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Akron-Area High School Football Top 5 Power Poll after two weeks of the 2023 OHSAA season

brad bournival, akron beacon journal
·3 min read

Week 2 opened some eyes around high school football in Greater Akron.

From Green knocking off a reigning state champion to Hudson winning in impressive fashion again, there were some standout performances around the area.

Because of it, the Bulldogs have entered the top five in Divisions I-II.

They aren’t the only newcomers to the rankings, as CVCA bumps into the Division III-VI level.

Here’s the shakeout for what happened and how the USA Today Network sees where things stand:

Division I-II

1. Archbishop Hoban (2-0)

Previous ranking: 1

Caleb Jones, left, and Hoban have picked up right where they left off in 2022 and are the class of the Division I-II Greater Akron rankings.
Caleb Jones, left, and Hoban have picked up right where they left off in 2022 and are the class of the Division I-II Greater Akron rankings.

The Knights went running clock on Kentucky state champ Frederick Douglass in Week 1. In Week 2, they did it again against Pennsylvania power Cathedral Prep. Hoban looks to stay locked in against a Virginia opponent this week.

Up next: Trinity Episcopal School (0-0), Saturday

2. Walsh Jesuit (2-0)

Walsh Jesuit's offense has been the stuff of legend so far for the Warriors in 2023.
Walsh Jesuit's offense has been the stuff of legend so far for the Warriors in 2023.

Previous ranking: 2

If you’re about to play Walsh Jesuit you better finetune your defense. For that matter, you better get the offense going as well. The Warriors have scored 49 points in wins over Benedictine and McDowell (Pa.) and they don’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon.

Up next: Columbus DeSales (1-1), Friday

Greater Akron Football: Week 2 Summit County scoreboard, box scores — see who won

3. Hudson (2-0)

Previous ranking: 3

Hudson's Tommy Ricad, right, has the Explorers is a familiar spot as the undefeated squad enters Week 3.
Hudson's Tommy Ricad, right, has the Explorers is a familiar spot as the undefeated squad enters Week 3.

The Explorers haven’t gone anywhere. Hudson opened with a four-touchdown win over Suburban League American Conference champion Highland and then knocked out Hoover with a running clock in a 45-8 win.

Up next: Cleveland Heights (1-1), Friday

4. St. Vincent-St. Mary (2-0)

Previous ranking: 4

Markelle Carter, left, and DJ Johnson have St. Vincent-St. Mary undefeated heading into a Week 3 matchup at Huber Heights Wayne.
Markelle Carter, left, and DJ Johnson have St. Vincent-St. Mary undefeated heading into a Week 3 matchup at Huber Heights Wayne.

In Week 1, the Fighting Irish shut down a Mansfield Senior team that knocked off Division III state Canfield the next week. In Week 2, they stymied a Perry offense that amassed 412 yards the week before. This squad’s defense is astounding.

Up next: at Huber Heights Wayne (1-1), Friday

5. Green (2-0)

Previous ranking: Not ranked.

The Bulldogs demanded attention after beating Division V state champion South Range. It ended a 31-game regular-season win streak by the Raiders. That came after a 14-6 win over playoff regular Dover the week before.

Up next: at Tallmadge (1-1), Friday

Knocking on the door: Wadsworth (2-0), Nordonia (2-0)

Division III-VII

East is going to be a tough out if things keep going the way they are for the Dragons right now.
East is going to be a tough out if things keep going the way they are for the Dragons right now.

1. East (2-0)

Previous ranking: 1

The Dragons have proved they’re ready for the postseason early with one-point wins over Youngstown Chaney and Bedford. The biggest part of East so far has been its defense. The Dragons are giving up 12.5 points per game.

Up next: Elyria (0-2), Friday

2. Mogadore (2-0)

Previous ranking: 2

Zeke Cameron has Mogadore in a familiar spot heading into Week 3 as the undefeated Wildcats prepare for Dalton.
Zeke Cameron has Mogadore in a familiar spot heading into Week 3 as the undefeated Wildcats prepare for Dalton.

As impressive as the offense has been in 34- and 18-point wins over Field and Ravenna, the Wildcats’ defense is that much better as it has allowed three points the first two weeks. This week will bring in a big test for Mogadore, especially on the offensive side.

Up next: at Dalton (0-1), Friday

Norton's Noah and Buddy Willig have Norton ready for a non-league contest with Firestone this week.
Norton's Noah and Buddy Willig have Norton ready for a non-league contest with Firestone this week.

3. Norton (2-0)

Previous ranking: 4

There’s a battle of unbeatens this week for the Panthers. The squad has looked very good so far in a 29-point win over Principals Athletic Conference champion Northwest and a 49-18 win over University School.

Up next: Firestone (2-0), Friday

4. CVCA (1-1)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Week 1 wasn’t the Royals’ week against upstart and undefeated Streetsboro. Week 2, looked more like the CVCA of old in a 30-0 win over Kent Roosevelt. A huge Week 3 non-conference game at home awaits this week.

Up next: Woodridge (1-1), Friday

5. Woodridge (1-1)

Previous ranking: 5

Woodridge quarterback Charles Lambes gets off a second-quarter pass as CVCA's Joey Kopec closes in on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Woodridge quarterback Charles Lambes gets off a second-quarter pass as CVCA's Joey Kopec closes in on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

The Bulldogs took one on the chin last week in a 34-13 loss to West Branch. That paled in comparison to the Week 1 win over Revere. A lot of questions will be answered this Friday as to what Woodridge is all about.

Up next: at CVCA (1-1), Friday

Knocking on the door: Buchtel (0-2)

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football rankings: Greater Akron Top 5 teams Week 3