Hoban unanimous No. 1 again as playoffs reach regional quarterfinals
The first round of the playoffs did little to shake up the Beacon Journal's High School Football Rankings.
Archbishop Hoban is back to being a unanimous No. 1 after a six-touchdown performance by senior running back Lamar Sperling in a blowout of Willoughby South.
Highland, Hudson and Walsh Jesuit kept rolling with smashing first-round victories. The Warriors and Explorers set up what is expected to be the game of the week in the regional quarterfinals.
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Strength of schedule and a big win over Cleveland John Hay vaulted St. Vincent-St. Mary back into the top five with both Nordonia and Tallmadge knocking on the door should the Irish slip on the road against Austintown Fitch on Friday.
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1. Archbishop Hoban (10-1)
The Knights' spot at the top of the rankings is once again unanimous after a 308-yard, six-touchdown performance by senior running back Lamar Sperling in a blowout win over Willoughby South. Losing to arguably the best team in the state (Lakewood St. Edward) in the regular-season finale has been forgotten and Hoban is looking ahead now to a battle in a Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal against Barberton.
Last week: No. 1
Next: Barberton
2. Highland (11-0)
The Hornets just keep rolling along, hoping to do one better than last year's team by advancing to the Division II final four. There are still some hurdles in Division II, Region 6 but Highland seems as ready as any team to clear those hurdles. The Hornets defense continues to make life much easier for the offense and the offense has held up its end of the bargain behind bruising running back Lukas Stiles.
Last week: No. 2
Next: North Olmsted
3. Hudson (11-0)
The Explorers again used a big second half to turn a close game into a blowout in a 31-0 victory over soon-to-be Suburban League National Conference rival Solon. The Comets came as close as any team this season to beating Hudson, failing on a late 2-point conversion in a 14-13 loss in Week 1. The Explorers left little doubt this time and will next face a challenge from No. 4 Walsh Jesuit. The Warriors knocked Hudson out of the playoffs last season so the Explorers will be seeking a bit of postseason revenge.
Last week: No. 3
Next: Walsh Jesuit
No. 4 Walsh Jesuit (9-2)
How good is Division II, Region 5? In addition to Hoban, there are at least two teams, Hudson and Walsh Jesuit, who have the look of a potential final four team in just about any other region. Instead, the Warriors have to go on the road to face the Explorers in a regional quarterfinal. Walsh Jesuit defeated Hudson in this game last season and will be looking for a repeat performance.
Last week: No. 4
Next: at Hudson
No. 5 St. Vincent-St. Mary (7-3)
The Irish have bounced in and out of the top five in the Beacon Journal rankings but are back in after a 50-18 first-round playoff win over Cleveland John Hay. STVM's standing is based mostly on their strength of schedule. After a Week 1 loss to Glenville, the only other losses the Irish have suffered have come at the hands of Hoban and Walsh. Tallmadge and last week's No. 5 Nordonia are knocking at the door if the Irish stumble this week. No. 5-seed STVM travels to No. 4 Austintown Fitch this week and No. 7 seed Nordonia travels to No. 2 Painesville Riverside.
Last week: NR
Next: at Austintown Fitch
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The next five: Tallmadge (9-2), Nordonia (9-2); Wadsworth (7-4); Buchtel (7-4); Norton (9-2).
Also receiving votes: Barberton (7-4).
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hoban, Highland, Hudson, Walsh Jesuit keep top 4 in football rankings
