TOP OF THE CROP

Football

1: Kirtland 2: Chardon 3: Mentor 4: Benedictine 5: Kenston 6: Euclid 7: South 8: West Geauga 9: NDCL 10: Lake Catholic

Watch List: Perry, Riverside, VASJ, Mayfield, North Crop comments: Kirtland deserves credit locally for what it has done in recent years — no matter what division the Hornets are in. Kirtland comes into this season with the fourthlongest winning streak in America (41games) and has looked strong in scrimmages against Division I Strongsville, Division II North and Division III Poland. Kirtland gets the nod at No. 1to start this year . ... Going on eyetest of the preseason, as well as returners from last year’s state teams, reigning Division III state champ Chardon gets the call at No. 2over Division I state final four Mentor. The Hilltoppers graduated a lot, but they’ve looked big, physical and tough in the preseason . ... Mentor’s first three games — Canton McKinley, St. Ignatius, St. Edward — are tougher than anyone else’s in Ohio . ... Benedictine isn’t as big up front as it was last year, but the Bengals have big playmakers who

will carry them . ... Kenston opens at No. 5 with a ton of experience and motivation after a subpar 2020 . ... Euclid has a brutal schedule this year, but Claishon Ivory & Co. have big goals as usual. The Panthers open at No. 6 . ... South is ascending in the Western Reserve Conference. The Rebels have experience at QB (Colin Quinlan) and speed to burn with Tyrone Singleton and Ira Sampson. ... No. 8West Geauga has a lot back, too, and is going to vie for a CVC Chagrin title behind QB Danny Stewart and a physical offensive line. ... No. 9 NDCL is impressive, especially on defense. It’s going to be difficult to throw on the defensive backfield the Lions return . ... Lake graduated a ton, but the Cougars take the No. 10 spot with the high upside of their young players.