MVP Fab 5 Football Rankings Week 8
The postseason is still four weeks away, but area teams are going to get a taste of pressure football this week. In the Greater Western Ohio Conference, all six remaining undefeateds in divisional play meet with conference titles on the line.
In the GWOC North, Trotwood-Madison (7-0, 2-0) hosts Troy (6-1, 2-0) in a match-up of Fab 5 No. 1s. In the GWOC Central, Wayne (4-3, 2-0) hosts Centerville (4-3, 2-0). In the GWOC South, Fairborn (5-2, 2-0) hosts Xenia (2-5, 1-0).
Buckle up.
Here are this week’s Other Big games:
Coldwater at Marion Local
Eaton at Franklin
Bellbrook at Brookville
Cincinnati Taft at Dunbar
Versailles at Minster
Tippecanoe at Tecumseh
Alter at Fenwick
Lebanon at Butler
CJ at Carroll
Here’s how the Fab 5 shakes out heading into Week 8…
Division I
1. Troy (6-1)
The Trojans beat archrival Piqua for the fifth straight time 27-7. Senior RB Isaiah Williams led the charge by running for 67 yards and two TDs on 10 carries. He also had three receptions for 79 yards. This week the Trojans square off with Trotwood-Madison (7-0) in a match-up of No. 1s at Trotwood. The Rams are No. 1 in D-II.
Previous: 1
2. Centerville (4-3)
The Elks extended their win streak to three by beating Northmont 34-7. During that stretch, Centerville has run for 1,303 yards and generated 81 first downs. This week the Elks face archrival Wayne (3-3) on the road.
Previous: 3
3. Wayne (4-3)
The Warriors won their third straight by outgainning Beavercreek 463-251 in total yards and forcing six turnovers in a 37-7 win. Junior QB Javon Harrison continued to be one of the state’s hottest players by throwing for two TDs and running for two more. IN three weeks, Harrison has accounted for 13 TDs. This week the Warriors host archrival Centerville (4-3).
Previous: 5
4. Beavercreek (4-3)
The Beavers turned the ball over six times in a 37-7 loss to Wayne. Enough said. This week Creek is at Springfield (2-5).
Previous: 2
5. Fairborn (5-2)
The Skyhawks won their fourth straight with a narrow 29-27 win over Springboro. The Skyhawks racked up 447yards of offense. This week Fairborn hosts Xenia (2-5).
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Lebanon (4-3)
Division II
1. Trotwood-Madison (7-0)
The Rams trailed Xenia 20-13 before rattling off 35 straight points in a 48-20 win. Senior QB Michael Simpson (14-of-25, 206 yards, four TDs) led an offense that racked up 426 yards. Junior RB Isreal Green added 182 yards and a TD on 12 carries. This week the Rams face their toughest test to date against visiting and D-I No. 1 Troy (6-1).
Previous: 1
2. Butler (6-1)
The Aviators bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat Sidney 64-0. It was a school record for largest margin of victory. Butler had 475 yards of offense and forced five turnovers. With RB Tyler Jones out, Jesse Akers (18 caries, 133 yards, TD) and Richard Motter (three carries, 132 yards, two TDs) led the way. This week Butler hosts Lebanon (4-3).
Previous: 2
3. Tippecanoe (7-0)
RBs Cameron Johnson (15 carries, 91 yards, three TDs) and Jacob Hall (15 carries, 151 yards, three TDs) combined to help Tipp rack up 428 yards of offense in a 41-21 win over Stebbins. This week the Red Devils are at Tecumseh (5-2).
Previous: 4
3. Piqua (3-4)
The Indians never found their footing against troy and fell to their archrival for the fifth straight time 27-7. This week Piqua hosts Sidney (0-7).
Previous: 3
5. Franklin (6-1)
The Wildcats survived Valley View 17-14. K Erik Vanlandingham booted an 18-yard FG with 2:39 left for the win. Valley View missed two FGs in the game. This week Franklin hosts Eaton (6-1) in a critical SWBL Southwest Division game.
Previous: NR
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Tecumseh (5-2), Wilmington (5-2), Belmont (5-2), Bellbrook (3-4), Greenville (3-4)
Division III
1. Alter (7-0)
The Knights beat crosstown rival Carroll 20-0 thanks in part to RB Joe Penno who ran for 171 yards and two TDs on 15 carries. This week Alter travels to Fenwick (6-1).
Previous: 1
2. Springfield Shawnee (7-0)
The Braves improved to 7-0 for the first time since 1996 with a 28-14 win over Tecumseh. Shawnee held Tecumseh to 69 yards rushing, had four different players score TDs and put 14 points on the board in the fourth quarter to pull away. This week the Braves host Bellefontaine (1-6).
Previous: 2
3. Thurgood Marshall (6-1)
The Cougars continue to make a push towards the program’s first playoff berth. Marshall’s latest victim was Highland Park (Mich.) , which fell 52-0. The Cougars have scored over 51 points four straight weeks. Marshall plays Belmont (5-2) this week.
Previous: 3
4. Eaton (6-1)
Behind a huge effort from senior QB/DB Cole French, the Eagles rallied for a 33-24 win at Bellbrook. Eaton trailed 24-20 heading into the fourth quarter. Fench threw for 326 yards and three TDs, ran for 104 yards and a TD, kicked three PATs and intercepted a pass. This week Eaton faces another big test in visiting Franklin (6-1).
