Week Eight Top Five Northeast Ohio Football Teams

October is finally here and the playoffs are just a few weeks away. As teams make their push towards the postseason, the cream is rising to the top in Northeast Ohio. As the playoffs draw near, each of the remaining games hold major importance for our Top Five. Where does everybody stand heading into Week Eight? It’s time to reveal the NEOSI Top Five.

1. Archbishop Hoban Knights (7-0, Last Week: 42-15 vs St. Francis (NY), Previous Rank: 1)

Hoban continued its march towards a state championship with a 42-15 win over St. Francis (NY), last year’s New York state runner up. Lamar Sperling turned in another Mr. Football worthy performance with 237 yards and four touchdowns. Sperling has now rushed for 1,624 and 25 touchdowns in just 7 games. Hoban is currently ranked #1 in Division II and hold the top seed in Region 5. Up next for the Knights is a Holy War showdown at rival St. Vincent St. Mary (6-1).

2. St. Edward Eagles (6-1, Last Week: 48-6 @ St. Ignatius, Previous Rank: 2)

While the Eagles were favored in their matchup with the rival Wildcats, nobody expected their 48-6 victory over Ignatius. St. Edward dominated the trenches all game long and were never really challenged, scoring the last 34 points. The offense racked up 294 yards on the ground and the defense only allowed 154 total. St. Edward is currently the 3rd ranked team in Division I and the top seed in Region 1. Up next for the Eagle is a showdown with Clarkson North (CN) (3-2).

3. Glenville Tarblooders (7-0, Last Week: 50-0 vs Cleveland JFK, Previous Rank: 3)

Another week, another Tarblooders shutout, this time a 50-0 romp over JFK. The win extends their season long Senate League shutout as they have outscored their opponents 189-0 through three games. While they played and won a tough non conference schedule, the Senate is in a down season. Their next true test is likely to come later in the playoffs. Glenville is the top ranked team in Division IV and Region 14. This week, the Tarblooders take on East Tech (0-3).

4. Massillon Washington Tigers (6-1, Last Week: 42-24 vs Middletown (DE), Previous Rank: 5)

After falling behind 12-0 early, the Tigers stormed back to score 35 unanswered and take down the Cavaliers 42-24. Willtrell Hartson followed up last week’s impressive performance with 198 yards and three touchdowns. The defense turned up the pressure and finished with five sacks in the game. Heading into Week 8, Massillon currently sits at #3 in Division II and holds the top seed in Region 7. This week, the Tigers host Canisius (NY) (3-2) at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

5. Avon Eagles (6-1, Last Week: 63-42 @ Olmsted Falls, Previous Rank: 4)

Sam DeTillio and the Eagles offense exploded last week in their 63-42 victory on the road at Olmsted Falls. DeTillio threw for 370 yards and six touchdowns and Ethan Holbrook was his favorite target. The senior WR hauled in 10 catches for 208 yards and five touchdowns, falling one short of the state record. Avon is currently ranked #6 in Division II and is sitting pretty as the top seed in Region 6. Up next for the Eagles is a home matchup with Berea-Midpark (4-3).

Just Missed

 

Highland Hornets (7-0, Last Week: 49-0 vs Revere)

Readers of the weekly Top Five should be familiar with the Hornets. Last week, they dominated the Revere Minutemen 49-0 in a Suburban League showdown. In league play, Highland has outscored their opponents 180-7. Despite being ranked higher than Avon in the AP Poll (5th), they haven’t played as tough of a schedule and rank 2nd in Region 6. This week the Hornets hit the road to take on Cuyahoga Falls (1-6).

 

Medina Bees (Last Week: 52-38 vs Mentor)

The Bees offense continued to light it up as they took down a tough Mentor squad 52-38 at Ken Dukes Stadium. QB Danny Stoddard threw for 432 yards and six touchdowns, wreaking havoc on opposing secondaries week after week. Medina is the 9th ranked team in Division I and the two seed in Region I, behind St. Edward.

 

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