Golden Bears, Panthers move up in Super 7 poll

Filling out the Super 7 ballot starts easily enough. Mark Pickerington Central at No. 1. From there, it has been more interesting.

This week, Upper Arlington received nine of the 11 second-place votes to replace Westerville South at that spot.

Hilliard Darby, which beat Westerville South 34-31 on Friday, moves up a spot to No. 3.

The Panthers and No. 4 Marysville received the other two second-place votes. More jostling in the poll is expected next week as the Panthers visit Hilliard Davidson, which joined the poll at No. 7. Also new to the poll is No. 6 New Albany.

Below is the poll as selected by our writers. A unanimous selection is 77 points:

1. Pickerington Central (3-0), 77 points. Last game: Defeated Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny 35-0; Next game: Sept. 10 at Pickerington North. Last week: No. 1

2. Upper Arlington (3-0), 64 points.

Def. Springboro 38-7; Next game: Sept. 10 vs. Westerville Central. Last week: No. 3

3. Hilliard Darby (3-0), 51 points. Def. Westerville South 34-31; Next game: Sept. 10 at Hilliard Davidson. Last week: No. 4

4. Marysville (2-0), 40 points. Def. Pickerington North 31-6; Next game: Sept. 10 at Hilliard Bradley. Last week: No. 6, tie

5. Hartley (2-1), 26 points. Def. Canal Winchester 48-21; Next game: Sept. 10 vs. Cleveland Benedictine. Last week: No. 5

6. New Albany (3-0), 18 points. Last game: Def. Licking Heights 45-14; Next game: Sept. 10 at Lancaster. Last week: Not ranked

7. Hilliard Davidson (3-0), 10 points. Last game: Def. Independence 20-0; Next game: Sept. 10 vs. Hilliard Darby. Last week: Not ranked

Also receiving votes: Dublin Jerome 9, Olentangy Berlin 6, Westerville South 6, Hilliard Bradley 1

Dropped out: No. 2 Westerville South, No. 6 (tie) Pickerington North

PAUL VERNON/THISWEEK Running back Carson Gresock and Upper Arlington, who moved up to No. 2 in this week's Super 7, face Westerville Central on Friday.