Previous: 4
5. Dunbar (4-3)
The Wolverines snapped a two-game skid by shutting out Ponitz 48-0. Senior RB/DB D’Gary Wallace scored four TDs and caught six passes for 139 yards. Wallace caught two TD passes, ran for a TD and returned an interception for a TD. This week Dunbar squares off against one of Cincinnati’s best when it hosts Taft (5-2) on Saturday.
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Kenton Ridge (6-1), Urbana (4-2), Carroll (3-4)
Division IV
1. Waynesville (7-0)
Senior QB Luke Creditt ran for 208 yards and two TDs on eight carries and threw for 96 yards as the Spartans beat Oakwood 42-21. RB Matt Hussey added two TDs. This week Waynesville travels to Dayton Northridge (0-7).
Previous: 2
2. Chaminade Julienne (5-2)
The Eagles won their fifth straight and beat previously unbeaten Fenwick 40-23. CJ racked up 429 yards of offense and led 28-11 at halftime. Senior QB Sam Spees led the Eagles by completing 9-of-15 passes for 131 yards and three TDs. He added 109 yards and another TD on 10 carries. This week is at Carroll (3-4).
Previous: 3
3. Fenwick (6-1)
See CJ. This week things don’t get any easier with a game against Alter (7-0) looming.
Previous: 1
4. Milton-Union (6-1)
Senior RB Jake Finfrock scored four TDs as the Bulldogs beat Preble Shawnee 48-22. This week Milton is at Dixie (3-4). A big showdown with Waynesville looms in Week 9.
Previous: 4
5. Clinton-Massie (5-2)
The Falcons scored 70 points for the third time in four weeks with a 70-14 win over Greenfield McClain. Senior K Geramie Dart went 8-8 on PATs in the win to become just the 11th kicker in state history to reach 200 career kicking points. Dart currently sits tied for seventh in state history with 174 career PATs and has an outside shot to become just the third player in Ohio history to reach 200 PATs. Massie is at Washington Court House (4-3) this week.
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Brookville (6-1)
Division V
1. Coldwater (6-1)
QB Austin Bruns’ 33-yard TD pass to WR Caleb Siefring with 1:13 left lifted the Cavaliers to a 17-14 win over Delphos St. John’s in a meeting of state No. 1s. Coldwater intercepted two first quarter passes and turned them into 10 points. Siefring stopped DSJ’s final drive with his second INT. This week Coldwater hits the road for another huge test at Marion Local (6-1).
Previous: 1
2. LCC (7-0)
Junior RB Jonathon Washington rushed for 158 yards and three TDs on nine carries and senior QB Tyler O’Connor threw for a TD, ran for a TD and kicked five PATs as the Thunderbirds beat Columbus Ready 36-6. This week LCC travels to Bluffton (4-3).
Previous: 2
3. Anna (4-3)
The Rockets re-enter the Power Poll riding a two-game win streak after falling to Coldwater, Delphos St. John’s and Marion Local in succession. QB Jay Meyer completed six passes for 112 yards and three TDs, while RBs Gage Besecker (126 yards and two TDs on 16 carries) and Cole Fergason (116 yards on 20 carries) powered the running game. This week Anna hosts St. Henry (1-6).
Previous: 3
4. Covington (7-0)
Senior QB Isaiah Winston ran for three first quarter TDs as the Buccs beat Twin Valley South 47-7. This week Covington hosts Ansonia (5-2).
Previous: 5
5. Versailles (5-2)
The Tigers snapped a two-game losing skid with a 42-0 win over New Bremen. Versailles playoff hopes hinge on the next two weeks and meetings at Minster (5-2) and against Anna (4-3).
Previous: 4
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: West Liberty-Salem (7-0), Dixie (3-4), Dayton Christian (6-1)
Division VI
1. Marion Local (6-1)
The Flyers won their sixth straight game and scored at least 48 points for the fourth time during that stretch with a 48-20 win over Parkway. Marion scored TDs on seven of its first eight possessions. Next up is a visit from D-V No. 1 Coldwater (6-1).
Previous: 2
2. Delphos St. John’s (4-3)
The Blue Jays fell in the final 90 seconds at Coldwater 17-14. DSJ led 14-10 at halftime. Senior RB Jordan Bergfeld ran for 48 yards and two TDs. This week the Blue Jays host Fort Recovery (3-4).
Previous: 1
3. Minster (5-2)
The Wildcats won their third straight with a 34-7 decision over St. Henry. Junior QB Adam Niemeyer threw for two TDs and ran for two TDs, while Devon Poeppelman caught a TD pass, ran for a TD and kicked four PATs. Minster hosts Versailles (5-2) this week.
Previous: 3
4. Fort Loramie (6-1)
The Redskins won their sixth straight with another dominant performance. Loramie beat Waynesfield-Goshen 62-8 and has outscored its last six opponents 284-14. Against W-G the Redskins racked up 525 yards of offense and had five different players run for a TD. Senior RB Cory Brandewie led the charge by running for 117 yards and a TD on eight carries and adding three TDs and 165 yards on three catches. Loramie travels to troy Christian (1-6) this week.
Previous: 4
5. Springfield Catholic (5-2)
The Irish handled Springfield Northeastern 45-22. Senior QB Brian Kelly threw for three TDs and ran for another as the Irish built a 35-6 halftime lead. Up next is a visit from Greeneview (2-5).
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Ansonia (4-2), Fort Recovery (3-3)
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