MVP Fab 5 Rankings: Week 7
Stebbins High School defensive coordinator Brian Woll is one of my best friends.
We played football together at Ashland University and have remained close ever since.
Recently Brian and his wife Sarah had their first child and there’s no question the new addition has been causing Brain to lose some sleep at night. And that’s a good thing. If not for his daughter, Brian would probably be losing sleep for another reason – Stebbins’ remaining schedule.
The Indians, who snapped a 30-game losing streak this year by beating West Carrollton 21-9 in the season opener, face Tecumseh, Tippecanoe, Kenton Ridge and Springfield Shawnee to close the season. Those four schools are a combined 20-4. Each is 5-1.
The quartet owns the Top 4 spots in the Central Buckeye Conference in scoring offense and four of the Top 5 spots in total offense.
Sounds like a nightmare for an opposing defensive coordinator. Of course you have to sleep to have nightmares so maybe Brian’s daughter is a blessing in more ways than one.
MVP Big Games This Week
D-IV No. 1 Alter at D-II No. 1 Carroll
D-I No. 5 Northmont at D-I No. 1 Centerville
D-V No. 3 Coldwater at D-VI No. 1 Delphos St. John’s
D-III No. 4 Celina at Kenton
D-III No. 3 Springfield Shawnee at Kenton Ridge
Here are the Week 7 Rankings:
Division I
1. Centerville (6-0): The Elks dominated neighboring rival Fairmont 59-0. Centerville outgained the Firebirds 537-39 in total yards and had 32 first downs to Fairmont’s three. Senior QB Jon Overstreet accounted for four TDs (two rushing, two passing). This week the Elks host Northmont (4-2). Previous: 1
2. Springfield (5-1): The Wildcats have won five straight and have positioned themselves as serious playoff contenders in Region 3. Barring a meltdown, expect Springfield to play in Week 11. Last week the Wildcats survived Wayne 28-21 in a game they led 21-o heading into the fourth. This week Springfield hosts Fairmont (2-4). Previous: 2
3. Troy (5-1): Speaking of Region 3 playoff teams, the Trojans have added their name to the mix as well. Troy beat Butler 34-7 last week and has allowed just 13 total points in its five wins. This week’s game at Piqua (3-3) is one of the state’s most legendary rivalries. Previous: 4
4. Wayne (3-3): The Warriors had their three-game winning streak snapped – just barely. Wayne rallied from a 21-0 fourth quarter deficit to tie Springfield before falling 28-21. This week the Warriors travel to winless Beavercreek. Previous: 3
5. Northmont (4-2): The T-Bolts have already faced two of Ohio’s top teams in Colerain and Moeller and this week they tackle another. Northmont travels to Centerville to face the GWOC’s No. 1 ranked defense and the state’s No. 3 ranked team. Previous: 5
Division II
1. Carroll (5-1): The Patriots rebounded from their loss to Roger Bacon to slap a 28-0 shutout on Purcell Marian. Brian Hickey scored two TDs for Carroll, including one on an 18-yard interception return. The Patriots forced four turnovers. This week Carroll hosts rival Alter in a match-up of area No. 1s. Previous: 1
2. Wapakoneta (5-1): The Redskins won their third straight by beating St. Marys 38-14. This week Wapak hosts Van Wert (3-3) Previous: 4
3. Trotwood-Madison (4-2): The Rams passed a big test on the road at Piqua with a 25-13 win. Senior RB Antwan Gilbert led the way with 189 yards and a TD on 14 carries. Michael McCray scored two TDs for Trotwood, including one on a 17-yard interception return. This week the Rams host Xenia (2-4). Previous: 2
4. Tecumseh (5-1): The Arrows continue to improve and win. Tecumseh won its fifth straight game last week and handed Kenton Ridge its first loss in a 28-0 victory. The Arrow defense limited KR’s high-octane offense to just eight first downs. Mike McKee and Zeke Eier each ran for two TDs. This week the Arrows host Stebbins (1-5). Previous: 4
5. Wilmington (5-1): The Hurricane won their fifth straight with a 17-7 victory over Walnut Hills. Despite being outgained by WH (234-182 total yards), Wilmington notched three turnovers and didn’t commit one of its own. This week the Hurricane face their toughest test of the season with a trip to Turpin (6-0). Previous: 5
Division III
1. Eaton (6-0): The Eagles blasted host Monroe 42-7 thanks in part to outstanding efforts from Nate Clark and Joey McCafferty. Clark carried the ball 42 times for 210 yards and four TDs, while McCafferty tallied 16 tackles and scored two TDs himself. This week Eaton entertains Bellbrook (3-3). Previous: 1
2. Dunbar (4-2): The Wolverines won their fourth straight and notched their most impressive win of the season with a 19-13 win over Louisville (Ky.) Male. Male entered the game ranked No. 3 in Kentucky’s big school state poll. Wow is right. This week the Wolverines host Ponitz (2-4). Previous: 4
