The 2022 season saw three teams from Mahoning County — Lowellville, South Range and Valley Christian – post undefeated regular season records.

Lowellville is one of four Mahoning County schools with a perfect 4-0 record heading into the fifth week of the season. Joining the Rockets are Poland, Jackson-Milton and Ursuline.

Lowellville will take a 16-game regular season winning streak into week five. The Rockets’ four wins have come against opponents that own a combined record of 1-15. The schedule gets tougher from here, as Lowellville’s remaining six opponents are a combined 17-7

Poland hasn’t enjoyed an undefeated season since 1999, when the Bulldogs went 15-0 en route to a Division III state title. The ‘Dogs have followed a path similar to Lowellville, in that their four wins have come against opponents that are a combined 2-14. And like the Rockets, Poland’s remaining opponents are a combined 17-7.

Dating back to 1948, Jackson-Milton has never logged an undefeated season. The Blue Jays remained perfect this season with a 23-20 last-second win at Mineral Ridge, handing the Rams their first loss of the season. The Blue Jays host McDonald (3-1) on Friday. They travel to Lowellville on Oct. 6.

Ursuline last went undefeated in 2010. The Irish were 10-0 in the regular season, then won five postseason games leading to a Division V state title. The Irish (D-III) will play three consecutive DII opponents beginning with Friday’s home game against Warren G. Harding.

Trumbull County hasn’t had a 10-0 finish since McDonald accomplished the feat in 2018. The streak will continue for at least one more year as no Trumbull County school managed to get through the first four weeks without a loss.

Mineral Ridge, McDonald, Hubbard and Lakeview all suffered their first loss over the weekend after starting out 3-0.

Statewide, 101 of the 701 football-playing schools are 4-0. Four others are 3-0, while Cleveland John F. Kennedy owns a 2-0 record.

MAHONING’S MIGHT

After bringing home a pair of state titles in 2022, Mahoning County continues to flex its muscles in ’23.

In addition to the four undefeated teams, there are five schools in Mahoning County that currently own a 3-1 record. The 17 county schools own a combined record of 43-24.

On the flip side, Columbiana County has struggled out of the gate. Six of the 11 schools are 0-4. There is no middle ground either. Along with United’s 4-0 record, East Liverpool, Southern, Beaver Local and Lisbon are all 3-1.

In Trumbull County, six schools are 3-1. Niles, Lakeview, Mineral Ridge, McDonald, Newton Falls and Hubbard are all on a tear to begin the season. Meanwhile, Howland, Champion and Mathews are all seeking their first win.

TURNING THE CORNER

Four area schools – Western Reserve, Lakeview, McDonald and Newton Falls – have already equaled their win totals from a year ago. All four schools finished the 2022 season with a 3-7 record.

Niles has also surpassed its 2-8 record of a year ago.

While none of the six schools were able to reach the playoffs last season, that will likely change come November.

According to fantastic50.net — a website that tracks playoff probabilities — Western Reserve is a “near lock” to advance to the postseason. Niles, Lakeview and McDonald are all listed as “strong contenders,” with all having a better than ninety percent chance of playing beyond week 10.

Newton Falls is ranked 11th in its region and is considered a “contender” for the playoffs.

448 of the 701 football-playing schools in Ohio will qualify for the playoffs this season. Sixteen schools from each of the 28 regions (seven divisions) will qualify, with the top eight in each region hosting a first-round game.

The OHSAA football playoffs began in 1972 when just 12 teams qualified for a two-round tournament which crowned three state champions.