Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Poland was third in the division, while four other Valley schools placed in their division’s top 10.
Vindicator staff report
Cardinal Mooney is back on top of the Associated Press poll — only this time, it’s in Division III.
The Cardinals, who moved up from Division IV in the offseason, garnered 25 of 29 first-place votes to nab the top spot. Mooney has won five poll titles, including back-to-back Division IV crowns in 2006-07.
Mooney (4-0) was second last week behind Columbus Watterson, which lost to Cincinnati Winton Woods on Friday. Watterson dropped to sixth.
Poland (4-0) was third in Div. III behind Steubenville.
In Division I, Fitch (4-0) earned its first ranking after knocking off Canton McKinley on Saturday at Fawcett Stadium. The Falcons are 14th — the only area team ranked in the big school division.
Defending champion Cleveland St. Ignatius, with 19 first-place votes, was first.
Howland (4-0), fresh off its 24-14 win over Canfield, was ranked eighth in Division II and even garnered a first-place vote.
Louisville (4-0), which got 18 top votes, was first and Canfield was 19th.
Girard (4-0), which earned a convincing win over previously unbeaten Newton Falls on Friday, was ranked seventh in Division IV. The Indians also got a first-place vote.
Lakeview was 15th after dropping a close game to Poland last weekend.
Kettering Alter (23 top votes) was first.
In Division V, East Palestine (4-0) got a first-place vote and was ranked third, behind perennial powers Coldwater (25 first-place votes) and St. Henry.
The Bulldogs earned arguably their biggest win since their 2002 playoff season last Friday by pulling away from Inter Tri-County League Tier One rival Columbiana, 41-7.
Crestview (4-0), which faces the rival Clippers this Friday, was 10th while Ursuline (2-2) was 14th.
The Irish routed Bedford last week after dropping two straight to Mentor Lake Catholic (ranked No. 2 in Division II) and Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
McDonald (4-0), which garnered a top vote, was 11th in Division VI, while Western Reserve (4-0) and Wellsville (4-0) were 14th and 18th, respectively.
McDonald will play host to Wellsville on Friday in a crucial ITCL Tier Two matchup.
With 19 first-place votes, Delphos St. John’s easily topped the Division VI poll.