Stark County-Area High School Football Top 5 Power Poll after seven weeks of 2023 season
As the stretch run of the 2023 regular season nears, Massillon and Canton South continue to reign supreme in the Stark County-Area High School Football Power Poll. The Tigers and Wildcats are the Repository coverage area's final two undefeated teams.
Here's how the top five teams in the big-school and small-school divisions stack up in this snapshot of the Greater Canton/Massillon football scene after seven weeks.
Big Schools (Divisions I and II)
1, Massillon Tigers (7-0)
The Tigers continue to roll, beating St. John's (D.C.) on Friday 28-7 in a game that was called midway through the fourth quarter because of escalating penalties and scuffles among players. Massillon has QB DaOne Owens back after missing one game while OHSAA investigated his transfer application. Having to deal with Owens operating behind Massillon's offensive line and a Tigers defense that allows 8.7 points a game are scary propositions for opponents. The Tigers hit the road for the first time this season on Friday, playing at Austintown Fitch (4-2).
Last week's football power poll: Stark County-Area High School Football Top 5 Power Poll after six weeks of 2023 season
2, Canton McKinley Bulldogs (6-1)
Like many McKinley games, the Bulldogs' 29-22 win against Lake on Friday was a mixed bag. There were plenty of great elements about their performance, most notably an offense that gained 254 yards in the first half alone against a very good Lake defense. There also were enough puzzling mistakes to make one wonder if this team ever will reach its full potential. A win at Jackson (4-3) this week would clinch at least a share of McKinley's second straight Federal League championship.
3, Green Bulldogs (5-2)
Green had no problems with Louisville on Friday in a 42-7 win and will try to extend its winning streak to three games when it travels to Perry (3-4) this week. The Bulldogs are adjusting to life without senior QB Samino Manson. Dual-threat sophomore Tyson Hunka has two starts under his belt and is building chemistry with experienced playmakers such as Antonio Martin and Zach Baglia.
4, Lake Blue Streaks (5-2)
The Blue Streaks were severely outplayed in the first half last week against McKinley before rallying to make things interesting in a 29-22 loss, which snapped their five-game winning streak. Lake must find some consistency (and production) on offense to back up its strong defense. The Blue Streaks host Hoover (4-3) this week.
5, Jackson Polar Bears (4-3)
Life can come at you fast in Federal League football. A couple of weeks ago, Jackson was one of the surprise teams in the area at 4-1. Now the Polar Bears have dropped two straight (19-7 at Lake and 21-16 at GlenOak) and have league-leading McKinley coming to Fife Stadium this week. Jackson has lost 16 straight games to McKinley.
Small Schools (Divisions III, IV, V, VI and VII)
1, Canton South Wildcats (7-0)
The Wildcats' remarkable season has a major question mark hanging over it after QB Poochie Snyder injured his throwing hand in the first half last week and did not return. The good news is South is loaded with playmakers. Freshman Brodee Beegle stepped in and threw the game-winning 69-yard TD to Tre Wilson with 2:30 left in last week's 35-28 win at Triway. South hosts Fairless (2-5) this week in its last home game of the regular season.
2, Malvern Hornets (6-1)
It's basically an IVC North championship game this week with the Hornets heading to Newcomerstown (5-2). Malvern has won its two league games by a combined score of 77-13. The Trojans have won their two league games by a combined 93-14. Judging by last year's matchup — Newcomerstown won at Malvern 48-42 in double overtime in a game that ultimately decided the IVC North title — this could be a lot of fun.
3, Northwest (5-2)
Outside of the two undefeated teams, Northwest ties McKinley for the longest current winning streak among area football teams with five straight victories. The 70 points Northwest scored in last week's drubbing of Orrville broke a 63-year-old school record set during a 64-6 win against Tuslaw. The 70 points also are the most scored by any area team this season. Northwest faces a major test this week with a road trip to CVCA (5-2).
4, Canton Central Catholic Crusaders (4-3)
The Crusaders are riding the roller coaster of a difficult schedule. A 37-20 loss to Division IV power Lake Catholic on Sept. 22 snapped a three-game winning streak. They bounced back with a quality 20-13 win against D6 Mogadore (5-2) on Friday, avenging playoff losses to the Wildcats the previous two seasons. Collinwood (1-2) comes to Lowell Klinefelter Field this week before Central must prepare for the annual backyard brawl with D1 Jackson.
5, Alliance Aviators (4-3)
The Aviators lost for the second time in three games and third time in five games when they dropped a home contest to Carrollton 31-28 on Friday. A promising season that started with a win at Lake is in danger of fading away. Of course, they have an opportunity to get that spark back this week. Alliance goes to rival West Branch (6-1), which just routed Marlington 56-0.
Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com
On X: @jweirREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football: Greater Canton Massillon Week 8 Power Poll
