Eight football teams ranked

Staff report

Undefeated Austintown Fitch, Canfield, Hubbard, Poland, LaBrae, Springfield, Southern and Valley Christian are the Mahoning Valley high school football teams earning top spots in this week’s state poll.

The first Associated Press poll of the season was released Monday. A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from around Ohio vote on teams in all seven divisions.

Fitch (3-0) is ranked eighth in Division I with 66 points. Saturday, the Falcons defeated Shaker Heights, 16-6. Friday, Fitch hosts Warren Harding.

In Div. III, Canfield (3-0) received two first-place votes to earn a number-three ranking with 108 points, 10 behind first-place Dayton Chaminade Julienne. Last Friday, the Cardinals defeated Chardon, 35-13. This week, Canfield plays at Lakeside.

West Branch is ranked 17th in that division.

Hubbard and Poland have top sports in Div. IV. Hubbard (3-0) has 124 points for third place after defeating Edgewood, 62-12. The Eagles, who received four first-place votes, play at Lakeview on Friday.

Poland is right behind the Eagles with 99 points following a 42-0 win over Jefferson. Friday, Poland hosts Howland.

Also in that division, Salem is 13th with 34 points and Cardinal Mooney is 15th with 29 points.

In Div. V, LaBrae (3-0) received two first-place votes to earn 101 points to tie Middletown Madison for third place. Last week, LaBrae defeated Lakeview, 49-13. Friday, the Vikings will host Campbell.

In Div. VI, Springfield (3-0) is sixth with 52 points and Southern (3-0) is ninth with 39 points. Last week, the Tigers defeated Columbiana, 41-7. They will play at Jackson-Milton on Friday.

Also in that bracket, McDonald is 19th with 14 points.

In Div. VII, Valley Christian (3-0) received one first-place vote and 34 points to earn the number-10 spot. The Eagles defeated Lisbon, 34-7. This Friday, they will play at Gilmour Academy.

Leetonia is 17th with 20 points.