Vanessa Abrahamson Blog: SBLives Ohio Top 25: Archbishop Hoban is the top team while Lakota West is second

Two weeks into the books, there is some clarity as to which teams have improved, which teams have taken a step back, and which teams are as good as ever. If there’s a takeaway, it’s that Division II is at the top and significantly more competitive across the state. With Avon, Hudson, Kings and Massillon all appearing in the SBLive Ohio Top 25, it’s clear there are no easy routes to the Division II state championship in 2022.

SBLIVE’S OHIO TOP 25

1. Archbishop Hoban, Akron (2-0)

The Cathedral Prep Ramblers hadn’t lost a straight game since September 2019, when they fell to two Ohio teams in St. Edward and Benedictine. But Hoban completed one of western Pennsylvania’s top programs on Friday. Lamar Sperling rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns while junior JacQai Long threw three touchdown passes as the Knights dominantly won 47-14. Hoban welcomes Iona Prep on Saturday afternoon.

2. Lakota West, West Chester (2-0)

The Greater Miami Conference champions opened conference play with a running clock last week against Cross County rivals Lakota East (49-6). Junior Tha Remy III led the Firebirds with three touchdowns. The Firebirds will advance in GMC play and host Sycamore on Friday.

3. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (0-2)

The Bombers have never been afraid of a tough schedule. Anyone looking at their early season slate could picture a 0-2 start. Lakota West silenced any hopes of a revenge tour in Week 1. Then on Sunday, Loyola Academy (Illinois), the big favorite to win 8A, pulled away early and never looked back in a 44-20 win over the Bombers. St. X will have no excuses if they don’t walk away with a big win in Friday’s home opener against Olentangy Liberty.

4. St Edward, Lakewood (2-0)

The Eagles, who many commentators say are the Division I favorites, looked a little more comfortable in their Week 2 win over Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 42-10. Quarterback Casey Bullock found every weakness in the Vikings’ defense throughout the game, amassing 165 passing yards, 45 rushing yards and two touchdowns, one on the ground and one in the air. The Eagles host Cherry Creek (Colorado) on Saturday afternoon.

5.Springfield (1-0)

The Wildcats finally opened the season last Saturday with a 29-22 win over De Smet (Missouri). The 2021 Division I runner-up made one last stand, pinning De Smet at the 1-yard line with 16 seconds left to seal the win in Indianapolis. The Wildcats will host Trotwood-Madison before entering Greater Western Ohio Conference play.

6. Toledo Central Catholic (1-1)

The Fighting Irish put the ship back on track with a 31-0 win over Benedictine last Friday. Running back Chris Edmonds opened the scoring with a 73-yard touchdown run as TCC never looked back. The senior finished the game with 138 yards and two touchdowns while Ty’Waun Clark threw for 167 yards and a touchdown on the night. The Fighting Irish are back home and take on Olentangy Orange this Friday night.

7. Lake Avon (2-0)

The Shoremen haven’t dropped a single point in 96 minutes of football this season. After her 38-0 win in Strongsville in Week 1, Avon Lake scored another shutout in their home opener against Brecksville, 35-0. Senior Jeremy Dzik completed 14 of 18 passes for 205 yards. The Shoremen will receive John the Baptist from Long Island this Friday.

8. Princeton, Cincinnati (2-0)

After two weeks of football it is clear that the GMC is a two-team race. The Vikings ruled out Colerain 28-0 in their home game. Senior RJ West went 12 for 14 with 197 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Princeton will be heading to Lakota East on Friday, but you need to know that week 5 needs to be circled in their schedule. That’s when they host No. 2 Lakota West.

9. Archbishop Moller, Cincinnati (2-0)

Last year’s Division I, Region 4 champion has picked up where he left off, showing dominance on both sides of the ball. Keep an eye on junior running back Jordan Marshall all season long. The four-star recruit rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 28-3 win over Trinity of Kentucky. Moeller meets East Central (Indiana) in Week 3.

10. Kings, King Mills (2-0)

Another week, another blowout win for the Knights. Kings came to a running clock in Turpin on Friday, beating the Spartans 42-3. The Knights shouldn’t have any problems in the first half of their schedule when they travel to Walnut Hills on Friday, followed by Loveland in Week 4.

11. Elders, Cincinnati (2-0)

Where was this Elder team last season? After not setting a winning record for the first time since 2011, the Panthers roared out of the gates. Elder won Columbus’ best program at Pickerington Central last Friday, led by Ben Schoster’s 167 passing yards and two touchdowns. Next up is a trip to Springboro on Friday night.

