See computer rankings on Scoreboard
Five area teams — Troy (Division II), Franklin (D-III), Valley View (D-IV), Coldwater (D-V) and Covington (D-VII) — rank No. 1 in their respective regions of the high school football computer rankings released by the Ohio High School Athletic Association on Tuesday.
Troy was top ranked in Region 8, Franklin in Region 12, Valley View in Region 16, Coldwater in Region 20 and Covington in Region 28. All those teams are 4-0.
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The computer rankings determine which teams qualify for the playoffs. Points are accumulated for wins and wins by a defeated opponent. A predetermined value is assigned to first- and second-level points, D-I receiving the most and less in a sliding scale for the remaining six divisions. Margin of victory is not a factor.
There are seven divisions, each consisting of four regions. The top eight teams in each region at the conclusion of the regular season — Week 10 — advance to the postseason.
Troy is the surprise team after coming off a 2-8 season last year under new coach Matt Burgbacher. Troy stunned Trotwood-Madison 10-6 to open the season — the second straight year the Trojans have beaten the Rams — and have extended that jump-start momentum with wins over Northwest, Bellefontaine and Fairborn.
Friday, Troy hosts Miamisburg (3-1), which is coming off a 45-12 loss to Wayne (3-0-1). Miamisburg is No. 8 in D-II, Region 8.
Southwestern Buckeye League rivals Franklin and Valley View also are having outstanding seasons after each went 5-5 in the Southwestern Division last season and missed the playoffs. Franklin is reaping a 27-21 Week 2 defeat of Edgewood (3-1). Valley View has been boosted with a 41-10 blowout of Madison (3-1) in Week 3. Valley View is at Franklin on Friday.
Coldwater, a four-time defending D-I state champion, has benefited from handing Delphos Jefferson, Marion Local and Fort Recovery their only losses. Covington has done likewise to St. Henry and Bethel. The Buccs, led by first-year coach Tyler Cates, have a Week 5 showdown at surprising Troy Christian (4-0) on Friday. The Eagles are No. 2 behind Covington in Region 28.
Another D-VII surprise is Catholic Central (4-0), which is No. 3 in Region 28. The Irish, guided by first-year coach but longtime former assistant Mike McKenna, snapped an 0-20 skid in last year’s season opener.
Wayne, the two-time D-I state runner-up, could do no better than No. 5 in D-I, Region 3. Northmont (3-1) is No. 3 in D-I, Region 4. The Thunderbolts was just three games last year and are at Wayne on Friday. Trotwood-Madison (3-1), which has played in six consecutive state semifinals, is No. 7 in D-III, Region 12. The Rams are at Greenville (3-1) on Friday and at Wayne in the Week 10 regular-season finale.
Computer rankings will be released every Tuesday by the OHSAA through Week 9 games. First-round playoff matchups will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 30.
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