Area teams ranked in preseason prep football poll

Five area teams are ranked in the state preseason football poll.

The Helias Crusaders are the highest-ranked of the five, holding down the No. 2 spot in the Class 4 rankings. Helias opens the season Friday at third-ranked Harrisonville.

The Jefferson City Jays are No. 8 in the Class 6 rankings. The Jays will host McCluer North, tied for seventh in the Class 5 rankings, on Friday.

The Blair Oaks Falcons are ranked sixth in Class 2. The Falcons will host Moberly on Friday to start the season.

The Tipton Cardinals are the No. 5 squad in the Class 1 rankings. The Cardinals will open the season Friday at home against Sedalia Sacred Heart.