Ohio High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 16

The Ohio high school football rankings have been updated following the fourth week of games in the Buckeye State.

There was just one game between ranked squads last weekend, and it was a good one as No. 1 St. Edward downed then-No. 7 Elder 24-17.

Below is the updated Ohio On3 Massey Ratings top 25, as of Sept. 16.

The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

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1. St. Edward

Previous Ranking: No. 1
St. Edward had the showdown of the week in the Buckeye State on Saturday when then-No. 7 Elder came to town. St. Edward took care of business, downing the Panthers 24-17. The Eagles have won three consecutive Division I state championships and are well on their way to defending those titles again this year. This Friday could be the game of the year — St. Edward hosts No. 3 Massillon Washington and the Eagles will try to avenge last year’s 15-13 loss.

2. Archbishop Hoban

Previous Ranking: No. 3 (+1)
Hoban handled Akron East 42-6 last week and improved to 3-1 — its lone loss coming to Archbishop Spalding (Md.). The Knights are looking to get back to the state championship game this year after losing to Massillon Washington to end the 2023 campaign. Ohio State linebacker commit Eli Lee and elite junior cornerback Elbert Hill lead the defense that ranks No. 2 in the Buckeye State. Hoban will play onetime Cleveland powerhouse St. Ignatius this week.

3. Massillon Washington

Previous Ranking: No. 4 (+1)
Massillon easily handled the out-of-state travelers 41-7 when Canisius (N.Y.) came to town over the weekend. The Tigers are defending state champs and have a top-5 offense and defense in Ohio. This week, they will get a shot at once again knocking off top-ranked St. Edward.

4. St. Xavier

Previous Ranking: No. 5 (+1)
St. Xavier beat Withrow 31-7, moving up one spot in the top 25 this week. The Bombers are 3-1, their only loss coming to No. 10 Lakota West to start the year. The annual Greater Catholic League battle between St. X and Archbishop Moeller is coming this Friday.

5. Archbishop Moeller

Previous Ranking: No. 2 (-3)
Moeller fell in overtime 21-14 to Mallard Creek (N.C.) on Saturday — the Crusaders’ first loss of the 2024 campaign. Two Crusaders are already committed to Power 4 schools: Louisville defensive back commit Micah Rice and Northwestern EDGE pledge Jonah Hayes. They lead a defense that ranks No. 7 in the state of Ohio. Next up is the heated rivalry with St. Xavier on Friday.

6. Avon

Previous Ranking: No. 6
Avon blasted Elyria 58-0 to improve to 4-0 on the season. The Eagles also have wins over St. Ignatius, Canton McKinley and Glenville. Senior defensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly is committed to Cincinnati, and junior athlete Jakob Weatherspoon is a top-200 prospect in 2026. Avon will play an undefeated North Ridgeville squad this weekend.

7. Walsh Jesuit

Previous Ranking: No. 8 (+1)
Walsh Jesuit easily handled St. Ignatius 42-7 last Friday to move to 4-0 on the year. Wins over McDowell, St. Vincent-St. Mary and previously ranked Ursuline round out the remainder of the Warriors’ wins. Walsh is a big favorite over Firestone this week.

8. Marion Local

Previous Ranking: No. 11 (+3)
Division VII Marion Local is one of the premier programs in the state of Ohio year in and year out, and the Flyers are back into the top 10 after a 71-0 win over St. John’s. Up next is New Bremen — the No. 102 team in the state of Ohio. New Bremen dealt Marion Local its last loss — on Nov. 6, 2020.

9. Winton Woods

Previous Ranking: No. 9
Winton Woods beat Turpin 31-0 to improve to 4-0 on the year. The Warriors struggle on offense — ranking No. 62 in Ohio — but their top-10 defense is headlined by elite Alabama EDGE commit Justin Hill. On deck is Walnut Hills.

10. Lakota West

Previous Ranking: No. 10
Lakota West bounced back from its upset loss to Princeton by beating Fairfield 50-14 last weekend. The Firebirds rank 17th on offense but have the No. 3 defense in the state. This year’s senior class is led by four-star Miami (Fla.) commit Luka Gilbert and Purdue linebacker commit Grant Beerman. Junior athlete Cam Thomas also ranks as a four-star prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. The Firebirds will play Middletown on the road Friday.

Teams 11-25 in latest Ohio High School Football Rankings

11. Toledo Central Catholic (+3)
12. Anderson (+4)
13. Elder (-6)
14. Chardon (-2)
15. Mentor (+2)

16. Princeton (-3)
17. Bishop Watterson (+6)
18. Wapakoneta (+6)
19. Wadsworth
20. LaSalle (-2)

21. Highland (-1)
22. Austintown Fitch (NR)
23. Pickerington North (-1)
24. Coldwater (-3)
25. Olentangy Liberty (-10)

Dropped from rankings: Ursuline