It’s the fifth straight state poll title for Marion Local, which also won an outright Midwest Athletic Conference championship. The Flyers also won D-VI poll titles in 2015-16 and finished No. 1 in D-VII in 2013-14.
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Trotwood drew 17 of 23 first-place votes. The top five D-III teams all were 10-0. Trotwood was joined by Greater Western Ohio Conference members Centerville (D-I) and Sidney (D-II) in finishing among the top 10 in their respective divisions. Centerville (9-1) was No. 7 and Sidney No. 8.
“If you want to play football and it’s something you love to do, it’s the ultimate team sport,” Trotwood coach Jeff Graham said after last week’s regular-season ending 14-7 defeat of visiting Wayne. “It’s the greatest thing you can accomplish as a group. That makes me proud to have these kids and for them to buy into what we’ve been doing for the last 15 years.”
Trotwood hosts Elida (8-2) of the Western Buckeye League in a D-III, Region 12 playoff opener on Friday. The Rams were the D-III state runner-up last season and have played in seven straight state semifinals.
Alter (9-1) was No. 7 in D-III.
Marion Local had 18 first-place votes and out-pointed runner-up Kirtland. The Flyers are the defending D-VI state champs and have played for state titles the last six seasons, winning five. Marion Local hosts MAC member Fort Recovery (6-4) in a D-VI, Region 24 opener on Friday.
Coldwater, also of the MAC, was the only 7-3 team to crack a final AP top 10, tying for ninth in D-VI. It’s the sixth straight season for the MAC to have a state poll champ with Coldwater also being crowned in 2012.
MAC teams have been frequent state poll winners since 2002. That includes Marion Local seven times, Coldwater (five), Delphos St. John’s (two) and Versailles (one).
Unbeaten Valley View (10-0) had three first-place votes and placed second to No. 1 Steubenville (10-0) in D-IV. Valley View hosts Waverly (7-3) in a D-IV, Region 16 playoff opener. Clinton-Massie (9-1) and St. Marys Memorial (9-1) were ranked No. 7 and 8 in D-IV.
Greeneview (10-0) was the only area team among the D-V top 10, placing No. 5. Lehman Catholic (9-1) was No. 6 in D-VII. Other poll champs were Cleveland St. Ignatius (D-I), Avon (D-II), Pemberville Eastwood (D-V) and Norwalk St. Paul (D-VII).
Last season Alter (D-IV), Marion Local (D-VI) and Covington (D-VII) were named state poll champs.
The teams are voted on by subscribing Associated Press media members throughout the state.
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