3. Springfield Shawnee (5-1): The Braves debuted in the Fab 5 Preseason Poll but fell out after a season-opening loss to Springfield Catholic Central. Now they are back. Shawnee beat previously unbeaten Tippecanoe 21-18 last week. In the game the Braves rolled up 353 yards on the ground. Shawnee has another tough test this week at Kenton Ridge (5-1). Previous: NR
4. Celina (5-1): The Bulldogs have ripped off five straight wins after losing to Versailles in the season opener. Their most recent win was a 43-36 win over Lima Shawnee. Celina sophomore QB Braden Billger has completed 78-of-120 passes for 1,053 yards and nine TDs the last two weeks. He’ll need to do more of the same this week if the Dogs are to keep pace at Kenton (5-1). Previous: NR
5. Tippecanoe (5-1): The Red Devils managed just 186 yards rushing (on 49 attempts) in a 21-18 loss at Springfield Shawnee. This week Tipp hosts Bellefontaine (3-3). Previous: 2
Division IV
1. Alter (5-1): Senior QB Zane Pitzer ran for 167 yards and three first quarter TDs as the Knights beat Cincinnati McNicholas 42-14. This week Alter faces a stiff test at rival Carroll (5-1). Previous: 1
2. Clinton-Massie (6-0): The Falcons won their 28th straight regular season game and ruined London’s homecoming by shutting out the hosts 49-0. Senior RB Jordie Scanlon had another huge game with 296 yards and four TDs on 29 carries. This week C-M travels to Greenfield McClain (4-2). Previous: 2
3. Fenwick (6-0): If Jonathan Alder’s win at Ironton wasn’t the most impressive for a D-IV team last week, than Fenwick’s 55-28 throttling of previously unbeaten Roger Bacon was. The Falcons racked up 617 yards of offense and had three backs go over 100 yards each. Their QB also threw for over 100 yards. This week Fenwick hosts Chaminade Julienne (2-4). Previous: 3
4. Carlisle (6-0): The Indians notched their second straight shutout with a convincing 42-0 win over visiting Milton-Union. Carlisle should have no problem with Madison (3-3) this week, unless they get caught looking ahead to Week 8’s match-up against Valley View. Previous: 5
5. Valley View (4-2): The Spartans return to the Fab 5 after a four-week hiatus thanks to a 24-21 win over Bellbrook. Valley View has won two straight and should make it three with a trip to Franklin (2-4) this week. Previous: NR
Division V
1. Lima Central Catholic (5-1): Since an opening loss to Delphos St. John’s the T-Birds have trounced their foes by the combined scored of 243-19. Their latest win was a 58-6 throttling of Spencerville. LCC faces its toughest test to date since DSJ with a road game at Columbus Ready (3-3) this week. Previous: 1
2. Anna (4-2): The Rockets rebounded from back-to-back losses to Delphos St. John’s and Marion Local by blasting New Bremen 56-20. This week Anna hosts Fort Recovery (2-4). Previous: 2
3. Coldwater (4-2): The Cavaliers won their third straight and registered their second shutout with a 42-0 win over Parkway. This week Coldwater draws the short straw with a trip to undefeated and D-VI No. 1 Delphos St. John’s. Previous: 3
4. Versailles (4-2): The Tigers hold on to the No. 4 spot despite being blasted 42-6 by Delphos St. John’s last week. Lots of teams would suffer the same fate. This week Versailles travels to New Bremen (1-5). Previous: 4
5. St. Henry (2-4): The Redskins hold on to the No. 5 spot despite riding a three-game losing streak. This week St. Henry should get back on track with a trip to Minster (2-4) scheduled. The Redskins have lost to Eaton, Coldwater, DSJ and Marion Local (a quartet that is 22-2). Previous: 5
Division VI
1. Delphos St. John’s (6-0): The Blue Jays have beaten Anna, St. Henry and Versailles in succession by the combined score of 110-26. DSJ hosts another D-V power this week in Coldwater (4-2). Previous: 1
2. Marion Local (6-0): The Flyers continue to march toward their Week 9 meeting with Delphos St. John’s. Their latest victim was rival St. Henry, who they beat 34-12. This week ML hosts Parkway (2-4). Previous: 2
3. Lehman Catholic (5-1): The Cavaliers picked up their biggest win of the year with a convincing 33-14 win over Columbus Ready. Lehman was again led by senior RB Kaleb Goins who racked up 265 yards and three TDs on 21 carries. The Cavs travel to Dayton Jefferson (2-4) this weekend. Previous: 4
4. Covington (6-0): After two close games the Buccs finally got a breather, beating Twin Valley South 40-6. Senior RB Tyler Noffsinger came up big with a 62-yard TD run and a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD. This week the Buccs host winless National Trail. Next week a huge meeting at fellow unbeaten Ansonia looms. Previous: 3
5. Ansonia (6-0): The Tigers closest game thus far has been decided by 27 points. Their last outing wasn’t that close. Ansonia, which beat Mississinawa Valley 54-14 last week, travels to Bethel (4-2) this week. Previous: 5
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