Ohio High School Football Rankings: Preseason Top 25 teams

Football is right around the corner in Ohio, and the Buckeye State is once again set to produce some of the best high school talent in the Midwest. Scrimmages may start on Aug. 9 with the regular season kicking off 10 days later on Aug. 19.

Preseason rankings are out, and according to the Massey Ratings — a model that combines statistics and ratings such as offensive and defensive power, as well home field advantage and strength of schedule — a three-time defending Ohio state champion ranks inside the top 50.

Four schools from the state of Ohio are in the top 100 nationwide — led by the Lakewood St. Edward Eagles. Below are the top 25 teams in Ohio heading into the 2024 season.

St. Edward finished 2023 as the Ohio Division I state champions after a 31-21 victory over Springfield. The Eagles went 15-1 with its lone loss coming on the road to Massillon Washington. St. Ed’s loses multiple blue-chip recruits from last year’s senior class — including Notre Dame EDGE signee Loghan Thomas and Ohio State offensive line signees Deontae and Devontae Armstrong. Yet, the Eagles return as the top-rated program in Ohio and the No. 42 team in the country. They will begin their season on Aug. 23 at Pickerington North as St. Edward looks to win its fourth-straight state title.

Massillon Washington has long been a staple of Ohio high school football, and that shouldn’t change in 2024. Ranked No. 75 nationwide, the Tigers are coming off of a 16-0 perfect season which includes a win over No. 1 St. Edward and an eventual Division II state championship. Heading into 2024, Wisconsin interior offensive line commit Nolan Davenport will anchor the Tigers O-Line. The defense features a host of high school recruits, including three-star corner Demari Clemons, Toledo safety commit Tyler Hackenbracht and Miami (Ohio) linebacker pledge Vito McConnell.

Moeller finished the 2023 campaign 10-5 with an overtime loss to Springfield in the state Division I semifinals. The Crusaders will look to go further this season against a usually difficult schedule featuring multiple out-of-state opponents and the three other members of the Greater Catholic League South. Two Moeller players are already committed to Power 4 schools: Louisville defensive back commit Micah Rice and Northwestern EDGE pledge Jonah Hayes. The Crusaders do lose a handful of P4 recruits from their 2023 senior class, including top-100 running back Jordan Marshall (Michigan) and corner Karson Hobbs (Notre Dame).

Hoban finished 13-2 with a season-ending 7-2 loss to Massillon Washington in the state championship. The Knights’ other lone loss came to No. 1 St. Edward. Hoban will kick off 2024 against Severn (Md.) Archbishop Spalding and Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep. Ohio State three-star linebacker commit Eli Lee returns along the defense, and junior cornerback Elbert Hill is the top player in Ohio for the class of 2026. That impressive junior class also includes four-star offensive tackle Sam Greer and four-star receiver Payton Cook.

Toledo Central Catholic capped a perfect 16-0 season with a Division III state title win over Columbus Bishop Watterson. The Fighting Irish lose Kentucky enrollee Marc Nave along the offensive line but retain Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle commit Jonathan Stangl. Junior cornerback Victor Singleton is the No. 117 prospect nationwide in the 2026 cycle. Central Catholic will kick off against Findlay and Georgia QB commit Ryan Montgomery on Aug. 23.

Lakota West went 11-3 in 2023, making it to the Division I playoffs before being ousted by Cincinnati Moeller. This year’s senior class is led by four-star Miami (Fla.) commit Luka Gilbert and Purdue linebacker commit Grant Beerman. Junior athlete Cam Thomas also ranks as a four-star prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. The Firebirds will open against Cincinnati St. Xavier.

Speaking of the Bombers, St. Xavier will look to improve on a 7-5 2023 season which ended with a playoff loss to archrival Moeller. Along the line of scrimmage, St. X’s senior class includes Notre Dame defensive line pledge Gordy Sulfsted and Kentucky offensive line commit Tucker Kattus. Junior linebacker Kobe Clapper is a four-star recruit and still uncommitted.

Springfield has made it to three consecutive Division I state title games. The Wildcats have also lost three consecutive state title games — all to Lakewood St. Edward. Springfield will look to get over that final hump this season. The ‘Cats will open against top-25 Ohio program Cincinnati Winton Woods. They do lose a major part of the defense from a year ago — Ohio State cornerback commit Aaron Scott Jr., the No. 35 overall prospect in the 2024 class.

Avon went 14-1 in 2023, its lone loss coming in the Division II state semifinals to Archbishop Hoban. This year, the Eagles will kick off on the road against Cleveland St. Ignatius. Senior defensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly is committed to Cincinnati, and junior athlete Jakob Weatherspoon is a top-200 prospect in 2026.

10. Elder (Cincinnati)

The third GCL South school in the Ohio top 10, Elder went 7-5 in 2023 before getting knocked from the Division I playoffs by Lakota West. Senior linebacker Maddox Arnold (Toledo commit) and tight end classmate Brayden Boeing (Miami Ohio commit) will held lead this talented Panthers squad. Elder will open on the road against Cincinnati Withrow

11. Princeton (Cincinnati)
12. Marion Local (Maria Stein)
13. Gahanna Lincoln
14. Chardon
15. Upper Arlington

16. Pickerington North
17. Pickerington Central
18. Anderson (Cincinnati)
19. Centerville
20. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)

21. La Salle (Cincinnati)
22. Winton Woods (Cincinnati)
23. Walsh Jesuit (Stow)
24. Dublin Coffman
25. Hilliard Bradley