Sports

Unbeaten Ursuline remains firmly No. 1 in week’s Super 7 football poll

By Mike Brown

Updated September 14, 2023 9:36 PM

Mahoning Valley

Here are my top 7 high school football teams in the Mahoning Valley:

Ursuline

The Youngstown Ursuline Fighting Irish (4-0) have been ranked No. 1 in the Super 7 football rankings and remain firmly entrenched there again this week. The Irish are coming off a 46-0 rout of Youngstown East. While the Irish offense has been explosive, averaging 42.5 points per game, its defense has pitched two consecutive shutouts the past two weeks and has only allowed six total points combined in its past three games. The Irish host Warren Harding (1-3) Friday night.

Austintown Fitch

Austintown Fitch remains the No. 2-ranked team in this week’s Super 7. The Falcons (3-1) are coming off an exciting 24-21 two overtime win over perennial big-school power Cleveland St. Ignatius. The Falcons are averaging 35.4 points per game and haven’t lost to an Ohio opponent. Their only loss was by one-point (36-35) to Central Valley (Pa.) in Week 2. The Falcons host winless Stow (0-4) Friday evening.

Poland

Poland, which has been one of the most consistent teams on offense and defense all season in the Mahoning Valley, remained unbeaten at 4-0 after its big 10-7 win over arch-rival Canfield in a huge Northeast 8 win last Friday night at Poland. It was the Bulldogs’ first win over the Cardinals in their past seven meetings. Poland’s defense has been tremendous as it has only allowed 27 points all season for an average of 6.75 points-per-game. The Bulldogs travel to Hubbard (3-1) in a Northeast 8 game Friday night.

West Branch

West Branch (3-1) remains the No. 4 team in this week’s Super 7. The Warriors made the long journey to Coshocton County and pulled off a last-minute 32-29 win over previously unbeaten Ridgewood last Friday night. Quarterback Beau Alazaus threw for over 300 yards in that game and scored the winning touchdown on a short run. The Warriors, who are averaging 34.2 points per game, host winless Howland (0-4) Friday night.

United Local

United Local is ranked No. 5 this week. The Golden Eagles (4-0) remain as the power of the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference and are coming off a 31-3 romp over the Columbiana Clippers. The Golden Eagles’ defense has only allowed 44 total points all season for an average of just 11 points per game. The Golden Eagles have a big EOAC game Friday night when they entertain the Southern Local Indians (3-1).

Struthers

Struthers (3-1) jumps into the poll at No. 6 this week after coming off a huge 35-28 Northeast 8 win over the Girard Indians last Friday in a game matching two talent-laden teams. The Wildcats have scored 142 points this season for an average of 35.5 points-per-game. The Wildcats have another huge Northeast 8 game on tap Friday night when they host defending Division 5 state champion South Range (3-1).

Jackson-Milton

Jackson-Milton jumps into the poll for the first time this season at No. 7. The Bluejays (4-0) are one of the few unbeaten teams left in the Mahoning Valley, following their big 24-21 win at previously unbeaten Mineral Ridge last Friday. The Bluejays defense has been stellar, giving up just 40 points all season for an average of 10 points per game. The Bluejays have another big Mahoning Valley Conference game slated for Friday evening when they host the 3-1 McDonald Blue Devils.