12. Pickerington Central (1-1)

After smoking Olentangy Liberty on opening night, it looked like the same old Pickerington Central the Columbus neighborhood has become accustomed to. However, the Tigers’ offense was stifled with a 17-7 loss at Elder last week. Pickerington Central will try to recover at Wayne next Friday.

13 Chardon (2-0)

The Hilltoppers have their sights set on a threesome in 2022. After a nail-biter against Olmsted Falls, Chardon looked like oldies in Canton with a 36-6 win over Camden (New Jersey). Two-Way Threat Trey Liebhardt led with two touchdowns on offense and two interceptions on defense. The Hilltoppers are hosting First Baptist Academy (Florida) this Saturday.

14. St. Ignatius, Cleveland (1-0)

What a season to be a Wildcats fan. After their home opener against Springfield was canceled, St. Ignatius had to wait another week to get onto the field. St Ignatius was trailing 20-14 late in the 4th when Sean Martin forced a defense interception and then scored from 10 yards to force overtime. There, Martin would score the game winner in triple overtime and give the Wildcats a 26-20 win over Mentor. The Wildcats get Mt. St. Joseph (Maryland) on Saturday.

15. Mentor (1-1)

Last year, St. Ignatius Mentor’s playoff run ended with a 35-32 nailbiter. That year, the Cardinals were at the wrong end of another tight contest, falling 26-20 to the Wildcats in triple overtime. Mentor will be looking to recover against undefeated Riverside when they return home on Friday.

16. La Salle, Cincinnati (2-0)

All four teams from the Greater Catholic League-South have a spot in the SBLive Ohio Top 25. The Lancers summoned the running clock in their 70-7 win over RFCC (Canada). La Salle heads to Kettering Fairmont this Friday in a match of the undefeated.

17.Centerville (2-0)

Centerville dominated both sides of the ball against Dublin Coffman en route to a 48-14 win. Senior Emable Wakilongo led the elks with 173 yards on the ground for three touchdowns in the process. On defense, Centerville held the Shamrocks to just 182 yards plus a pick-six. The Elks host Gahanna Lincoln on Friday night.

18. Avon (2-0)

The Eagles retaliated against last year’s Medina by defeating the 2021 Division I regional runners-up 43-42. Jakorion Caffey carried the entire contest on his back with 25 carries for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Avon welcomes Glenville on Friday.

19. Medina (1-1)

Despite the loss at Avon, the Battling Bees have settled all questions about their offensive firepower. Friday night marked the first time Avon had allowed more than 40 points in regulation since October 2018. Medina is back in action on Friday when they meet cross-country rival Wadsworth on the road.

20. Hudson (2-0)

The Explorers came out of the gate, firing on all guns and forcing the running clock early in the second half. Hudson walked away with a 35-0 win over Euclid. The Explorers head out this Friday night to take on Warren G. Harding.

21. Upper Arlington (2-0)

The Golden Bears were the de facto kings of Columbus in 2021, starting the season 14-0 and rolling through Region 2 to the state semifinals. This year they want to defend that title and open the season with dominant victories against Reynoldsburg and Toledo St. Francis de Sales. They beat their opponents 79-14 in their first two games. Next up for the Bears is the undefeated Pickerington North at home.

22. Walsh Jesuit, Cuyahoga Falls (1-1)

The Warriors have the offensive firepower in the world but have raised defensive questions in their first two games this season. Walsh Jesuit fell to McDowell (Pensylvania) Friday, 56-37. The Warriors will play their home game against Canisius (New York) on Friday.

23. Massillon (1-1)

After an opening weekend loss to Moeller, Massillon took his aggression out on Friday against GlenOak in a 35-7 wallop. Willtrell Hartson ran for three Tigers touchdowns on the night. Massillon is back on the road against Mansfield Senior on Friday.

24. Wayne, Huber Heights (1-1)

What a statement. The Warriors made it a fast night for everyone as the entire second half was played with the clock running. Wayne upended Reynoldsburg 53-7. Wayne will host Pickerington Central this Friday night.

25 Austintown-Fitch (2-0)

The Falcons caught everyone’s attention in the Youngstown media with their opening performances. Fitch defeated Foothill (Nevada) in their opener 42-10. Then followed a comfortable win over Canton McKinley, 38-14. The month of September will be more difficult for the Falcons with Ursuline and Massillon both away. But this week the Flacons play GlenOak at home.

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