Not a good week for the Buckeye state (at least at the high school level). In the top 3 OOS matchups, Ohio went 0-3 with one completely embarrassing loss by Hoban on the road at Archbishop Spalding. In the other two big games Ohio fared well, but got nipped at the buzzer with TCC surrendering a large lead against Cass Tech and Moeller falling to Mt. Carmel as time expired. Per usual, St. Edward carried the torch well and blew out Delbarton but, admittedly, Delbarton is not on par with the other Jersey giants. Still, the Eagles have looked pretty good in the first two weeks and with some of the other so-so performances this week, make the leap up to #1.
1. St. Edward (2-0) (previously #6, beat Delbarton (NJ) 48-28): This one was over at halftime with the Eagles opening up a 41-7 lead and a running clock to start to start the second half. Lombardo took the reigns off QB Jonny Evanchick this week after playing a relatively conservative game against Pick North in week one. The result was a 3 TD performance on a near perfect 7-8 passing for 118 yards, almost entirely in the first half. Junior Langston Lucas spelled him in the second half and thew a TD pass as well. But the real star of the show was senior Toledo WR commit Zack Hackleman whose 214 all-purpose yards included a 99 yard kick return for a TD in addition to two more receiving. The defense, while breaking in several new players, has been stout in the early going. Three Delbarton second half TD's were surrendered by the backups. I was optimistic about this team pre-season, but wanted to see how the new signal caller and defense looked. So far, so good. Can they survive the schedule ahead with games against Glenville, Massillon, Moeller and Hoban? Can't look ahead with a really athletic Huber Heights Wayne team up next on 9/5.
2. Archbishop Moeller (1-1) (previously #2, lost to Mt. Carmel (IL) 43-42): Keeping Moeller in the two spot as there is no shame in going to the wire against a really good Mt. Carmel squad. Both teams were really airing it out. Moeller broke the 35-35 late in the fourth with Ponatoski's 5th TD pass of the afternoon, but MC still had time. A near game-icing INT was dropped by Moeller, and to add insult to injury, the player kicked the ball and drew an unsportsmanlike flag. MC scored a few plays later and converted the 2-point conversion. Kudos to Mt. Carmel for coming out to Ohio and going for the win. Moeller will host Trinity (KY) on 9/5.
3. St. Xavier (2-0) (previously #3, beat Centerville 20-7): The stingy X defense holds its opponent to 7 points for the second week in a row, but I was hoping to see the offense be more productive. Still, this a championship caliber defense. Bombers go on the road this week to face Cathedral (IN) on 9/5.
4. Glenville (2-0) (previously #4, beat Olentangy Liberty 13-7): Not surprised the Glenville D held O Lib to 7, but surprised that their offense could only muster 13 points. The Tarblooders have explosive athletes at all the skill positions and looked really good against Massillon last week. Not sure what the story was here, but there may have been a bit of a hangover after the big week one win. Big showdown with Avon this weekend on 9/5.
5. Massillon (1-1) (previously #5, beat GlenOak 44-10): As expected, the Tigers made short work of an overmatched GlenOak team. Interesting matchup this week as they play host to Rabun Gap (GA). RG is 0-2 but they played Grayson very close in week one and lost by one to Baylor (TN) this past week. No doubt they will bring a level of speed and athleticism that many Ohio teams don't often see.
6. Archbishop Hoban (1-1) (previously #1, lost to Archbishop Spalding 58-28): The Knights laid a real egg on the road in Maryland. They gave an undefeated Spalding their best game of the year last year, but still fell at home. I guess we'll see if Spalding is still the top team in Maryland again, but to lose that bad with the talent Hoban has is almost inexcusable. Head coach Time Tyrell continues to underperform in the X's and O's department despite being a great recruiter who continually brings in high profile transfers. He brought in an out-of-state QB and RB this year, both D1 commits, to bolster his already loaded roster and still gets boat-raced. I can't drop them much lower than this as their talent should still see them go deep in a D2 field that is not as strong as last year.
7. Anderson (2-0) (previously #8, beat West Clermont 49-7): Anderson likely won't be challenged much until about week 5 or so when they face Kings. Really wish they would have gone outside the box in the non-conference schedule to take on one of the GCL teams. They have the talent to do it. 9/5 at Little Miami.
