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Ohio Division I High School Football is one of the most competitive leagues in the country. The players and teams are renowned for their talent and dedication to the sport. Each year, these schools battle it out for the state championship title, making it one of the most thrilling events in the Ohio sports calendar. In this blog post, we’ll be counting down the top 5 Ohio Division I High School Football Teams of the year. From impressive records to unforgettable moments, these teams have certainly left a lasting impression on the league.
St. Edward (Lakewood)
As one of the top teams in Ohio Division I High School Football, St. Edward in Lakewood has proven time and again that they are a force to be reckoned with. With an impressive record of 11-1 last season, they made it to the state semifinals and finished strong. Their offense, led by quarterback Christian Ramos, is one of the most dominant in the state. Their defense is equally impressive, with linebacker Shawn Lukac leading the charge. It’s no wonder they’re ranked as one of the top high school football teams in Ohio. With their track record of success, we can expect big things from St. Edward in the upcoming season.
Springfield
The Springfield High School football team has been a force to be reckoned with this season. The Wildcats have a current record of 10-0, making them one of the few undefeated teams in the state. Led by head coach Maurice Douglass, Springfield’s offense has been explosive, averaging 45 points per game. Senior quarterback Te’Sean Smoot has been a key player for the team, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. On defense, the Wildcats have only allowed an average of 14 points per game. Springfield has already clinched a spot in the playoffs and is a top contender for the state championship. With such a dominant season so far, it’s no surprise that Springfield has earned a spot on this list of the top Division I high school football teams in Ohio.
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
The Archbishop Moeller football team has been a consistent powerhouse in Ohio high school football for years, and 2021 was no exception. With a record of 8-3, the Crusaders secured their spot as one of the top teams in the state.
Led by head coach Doug Rosfeld, Archbishop Moeller had a strong defense that allowed an average of just 18 points per game. Their offense was also solid, with quarterback Noah Geselbracht throwing for 2,161 yards and 19 touchdowns.
One of the standout games of the season for Archbishop Moeller was their 17-14 win over St. Xavier (Cincinnati), who is always a tough opponent. This win showcased the Crusaders’ resilience and ability to come out on top against a tough competitor.
Overall, Archbishop Moeller proved to be a formidable opponent in the Division I rankings, and they will undoubtedly continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Lakota West (West Chester)
Coming in at number four on our list of top Ohio Division I high school football teams is Lakota West from West Chester. This team is led by Head Coach Tom Bolden and Assistant Coach Dan Bolden.
Lakota West has had a successful season so far, with a 9-1 record and making it to the playoffs. Their only loss this season came from number two on our list, Springfield.
The team is known for their strong defense, which has only allowed an average of 13 points per game. Their offense is led by quarterback Mitch Bolden, who has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
Lakota West has a tough road ahead in the playoffs, as they are in a bracket with top-ranked St. Edward. But with the Bolden brothers leading the way, this team has a strong chance of making a deep playoff run.
Congratulations to Lakota West for their impressive season and for earning a spot on our top five Ohio Division I high school football teams list.
Elder (Cincinnati)
Elder High School is one of the top Division I football teams in Ohio, and they have an incredible head coach leading them to success. Doug Ramsey has been with the Panthers for over two decades and has a winning record of 240-78-1. Under his leadership, Elder has won three state championships and has consistently been ranked in the top 10 in Ohio.
This year, the Panthers have had another strong season with a 9-2 record. They finished first in the Greater Catholic League-South division, which is one of the toughest in the state. Elder’s offense has been led by senior quarterback Ben Hambleton, who has thrown for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns. On defense, the Panthers have been dominant, allowing just 13.8 points per game.
One of Elder’s most impressive wins this season came in week five when they defeated La Salle, the defending state champions and one of their biggest rivals, 23-0. The Panthers have also defeated other strong teams such as St. Xavier and Colerain.
Elder’s next challenge will be in the playoffs, where they will face Colerain again in the regional quarterfinals. With the strong leadership of Coach Ramsey and a talented team, Elder has the potential to make a deep playoff run and potentially win another state championship.
READ MORE Top 25 Ohio Division I High School Football Rankings
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