[1. St. Edward (4-0)]

The top ten held serve this week, the only exception being #10 Glenville losing to #1 St. Edward in a very good game with the Eagles pulling away in the 4th quarter. Big week ahead for the top ranked teams in the state that could shake up the pecking order.  And in other news, Ursuline has officially cancelled their season amid the dropback of a hazing scandal. They were a legit contender in D3, which now looks to be a two-team race between Watterson and TCC.

1. St. Edward (4-0) (previously #1, beat Glenville 28-14): The Eagles checked their first box in the revenge tour, prevailing over Glenville in a defensive battle. Trailing 8-7 at half and 14-7 early in the 3rd quarter, Ed's defense came up with two big turnovers on a pick and strip sack that led to touchdowns. Senior tailback Brandon White put the offense on his back in the second half rushing for most of his 171 yards and all 3 TD's to put the game out of reach. Next stop will be on the road in Tiger Town against a Massillon team looking to turn the tide on their 2-2 start and make if four in a row against the Eagles. 9/19 @ Massillon.

2. Archbishop Moeller (3-1) (previously #2, beat CPA (TN) 49-28): Moeller took care of business down in Tennessee and will begin their 3-week slate of GCL-S games, starting with a huge one against St. X. The game will pit strength on strength with an explosive Moeller offense against a loaded X defense. Moeller prevailed against X last year in both the regular and post-season. 9/19 v. St. X.

3. St. Xavier (4-0) (previously #3, beat Westerville North 28-0): The Bomber defense pitched a shutout and has surrendered just 20 points through four games, but it's concerning that the offense could only muster 28 against a WN team that gave up 38 and 42 in previous weeks. As good as they are defensively, they will need to find the endzone more than a couple times against Moeller. 9/19 @ Moeller.

4. Walsh Jesuit (4-0) (previously #4, beat St. Ignatius 31-0): Walsh made light work of an Ignatius team that is riding an unfathomable 12-game losing streak going back to last year. One more tune-up game before the showdown with Hoban. 9/19 v. Canisius (NY).

5. Anderson (4-0) (previously #5, beat Lebanon 36-10): Not that I gave Lebanon a shot against Anderson, they were 3-0 heading into this game and I was wondering if they could made a contest of it. The answer was a definitive no.  This week though the Raptors will be on the road against 4-0 Kings, a team that does have a solid track record in recent years and holds a win against Winton Woods already. Big chance to make a statement as there are not many opportunities for quality wins on their schedule. 9/19 @ Kings.

6. Olentangy Orange (4-0) (previously #6, beat Gahanna-Lincoln 35-21): Solid win over a talented GL squad. Orange should cruise this week before getting into the meat of their OCC schedule. 9/19 @ Olentangy Berlin.

7. Archbishop Hoban (3-1) (previously #7, beat Akron East 52-0): One more cupcake before Walsh. 9/19 v. Brush.

8. Bishop Watterson (4-0) (previously #8, beat Columbiana 81-7): Embarrassing beatdown against an overmatched opponent. Somewhat of a barometer game this week against Harvest Prep, a team that Hoban beat in week one 31-12. 9/19 v. Harvest Prep.

9. Avon (3-1) (previously #9, beat N. Ridgeville 55-7): Absolutely crushed a N. Ridgeville team that came in with a 3-0 record. This week should be more interesting. While Avon will be a big favorite, Olmsted Falls gave Mentor a good game in week one and have won their last three. 9/19 v. Olmsted Falls

10. Pickerington North (3-1) (previously others, beat Dublin Coffman 24-0): North jumps back into the top 10 (for now). I contemplated leaving Glenville here, but their offense has struggled since the opening win against Massillon and we won't really know if it's fixed until they play Hoban in week 8. Meanwhile, the PN defense has been pretty darn good and I can't see them losing their next 6 games. I would like to see their offense get better, especially seeing as how they have a D1 signal caller at QB, but they will have time to improve that. A lot of other teams are right on the cusp here and they will have to show strides to hold on to this spot. 9/19 v. Thomas Worthington. 

Others: Glenville, Pick Central, Massillon, Upper Arlington, Elder, Mentor, Princeton, Lakota West, Highland, Wadsworth, TCC, La Salle, Canton McKinley, Trotwood-Madison, Kings

Top Week 5 games:

St. Edward @ Massillon
Moeller v. St. X
Anderson @ Kings
Elder @ St. X (KY)
Avon v. Olmsted Falls
Princeton v. Lakota East
Pick Central v. Canal Winchester
Trotwood-Madison v. Center Grove (IN)
La Salle v. Withrow
Wadsworth v. Twinsburg
Canton McKinley v. Massillon Perry

Another informative analysis.  Thanks.

Has Bishop Watterson ever beat a top Ohio school or even large Ohio school? ..... guess I could research, but I'm just too lazy today.

Has Bishop Watterson ever beat a top Ohio school or even large Ohio school? ..... guess I could research, but I'm just too lazy today.

They've beat D1 Westerville North rather handily this season and last, but WN is hardly a top program.  Their best regular season win this year and last was against D2 Big Walnut, the team that knocked off Massillon in last year's regional final. They are a tough program to gauge because they rarely leave Columbus for games and compete in a smaller division. I doubted them last year and they ended up beating TCC in the final, a team we know can compete against larger schools. That's why they get the benefit of the doubt this year from me for top ten consideration. But they will need to continue to dominate the rest of their schedule and repeat as champs to have a top ten finish.

Has Bishop Watterson ever beat a top Ohio school or even large Ohio school? ..... guess I could research, but I'm just too lazy today.

No, until the schedule up no one will know their depth which will be a big tell

Massillon leads St. Edward 21-7 at the half. Brandon White took a house call on the first play of the game to put the Eagles up 7-0, but it's been all Massillon since then. Savior Owens continually moving the sticks for the Massillon offense combined with several short passes against soft coverage from Eds. Eds has had some opportunities down the field in the pass game but not able to come up with catches. Massillon will get the ball at half. Eds defense needs to step up.

Moeller leads X at the half 17-13.

Ed's down 21-7 in the fourth. Under 4 but this one's over. Massillon officially has their number. Anemic offense tonight.

Friday finals:

Massillon 21, St. Edward 14
Elder 26, St. X (KY) 24
Avon 28, Olmsted Falls 0
Fairfield 10, Lakota West 7 😳
Walsh 38, Canisius (NY) 0
Moeller 30, St. X 13
Wayne 21, Fairmont 18
TCC 35, Warren De La Salle (MI) 6
Princeton 42, Lakota East 7
Pick Central 43, Canal Winchester 30

Friday finals:
Fairfield 10, Lakota West 7 😳

I guess Lakota West only steps up when they play St. X? Rivalry game?

I guess Lakota West only steps up when they play St. X? Rivalry game?

No, both teams offenses just blow and always play each other early in the season.

Other Friday finals:

Hoban 45, Brush 7
Center Grove (IN) 31, Trotwood-Madison 20
La Salle 35, Withrow 26
Wadsworth 39, Twinsburg 0
Canton McKinley 28, Perry 18