Week Five Top Five Northeast Ohio High School Football Teams

Week five marks the midway point in the regular season and the playoffs will be here before we know it. While you’ll recognize the names atop the rankings, there is one big name missing following an upset loss. Who dropped out? Who moved up? Let’s get to it, the NEOSI Week Five Top Five.

1. St. Edward Eagles (4-0, Last Week: 17-14 vs Cincinnati Elder, Previous Rank: 1)

Another week, another Eagles win. St. Eds took down the Panther from Elder 17-14 last Saturday in Lakewood. Wyatt Gedeon and Michael Kilbane sacked Panthers quarterback Ben Schoster seven times and continue to live in opposing backfields. The Eagles are the top team in Division I and continue to take down tough opponents. Up next for St. Edward is a trip to Massillon (3-1) to take on the Tigers Friday night.

2. Archbishop Hoban Knights (4-0, Last Week: 49-13 @ Cincinnati Withrow, Previous Rank: 2)

The Knights took a trip to Cincinnati and blew out the Withrow Tigers 49-13. Holding steady at number two in the rankings, Hoban got another big performance from star running back Lamar Sperling. Sperling carried the ball 14 times for 179 yards and the Knights ran for 232 as a team. Hoban will face their toughest test of the season so far when they host St. Ignatius (3-0) Friday night.

3. Ignatius Wildcats (3-0, Last Week: 38-0 vs Euclid, Previous Rank: 4)

The Wildcats hit a bit of a light spot in their schedule last week with a 38-0 victory of a winless Euclid squad. After three first quarter turnovers, Ignatius settled in and carried a 23-0 lead into the half. On the game, the Panthers had negative 19 yards rushing. Things heat up this week as Ignatius hits the road for a massive showdown with Hoban (4-0).

4. Glenville Tarblooders (4-0, Last Week: 55-0 vs John Marshall, Previous Rank: 5)

The Tarblooders took down John Marshall 55-0 in their Senate Athletic League opener. Quarterback Deonte Rucker was nearly perfect, finishing 6-7 for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Glenville will be heavy favorites in all their remaining games and only play one team with a winning record, John Hay in Week 10. This week, the Tarblooders take on Collinwood (0-2).

5. Avon Eagles (3-1, Last Week: 42-21 @ Avon Lake, Previous Rank: NR)

The Eagles got back into the win column and brought home the Silver Rail Trophy with a 42-21 victory over rival Avon Lake. Avon Lake would tie it at 21-21 after a 97-yard kickoff return from Wade Nelson, but the Eagles would score the final 21 points of the game. Same DeTillio was 17-28 for 306 and led the way offensively. This week Avon takes on conference foe Elyria (2-2).

Just Missed

Highland Hornets (4-0, Last Week: 27-7 @ Tallmadge)

The number two team in Division II, the Hornets made a strong argument for the top five with a 27-7 road victory over Tallmadge. Highland dominated in the run game with 44 attempts for 299 yards, Lukas Stiles leading the way with 160 yards and three touchdowns. The Hornets hit the road Friday for a matchup with Suburban League foe Barberton (2-2).

Riverside Beavers (3-1, Last Week: 21-7 vs Chardon)

When you end a 31-game winning streak, you instantly put yourselves on the map. That’s exactly what the Beavers did in taking down two-time defending state champion Chardon 21-7. After falling to Mentor 7-6 a week prior, the defense showed up again and dominated the Hilltoppers. This Friday, Riverside hosts the Madison Blue Streaks (1-3).

 

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