Ohio high school football 2026 | Greater Akron rankings heading into Week 3
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The Greater Akron power rankings settled down a bit last week but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t movement.
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There’s a debut in the rankings and another exit.
Here’s what the elite eight looks like heading into Week 3:
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1. Walsh Jesuit Warriors (2-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Why Walsh: You can’t punish the Warriors for Springfield dropping out a day before the game. They stay No. 1 with a gigantic game this week at home. It’s a game so big it could impact playoff positioning for Week 10.
Last week: Forfeit win over Springfield
This week: vs. Toledo Central Catholic (2-0)
2. Wadsworth Grizzlies (2-0)
Previous ranking: 2
Why Wadsworth: Because you can never count out Grizzlies quarterback Brysen Hall, who will likely break the career school passing record this week in only his 25th start.
Last week: 46-12 win over East
This week: at Jackson (1-1)
3. Nordonia Knights (2-0)
Previous ranking: 3
Why Nordonia: The Knights have outscored opponents 95-19 this season but aren’t picked this week to win, according to Fantastic50.net. Week 3 will show the doubters if they’re right or if they’ve misjudged Nordonia before Suburban League play begins.
Last week: 46-12 win over East
This week: vs. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (1-1)
4. Hudson Explorers (2-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Why Hudson: Reno Ferri (22 carries, 149 yards, four TDs) showed against Jackson why you can’t sit on the pass when you play the Explorers. Add Hayden Lipinski to the mix and these Explorers are dangerous.
Last week: 55-35 win at Jackson
This week: vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary (0-2)
5. Hoban Knights (0-2)
Previous ranking: 5
Why Hoban: The Knights hold onto fifth but it’s only by a couple of fingertips. Hoban gets a pass with a late four-point loss to West Orange, Fla., and a loss to NFL Academy. Both teams are 2-0, so strength of schedule comes into play.
Last week: 28-14 loss to NFL Academy (UK)
This week: vs. Brooklyn Eagle Academy (N.Y.)
6. Norton Panthers (2-0)
Previous ranking: 6
Why Norton: The Panthers have outscored opponents 90-14 in the first two weeks and are projected by Fantastic50.net to go 10-0. Norton hasn’t lost a regular-season game on the field since Sept. 27, 2024 (the Panthers forfeited Week 1 last season). That’s a string of 15 games.
Last week: 41-7 win over Sandy Valley
This week: at Marlington (1-1)
7. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Royals (1-1)
Previous ranking: 8
Why CVCA: OK. It may have been an overreaction to drop the Royals after a 16-7 loss to Brecksville in Week 1. We’ve moved them up a spot after a convincing win over Canton South in Week 2.
Last week: 49-7 win over Canton South
This week: at No. 8 Woodridge (2-0)
8. Woodridge Bulldogs (2-0)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Why Woodridge: Blake Plumper threw seven touchdowns last week and has nine this season. The Bulldogs will be tested this week against CVCA. That one is must-see this weekend.
Last week: 55-20 vs. Brookside
This week: vs. No. 7 CVCA (1-1)
Out: East (1-1)
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at [email protected] and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football 2026 | Greater Akron rankings heading into Week 3
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