8. Walsh Jesuit (2-0) (previously #9, beat Springfield 30-6): Walsh has looked impressive so far, particularly on the defensive side. They broke through last year to beat Hoban in the regular season only to lose to them in the playoffs. Their road to the state championship will likely go through Hoban again. 9/5 vs. Football North (ON).
9. Pickerington Central (2-0) (previously #10, beat Wayne 38-28): Looking like the best team in a deep central Ohio field at the moment. This week should tell us a lot more as they take on rival Pick North on 9/5.
10. Bishop Watterson (2-0) (previously #7, beat Middletown (DE) 14-13): Dropped Watterson down this week as they squeak by a Delaware team. I don't care how good they may be for a Delaware team, if you're a top team in Ohio you should beat them more convincingly. Rest of Watterson's schedule is kind of pedestrian. Last year's group was dominant against a similar schedule, and if this year's Watterson is to remain in the top ten they will need to put up similar results. 9/5 @ Westerville North
Others: Olentangy Orange, Lakota West, Olentangy, TCC, Pick North, Avon, Ursuline, Upper Arlington, La Salle, Elder, Mentor, Highland, Princeton, Springboro, Wadsworth, Wayne
Top ten games this week, featuring 5 OOS matchups:
Pick Central @ Pick North
Moeller v. Trinity (KY)
Massillon v. Rabun Gap (GA)
St. Edward v. Wayne
Glenville @ Avon
St. X @ Cathedral (IN)
Hoban v. Detroit King (MI)
Elder @ Springboro
Olentangy Orange v. Olentangy
TCC v. DCC (MI)
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 04, 2025, 07:25 AMTop ten games this week, featuring 5 OOS matchups:
Pick Central @ Pick North
Moeller v. Trinity (KY)
Massillon v. Rabun Gap (GA)
St. Edward v. Wayne
Glenville @ Avon
St. X @ Cathedral (IN)
Hoban v. Detroit King (MI)
Elder @ Springboro
Olentangy Orange v. Olentangy
TCC v. DCC (MI)
Nice slate of games. We will see who is who.
But it gets better weeks coming
Who is Bishop Watterson?
Never heard of that school in Ohio.
Not a real convincing win over a Delaware team.
Quote from: Redzone on Sep 04, 2025, 07:51 AMWho is Bishop Watterson?
Never heard of that school in Ohio.
Not a real convincing win over a Delaware team.
Private school out of Columbus. Reigning D3 champions from last year. Good size/talent for a smaller division Ohio school. Quarterbacked by Drew Bellisari (son/nephew of former Ohio State standouts Greg Bellisari and Steve Bellisari). Agree that the win over Middletown (DE) was less than impressive. I dropped them this week because of that. Don't play the toughest schedule either (no D1 Columbus publics), so unless they dominate the rest of their opponents, I probably won't keep them in the top 10. I think I had them 5th in my final rankings last year after a pretty dominant regular season and playoff run, including knocking off TCC in the final.
Ed's up on a young but talented Wayne team at halftime 49-14
Running clock to start the second half
Moeller down 14-3 at half to Trinity. Ponatoski injured.
Rabun Gap GA 21 Massillon 14
Avon 13 Glenville 6
Hoban 13 King MI 7
Kirtland 28 Perry 21
Mentor 21 Iggy 14
Hoban up 13-7 over Detroit King at half.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 05:30 PMMoeller down 14-3 at half to Trinity. Ponatoski injured.
That would be bad for Moe
Quote from: hardhit1 on Sep 05, 2025, 05:34 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 05:30 PMMoeller down 14-3 at half to Trinity. Ponatoski injured.
That would be bad for Moe
Trinity is strong this year. Not a huge upset.
;)
Quote from: Omaha Vol on Sep 05, 2025, 06:29 PMQuote from: hardhit1 on Sep 05, 2025, 05:34 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 05:30 PMMoeller down 14-3 at half to Trinity. Ponatoski injured.
That would be bad for Moe
Trinity is strong this year. Not a huge upset.
