2004 High School Football: Top 10 Programs ('94-'03)

St. Francis won the state title in 2001.

1. St. Francis, D-I/City League, 86-30 record, 7 playoffs, 1 state title (2001, D-II), 1 state semi, 7 CL titles.

2. Bellevue, D-III/Northern Ohio League, 88-24, 6 playoffs, 2 state semis, 7 NOL titles.

3. Defiance, D-II/Western Buckeye League, 83-32, 6 playoffs, 1 state title (1997, D-II), 2 regional finals, 3 WBL titles

4. Oak Harbor, D-III/Sandusky Bay Conference, 82-30, 6 playoffs, 1 semifinal, 2 SBC titles.

5. Tiffin Columbian, D-II/Northern Ohio League, 83-20, 4 playoffs, 5 NOL titles.

6. St. John s Jesuit, D-I/City League, 75-38, 5 playoffs, 1 state semi, 2 CL titles.

7. Southview, D-II/Northern Lakes League, 68-41, 3 playoffs, 1 state runner-up (1999), 4 NLL titles.

8. Findlay, D-I/Greater Buckeye Conference, 64-42 record, 2 playoffs, 1 state semi, 4 league titles.

9. Bowling Green, D-II/Northern Lakes League, 59-47 record, 5 playoffs, 5 NLL titles.

10. Central Catholic, D-II/City League, 63-45 record, 2 playoffs.

Bigger schools

St. Francis gets the nod for No. 1 here for two reasons they have played a tougher schedule, with the likes of perennial powers Cleveland St. Ignatius and Cincinnati Moeller, and have had greater playoff success. Bellevue doesn t have a state title to its credit, but has more league titles than Defiance and has the same number of playoff appearances, including two trips to the state semifinals.

Columbian might have had an edge on Oak Harbor in overall record, but the Tornadoes are 0-4 in playoff competition. With a better overall record and more playoff entries, St. John s edges Southview out for sixth, despite the Cougars four NLL titles and 1999 state runnerup finish in D-II.

1. Hardin Northern, D-VI/Blanchard Valley Conference, 102-19 record, 9 playoffs, 1 runner-up, 2 semis, 7 BVC titles.

2. Liberty Center, D-V/NWOAL, 95-22, 5 playoffs, 1 state title (1997), 1 state runner-up, 2 semis, 4 NWOAL titles.

3. Columbus Grove, D-VI/Northwest Conference, 96-23, 7 playoffs, 1 state title, 2 state semis, 5 NWC titles.

4. Patrick Henry, D-V/NWOAL, 76-30, 5 playoffs, 4 NWOAL titles.

5. Carey, D-VI/Midland Athletic League, 75-31, 4 playoffs, 1 state semi, 3 MAL titles.

6. McComb, D-VI/BVC, 73-35, 4 playoffs, 2 BVC titles

7. Tiffin Calvert, D-VI/MAL, 71-41, 5 playoffs, 4 MAL titles.

8. Woodmore, D-V/SLL, 70-37, 5 playoffs, 3 SLL titles

9. Mohawk, D-VI/MAL, 70-37, 5 playoffs, 4 MAL titles.

10. Fairview, D-V/GMC, 74-29, 2 playoffs, 4 GMC titles.

Bigger schools

St. Francis gets the nod for No. 1 here for two reasons they have played a tougher schedule, with the likes of perennial powers Cleveland St. Ignatius and Cincinnati Moeller, and have had greater playoff success. Bellevue doesn t have a state title to its credit, but has more league titles than Defiance and has the same number of playoff appearances, including two trips to the state semifinals.

Columbian might have had an edge on Oak Harbor in overall record, but the Tornadoes are 0-4 in playoff competition. With a better overall record and more playoff entries, St. John s edges Southview out for sixth, despite the Cougars four NLL titles and 1999 state runnerup finish in D-II.