High school football Top of the Crop for Oct. 9

Oct. 9—TOP OF THE CROP

Football

1: (1) Riverside 7-1

2: (2) Chardon 6-1

3: (3) Kirtland 8-0

4: (4) Mentor 4-3

5: (6) Perry 6-2

6: (7) Kenston 6-2

7: (5) VASJ 6-2

8: (8) Mayfield 5-3

9: (9) University 6-1

10: (10): Gilmour 7-1

Watch list: Hawken 7-1, South 4-4, Geneva 6-2

Crop comments: If there was any doubt about who the area's top team is this year, that question was cleared up by Riverside's 36-35 win over Martinsburg (W.Va.) in Week 8. Martinsburg is a defending state champion and the top-ranked team — regardless of division — in West Virginia and Riverside handled them. ... Chardon remains at No. 2, with its only loss coming to Riverside. The Hilltoppers round out the regular season against South and then North. ... Kirtland steamrolled Lakeside to run its regular-season streak to 53 in a row. With remaining games against Edgewood and Orange, another CVC Chagrin Division title seems in the bag. ... Mentor stays at No. 4 this week after a win over Solon. The Cardinals have scored 28 or more points in four straight games. ... Perry moves up to No. 5 after a 42-9 win over Orange. The Pirates, whose only losses are to No. 1 Riverside and No. 3 Kirtland, have a big game in Week 9 against 6-2 Geneva in a rare Thursday night game. ... Kenston moves up to No. 6 after a win over South. The Bombers' only losses are to No. 5 Perry and No. 2 Chardon. They get their crack at top-ranked Riverside this week. ... VASJ was thoroughly handled by state-ranked Youngsbown Ursuline, hence a two-spot drop in the Crop. Two road games, including Week 9 against longtime rival Lake Cathoic, are a must if the Vikings want to make the playoffs. ... Mayfield stays at No. 8 with a win over North. A home game at Madison comes next, then a Week 10 showdown at No. 6 Kenston. ... University was impressive in a win over Bedford. The Preppers at 6-1 might be under-ranked here. They finish the regular season with home games vs. Warrensville Heights and Howland. ... Gilmour stays at No. 10 ahead of Hawken, South and Geneva. The Lancers are 7-1 and will be favored the next two weeks against Shaw and Lutheran East.