As the regular season winds down, teams are making their final push for postseason positioning. With only two weeks remaining, each game becomes more meaningful as our NEOSI Top Five make their journeys that they hope end in Canton. Where does everybody stand heading into Week Nine? Let’s get to it, the NEOSI Top Five.
1. Archbishop Hoban Knights (Last Week: 28-14 @ STVM, Previous Rank: 1)
After being unable to get things going in the first half, Lamar Sperling exploded in the second to lead the Knights to a 28-14 win over their archrival. Sperling crossed the 200-yard mark again, finishing with 219 and three touchdowns. The defense came up huge, forcing the Irish into six turnovers. The Knights are currently ranked #1 in Division II and hold the #1 seed in Region 5. While a huge Week Ten matchup with St. Edward looms, Hoban hits the road this week to take on Benedictine (0-8).
2. St. Edward Eagles (7-1, Last Week: 35-18 vs Clarkson North (CN), Previous Rank: 2)
Facing a big Clarkson North defensive front, the Eagles went to their jumbo backfield look and ran for 264 yards in their 35-18 win. Marvin Bell surpassed 100 yards yet again, finishing with 125 yards and two touchdowns. The defense continued to wreak havoc as Wyatt Gedeon added two sacks to his season total. St. Edward is ranked #2 in Division I and have a chance to improve on that this week. Saturday, the Eagles make the trek down to Cincinnati to take on #1 Archbishop Moeller (8-0) in what may be a state finals preview.
3. Massillon Tigers (7-1, Last Week: 42-7 vs Canisius (NY), Previous Rank: 4)
After their opening week loss to Moeller, the Tigers have been on a tear, taking down Canisius (NY) 42-7 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Despite racking up 42 points, Massillon only had possession for 12 minutes and ran just 36 plays. Willtrell Hartson continued to lead the way for the offense, carrying the ball eight times for 102 yards and two touchdowns, adding another on a reception. The Tigers are #3 in Division II and hold the top seed in Region 7. Idle this week, the Tigers host Canton McKinley in Week Ten.
4. Glenville Tarblooders (8-0, Last Week: 39-0 @ East Tech, Previous Rank: 3)
Glenville extended its conference shutout streak to five games with their 39-0 victory over the Scarabs. In Senate League play, the Tarblooders have outscored their opponents 228-0. As has been mentioned in previous weeks, the Senate is down this year and Glenville is running through it. Ranked #1 in Division IV and in Region 14, they won’t likely face a true test until the second round of the playoffs. The Tarblooders were originally scheduled to host John Adams (2-5) this week but the game has been canceled.
5. Avon Eagles (7-1, Last Week: 35-7 vs Berea-Midpark, Previous Rank: 5)
Leading 14-7 at halftime, the Eagles pulled away from the Titans for a 35-7 win. QB Sam DeTillio continued to put up dominant numbers, throwing for 283 yards and all five Avon touchdowns. The Eagles currently rank #5 in Division II and have a firm hold on the top seed in Region 6. Avon has a chance to lock up a Southwestern Conference title this Friday night when they take on Midview (2-6).
Just Missed
Cleveland Heights Tigers (8-0, Last Week: 50-30 vs Maple Heights)
The Tigers have been on an absolute tear and clinched their 4th straight Lake Erie League championship with a 50-30 victory over Maple Heights. Darreon Fair continued to lead an explosive offense and finished with 160 total yards and four touchdowns. Ranked #7 in Division I and #2 in Region I, the Tigers hit the road this week to take on St. Vincent St. Mary (5-2).
Highland Hornets (8-0, Last Week: 70-7 @ Cuyahoga Falls)
Highland continued its tear through the Suburban League with a 70-7 win on the road at Cuyahoga Falls. The defense and running game continue to be too much for opponents, the Hornets outsourcing opponents 250-14 in league play. They currently sit at #7 in Division II and hold the #2 seed in Region 6. Highland faces a tougher opponent this week as they hit the road to take on the Aurora Greenmen (6-2).
Medina Bees (7-1, Last Week: 42-21 @ Brunswick)
Danny Stoddard continued to light up opposing defenses as the Bees took down the Blue Devils 42-21. The senior QB threw for 336 yards and four touchdowns and added two more on the ground. Medina is the #10 team in Division I and currently hold the #3 seed in Region 1, behind St. Edward and Cleveland Heights. The Bees travel to Lorain this week to take on the Titans (2-6).
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