Ohio high school football 2026 | Ranking the final top 8 Greater Akron teams

You made it. It’s the final Greater Akron high school football power rankings and, oh, how things have changed.

Although only two teams flip-flopped from last week’s rankings, those that finished the regular season in the top eight look nothing like the preseason rankings back in August.

Here are the final rankings:

Watch Ohio High School Football Live on NFHS Network all year

1. Highland Hornets (9-1, 7-0)

Previous ranking: 1

Preseason ranking: 6

Last week: 13-10 win at No. 6 Hudson

Why Highland: The Hornets rolled through the Suburban League National Conference undefeated and won the title in their first year in the big school conference. Add the fact they’re the No. 1 seed in the Division II, Region 5 playoffs and the top spot is a no-brainer.

Last week: 13-10 win at Hudson

This week: Bye. The top-seeded Hornets play either No. 8 Painesville Riverside (8-2) or No. 9 Brecksville (6-4) at home on Nov. 6 in the Division II, Region 5 playoffs

2. Nordonia Knights (9-1, 6-1)

Previous ranking: 3

Preseason ranking: 4

Last week: 42-33 win at No. 3 Wadsworth

Why Nordonia: The Knights took down three-time reigning league champion Wadsworth last week and their only loss was by two points to No. 1 Highland. That allowed them to take a week off in the Division II, Region 5 playoffs, which is a big thing in that bracket.

This week: Bye. The third-seeded Knights play either No. 6 Eastlake North (9-1) or No. 11 Brush (6-4) at home on Nov. 6 in the Division II, Region 5 playoffs

3. Wadsworth Grizzlies (8-2, 4-2)

Previous ranking: 2

Preseason ranking: 2

Why Wadsworth: The Grizzlies lost by one to No. 1 Highland and by nine to No. 2 Nordonia. They’ve beaten eight-win Jackson and seven-win Hudson to earn a top-five seed in Division II, Region 5. Wadsworth-Highland II might happen in Week 13 if things play out right.

Last week: 42-33 loss to No. 2 Nordonia

This week: The No. 5 Grizzlies welcome No. 12 North Royalton (4-6) in the first round of the Division II, Region 5 playoffs

4. Hoban Knights (3-6)

Previous ranking: 4

Preseason ranking: 3

Why Hoban: The Knights had the chance to rest in Week 10 while other teams beat each other up. Hoban’s 30-0 win over Walsh Jesuit in Week 6 was huge. The Knights have a road game to open the Division II, Region 5 playoffs. Walsh Jesuit-Hoban II could be one week away.

Last week: Idle

This week: The No. 10 Knights travel to No. 7 Villa-Angela St. Joseph (8-2) in the first round of the Division II, Region 5 playoffs

5. Walsh Jesuit Warriors (7-2)

Previous ranking: 5

Preseason ranking: 1

Last week: 35-8 win at Trotwood-Madison

Why Walsh Jesuit: The Warriors opened the season with a 34-0 win at No. 1 Highland. They have victories over Toledo Central Catholic, which is the No. 1 seed in Division II, Region 6, and crushed Trotwood-Madison, which is No. 3 in Division II, Region 8. Enough said.

This week: Bye. The second-seeded Warriors play either No. 7 Villa Angela St. Joseph (9-1) or No. 10 Hoban (3-6) at home on Nov. 6 in the Division II, Region 5 playoffs

6. Hudson Explorers (7-3, 4-3)

Previous ranking: 6

Preseason ranking: 5

Why Hudson: The Explorers are a touchdown away from being a one-loss team, with losses by two points to No. 3 Wadsworth (24-22) and by three points to No. 1 Highland (13-10). Hudson could be a bracket buster in its first season since it moved up to Division I, Region 1.

Last week: 13-10 loss to No. 1 Highland

This week: The fifth-seeded Explorers welcome No. 12 Euclid (4-6) in the first round of the Division I, Region 1 playoffs

7. Norton Panthers (9-1, 6-1)

Previous ranking: 7

Preseason ranking: Not ranked

Last week: 42-7 win at Cloverleaf

Why Norton: The Panthers are eight points away from being undefeated this year, and it took a lot for Streetsboro to beat them 42-35 in Week 4. By the way, the Rockets are the top seed in Division IV, Region 13, so a Norton-Streetsboro could happen in Week 13.

This week: Bye. The fourth-seeded Panthers play either No. 5 West Geauga (8-2) or No. 12 Hubbard (5-5) at home on Nov. 6 in the Division II, Region 5 playoffs

8. East Dragons (9-1, 5-0)

Previous ranking: 8

Preseason ranking: Not ranked

Last week: 26-6 win over Buchtel

Why East: The Dragons rolled through the City Series and have won eight consecutive games. Their only loss came on the road to No. 2 Nordonia. Don’t be surprised if East pulls off an upset this week to set up a Week 12 game at No. 1 Streetsboro.

This week: The No. 9 Dragons travel to No. 8 Orrville (7-3) in the first round of the Division I, Region 1 playoffs

Also considered: Woodridge (8-2), Mogadore (8-2)

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio high school football 2026 | Ranking the final top 8 Greater Akron teams

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.