Lima Central Catholic (LCC) has made a strong start to the football season, earning the third spot in Division VI in the first Associated Press (AP) poll of the season. The T-Birds currently hold an undefeated 4-0 record, positioning them among Ohio's top teams as determined by sportswriters across the state. This initial ranking provides an early indicator of LCC's strong performance as they continue their season.
The success extends beyond Lima, with other West Central Ohio teams also receiving significant recognition in the statewide polls. Celina High School, mirroring LCC's perfect 4-0 start, secured the third position in Division III. Further demonstrating the region's football strength, fellow Western Buckeye League (WBL) team Ottawa-Glandorf, also boasting an unblemished 4-0 record, debuted at the seventh spot in Division IV. These early season rankings highlight the competitive landscape across multiple divisions within the area.
Division VII showcased particular regional dominance in the initial AP poll. Marion Local, with a flawless 4-0 record, claimed the top overall ranking in Division VII, signaling a strong start to their campaign. Minster High School, also undefeated at 4-0, followed closely behind, securing the second position in the same division. Another area team, Leipsic, with its own 4-0 record, was ranked sixth in Division VII, rounding out a strong showing for regional squads in that division.
Beyond the top-ranked teams, several other area schools received votes from sportswriters across Ohio, indicating they are on the radar for potential future rankings in various divisions. In one grouping of "others receiving votes," local teams St. Marys Memorial garnered seven votes and Wapakoneta received four votes. Another block of recognition included Columbus Grove with 13 votes, Van Buren with seven votes, Hamler Patrick Henry with two votes, and both Delta and Mechanicsburg each with one vote. Further extending the regional presence in the statewide poll, New Bremen collected 12 votes, Ft. Loramie received nine votes, and Sycamore Mohawk was noted with seven votes in a separate listing of teams receiving consideration from sportswriters. These mentions underscore a broad base of competitive high school football programs throughout West Central Ohio in the early stages of the season, according to the Associated Press poll results.
