Crestview, ranked third in D-V, will meet Eagles at Mollenkopf

Associated Press

The Warren JFK football team’s 3-0 start not only opened eyes in the Mahoning Valley, but around state.

The Eagles are Ohio’s top-ranked team in Division VII in the first Associated Press poll of the season with 10 first-place votes and 177 points in voting by media representatives around the state.

The Eagles, who have already surpassed last year’s win total, opened with a 30-10 victory over South Range and then defeated LaBrae 22-17. The Raiders and Vikings are Division V teams. Last week, Warren JFK beat Division IV Girard 23-9.

On Saturday, coach Jeff Bayuk’s Eagles host unbeaten Crestview (3-0) at Mollenkopf Stadium.

The Rebels are the Mahoning Valley’s next highest-ranked team in the poll. Crestview is third in Division V with 104 points. The Rebels have dominated each of their first three opponents, beating Beaver Local 45-14, Columbiana 57-29 and Alliance 49-28.

Poland (3-0) is fourth in Division III. The Bulldogs received three-first place votes and 136 points. Poland beat Marlington 31-20, Niles 50-19 and Jefferson 27-6. The Bulldogs visit All-American Conference, Red Tier rival Howland (2-1) on Friday night at Richard Lombardo Field.

Hubbard (3-0) is seventh in Division IV. The Eagles had one first-place vote and 81 points. They’ve beaten Creston Norwayne 22-19, Girard 55-7 and Edgewood 33-7. Hubbard hosts AAC White Tier rival Lakeview (2-1) on Friday.

Mathews (3-0) is seventh in Division IV. The Mustangs had 83 points. They’ve outscored their opponents 134-8 — beating Ashtabula St. John 61-8, Leetonia 43-0 and Southington 3-0. They’ll visit Western Reserve Academy on Saturday.

Warren Harding (3-0) — new to Division II after years as a Division I titan — is ranked ninth. The Raiders received one first-place vote and 53 points. Harding has beaten East Cleveland Shaw 35-0, Cleveland Heights 35-27 and Massillon 48-41. Harding hosts Austintown Fitch on Friday night in an AAC, Gold Tier game at Mollenkopf Stadium.

Jackson-Milton (3-0) is 15th in Division VII with 35 points. The Bluejays will host Leetonia (1-2) on Friday.