Fitch now ranks 5th in Div. I in state

Staff report

A 45-point spanking of Boardman helped the Austintown Fitch High football team move up to fifth in this week’s Associated Press media poll of Ohio teams.

The Falcons (5-0) defeated the Spartans, 52-7, and received one first-place vote.

They trail only Cleveland St. Ignatius, Lakewood St. Edward, Cincinnati Colerain and Dublin Coffman. All are undefeated.

Fitch was seventh in last week’s poll.

Warren Harding (4-1) finished 16th in this week’s Division I poll.

Niles (5-0) is ranked 10th in Division III, four spots ahead of defending champion Cardinal Mooney (2-3). Last Friday, the Red Dragons, who are off to their best start in many years, defeated Beaver Local, 43-23, while the Cardinals lost to Mentor Lake Catholic, 24-21 in overtime. Niles received one first-place vote.

A 35-0 shutout of Warren JFK (4-1) helped unbeaten Brookfield (5-0) secure the seventh spot in Division IV. The Warriors received three votes for first place.

Undefeated Crestview is sixth in Division V. Last week, the Rebels (5-0) pummeled Mineral Ridge, 71-7. Crestview is three spots ahead of Ursuline (3-2), which is coming off a a 45-21 loss to Lakewood St. Edward. Both received one first-place vote.

Despite Saturday’s 84-12 win over Mathews, undefeated Youngstown Christian missed the top 10, finishing 11th, four points behind Malvern. Warren JFK is 12th.