after getting handled by St. Edward.
1. Archbishop Hoban (7-1) (previously #1, beat Central York 46-21): Hoban moved Louisville receiver commit Payton Cook to QB this week with their top three signal callers all dealing with injuries. The talented athlete went 8/11 passing for 103 yards and a TD, but it was Hoban's defense and special teams that dominated undefeated Central York with a pick, fumble return and kick return for TD's. It remains to be seen if Cook will have to go behind center this week in a clash with Ed's and Northeast Ohio bragging rights on the line. 10/24 v. St. Edward.
2. Elder (9-0) (previously #2, beat Bishop Chatard (IN) 28-7): Nice road win for Elder against a solid Bishop Chatard team with the Panther defense holding them to their lowest offensive output of the year. With that win they have clinched the #1 seed and a bye in R4, but will be looking to wrap up their first undefeated regular season since 1991. 10/24 v. Warren De La Salle (MI).
3. St. Edward (8-1) (previously #3, beat Moeller 35-10): A staple of Tom Lombardo's championship St. Edward teams over the years has been peaking in late October and November. They appear to be doing just that after a dominating performance against Moeller. Toledo wide receiver commit Zack Hackleman continues to show just how underrecruited he is, scoring four TD's with one rushing, one receiving, and two punt returns in the first half. More importantly the St. Edward defense held an explosive Moeller offense to 10 points, with the lone TD coming against the backups in the 4th quarter under a running clock. Hoban presents a much different challenge with their punishing run game, and we will see if UNC commit Mason Wilhelm's move to the d-line pays dividends. 10/24 @ Hoban.
4. Olentangy Orange (9-0) (previously #5, beat Hilliard Bradley 38-14): Orange will look to wrap up an undefeated regular season in an interesting matchup with O-Lib. The reigning D1 champs lost a number of key players from last year and started off the season 0-3 with losses to Olentangy, Gahanna-Lincoln and Glenville. They have gone 6-0 since then including an upset over Upper Arlington and are surrendering very few points. We'll see if Orange's offense proves to be too much. 10/24 v. Olentangy Liberty.
5. Anderson (9-0) (previously #7, beat Winton Woods 37-30): After trailing 23-10 in the first half, Anderson showed its resolve in fighting back to regain the lead in the third quarter and hold off a talented Winton Woods team to remain undefeated. Anderson needed this type of game heading into the playoffs after dominating for so many weeks without much resistance. They are pretty much a lock for their second consecutive undefeated regular season and will be the prohibitive favorite in R8. 10/24 v. Loveland.
6. Walsh Jesuit (7-1) (previously #6, beat ASVSM 51-7): After an idle week and a game against a hapless St. Vincent St. Mary team, Walsh will get a much needed test heading into the playoffs as they host a talented and tested Trotwood-Madison squad. 10/24 v. Trotwood-Madison.
7. Archbishop Moeller (6-3) (previously #4, lost to St. Edward 35-10): Moeller has showed some chinks in the armor recently against Elder and St. Edward, who both showed that a team that can pressure their QB and play solid coverage on the back end can severely limit their offense. That being said, not every team is capable of doing what Elder and Ed's can do. Ponatoski did not get much help from his receivers against Ed's, with multiple drops killing drives and a potential score. They will need to get the offense back on track for what will be a grueling R4 playoff gauntlet. 10/24 v. Muskegon (MI).
8. Avon (8-1) (previously #8, beat Avon Lake 43-12): Avon dominated rival Avon Lake and look to be the R6 favorite again. They will not be tested again until a potential meeting with either Highland or Wadsworth in the playoffs. 10/24 @ Elyria.
9. Bishop Watterson (8-0) (previously #9, beat Northwest 49-12): The Watty train keeps rolling and should continue to do so without much resistance until at least the state semi-finals. 10/24 @ St. Charles.
10. Pickerington North (8-1) (previously #10, beat New Albany 35-7): North's defense continues to show it is one of the best in the state, but their schedule this year did not do them any favors as far playoff points, currently sitting at the 6th seed in R3 despite an 8-1 record. They have a good opportunity this week to clinch a top 4 seed and a bye as they square off with 7-2 Gahanna-Lincoln. 10/24 @ Gahanna-Lincoln.
Others: Pick Central, Mentor, Glenville, Princeton, St. X, Highland, Wadsworth, Massillon, Olentangy, Canton McKinley, Trotwood-Madison, TCC, Big Walnut, Lakota West, Kings
Top Week 10 Games:
#1 Archbishop Hoban v. #3 St. Edward
#2 Elder v. Warren De La Salle (MI)
#4 Olentangy Orange v. Olentangy Liberty
#6 Walsh Jesuit v. Trotwood-Madison
#7 Moeller v. Muskegon (MI)
#10 Pick North @ Gahanna-Lincoln
Massillon @ Canton McKinley
Perrysburg @ Whitmer
Princeton @ Middletown
Lakota West @ Lakota East
Winton Woods @ Lebanon
TCC v. Muskegon Mona Shores (MI)