FOOTBALL POLL St. Ignatius edges Harding for top spot

Cleveland Benedictine is first in Division III.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- After letting others have a share of the spotlight for two seasons, Cleveland St. Ignatius is back in its accustomed position at No. 1.
The Wildcats haven't been a factor in the rankings since the 2000 season, finishing 10th two years ago and missing the top 10 entirely last season. Around the pre-eminent prep power in the state, that's a century.
Going two years without an Associated Press poll championship marks the first time that's happened since 1988. St. Ignatius has won seven AP titles and nine state playoff championships -- all in those magnificent last 15 seasons.
The Wildcats in Division I are joined at the top in the initial voting of The AP's 57th annual poll by Macedonia Nordonia in Division II, Cleveland Benedictine in III, Coldwater in IV, Delphos St. John's in V and Dola Hardin Northern in Division VI.
Another rebound
St. John's is following a script similar to St. Ignatius'. The Blue Jays have won five poll crowns and three state playoff titles and hold the state record with 57 consecutive victories from Nov. 1, 1996, to Nov. 17, 2001.
Yet they haven't finished higher than ninth in the final rankings the last two years.
Nordonia was the biggest surprise among the No. 1 teams. The Knights never finished in the top 10 of an AP poll until placing ninth a year ago. They went on to the state title game, losing 41-26 to Dayton Chaminade-Julienne.
Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House when Benedictine won its only previous AP title in 1957. The school finished No. 2 in the rankings in 1981, '86 and '97 but hasn't appeared in the final top 10 since.
Coldwater is the only defending poll champion listed at No. 1 this week.
Hardin Northern has finished a season in the top 10 only twice -- fourth in 1997 and sixth two years ago.
Tightest races
The tightest races are in divisions II and V. Nordonia leads Avon Lake by only 13 points through three games, while St. John's has a 22-point edge on defending state playoff champion Marion Pleasant.
St. Ignatius leads last year's poll champ, Warren Harding, by 23 points in Division I.
Among the other 2002 playoff champions, Cincinnati Elder is ranked No. 8 in Division I, Chaminade-Julienne dropped to Division III where it is No. 4, and Mogadore is No. 6 in Division VI. Division III winner Columbus Watterson and Division IV's Kenton are unranked.