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CJ (3-0) has had three straight blowout wins. The Eagles were somewhat of a surprise No. 1 pick and edged runner-up Akron East by just five points. CJ’s ascent to No. 1 coincided with defending D-III state and poll champ Trotwood-Madison (1-2) losing the last two weeks.
Bellbrook (3-0) was No. 13 in D-III, Trotwood No. 16 and Alter (2-1) No. 19. CJ will play Alter at Fairmont to end the regular season in Week 10 in what should decide the Greater Catholic League Co-Ed North championship.
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Coldwater’s lofty D-VI ranking could be considered an upset with MAC rival Marion Local (3-0) at No. 2. Marion Local has played in seven straight state championships and won six, including the last two D-VI titles. The Flyers have mounted a 30-game win streak, haven’t lost since Week 3 of the 2016 season and have won five straight state poll titles.
Coldwater had an 8-6 advantage in first-place votes over Marion Local and a decisive 32-point lead. Coldwater will host Marion Local in Week 10 to conclude the regular season. Last year the Flyers swept the Cavaliers, including 33-0 in a D-VI, Region 24 final.
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Also among the top 10 in D-VI were No. 5 Mechanicsburg, No. 7 St. Henry and No. 10 Bethel, all at 3-0.
No area team was among the top 10 in D-I. Northmont was No. 14 and Springfield No. 15. Troy (3-0) was the only area team to crack the top 10 in D-II as No. 5.
Defending D-IV state runner-up Clinton-Massie (2-1) was No. 6 in D-IV. Massie lost 31-28 at Coldwater in Week 2.
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Middletown Madison (3-0) was tied for No. 3 in D-V. The Mohawks were a D-V state semifinalist last season. Miami East was No. 16 and Greeneview No. 22 in D-V. Greeneview hosts Mechanicsburg on Friday in a matchup of unbeaten Ohio Heritage Conference powers.
Minster, the defending D-VII state champ, drew 10 first-place votes for a 21-point lead over runner-up McComb. No other area team was ranked in D-VII.
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Other top-ranked teams were Cincinnati Colerain (D-I), Akron Hoban (D-II), St. Marys Memorial (D-IV) and Johnstown-Monroe (D-V). Hoban, a three-time defending state champion, drew the most first-place votes of any team with 13. Hoban defeated host Wayne 47-28 last week.
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Voting is done by state-wide media outlets that subscribe to the Associated Press. The Ohio High School Athletic Association will release the first computer rankings next week.
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