ASHLAND — The Arrows are favored to defend the crown.

Ashland was the overwhelming favorite to win the Ohio Cardinal Conference championship in a preseason media poll, released Monday. Writers and reporters from 14 outlets across north central Ohio took part in balloting.

The Arrows, who won the OCC title outright last year, received nine of 11 first-place votes. Lexington garnered the other two first-place votes and was picked to finish second.

Ashland has won at least a share of nine OCC titles. The Arrows won three straight OCC championships from 2015 to 2017.

New Philadelphia was picked to finished third, followed by West Holmes, Wooster, Madison and Mansfield Senior.

Wayne County Athletic League

Defending Division VII state runner-up Hillsdale was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the chase for the Wayne County Athletic League title. The Falcons received eight of 11 first-place votes.

Week 1

ASHLAND — The high school football season kicks off Friday. Here’s a look at the Week 1 schedule:

Bay at Ashland

Crestview at Seneca East

Mapleton at Loudonville

Hillsdale at Black River

Defending WCAL champ Norwayne gathered two first-place votes and was picked to finish second. Dalton claimed the other first-place vote and was picked to finish third.

Northwestern was picked to finish seventh.

Firelands Conference

St. Paul and Monroeville shared the Firelands Conference crown last fall and are atop the preseason poll.

The Flyers garnered seven first-place votes and were picked to win the title. Monroeville (three first-place votes) was picked to finish second and Western Reserve (one first-place vote) was picked to finish third.

Crestview was picked to finish fourth. Mapleton was picked to finish fifth, followed by South Central, Plymouth and New London.

Knox Morrow Athletic Conference

Danville is expected to unseat reigning champ Northmor in the chase for the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference crown.

The Blue Devils, who reached the Division VII state semifinals last fall, received seven of nine first-place votes. Northmor collected the other two first-place votes and was picked second. Fredericktown was picked to finish third, while East Knox and Centerburg tied for fourth in preseason balloting. Loudonville was picked to finish eighth.