A new team is joining the top 10 in this week’sCincinnati high school football power rankings.
As one team enters, another drops out after the high school football calendar moved into October in Week 7,
andMoeller winning an outright Greater Catholic League-South titleprovides a shakeup to the rankings.
Following each week of the regular season, The Enquirer will provide its top 10 high school football power rankings, regardless of division, class or state.
Here are the top 10 teams heading into Week 8.
10. East Central
Previous ranking: NR
Week 7: Win over Connersville (70-27)
Since its Week 3 loss to Elder, East Central has won four in a row. The Trojans won three of those games by a combined 131 points. The other victory in that span was a 24-21 road win over previously unbeaten Harrison. The Trojans racked up 49 first-half points in Week 7 against Connersville behind Ryan Minges, who eclipsed 3,000 career rushing yards with a 191-yard, six-touchdown performance. The Trojans also got three combined rushing touchdowns from Noah Long and Colton Bellman on their way to the program’s 34th Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference title. East Central is ranked No. 10 in the latest Indiana high school football poll heading into back-to-back home games.
Week 8: Columbus North (4-3) at East Central (6-1)
9. Wyoming
Previous ranking: No. 9
Week 7: Win over Madeira (41-7)
Wyoming has now won back-to-back games in blowout fashion. The Cowboys scored 35 unanswered points in Week 7 against Madeira. Wyoming was led by Jonas Whalen, who ran 17 times for 133 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback David Dupee also threw touchdowns to Brylan Miltenberger and Cooper Metz. Wyoming and Deer Park both sit at 7-0. Those two teams will clash in the regular season finale Oct. 23.
Week 8: Finneytown (0-6) at Wyoming (7-0)
8. Elder
Previous ranking: No. 3
Week 7: Loss vs. Moeller (35-28)
After five straight dominant performances, Elder’s bid for back-to-back GCL-South championships came to an end after close losses to St. Xavier in Week 6 and Moeller in Week 7 at Welcome Stadium. Elder quarterback Kaden Estep threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. Elder drove for the game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion before Moeller notched the game-winner in the final minute. Elder still sits at No. 3 in Division I, Region 8 and controls its own destiny for a first-round bye. The Panthers will look to snap a two-game skid in a big road matchup against Highlands.
Week 8: Elder (5-2) at Highlands (6-1)
7. Winton Woods
Previous ranking: No. 7
Week 7: Win over Loveland (56-0)
Winton Woods has allowed just 42 points over six conference games so far and notched its third shutout of the season in Week 7. The Warriors met little resistance on the road against Loveland. On the ground, running backs Isaiah Garrett and Bo Diop each ran for over 100 yards and combined for five touchdowns. Quarterback Tariq Coleman completed all seven pass attempts for 127 yards and a pair of scores. Winton Woods hosts West Clermont before a potential ECC championship game against Anderson in Week 9.
Week 8: West Clermont (3-4) at Winton Woods (6-1)
6. Moeller
Previous ranking: No. 10
Week 7: Win over Elder (35-28)
Moeller is back on top of the GCL-South after pulling out a thrilling win over Elder. The Crusaders are 4-0 since starting 1-2 and are averaging 38 points per game in that span. Sophomore quarterback Hunter Mclaughlin continues to thrive since being put in the starting lineup. Against Elder, he threw for 192 yards and two scores, though the Crusaders were led by fellow sophomore Juice Glover-Brown. He ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 50 seconds remaining. Senior Phil Bailey also ran for over 100 yards and the Moeller defense held Elder to a combined 4-for-10 on third and fourth down. Moeller’s final three opponents of the regular season have a combined record of 15-5, starting with Cleveland St. Ignatius.
Week 8: Moeller (5-2) at Cleveland St. Ignatius (4-3)
5. Lakota West
Previous ranking: No. 6
Week 7: Win over Middletown (35-0)
Kenyon Norman continues to be a force in the Lakota West backfield. The senior ran for 145 yards and four touchdowns against Middletown. He’s now run for at least 100 yards in every game this season and multiple touchdowns in all but one contest. Lakota West’s defense has allowed just seven points in two games since falling to Princeton. The Firebirds held Middletown to just 150 total yards and 1 of 13 on third down.
Week 8: Colerain (4-3) at Lakota West (6-1)
4. Beechwood
Previous ranking: No. 5
Week 7: Win over Walton-Verona (63-7)
Rinse and repeat for Beechwood, which remained perfect on the season after another blowout win. The Tigers have had one game decided by less than 38 points this season. That matchup came in Week 5, when the Tigers beat Covington Catholic, 42-35. In their five other matchups, Beechwood has combined to outscore its opponents, 250-10. Three of Beechwood’s final four games are on the road, but only the Tigers’ Week 8 contest against St. Henry is against a team currently with a winning record.
Week 8: Beechwood (6-0) at St. Henry (4-2)
3. Highlands
Previous ranking: No. 4
Week 7: Win over Covington Catholic (38-20)
Highlands made a big statement in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown in Week 7. Going on the road to face Covington Catholic, Highlands dominated from the opening snap when Gabe Williams made a diving interception. The Bluebirds raced out to a 17-0 lead and led 38-7 going into the fourth quarter before a pair of Covington Catholic late touchdowns. Highlands got two rushing touchdowns each from Bryce Armstrong and Colt Kremer to win its sixth consecutive game. Highlands will host Elder in Week 8.
Week 8: Elder (5-2) at Highlands (6-1)
2. Anderson
Previous ranking: No. 2
Week 7: Win over Turpin (66-21)
Another week, another game where Anderson lights up the scoreboard. The Raptors have scored at least 49 points in all six conference games thus far. Against Turpin, Anderson led 30-0 after the first quarter and had 59 points at the half as quarterback Owen Scalf combined for seven touchdowns (four passing, three rushing). Leading receiver Tysin Weaver had five catches for 171 yards and three scores while the defense got two interceptions from Antwoine Higgins. All eyes are on Anderson hosting Winton Woods in Week 9. Before that, Anderson is on the road Oct. 9 to face winless Walnut Hills.
Week 8: Anderson (6-1) at Walnut Hills (0-7)
1. Princeton
Previous ranking: No. 1
Week 7: Win over Mason (47-0)
Princeton dominated from the jump in its debut at the newly renovated Pat Mancuso Field with a shutout victory over Mason. Less than two minutes into the game, Key’Sean Torbert hit David Fields on a 50-yard touchdown and the rout was on. Torbert finished with 258 passing yards and four touchdowns, including three to star wideout Lorenzo McMullen Jr. (10 catches, 148 yards). Princeton’s defense permitted just 48 total yards. The Vikings should continue to roll when they visit Hamilton in Week 8.
Week 8: Princeton (7-0) at Hamilton (1-6)
Missed the cut: Indian Hill (5-2), Badin (5-2), North College Hill (6-0), Deer Park (7-0), Harrison (6-1), Badin (5-2), Covington Catholic (4-3), St. Xavier (3-4), Lawrenceburg (6-1), Lloyd (6-1), Hughes (7-0), St. Bernard (6-1), Holy Cross (4-2)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Week 8 Greater Cincinnati high school football power rankings
