Top Games for Week 8
Cornerstone Christian, TX (4-2) at Massillon (7-0) – Unbeaten Massillon defeated Division I power Lakewood St. Edward by two points. St. Eds defeated once-beaten St. John’s College, the No. 1 team in D.C., by one point. And last week, St. John’s defeated twice-beaten Cornerstone by a touchdown. This should be another great test for the Tigers.
Canada Football North (3-2) at Lakewood St. Edward (6-1) – Football North has two losses, to Massillon and Cleveland Glenville, plus a win over Akron Hoban, as they continue their march through Ohio. Meanwhile, the Eagles are coming off a one-sided win over rival Cleveland St. Ignatius, the following opponent for Football North.
Cincinnati Moeller (5-2) at Cleveland St. Ignatius (4-3) – Moeller grabbed a big last-minute, 35-28 win over Cincinnati Elder, the team that was predicted to win the GCL, if not the state. Moeller is now the league champ. Ignatius needs to rebound after being handled easily last week by St. Edward.
Cleveland Glenville (5-2) at Akron Hoban (3-4) – This is an intriguing late-season matchup. Both have played challenging schedules. Glenville has losses to Massillon and Bishop Watterson, with a big win over Olentangy Liberty. Hoban lost their first four games to teams that have a combined record of 22-2. But they appear to have righted the ship by defeating Cardinal Gibbins of North Carolina (4-2) and then blasting regional favorite Walsh Jesuit, 30-0. Massillon could use the computer points, but the needle probably points to Hoban in this one.
Youngstown Ursuline (5-2) at Walsh Jesuit (5-1) – Ursuline apparently has recovered their program following the problems of the previous year. Last week they beat a good Steubenville team, 44-40. Walsh has wins over Medina Highland, Toledo Central Catholic and Cleveland St. Ignatius. Then, there is that blowout loss to Hoban. This game could swing either way.
Hudson (6-1) at Wadsworth (7-0) – Hudson lost to Nordonia (6-1) earlier in the season, but could gain at least a tie for the Suburban League championship with a win in this one and a win in Week 10 over Medina Highland (6-1). Wadsworth has had it easy so far, but finishes with Hudson, Medina Highland and Nordonia. Lots of excitement in the Suburban League.
Berea Midpark (8-1) at Olmsted Falls (7-2) – This is the game for second place in the Southwestern Conference. Midpark lost 52-21 to No. 1 Avon 52-21, whereas Olmsted Falls lost 58-33 to Avon. Expect a shootout.
Oregon Clay (7-0) at Perrysburg (7-0) – Oregon Clay looks good in the win-loss column, but they have yet to beat a solid opponent. Perrysburg has also found it easy so far. After this one, both play what could be the No. 1 team, Toledo Whitmer. The Northern Lakes League championship will be sorted out shortly.
Columbus St. Charles (7-0) at Columbus DeSales (5-2) – Surprise, surprise. St. Charles is undefeated after seven games. Only, their opponents have a combined 14-35 record. Expect them to meet a wall against Columbus DeSales, which owns wins over Youngstown Ursuline (5-2) and Cleveland St. Joseph (5-2). The two losses are to a pair of undefeated teams in River Rouge, MI, and Columbus Watterson.
Cincinnati Elder (5-2) at Highlands, KY (6-1) – Previously ranked as the No. 1 team in Division I, Elder has dropped their last two games, to Cincinnati St. Xavier (29-31) and Cincinnati Moeller (28-35). Can they turn it around this week? Highlands is ranked fifth in the country in total number of wins. Their only loss is to the No. 3 team in Kentucky, Frederick Douglass (6-0). Another good one in the making.
