MVP Fab 5 Football Rankings: Week 3
There’s been some surprising results thus far in the Miami Valley during the high school football season. Beavercreek, Belmont and Ponitz are all 2-0, while Wayne, Centerville, Northmont, Springboro and St. Henry are all 0-2. Surprising no doubt. So…
Big Games this week? Try…
Anna at Coldwater
Minster at Delphos St. John’s
Butler at Springboro
Trotwood-Madison at Beavercreek
Waynesville at Eaton
Tippecanoe at Milton-Union
Here’s how the Fab 5 shakes out heading into Week 3…
Division I
1. Troy (1-1)
By virtue of a halftime lead against Middletown and no other challenger posting a win, the Trojans remain No. 1. This week Troy travels to Fairborn (1-1).
Previous: 1
2. Wayne (0-2)
The Warriors let a 14-0 first quarter lead slip away in a 32-21 loss at Canton McKinley. The Warriors will get a win this week with Canadian club Sir Frederick Banting headed to Huber Heights.
Previous: 2
3. Centerville (0-2)
The Elks offense has yet to find its rhythm. Centerville lost 34-17 to Indianapolis Cathedral in the Herbstreit Classic. The Elks will get their first win this week with Canadian team Oakwridge headed to town.
Previous: 3
4. Northmont (0-2)
The T-Bolts should get a boost this week with the return of several defensive starters that have been absent the first two weeks. Still, the offense needs to produce more points. Northmont lost 32-21 to Princeton last week and this week faces a huge test in visiting Cincinnati Moeller (2-0).
Previous: 4
5. Beavercreek (2-0)
The Beavers beat rival and host Carroll for the third time in four years with a 23-12 win. Creek scored 17 points off four Patriot TOs. After two road wins to open the season, the Beavers host D-II No. 1 Trotwood-Madison (2-0) in their home opener this week.
Previous: NR
DROPPED OUT: No. 5 Springboro (lost 28-21 to Sycamore)
BEST OF THE REST: Springboro (0-2), Fairborn (1-1)
Division II
1. Trotwood-Madison (2-0)
The Rams beat their second straight Dayton City League team with a 41-8 decision over Dunbar. Sophomore DL Verdonte Wilkinson (nephew of former Dunbar, Ohio State and NFL DL Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson) returned an interception for a TD and had a safety. This week the Rams travel to Beavercreek (2-0).
Previous: 1
2. Butler (2-0)
The Aviators have been arguably the biggest surprise in the Miami Valley, following up their opening win over Greenville with a 37-22 victory over then-No. 3 Tecumseh. The ground game has been devastating for Butyler, which is led by senior RB Tyler Jones (537 yards rushing in two games). This week the Aviators face their toughest test to date at Springboro (0-2).
Previous: 5
3. Piqua (1-1)
The Indians lost a 21-17 fourth quarter lead and ultimately the game at Fairfield 24-21. This week the Indians host Xenia (1-1).
Previous: 2
4. Tecumseh (1-1)
The Arrows were overwhelmed by Butler’s ground game in a 37-22 loss. Tecumseh hosts Miami Trace (1-1) this week.
Previous: 3
5. Tippecanoe (2-0)
The Red Devils survived an improved Greenville team 6-3 thanks to a 49-yard TD pass from Ben Hughes to Michael Collett with 24 seconds left. This week Tipp has a stiff test at Milton-Union (4-0).
Previous: 4
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Franklin (2-0)
Division III
1. Alter (2-0)
The Knights handled Cleveland East Tech 49-14. Six different players scored as Alter built a 42-0 halftime lead. This week the Knights head north for a lengthy trip to Napoleon (1-1).
Previous: 1
2. Springfield Shawnee (2-0)
The Braves outgained host West Carrollton 514-147 in total yards en route to a 42-14 win. Shawnee rushed for 448 yards. Junior RB Drew Young led the way with a career-high three TD runs. This week Shawnee hosts Urbana (2-0) in its home opener.
Previous: 2
3. Eaton (2-0)
The Eagles posted a statement victory with a 32-13 win over visiting St. Henry. Senior WR/DB Joey McCafferty scored three different ways but his 61-yard punt return with 5:57 left in the third quarter put Eaton up 23-13. McCafferty also scored on an 11-yard TD pass from QB Cole French (23-of-34 for 294 yards and two TDs; two FGS) and a 1-yard run. This week another big test looms with Waynesville (2-0) coming to town.
Previous: 3
4. Thurgood Marshall (1-1)
The Cougars produced an impressive 21-0 shutout win over Chaminade Julienne. This week a tough test comes to Welcome Stadium I the form of Columbus Eastmoor (2-0).
