It was a typically strong small-school showing by the Midwest Athletic Conference. Coldwater (3-0), drew 11 of 17 first-place votes and was No. 1 in Division VI. Anna (3-0) was No. 2 in D-VI. Anna will host MAC rival Coldwater in Week 8.
Minster (3-0), another MAC member, was No. 5 and Mechanicsburg (3-0) No. 10 in D-VI.
»» RELATED: State football polls
Perennial poll champ Marion Local (2-1) was No. 3 in D-VII. However, just three points separated top-ranked McComb (112), Hamler Patrick Henry (111) and Marion Local (109). The Flyers lost 31-7 at Columbus Bishop Watterson in Week 2. Watterson is ranked No. 9 in D-III.
Marion Local has been crowed an Associated Press football state poll champ seven times.
Alter (3-0) was No. 2 in D-III, behind only unbeaten Columbus Bishop Hartley. Chagrin Falls Kenston (3-0), which defeated Alter in the D-III state title game last season, was No. 3.
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Chaminade Julienne (3-0) received one first-place vote and was No. 6 in D-III. CJ will host Alter in the Week 10 regular-season finale.
No area team cracked the top 10 in D-I, D-II or D-V. Unbeaten Springboro (3-0) fared best among area D-I teams at No. 15. Valley View (3-0) was No. 8 in D-IV and Clinton-Massie (2-1) No. 10. Also, Fort Loramie (2-1) was No. 9 in D-VII. The Redskins lost a season opener 20-13 at Minster.
The other poll leaders were Mentor (D-I), Akron Hoban (D-II), Cincinnati Wyoming (D-IV) and Kirtland (D-V). Hoban is seeking its fifth consecutive state championship. Wyoming and Kirtland also are defending state champs.
»» PHOTOS: Fairmont at Northmont, Week 3 football
This is the 73rd year for the Associated Press high school state football polls. The Harbin computer ratings, which determines which teams qualify for the playoffs, will make their debut on Tuesday.
• Springfield Shawnee quarterback Robie Glass of the Central Buckeye Conference leads the area in rushing yardage, and he’s being pushed by two outstanding underclassmen.
Glass, essentially a running back in the Braves’ offensive scheme, is tops in the area with 487 rushing yards and six touchdowns after three games. A two-time D-II state high jump champ, he continues to generate recruiting interest and owns an offer from West Virginia State.
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Sidney sophomore E.J. Davis is close behind with 477 yards rushing and three scores. He leads the new Miami Valley League in rushing, has surpassed triple digits each game and is averaging 9.9 yards per carry.
Hezekiah Hudson-Davis is headed in the right direction to be the next great running back at Trotwood-Madison. Just a freshman, he’s gone for 451 yards and five scores to lead the Greater Western Ohio Conference in rushing. His production has improved each game, with a career-high 193 yards against Wayne in Week 3.
»» PHOTOS: Dixie football at practice
Rounding out the area’s top five are Northridge senior Shawn Shehee and Anna senior Bart Bixler. Shehee is the No. 1 rusher in the Southwestern Buckeye League with 397 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s a major reason why Northridge (3-0) is unbeaten.
Bixler, like Glass a QB, leads the Midwest Athletic Conference with 323 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.
• According to MaxPreps.com, West Jefferson senior Gabe Jones leads the state in rushing with 661 yards to go with 11 touchdowns. West Jeff is among five unbeaten Ohio Heritage Conference teams, including Mechanicsburg, West Liberty-Salem, Greenon and Madison Plains, all at 3-0.
»» RELATED: Week 3 football power rankings
• There are two high school football games on Thursday. Belmont (0-3) plays Meadowdale (0-3) in a Dayton City League game at Welcome Stadium and West Carrollton (0-3) is at Butler (1-2) in an MVL crossover matchup. Both games are at 7 p.m.
»» MIKE & MARC: Talking Week 3 football
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»» PHOTOS: Stebbins football, Week 2 practice
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