Staff report

While no Mahoning Valley high school football team sits in first place in the OHSAA’s first computer rankings of the season, three hold down the No. 2 spot.

Warren Harding, Lisbon and Warren JFK are 4-0 and the runners-up in their regions of Divisions II, VI and VII, respectively.

Harding has the highest score of the three with an average score of 10.375. The Raiders won each of their games against double-digit points and face Ursuline (2-2) on Friday.

Lisbon has a chance to greatly boost its 6.75 rating this week when the Blue Devils host South Range (4-0), the No. 5 team in Div. V Region 19. The Blue Devils have scored at least 30 points in each of their victories.

JFK boasts a rating of 6.35 and the Eagles’ defense only has given up seven points. They face Steubenville Catholic Central (1-3) this weekend.

If the season ended today, 12 area teams would be in the playoffs. In addition to the aforementioned teams at No. 2 and South Range, Hubbard (4-0) is the only other local squad that is undefeated. The Eagles sit at No.3 of Div. IV Region 13. Cardinal Mooney (3-1) sits right behind Hubbard and has out-scored opponents 77-16 in the last two contests.

Also sitting back-to-back in the rankings are Niles (3-1) and Canfield (3-1) in Div. III. The Red Dragons are at No. 5 and the Cardinals at No. 6 in Region 9.

After No. 5 South Range in Div. V Region 17, Champion (3-1) sits at No. 6 as the Golden Flashes are coming off a 38-34 win over Girard.

No. 8 Crestview (2-2) is barely ahead of Gilmour Academy. The Rebels’ rating is only 0.025 higher. The Rebels have dropped their last two games.

The Rebels’ crosstown rival, Columbiana (3-1) is No. 7 in Div. VI Region 21. The Clippers have won two in a rowing, beating East Palestine and Sebring in consecutive weeks.

In Div. VII Region 25, Jackson-Milton (3-1) sits at No. 6.