MVP Fab 5 Football Rankings Week 10
With one week left in the regular season, look for roughly 24 Miami Valley high school football teams to make the playoffs when tickets are officially punched this weekend.
And look for the Miami Valley to have a legitimate shot at getting a team to state in five of the six divisions.
Excluding Division I, where only Troy has qualified for the postseason thus far, the MVP area looks good for extended runs in Division II-VI with:
D-II: Trotwood-Madison (biggest challenge comes from Kings)
D-III: Alter, Springfield Shawnee and Thurgood Marshall (Marshall is the sleeper)
D-IV: Waynesville and CJ
D-V: Lima Central Catholic, Coldwater
D-VI: Marion Local, Delphos St. John’s, Fort Loramie. Springfield Catholic (and Minster if they get in)
Here are this week’s Big Games:
Alter at CJ
Springfield Shawnee at Tippecanoe
Beavercreek at Centerville
Coldwater at Minster
West Liberty-Salem at Triad
Piqua at Fairborn
Clinton-Massie at East Clinton
Here’s how the Fab 5 shakes out heading into Week 10…
Division I
1. Centerville (6-3)
The Elks won their fifth straight with a 56-15 win over Springfield. Centerville had five backs run for at least one TD and racked up a 459 yards of offense. This week Centerville can win the outright GWOC Central Division title with a win over visiting Beavercreek (6-3).
Previous: 1
2. Troy (7-2)
The Trojans beat Miamisburg 38-0 and host winless Sidney (0-9) this week before embarking on the D-I Region 3 playoffs.
Previous: 2
3. Beavercreek (6-3)
The Beavers have already had a historic season but they could really make this season memorable with a win over host Centerville (6-3) in Week 10. That would give Creek a share of their first GWOC Central Division title. One concern for Creek is stopping the Elks. Despite beating Fairmont 31-24 last week, the Beavers allowed 436 total yards and 29 first downs.
Previous: 3
4. Wayne (5-4)
It could be argued that no QB in Southwest Ohio is playing better than junior Javon Harrison. In the Warriors 51-30 win over Northmont, Harrison threw for two TDs and ran for two more. He’s now accounted for 24 TDs in the last six weeks (and 35 on the year). This week Wayne (more than likely) closes out its season at Fairmont (2-7).
Previous: 4
5. Lebanon (6-3)
The Warriors won their third straight and enter the Fab 5 after a big 41-28 victory over Fairborn. Senior RB Aaron Abbott accounted for 315 all-purpose yards, including a 97-yard kickoff return for a TD. Abbott also ran for 140 yards and two TDs on 22 carries and caught a 52-yard pass. The Warriors can win a share of the GWOC South title and keep D-I Region 4 playoff hopes alive with a win at archrival Springboro (3-6).
Previous: NR
DROPPED OUT: No. 5 Fairborn (lost 41-28 to Lebanon)
BEST OF THE REST: Fairborn (65-3)
Division II
1. Trotwood-Madison (9-0)
Ashton Jackson and Darion Heath each ran for two TDs as the Rams beat winless Sidney 48-6. Trotwood led 34-0 at half. The Rams can win their fourth straight outright GWOC North title with a victory over host Vandalia Butler (6-3) this week.
Previous: 1
2. Tippecanoe (9-0)
The Red Devils rallied from a 17-14 fourth quarter deficit to beat Kenton Ridge 21-17. Sophomore RB Jacob Hall’s 83-yard TD run was the difference. Hall finished the game with three TDs and 151 yards on 19 carries. This week the Red Devils host undefeated Springfield Shawnee (9-0) for the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Division title.
Previous: 3
3. Piqua (5-4)
The Indians racked up 401 yards of offense in a 21-8 win over Butler. Senior RBs Jon Dembski (ran 15 times for 175 yards and a TD) and Travis Nees (ran 11 times for 70 yards and two TDs) led the way. Piqua travels to Fairborn (6-3) this week.
Previous: 4
4. Franklin (8-1)
The Wildcats earned just their second playoff berth since 1993 with a 26-14 win over Brookville. Franklin is at winless Oakwood (0-9) to end the regular season.
Previous: 5
5. Butler (6-3)
The Aviators lost for the third time in four weeks with a 21-8 loss to Piqua. Butler managed just 185 yards in the game and was just 2-of-13 on third downs. Things don’t get any easier this week with a visit from undefeated Trotwood-Madison (9-0).
Previous: 3
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Bellbrook (5-4), Tecumseh (6-3)
Division III
1. Alter (9-0)
In a game that featured six combined passing yards, the Knights rushed for 374 yards and beat Roger Bacon 35-7. Senior RB Joe Penno led the way by rushing for 159 yards and three TDs on 23 carries. This week Alter closes the regular season against archrival Chaminade Julienne (7-2) at Trotwood-Madison HS.
Previous: 1
2. Springfield Shawnee (9-0)
Senior QB Brad Jarzab threw for two TDs and ran for two more as the Braves scored 35 first quarter points en route to a 70-21 win over Stebbins. Shawnee had 535 yards of offense. This week the Braves visit undefeated Tippecanoe (9-0) in what boils down to a a Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Division championship game.
Previous: 2
3. Thurgood Marshall (8-1)
The Cougars qualified for the playoffs for the first time in history with a 20-14 win over Dunbar. Senior RB Tavonn Crisp scored TDs the first three times he touched the ball (75, 84 and 1-yard runs) and finished with 279 yards rushing. He ran for 160 yards in the first quarter alone. This week Marshall plays Ponitz Tech (3-6).
