Poland still holds the No. 1 spot in Div. III, while Mooney moved up to the No. 2 spot in Div. IV.

STAFF REPORT

Ursuline High’s impressive victory over Massillon vaulted the Fighting Irish into the top spot in this week’s Associated Press high school football poll.

Ursuline (4-0) defeated Massillon, 23-13, and picked up 20 first-place votes in the Division V poll of sports writers and broadcasters around the state.

Last week’s No. 1 team, Maria Stein Marion Local, dropped to No. 5 after losing 33-14 to Coldwater, the top-ranked team in Div. IV.

The Irish, who hold a 34-point edge over No. 2 St. Henry, are one of nine area schools to make an appearance in this week’s poll.

Poland remained No. 1 in Div. III and have the largest lead of any top-ranked team.

The Bulldogs, who defeated then-No. 10 Lakeview 26-0 last Friday, picked up 22 first-place votes and hold a 73-point edge over runner-up St. Mary’s Memorial.

Poland picked up more first-place votes than any team in this week’s balloting.

Liberty improved five positions to No. 5 after its win over Struthers, while Lakeview and West Branch, which was No. 9 last week, fell out of the top 10 after losses. West Branch is tied for No. 13 and Lakeview is No. 17.

In Div. IV, Mooney moved up two spots to a tie for second with Steubenville.

The Cardinals are just one of eight teams across the six divisions to be in the top 10 with a 3-1 record.

Defending state champion Coldwater remained No. 1 in Div. IV.

Other area teams who received enough votes to be ranked are Boardman, No. 11 in Div. I, and McDonald (No. 11) and Western Reserve (No. 14) in Div. VI.

The first computer ratings, which will determine the 32 playoff teams in each division, will be released today.