Why Walsh: The Warriors rolled into Granger Twp. last week and opened the season with a no-doubt-about-it win over Highland in which every facet was running on all cylinders. It was the first time in 69 games the Hornets had been shut out and it set the tone early in what looks to be a very difficult Division II, Region 5.
Last week: 34-0 win at Highland
This week: vs. Clark County Springfield (1-0)
2. Wadsworth Grizzlies (1-0)
Previous ranking: 2
Why Wadsworth: Brysen Hall showed why the tremendous optimism with the Grizzlies was warranted when he went 21-for-28 passing for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Jay’len King caught seven passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns, and Wadsworth rolled Cleveland Heights on the road.
Last week: 28-6 win at Cleveland Heights
This week: at Hilliard Davidson (1-0)
3. Nordonia Knights (1-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Why Nordonia: Man, what a 2026 debut for Knights quarterback Steven Fakult. The senior went 13-for-16 passing for 306 yards and five touchdowns in an easy win over St. Vincent-St. Mary. Collin Atha caught four passes for 147 yards (36.5 average) and scored twice.
Last week: 49-7 win at STVM
This week: vs. No. 6 East (1-0)
4. Hudson Explorers (1-0)
Previous ranking: 5
Why Hudson: The Explorers went to Austintown and came home with a very impressive win over Fitch. Hudson took an 18-point halftime lead and held on to beat the Falcons by five. Reno Ferri finished with 93 yards rushing on 21 carries and quarterback Hayden Lipinski went 10-of-15 passing for 73 yards and a TD.
Last week: 24-19 win at Fitch
This week: at Jackson (1-0)
5. Hoban Knights (0-1)
Previous ranking: 3
Why Hoban: The Knights were done in by Toledo commit Yuto Kawamura-Johnson of West Orange, Fla., when the senior hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass from AJ Chung with 1:57 left to lift the Warriors over Hoban. It’s only the second time in nine seasons the Knights have lost a season opener. It last happened in 2024, when Hoban went on to reach a state semifinal.
Last week: 28-24 loss at West Orange
This week: vs. NFL Academy, United Kingdom (1-0)
6. Norton Panthers (1-0)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Why Norton: Quarterback Trey Kersten made the most of his senior debut when he went 9-for-14 passing for 173 yards and three touchdowns — all to Alex Meinen (104 yards receiving) — in a tidy win over Garfield. The Panthers haven’t lost a regular-season game on the field since Sept. 27, 2024.
Last week: 49-7 win vs. Garfield
This week: vs. Sandy Valley (1-0)
7. East Dragons (1-0)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Why East: The Dragons flexed on defense when they rallied to beat Bedford last week. Streetsboro transfer Marcus Council scored the game-winner against the Bearcats and Emmanuel Jefferson caught a touchdown pass to help East make its 2026 debut in the power rankings.
Last week: 12-7 win vs. Bedford.
This week: at No. 3 Nordonia (1-0)
8. Cuyahoga Valley Academy Royals (0-1)
Previous ranking: 7
Why CVCA: The Royals cut its deficit to seven points with 8:33 left last week at Brecksville but couldn’t find enough to pull out a win. Still, heading to a school much bigger than it and hanging with the Bees was enough to keep CVCA in the top eight. A win this week at home should right the ship for the Royals.
Last week: 16-7 loss at Brecksville
This week: vs. Canton South (0-1)
Out: Highland (0-1), Twinsburg (0-1)
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at [email protected] and is on X at @ bbournival .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football 2026 | Greater Akron rankings heading into Week 2
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