Previous: 3
4. Dunbar (5-4)
The Wolverines got hit early but stood strong despite falling 20-14 to Thurgood Marshall. Dunbar fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter but battled back only to have a fourth quarter drive stall at Marshall’s 7-yardline. The Wolverines end their season this week against Meadowdale (4-5).
Previous: 4
5. Eaton (7-2)
The Eagles still have slim playoff hopes but it looks like they might have to settle for being SWBL Southwest Division Co-Champs. Eaton wraps its season this week with a trip to Preble Shawnee (2-7).
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Kenton Ridge (7-2), Urbana (7-2)
Division IV
1. Waynesville (9-0)
The Spartans, led by senior QB Luke Creditt (ran for 229 yards and three TDs and passed for 224 yards and three TDs) beat Milton-Union 49-21 to win the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division title. This week Waynesville caps the regular season at home against Middletown Madison (4-5).
Previous: 1
2. Chaminade Julienne (7-2)
The Eagles rolled to their seventh straight win by beating Purcell Marian 34-7. QB Sam Spees completed 10-of-14 passes for 149 yards and two TDs, both to WR Darien Reynolds. Spees also converted 4-of-5 PATs. This week CJ squares off against archrival and undefeated Alter (9-0) at Trotwood-Madison HS.
Previous: 2
3. Clinton-Massie (7-2)
The Falcons are averaging 65 points in six straight wins. Massie’s only losses are to Waynesville (17-2) and Jonathan Alder (29-28). Since losing to Alder, the Falcons have outscored the opposition 390-45. Massie travels to archrival East Clinton (7-2) this week with a spot in the playoffs on the line.
Previous: 4
4. Milton-Union (7-2)
The Bulldogs trailed just 28-21 at halftime but got bit by Waynesville last week 49-21. RB Tyler Brown scored two TDs. This week the Bulldogs host winless Northridge (0-9). Milton is still clinging to playoff hopes.
Previous: 3
5. Fenwick (7-2)
The Falcons held Badin to 38 yards rushing on 34 carries and beat the Rams 17-3 to remain in playoff contention. This week Fenwick hosts Carroll (4-5).
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Brookville (6-3), Carlisle (5-4), East Clinton (7-2)
Division V
1. Lima Central Catholic (9-0)
The T-Birds won their 18th straight regular season game and beat Allen East 48-0. This week LCC goes for its second straight Northwest Conference title when it hosts Ada (8-1).
Previous: 1
2. Coldwater (7-2)
Junior QB quarterback Austin Bruns completed 12-of-23 passes for 129 yards and two TDs and ran for 84 yards and another TD in a 30-21 win over New Bremen. The Cavaliers are at Minster (6-3) to close the regular season.
Previous: 2
3. Versailles (7-2)
Tigerball is coming back. Versailles has been looking for that marquee win in the Bob Olwin-era and it’s delivered two back-to-back with victories over Minster (21-20) and now Anna (33-0). Against the Rockets, QB Nathan Campbell completed 23-of-35 passes for 312 yards and three TDs and the Tiger defense forced five turnovers. This week Versailles is at St. Henry (1-8).
Previous: 4
4. Covington (9-0)
The Buccs had three backs go over 100 yards (Trent Tobias, 109; Alex Baskerville, 105; and Isaiah Winston, 105) and rushed for 461 yards as a team in a 52-12 win over Ansonia. This week Covington is at Arcanum (5-4).
Previous: 5
5. West Liberty-Salem (9-0)
The Tigers racked up 401 yards of offense and allowed just 165 in a 51-6 win over Cedarville. WL-S can win the Ohio Heritage Conference title outright this week with a victory at Triad (7-2).
Previous: NR
DROPPED OUT: No. 3 Anna (lost 33-0 to Versailles)
BEST OF THE REST: Anna (5-4), Dayton Christian (7-1), Miami East (5-3), Triad (6-2)
Division VI
1. Delphos St. John’s (6-3)
Delphos St. John’s forced a three-way tie atop the MAC standings (with Marion Local and Coldwater) with a 21-14 win over ML. Senior Jordan Bergfeld returned a kickoff 97 yards for a TD and ran for another as the Blue Jays built a 21-7 halftime lead despite running just 12 first half plays. DSJ is at winless New Bremen (0-9) this week.
Previous: 2
2. Marion Local (7-2)
The Flyers fell into a three-way first place tie in the MAC after losing 21-14 to Delphos St. John’s. RB Jake Heitkamp carried the ball 35 times for 129 yards and a TD (and played every snap at linebacker), but ML couldn’t rally from a 21-7 halftime deficit and was stuffed on fourth-and-2 with 1:49 to play. The Flyers host Fort recovery (4-5) in the regular season finale.
Previous: 1
3. Minster (6-3)
The Wildcats kept their playoff hopes alive with a 28-16 win over Parkway. Minster held Parkway to minus-51 yards rushing, while running for 233 yards itself. The Wildcats close out the regular season at home against Coldwater (7-2).
Previous: 3
4. Fort Loramie (8-1)
Behind senior RB Cory Brandewie who scored five TDs, the Redskins beat Dayton Jefferson 65-6. Brandewie ran for four TDs and 72 yards on five carries and caught one pass for a 22-yard TD. Loramie rolled up 468 yards of offense. The Redskins go for their first ever win over Lehman Catholic (3-6) this week.
Previous: 4
5. Springfield Catholic (7-2)
The Irish beat Mechanicsburg 58-14 thanks in part to senior WR Jake Adlridge and senior QB Brian Kelly. Kelley ran for a TD and threw four TD passes, including two to Aldridge (who also had a kickoff return for a TD). SCC is at Cedarville (1-8) this week.
Previous: 5
DROPPED OUT: None
BEST OF THE REST: Tri-County North (7-2), Fort Recovery (4-5)
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