(10-8-21) Samuel Houseworth’s latest looks at the OHSAA football rankings heading into week 8.

Latest Houseworth Rankings 10-8-21

D-I

Despite St. Xavier falling to out-of-state Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), the Bombers stay at #1 in the Projection Index. Realistically, are they the best team in the state of Ohio? Probably not. Are they in the top 3? Maybe. Top 5? Absolutely, no question in my mind. As for what to watch for this week, St. Ignatius and Moeller are worlds better than their records suggest. Staying at home in the early rounds of the playoffs will be on the line in this battle in Cleveland.

D-II

There is a new #1 in D-II in the form of Toledo Central Catholic. The Fighting Irish smoked Clay, 60-0, for their 3rd shutout in the past 5 weeks. After opening at 0-2, TCC has won 5 straight as they get ready for 6-1 Whitmer in a game that will decide the TRAC this Friday. Avon, the team that the Fighting Irish leapfrogged, get 5-2 Berea-Midpark in a game that will most likely decide the Southwestern Conference.

D-III

Well, maybe Chardon isn’t a lock to win back-to-back state titles. The Hilltoppers shutout New Philadelphia, 21-0, but were held to their lowest offensive performance since November 2019. The Aurora Greenmen, the last team to beat them (in that same game no less) closed the gap after a 49-19 win over a then 5-1 Cleveland Heights team.

D-IV

Plenty of shuffling in at the top of D-IV, but Clinton-Massie remains at the top following their 42-35 win against Western Brown. The Falcons have put up 40+ points in 4 of their last 5 games though to be fair, only this most recent game featured an opponent with a winning record. West Branch (43-12 win vs. Carrollton) and Bellevue (26-0 win at Perkins) climbed into the top 3. Keep an eye out for Shelby as they host undefeated West Holmes in what is to be a great measuring stick for both teams.

D-V

Kirtland, securing their 47th straight win, climbed into the all-division Top 25 this week after their 30-6 win at Perry. South Range jumped to #2 win a 41-0 win at Niles McKinley, trading places with Eastwood who suffered their first loss of the season at Elmwood. Versailles holds at #3 while Garaway is one of the biggest movers in the state, climbing 5 spots to #5 after a shutout win over Indian Valley.

This video courtesy Kirtland Hornet State Crew



D-VI

I am 100% on board the Archbold to the state championship train at this point. Not that a 47-0 win over Evergreen is groundbreaking, but it’s the consistency at which the Blue Streaks are winning. It’s unmatched in the rest of D-VI. Coldwater and New Middletown Springfield hold their spots in the top 3, while #4 Carey and #5 Fort Frye trade places.

D-VII

Another week and the same ol’ story in the state’s smallest division. Marion Local, New Bremen, and LCC in that order at the top of the division. St. Henry and McComb round out the top 5 once again. However, that could all change as the top 2 teams in D-VII face off when Marion Local heads to New Bremen on Friday. Last season, the 2 teams split with Marion Local taking the week 2 contest, while New Bremen got revenge in the regional final of the state playoffs.

Midwest Athletic Conference

Well, I already gave away what to watch for in the MAC this week. For oddsmakers, the Flyers would be about a 6-point road favorite this week. Between this and senior night against Coldwater next week, it would be an incredible feat for Marion Local to head into week 10, still undefeated.



Western Buckeye League

With only 3 weeks left in the season, 5 teams are tied for first or within 1 game of first in the conference. Van Wert and Wapak are both 5-1 while St. Marys, O-G, and Bath are all 4-2. Bath will get a chance to help out Van Wert while the Cougars get a free W against Kenton. But if Wapak gets by Bath, they have Celina and Defiance to end the season while the Cougars will get Elida and Bath. Yes, Bath controls their own WBL destiny!



Northwest Conference

Once again, no movement in the Projection Index for the Northwest Conference. Columbus Grove has a 92% chance of going 10-0 according to the Projection Index. Though the game to watch for is Spencerville, who is 15th in the Harbin ratings in Region 26, at Crestview. In Vegas, Spencerville would be a 4.5-point road favorite. A win for the Bearcats would put them in an excellent position to grab one of the final playoff spots in Region 26.

You Tube viseos courtesy WOSN TV

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