State Football Rankings: Top Spot Unchanged Before Defending State Champions Meet in Perry

Defending Champs to Face Off

The top spot in the Associated Press state football rankings remained unchanged this week.

Defending Division I state champion St. Edward is still No. 1, while defending Division II state champion Perry is still No. 2.

The two teams will meet in a highly anticipated showdown at Perry on Friday night.

Perry Looking to Make Statement

Perry is looking to make a statement against St. Edward after losing to the Eagles in last year's Division I state championship game.

The Pirates are led by senior quarterback Drew Allar, who is committed to Penn State.

Allar has thrown for 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

St. Edward Aiming for Another Title

St. Edward is looking to win its second straight state championship and its third in the past four years.

The Eagles are led by senior running back CJ Hicks, who has rushed for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Hicks is one of the top recruits in the country and is committed to Ohio State.

Other Top Teams

Other top teams in the state rankings include:

• Division I: Cincinnati St. Xavier (3), Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (4), Lakewood St. Edward (5)
• Division II: Massillon Perry (2), Cincinnati Archbishop Hoban (3), Avon (4), Cleveland St. Ignatius (5)

Early Look at Playoff Picture

The state football playoffs are set to begin in two weeks.

Here is an early look at the playoff picture:

• Division I:
• Region 1: St. Edward, Elder, Moeller, St. Xavier
• Region 2: Lakewood St. Edward, Solon, Walsh Jesuit, Chardon
• Region 3: Massillon Perry, Avon, Archbishop Hoban, Elyria
• Region 4: Cincinnati St. Ignatius, Winton Woods, Lakota West, Pickerington Central
• Division II:
• Region 1: Archbishop Hoban, St. Ignatius, Massillon Perry, Avon
• Region 2: Winton Woods, Lakota West, Pickerington Central, Cincinnati St. Xavier
• Region 3: Elder, Moeller, St. Edward, Lakewood St. Edward
• Region 4: Solon, Walsh Jesuit, Chardon, Elyria