OHIO — After four weeks of play, the Ohio High School Athletic Association released its first weekly computer poll of the 2021 season on Tuesday. 

As expected, a number of defending state champions were at or near the top of their region’s respective rankings. 

Division I 2020 state champion Cincinnati St. Xavier is second in the Region 4 poll behind crosstown rival Moeller. Last year’s Division II champ Archbishop Hoban, which is officially 2-1 since its season opener against Bishop Sycamore was considered an exhibition, was No. 7 in its region. 

Chardon, last year’s Division III winner, is third in Region 9 behind Chagrin Falls and Stubenville. Van Wert, last year’s Division IV winner, Kirtland, the 2020 Division V champ, and last year’s Division VI winner, Coldwater, are tops in their respective regions. 

Division VII 2020 champs New Bremen, which had its first loss of the season last week to Coldwater, is fifth in its region. 

Besides St. Xavier, Medina, Marysville and Hilliard Darby are leading their respective regions in Division I. St. Xavier tops the Ohio Associated Press poll in Division I, ahead of No. 2-ranked Lakewood St. Edward, Medina, Moeller and Springfield. 

The top 16 teams in each region will make the state playoffs. The computer rankings will be updated weekly through Oct. 24. 

A full list of the Week 5 rankings are available on the OHSAA website. 

The weekly Associated Press poll is available on the AP website.