Previous: NR
5. Dunbar (1-1)
The Wolverines lost 41-8 to D-II No. 1 Trotwood-Madison but should get back in the win column with a visit from Cincinnati Woodward (0-2) upcoming.
Previous: 4
DROPPED OUT: No. 5 Ben Logan (lost 44-12 to West Liberty-Salem)
BEST OF THE REST: Kenton Ridge (2-0)
Division IV
1. Fenwick (2-0)
The Falcons put a hurting on host Oxford Talawanda, beating the Braves 79-20. Fenwick outgained Talawanda 551-180 in total yards and had seven different players score. Fourteen players had at least one carry. This week the Falcons host Valley View (1-0).
Previous: 1
2. Waynesville (2-0)
The Spartans snapped an eight-game losing streak to Clinton-Massie and snapped the Falcons 33-game regular season win streak in the process. Led by a school record 85-yard interception return for a TD by Ty Black, Waynesville beat Massie 17-2. This week things get even tougher with a trip to Eaton (2-0) on the docket.
Previous: 2
3. Chaminade Julienne (0-2)
The Eagles are winless and still ranked No. 3? Yep. Not too many teams on this list that would beat Troy (Week 1 loss) and Thurgood Marshall (Week 2 loss). One thing is certain though – CJ needs to score points to win and thus far hasn’t reached the end zone once. The Eagles should score this week and beat visiting Meadowdale (1-1).
Previous: 4
4. Milton-Union (2-0)
The Bulldogs beat Oakwood 23-13 last week and can mover up with a win over visiting Tippecanoe (2-0) this week.
Previous: 5
5. Clinton-Massie (1-1)
The Falcons had their 33-game regular season win streak snapped with a 17-2 loss to No. Waynesville. Things don’t get any easier for Massie with a trip from Jonathan Alder (2-0) looming.
Previous: 3
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Valley View (1-1), Brookville (2-0)
Division V
1. Coldwater (1-1)
The Cavaliers blasted host Hicksville 51-13. Junior QB Austin Bruns threw for three TDs and Coldwater returned two interceptions for TDs. This week MAC play begins with a visit from No. 4 Anna (2-0). Buckle up right off the bat.
Previous: 1
2. LCC (2-0)
The Thunderbirds crushed host Convoy Crestview 58-7. Michigan State bound senior QB Tyler O’Connor threw for two TDs and ran for two more as LCC outgained the Knights 558-142 in total yardage and 24-5 in first downs.
Previous: 2
3. Anna (2-0)
The Rockets survived host Sherwood Fairview 29-24. Down 18-7 at halftime, Anna rallied thanks to TD runs by Dustin Noffsinger and Cole Fergason and a blocked punt for a TD. This week a trip to No. 2 Coldwater (2-0) opens MAC play.
Previous: 3
4. Versailles (2-0)
The Tigers are quietly going about their business. The latest victim? Celina, which Versailles beat 48-20. MAC plays opens this week with a trip to Fort Recovery (2-0).
Previous: 4
5. Covington (2-0)
The Buccs slammed Mississinawa Valley 58-0. A tougher test looms this week with a trip to Bethel (2-0).
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: West Liberty-Salem (2-0), Miami East (1-1), Dixie (1-1)
Division VI
1. Minster (2-0)
The Wildcats cashed in on turnovers and opportunity in a 41-13 win over Lehman Catholic. Minster scored four TDs (including two on defense) on drives that averaged just under 51 yards per. RB/DB Korey Schultz scored on a 20-yard run and on a 22-yard fumble return. This week a trip to No. 3 Delphos St. John’s (0-2) opens MAC play.
Previous: 1
2. Delphos St. John’s (0-2)
The Blue Jays lost their second straight 7-point game to a major player. A week after losing 21-14 to D-V No. 3 Lima Central Catholic, DSJ fell 14-7 to Detroit Central Catholic, an 11-time Big School state champion from Michigan. As a reward, MAC play starts this week with a visit from No. 2 Minster (2-0).
Previous: 2
3. St. Henry (0-2)
The Redskins trailed just 16-13 at halftime but faltered down the stretch in a 32-13 loss at Eaton. Junior QB Kyle Stahl threw for 113 yards and ran for 41 more, but St. Henry managed just two second half first downs. This week the Redskins open MAC play at Parkway (1-1).
Previous: 3
4. Marion Local (1-1)
The Flyers beat Canadian school Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary (CA) 48-7 at home. With Marion Local ahead 41-0 at halftime the teams played 10-minute third and fourth quarters due to the heat. This week the Flyers travel to New Bremen (0-2).
Previous: 4
5. Springfield Catholic (1-1)
The Irish rebounded from their opening loss to Springfield Shawnee with a 35-14 win over Greenon. This week SCC hosts Northwestern (0-2).
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Fort Loramie (1-1), Fort Recovery (2-0)
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