(9-22-25) Several new number ones popped up as the wheat was separated from the chaff in Week 5.

Division I – Moeller Claims Top Spot

Moeller takes over the top spot after handing St. Xavier their first loss of the season, 30–13. The Crusaders’ defense held the then-#3 Bombers to just 32 yards of total offense in the second half. St. Edward falls from the top after a 21–14 loss at Massillon. Meanwhile, Princeton stayed undefeated in GMC play with a 42–7 rout of Lakota East. Junior running back Zion Neal powered the win with 147 rushing yards and three touchdowns, showing Princeton may have the firepower to challenge the Cincinnati heavyweights come playoff time.

Division II – Anderson Surges Past Highland

Massillon climbs to #6 after their upset win against St. Edward, fueled by sophomore running back Savior Owens, who rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Elsewhere, Anderson leapfrogs Highland for the top spot after a 49–24 drubbing of previously undefeated Kings.

But we’ve seen this from the Raptors before: a dominant regular season followed by a ho-hum postseason. Is this their breakout year? Or will a team like Trotwood-Madison or La Salle derail their playoff run in November?

Division III – Bishop Watterson Steady at #1

No new #1 here—Bishop Watterson stays on top after a 36–6 win over Harvest Prep. Wapak mounted an impressive comeback vs. St. Marys: trailing 21–7 at halftime, they surged in the second half to win 42–7, underscoring their resilience and making a statement in tight matchups. Looking at the division as a whole, Wapak’s path in Region 10 is significantly easier than what it would have been in Region 12, where Tippecanoe, Badin, and London all remain undefeated and inside the top six.

Division IV – Shelby Takes Over the Throne

Yet another new #1: Shelby, after smoking Marengo Highland 48–0. In a showcase of depth, six different Whippets found the end zone on Friday night. The Whippets also own the only losses this season for both Lexington and Galion. Taft, meanwhile, is a victim of a weak stretch of opponents, outscoring their last three foes 176–7—but those teams are a combined 1–14. The Senators will get a chance to prove themselves in Week 6 at 4–1 Withrow. Bath climbs into the top 10 following a 48–6 win over Kenton.

Division V – Big Week Ahead

Very little movement, as the top three teams all won convincingly. Oak Harbor enters at #15 after a 36–14 win over Otsego. Week 6, however, could bring major shifts: Wheelersburg hosts Ironton in the biggest game in southern Ohio, Liberty Center welcomes undefeated Patrick Henry, Liberty-Benton hosts 4–1 Arlington, and newly ranked Oak Harbor heads to 4–1 Genoa Area. This Friday will be a defining test for the division’s elite.

Division VI – Coldwater Solidifies, Bluffton Rising

Coldwater solidified their place in the top two with a 34–7 win over Minster. Up north, Hopewell-Loudon jumps to #3 after a 25–0 win over Gibsonburg, holding the Golden Bears to negative-3 passing yards on the night. Bluffton leapfrogs Patrick Henry into the top five: the Pirates handled Spencerville 42–7, but face their toughest test Saturday against undefeated Lima Central Catholic. Patrick Henry was less than impressive in a 19–7 win over winless Wauseon, but can make up ground when they visit Liberty Center on Friday.

Division VII – Minster Falls, McComb Rises

Minster drops out of the top five following their loss to Coldwater. Taking their place is the aforementioned LCC, whose rating leans heavily on their Week 1 road win over Lima Shawnee, still undefeated in WBL play. Marion Local continues their dominance with a 40–7 road win at New Bremen, extending their win streak to 69. Nice. McComb cracks the top 10 after back-to-back shutouts of Arcadia and Ada. The Panthers should have no trouble with Van Buren this week, but tougher tests loom with undefeated Leipsic and 4–1 Arlington up next.