Harding stays in playoff hunt

Mooney stayed atop the Div. III, Region 13 ratings.

Staff report

Losing to the state’s top-ranked team didn’t do too much damage to Warren Harding’s playoff hopes.

The Raiders (4-2-1), who nearly pulled off the upset against Cleveland St. Ignatius before falling 10-7 on Saturday, are in sixth in the Division I, Region 1 ratings with a massive game at Massillon (5-2) ahead.

Boardman (5-2), which won its third straight game against Massillon Jackson Friday, actually dropped one spot, to 10th. But with games remaining against GlenOak, Canton McKinley and Fitch, the Spartans have ample opportunity to earn a postseason berth.

The Falcons (5-2) dropped out of the top 10 after falling to Hoover last weekend.

In Div. II, Region 5, Howland (6-1) dropped from No. 2 to No. 4 folllowing its loss to Poland, while Canfield (6-1) dropped three spots to No. 7 after beating Beaver Local.

Cardinal Mooney (7-0) and Poland (7-0) are neck-and-neck for the top spot in Div. III, Region 13 following last weekend’s victories, while Hubbard (6-1) moved up one spot to No. 7. The Bulldogs would likely claim the No. 1 spot with a win Friday at Steubenville (7-0).

Salem (5-2) is in eighth in Region 11. The Quakers have never made the postseason.

Girard (7-0) and Lakeview (5-2) stayed at No. 2 and No. 4 in Division IV, Region 13 following their victories last Friday.

The Indians next play a huge All-American Conference Blue Tier game against Campbell (5-2).

Crestview (7-0) stayed atop the Division V, Region 17 list. The Rebels are one of six Inter Tri-County League teams in the ratings.

East Palestine (6-1) is fourth in Region 17, while Ursuline (4-2) rose one spot to No. 6.

In Division VI, Region 21, McDonald (7-0), Warren JFK (5-2) and Western Reserve (7-0) took the 5-7 spots. The two Blue Devil teams collide Friday in a game that will likely determine the Tier Two title.

In Region 23, Columbiana (5-2) is second and Wellsville (5-2) ninth.

The ratings will determine the top eight teams in each region and the playoff pairings.

The postseason begins the weekend of Nov. 6-7 with the state championship games Dec. 4-5 in Canton and Massillon.