Have seen Ed's ? Obviously you have vs the other one
Olmsted Falls walks off Strongsville 24-21
Avon up 28-14 Glenville 7 left
Hoban beats Detroit King 23-21
Avon 28-16 Glenville one minute left
Friday Finals:
St. Edward 63, Wayne 27
Moeller 24, Trinity (KY) 21
Hoban 23, Detroit King (MI) 21
St. X 24, Cathedral (IN) 6
Bishop Watterson 38, Westerville North 0
Mentor 35, St. Ignatius 21
DCC (MI) 27, TCC 14
Elder 21, Springboro 7
Olentangy Orange 42, Olentangy 14
Avon 28, Glenville 16 (not sure who this says more about)
Rabun Gap (GA) 50, Massillon 35
Pick North 17, Pick Central 3
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMFriday Finals:
St. Edward 63, Wayne 27
Moeller 24, Trinity (KY) 21
Hoban 23, Detroit King (MI) 21
St. X 24, Cathedral (IN) 6
Bishop Watterson 38, Westerville North 0
Mentor 35, St. Ignatius 21
DCC (MI) 27, TCC 14
Elder 21, Springboro 7
Olentangy Orange 42, Olentangy 14
Avon 28, Glenville 16 (not sure who this says more about)
Rabun Gap (GA) 50, Massillon 35
Pick North 17, Pick Central 3
It say says coaching as posted above
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMMoeller 24, Trinity (KY) 21
Hoban 23, Detroit King (MI) 21
St. X 24, Cathedral (IN) 6
Some nice OOS wins there for Ohio.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMRabun Gap (GA) 50, Massillon 35
On the other hand...
Quote from: TheCompPoll on Sep 05, 2025, 10:30 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMMoeller 24, Trinity (KY) 21
Hoban 23, Detroit King (MI) 21
St. X 24, Cathedral (IN) 6
Some nice OOS wins there for Ohio.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMRabun Gap (GA) 50, Massillon 35
On the other hand...
Rabun Gap blew it open in the second half. 28-28 early in the third, and then 3 TDs in a row by RG. Massillon added a late TD but the game was out of reach by then. I can see how RG hung with Grayson.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 06, 2025, 04:09 AMQuote from: TheCompPoll on Sep 05, 2025, 10:30 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMMoeller 24, Trinity (KY) 21
Hoban 23, Detroit King (MI) 21
St. X 24, Cathedral (IN) 6
Some nice OOS wins there for Ohio.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMRabun Gap (GA) 50, Massillon 35
On the other hand...
Rabun Gap blew it open in the second half. 28-28 early in the third, and then 3 TDs in a row by RG. Massillon added a late TD but the game was out of reach by then. I can see how RG hung with Grayson.
Nacoochie is a scrappy good team. They've gone back and forth with Baylor for a few years now.
Rabun Gap is a boarding school and doesn't even play in their own state association. They found some random North Carolina league that doesn't care about post grad players, recruiting and boarding. This is not a typical high school from the mountains.
Quote from: Omaha Vol on Sep 06, 2025, 12:46 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 06, 2025, 04:09 AMQuote from: TheCompPoll on Sep 05, 2025, 10:30 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMMoeller 24, Trinity (KY) 21
Hoban 23, Detroit King (MI) 21
St. X 24, Cathedral (IN) 6
Some nice OOS wins there for Ohio.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMRabun Gap (GA) 50, Massillon 35
On the other hand...
Rabun Gap blew it open in the second half. 28-28 early in the third, and then 3 TDs in a row by RG. Massillon added a late TD but the game was out of reach by then. I can see how RG hung with Grayson.
Nacoochie is a scrappy good team. They've gone back and forth with Baylor for a few years now.
Double digit D1 players and a massive O-line. They're more than scrappy.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 07, 2025, 05:36 AMQuote from: Omaha Vol on Sep 06, 2025, 12:46 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 06, 2025, 04:09 AMQuote from: TheCompPoll on Sep 05, 2025, 10:30 PMQuote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMMoeller 24, Trinity (KY) 21
Hoban 23, Detroit King (MI) 21
St. X 24, Cathedral (IN) 6
Some nice OOS wins there for Ohio.
Quote from: OdbCle on Sep 05, 2025, 07:27 PMRabun Gap (GA) 50, Massillon 35
On the other hand...
Rabun Gap blew it open in the second half. 28-28 early in the third, and then 3 TDs in a row by RG. Massillon added a late TD but the game was out of reach by then. I can see how RG hung with Grayson.
Nacoochie is a scrappy good team. They've gone back and forth with Baylor for a few years now.
Double digit D1 players and a massive O-line. They're more than scrappy.
Rabun Gap beat John Curtis (NOLA) last year Week 1 27-13......Gap was loaded.
John Curtis had 8 fumbles in that game losing 4 of them. They moved the ball very well though..
That said. Rabun Gap is legit, but they're not exactly built like the other schools. Lots of imported players from different countries...... at least last year.