The initial OHSAA football computer poll was released Wednesday and north central Ohio has several teams ranked.

The ratings are released weekly, leading up to the final report on Sunday, Oct. 27 when first-round playoff pairings are announced. The top 16 schools in each region will qualify for the playoffs.

Here’s where teams in Crawford County Now’s coverage area rank heading into Week 5.

DIVISION IV

  • Galion (4-0, 1-0) hosts Shelby (4-0, 1-0) at Unckrich Stadium Friday night in a big Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference game. It also features two teams that are ranked in Region 14. The Whippets are third and the Tigers hold down the sixth spot.

This game promises to be a dandy, with both teams having prolific offenses and tough defenses.

Jacob Chambers is a do-it-all type of player for Galion, leading the team with 22 catches for 328 yards (15 yards per catch) and six scores.

Braxton Prosser produced four of Galion’s six touchdowns in a 41-21 win at Clear Fork. The senior quarterback had 200 yards of total offense, with 148 coming on the ground.

Shelby quarterback Brayden DeVito leads his squad with 471 pards rushing and 941 yards passing. He has rushed for seven scores and passed for an equal number, with two picks.

Another MOAC powerhouse, Ontario, sits fourth in that traditionally tough region, also boasting four wins.

DIVISION V

  • Marion Pleasant (3-1) is eighth in Region 20. The Spartans host Marion County rival River Valley. The Vikings are 11th in Division IV, Region 14.

DIVISION VI

  • Colonel Crawford is eighth in Region 23 with a 3-1 record after its loss to Mohawk. The Eagles host Buckeye Central Friday night as the Northern 10 Athletic Conference enters its second week of league play.

Their ground game is spearheaded by Connor McMichael’s 446 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Dominic Dean has added 217 yards and five scores.

Signal callers Peyton Baker and Brayden Holt have combined to pass for 719 yards, with six TDs and three interceptions.

On defense, all-Ohio end Payne DeGray has 20 tackles (nine solo), Roen Thew has recorded 18 and eight, and Kaden Bruner and Jack Agee each have 16 and six.

  • The Bucks are 12th in Division VII, Region 25, with a 2-2 mark.

BC is led by Jack Phillips with 572 yards passing and 503 rushing and 11 total touchdowns.

Hunter Caudill has 18 tackles (13 solo) and Mason Clay 17. Corbin Bloomfield and Phillips each have two interceptions.

  • Seneca East holds down the 13th spot in Region 22. The 2-2 Tigers travel to Carey.

Junior QB Nicholas Parks leads the team with 987 aerial yards, 12 touchdown passes and six picks. Jackson Gayheart has two TD catches and 170 yards receiving.

  • The Blue Devils (1-3) are 18th in the same region. Hopewell-Loudon (4-0) is ranked first.
  • Wynford (1-3) is ranked 22nd. The Royals travel to Upper Sandusky (1-3, 0-1).
  • Mount Gilead (2-2) is 13th and Elgin (2-2) is 19th.
  • Northmor is 4-0 and ranked fourth in Region 23.

The Golden Knights host Knox Morrow Athletic Conference rival Danville (3-1) Friday night at The Castle. The Blue Devils are ranked third in Division VII, Region 27.

Cowin Becker ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, plus caught nine passes for 145 yards and two more scores in a 34-26 win over Centerburg.

DIVISION VII

  • Mohawk, fresh off its 35-7 win over Colonel Crawford, is ranked fourth in Region 26. Columbus Grove holds down first place.

Head coach Eric Daniel was elated with the victory over a quality opponent.

“It’s kind of the trademark win we’ve been looking for. The last couple of years have been pretty rough. So, I’m really proud of them,” he said.

The 3-1 Warriors host Bucyrus. Their lone loss came in the opener, 28-27, to Tiffin Calvert (3-1), who sits right behind Mohawk in fifth.

Mohawk is averaging 345 yards per game and features dual threat QB Ben Bogner (812 yards passing and 298 rushing).

Kahne Hayman leads the receiving corps with six touchdowns and 468 yards. Kaleb Bish adds another 250 yards and three scores.

Junior linebacker Owen Patrizi is a beast on defense with a team-high 45 tackles, including 19 solo stops, seven tackles for loss and one interception.

  • Crestline is ranked 10th in Region 25.

The resurgent Bulldogs (2-2) got a forfeit win from two weeks ago when Cleveland Collinwood canceled, then lost a tough four-overtime contest to East Cleveland Shaw, 34-28, Saturday night.

In that four-hour game, Cian Glennon rushed for 115 yards and three scores.

Crestline hosts Vienna Mathews (1-3) this week before embarking on four straight road trips.

Complete rankings for all seven divisions can be found at https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports/Football/2024/20240917HarbinReport.pdf