There’s surely some movement in this week’s rankings and one team makes a big jump up. Let’s get into the Week 4 power rankings.
On the outside this week: Chippewa (0-4), Northwestern (0-4), Waynedale (0-4) and Wooster (0-4).
Week 4 Football Power Rankings
10. Tuslaw (2-2)
Things didn’t go too well for the Mustangs last week as they fell hard to Orrville 38-7 at home to open Principals Athletic Conference play. The Mustangs will have to get back on track quickly with Triway coming into their place.
This Week: at home vs. Triway (3-1)
9. Loudonville (2-2)
Loudonville dropped their second loss in a row at East Knox, 27-12, as the Redbirds just weren’t able to drum up enough points — even though they produced 311 total yards of offense. They have a tough one in Centerburg up next.
This Week: at Centerburg (3-1)
8. Rittman (4-0)
Rittman moved to 4-0 on the season and beat a Waynedale team 20-14 that defeated them last season. After winning their first two games by large margins, the Indians had to work for the last two wins, winning by a combined eight points. Rittman is in fine position to be a playoff team again and a win at Norwayne this week could get everyone in the Wayne County area talking.
This Week: at Norwayne (2-2)
7. Norwayne (2-2)
Speaking of Norwayne, they had their way with a winless Northwestern team, winning 48-13 on Friday as they outgained the Huskies 338-244 in total yards. The Bobcats needed this victory after losing two out of their first three games against firm competition. They’ll get undefeated Rittman in a key Wayne County Athletic League game this week.
This Week: at home vs. Rittman (4-0)
6. Orrville (3-1)
The Red Riders began their PAC play with a 31-point victory over Tuslaw. Orrville gained 24 first downs to Tuslaw’s nine, rushed for more yards (323-110) and outgained them in total yards 521-161. Running back Parker Hostetler had 15 carries for 123 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, and wideout Breylon McDuffie caught five balls for 137 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions.
This Week: at home vs. Fairless (3-1)
5. Dalton (3-1)
To many in the Wayne/Holmes County area, Dalton took a surprising loss to Smithville last week, 35-19. After starting the game forcing two turnovers and going up 13-0 in the first five minutes of the game, Dalton was outplayed the rest of the way. Smithville’s running game not only produced big gains but ran time off the clock, keeping the Dalton offense off the field.
Working in seven new starters on offense and not having key running back Jaxon Ryder on the field due to injury (coach Reid Geibel said Ryder will be out the next couple of weeks), the Bulldogs’ offense so far has, in some ways, been a work in progress. Saying that, Dalton has the tools to recover and what better way to do it than against big-time Hillsdale.
This Week: at home vs. Hillsdale (4-0)
4. West Holmes (3-1)
West Holmes used a number of big offensive plays to run away from Mansfield Senior 45-6 on the road. The Knights will be expected to get by their next two games against Madison Comprehensive and Wooster before they head into a two-game stretch versus Ashland and Lexington that could determine the Ohio Cardinal Conference winner.
This Week: at Madison Comprehensive (2-2)
3. Triway (3-1)
Playing really well heading into Week 4, Triway slipped up versus Northwest in dropping a 32-29 loss on the road. The game marked the first time this season the Titans gave up more than 25 points in a game.
This Week: at Tuslaw (2-2)
2. Smithville (4-0)
Talk about making a big jump in this week’s rankings!
Smithville put all of Wayne County on notice on Friday as it got a season-changing win over the usually elite Dalton 35-19 at home. After going down 13-0 early in the first quarter, Smithville climbed back into it, grabbed momentum and never looked back. The Smithies’ ball-control offense with halfbacks/fullbacks Isaiah Lee, Mason Haines and Javen Woodarski, the way they mixed in different run formations and overall defensive effort in taking away any big gain offensive plays all played a factor in the win.
Not only did Smithville move up in the rankings, but they now sit as the No. 1-ranked team in Division VI, according to Martin RPI. Now that Smithville has everyone’s attention, the challenge will be to keep it going.
This Week: at Waynedale (0-4)
1. Hillsdale (4-0)
Nothing changes this week at the No. 1 spot. It’s still Hillsdale and they showed out in a 53-0 thumping over Chippewa at home. Quarterback Kael Lewis continues his high play as he produced another game where he threw four touchdown passes, plus the defense recorded its second shutout of the season. An important one awaits the Falcons versus Dalton this week.
This Week: at Dalton (3-1)
jamessimpson@gannett.com
Twitter/X: @JamesSimpsonII
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne/Holmes County high school football Week 4 Power Rankings: Smithville makes statement
Reporting by James Simpson II, Wooster Daily Record / The Daily Record
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