There were two losses in the Greater Akron high school football power rankings last week.
That said, teams 1-8 held firm.
Why? You’ll find out here:
1. Wadsworth Grizzlies (8-0, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Why Wadsworth: The Grizzlies need to clean up their penalties — they’ve had 48 of them for 378 yards in the last three weeks — but they keep winning. After a two-point victory over Hudson last week, Wadsworth closes out the season against teams that are a combined 14-2.
Last week: 24-22 win over No. 6 Hudson
This week: at No. 4 Highland (7-1, 5-0)
2. Hoban Knights (3-5)
Previous ranking: 2
Why Hoban: The Knights are a mixed bag. After back-to-back shutouts of Walsh Jesuit and Cincinnati Woodward, they were shut out by Glenville. That said, a Week 9 win in its last regular-season game of the season puts Hoban in the playoffs, where it becomes the team no one wants to play.
Last week: 26-0 loss to Glenville
This week: at Indianapolis Cathedral, Ind. (5-3)
3. Walsh Jesuit Warriors (6-1)
Previous ranking: 3
Why Walsh: The Warriors certainly know how to bounce back. Two weeks after losing 30-0 to Hoban, Walsh has outscored St. Vincent-St. Mary and Youngstown Ursuline by a combined 101-14. If the Warriors beat Bishop Watterson, which is on a 37-game winning streak, they’ll be the talk of the state.
Last week: 45-7 win over Youngstown Ursuline
This week: vs. Bishop Watterson (7-0)
4. Highland Hornets (7-1, 5-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Why Highland: All the Hornets do is win. They moved up to the Suburban League National Conference and are beating teams by a combined 215-49. They’re on a 19-game Suburban League winning streak and have won 37 of their last 38 conference games. The test comes the next two weeks against teams that are a combined 14-2.
Last week: 51-7 win over Solon
This week: vs. No. 1 Wadsworth (8-0, 5-0)
5. Nordonia Knights (7-1, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 5
Why Nordonia: The Knights have scored 41 points or more five times this season and scored 45 last week against Stow. Quarterback Steven Fakult has Nordonia going at a high clip. A win this week should bring a fantastic Week 10 meeting against currently unbeaten Wadsworth.
Last week: 45-14 win at Stow
This week: vs. Medina (2-6, 2-3)
6. Hudson Explorers (6-2, 3-2)
Previous ranking: 6
Why Hudson: We’re not going to punish the Explorers for losing by two to a Wadsworth team that hasn’t lost a regular-season game since Oct. 25, 2024. In fact, Hudson dug itself a 21-point halftime deficit and then held the Grizzlies scoreless the entire second half.
Last week: 24-22 loss at No. 1 Wadsworth
This week: at Stow (2-6, 0-5)
7. Norton Panthers (7-1, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 7
Why Norton: The Panthers had to come from behind twice but escaped their trap game against Kent Roosevelt with a one-point win. This week should bring another victory before Norton plays Cloverleaf in an attempt to at the very least share a Metro Athletic Conference crown.
Last week: 14-13 at Kent Roosevelt
This week: vs. Springfield (0-8, 0-5)
8. Woodridge Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1)
Previous ranking: 8
Why Woodridge: The Bulldogs readied themselves for a big Metro Athletic Conference game this week by knocking out Springfield. Their average margin of victory is 25.5 points, with only two games decided by seven points or less. This week is the big one for Woodridge.
Last week: 45-7 at Springfield
This week: at Streetsboro (6-2, 4-1)
Also considered: East (7-1, 2-0)
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatodayco.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football 2026 | Greater Akron rankings heading into Week 9