Ohio high school football 2026 | Greater Akron rankings heading into Week 10
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A reader wished the Beacon Journal good luck in ranking this week's Greater Akron high school football power rankings on X.com and he couldn't be more right.
Only two spots stayed the same after last week's bedlam and one school entered the rankings for the first time.
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Here's what the top eight look like heading into Week 10:
1. Highland Hornets (8-1, 6-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Why Highland: The Hornets took all 48 minutes, but knocked off previous No. 1 Wadsworth by a point on the last play of the game. Highland is a drastically different team from its Week 1 loss to Walsh Jesuit and can win the Suburban League National Conference outright on Friday.
Last week: 29-28 win over Wadsworth
This week: at No. 6 Hudson (6-2, 4-2)
2. Wadsworth Grizzlies (8-1, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 1
Why Wadsworth: Because a one-point loss to No. 1 Highland kept the Grizzlies from being undefeated and holding onto the top spot. A win this week pushes the Grizzlies into a top three spot in Division II, Region 5 and gives them a first round bye.
Last week: 29-28 loss at No. 1 Highland
This week: vs. No. 3 Nordonia (8-1, 5-1)
3. Nordonia Knights (8-1, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 5
Why Nordonia: The Knights' only loss of the season came by two to No. 1 Highland. Nordonia has quality wins over East and Hudson, who both appear in this week's rankings. A win this week pushes the Knights into a top three spot in Division II, Region 5 and gives them a first round bye.
Last week: 38-13 win over Medina
This week: at No. 2 Wadsworth (8-1, 5-1)
4. Hoban Knights (3-6)
Previous ranking: 2
Why Hoban: The Knights continue to be a hard team to read. That said, they shut out No. 5 Walsh Jesuit this season. When Hoban is on, its a tough team to beat. Although the Knights don't have a Week 10 game, they look like they're locked into the No. 11 spot. Hoban, which is the No. 11 seed in Division II, Region 5 right now, can go as high as nine.
5. Walsh Jesuit Warriors (6-2)
Previous ranking: 3
Why Walsh Jesuit: The Warriors gave Super 25 No. 1 Bishop Watterson its best game of the season and have quality wins over No. 1 Highland and Division III runner-up Toledo Central Catholic. A win this week gives Walsh a top three spot in Division II, Region 5 and gives the Warriors a first round bye.
Last week: 21-0 loss to Columbus Bishop Watterson
This week: at Trotwood-Madison (7-1)
6. Hudson Explorers (6-2, 4-2)
Previous ranking: 6
Why Hudson: The Explorers lost by two points to No. 2 Wadsworth two weeks ago and fell to No. 3 Nordonia before that without their starting quarterback. They bring in No. 1 Highland this week. Hudson can go as high as No. 2 in Division I, Region 1 with a win and as low as No. 7 with a loss.
Last week: 48-12 win over Stow
This week: vs. Wadsworth (8-1, 5-1)
7. Norton Panthers (8-1, 5-1)
Previous ranking: 7
Why Norton: The Panthers' only loss came in Week 4 to two-loss Streetsboro by a touchdown. A win Friday gives Norton a Metro Athletic Conference with Cloverleaf. It can go as high as the top seed with a Week 10 win and as low as No. 8 in Division IV, Region 13.
8. East Dragons (8-1, 4-0)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Why East: Since a Week 2 loss to No. 3 Nordonia, the Dragons have won seven straight, including a 21-20 victory over six-win Hunting Valley University School. East is currently ninth in Division IV, Region 13 and can go as high as No. 7 and as low as No. 10.
Out: Woodridge (7-2, 4-2)
Also considered: Woodridge (7-2, 4-2), Mogadore (7-2), Copley (6-3, 3-3)
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 10
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