THE BEST GAMES TO SEE IN OHIO - WEEK 9
By Kyle Holsinger
Lots of great games this week. A lot of conference titles are up for grabs still throughout the area and state.
THE FIVE BEST GAMES TO SEE IN THE AREA
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Panthers won at Otsego, 35-20; and the Rockets won at Millbury Lake, 42-8.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 13, 2024; OH won at Maumee, 56-17.
Intrigue: Northern Buckeye Conference showdown with Maumee and Eastwood (6-2 overall, 4-1 NBC) tied for second place, sitting one game behind conference leader Genoa (7-1, 5-0). Oak Harbor is fourth in the league standings with a 3-2 NBC record.
Maumee’s Ben Kubicz was 13-for-20 passing for 244 yards and two touchdowns. His top target was Eli Dodson—who had five catches for 114 yards and a TD.
Travis Garrett rushed 17 times for 98 yards and one TD in last week’s win, and Cohen Jones had 15 rushes for 64 yards and a couple TDs.
The Panther defense gave up 238 yards rushing and 98 yards passing last week to Otsego for 336 total offensive yards given up.
Oak Harbor’s Blake Nickel scored three rushing TDs as well as completed a pass on a two-point conversion a week ago. Matthew Hubans also had an eight-yard rushing TD. Quarterback Brendan Porath threw a six-yard TD pass to Wyatt Augsburger.
The Rockets average giving up 23 points per game this year. Their only win against a team with a winning record is week three’s 35-20 home victory over Port Clinton (5-3).
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Wildcats won at Bowling Green, 19-3; and the Little Giants won at Holland Springfield, 48-14.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 27, 2024; Ross beat Napoleon at home, 26-20.
Intrigue: Northern Lakes League Cardinal Division matchup with Napoleon sitting at 3-0 in the division, and Fremont Ross at 2-0. The winner controls their own destiny for a league title.
Napoleon’s Hayden Groll ran for 148 yards, George Eggers had 101 rushing yards, and QB Kelby Parsons ran for 63 yards last week.
The Napoleon defense gave up only 40 rushing yards in the game.
Ross opened the season with two wins against Columbian and Sandusky (1-7) before losing three straight to the likes of Perrysburg (7-1), Whitmer (7-1), and Findlay (5-3). Since then, they’ve won three straight road games against Scott (2-6), Sylvania Southview (1-7), and Holland Springfield (3-5).
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Fliers defeated Sandusky at home, 40-7; and Columbian lost to Bellevue at home, 21-14.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 4, 2024; Clyde defeated TC at home, 33-14.
Intrigue: Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division matchup with Columbian 2-0 in division play, and Clyde 1-1. Perkins currently sits at 3-0.
Clyde’s Johnathan Lantz is 125-of-206 passing for 1,394 yards, seven TDs, and 10 INTs to go with 173 rushing yards and three TDs this year.. Dekin Crockett has 28 catches for 341 yards and two TDs; and three different receivers have 24 catches: Mason Flewelling, Hunter Thomas, and Aric Kauble. Adam Young has 585 rushing yards with nine TDs.
The Fliers’ defense is led by Hector Garza—has 82 tackles, three sacks, and one INT this season. Curtis Dick has 63 tackles and five sacks, and Linkin Mullins has 44 tackles and a forced fumble and recovery.
Columbian’s Logan Gooding has completed 106-of-180 passes for 1,479 yards, 15 TDs, and two picks. Gooding’s top target is Johnny Bremyer. Bremyer has 39 catches for 646 yards and seven TDs. The rushing attack is even shared by Brock Siesel and Mason Seitz—who have 255 yards and four TDs, and 252 yards and three TDs respectively.
The Tornado defense is led by Jayce Arias. Arias has 74 tackles, two sacks, two INTs, and two fumble recoveries. Neven Neuman has 54 tackles and four sacks, and Luke Kerschner has 19 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season.
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Chargers lost at Port Clinton, 21-17; and the Sailors won at Huron, 28-21.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 18, 2024; Edison beat Vermilion at home, 17-0.
Intrigue: The SBC Bay Division is up-for-grabs with four of the five teams having one league loss going into the final two weeks. The SBC Bay title will be sorted out on the field in several games like this one.
Edison’s Cole Leimeister is 71-for-115 passing for 882 yards, eight TDs, and five INTs in 2025. His favorite receiver is Coltyn Meagrow—who has 24 receptions for 372 yards, and two TDs. The rushing attack has four different running backs with at least 230 yards rushing. Bryson Wittmer leads with 461 yards and 10 TDs; Caden Clere has 379 yards with three TDs; Ryder Kramb has 356 yards and two TDs; and Leimeister has 231 yards and three TDs.
Defensively for the Chargers, Kramb leads the team with 76 tackles to go with three sacks and a fumble recovery. Clere leads the team with five sacks and 49 tackles. Leimeister leads the team with two interceptions this season along with 37 tackles.
Vermilion’s Evan Kuhns has 1,384 rushing yards and 15 TDs on 131 carries. Drake Hooks is 51-of-110 passing for 725 yards, six TDs, and seven INTs. Brock Meyers is Hooks’ favorite target with 18 catches, 349 yards, and two TDs.
The Sailors’ Daniel Roy has 77 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble to lead the team this year. Aiden Kyser has made 60 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two INTs, and two forced fumbles and recoveries. James Bengele has 63 tackles, an INT, and a forced fumble.
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Warriors won at Upper Sandusky, 31-6; and the Blue Devils beat Colonel Crawford at home, 24-14.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 18, 2024; Mohawk defeated Carey at home, 27-14.
Intrigue: Carey is the only undefeated team remaining in Northern 10 Athletic Conference play. Mohawk and Colonel Crawford sit one game back. If Carey wins, they control their own destiny for an outright N10 title. A Mohawk win will open up the possibility of a three-way tie between the three schools previously mentioned.
Mohawk QB Andon Clouse is 68-for-102 passing for 1,261 yards, 14 TDs, and one pick so far this year. Clouse is also second on the team in rushing with 680 yards and nine TDs. Clouse’s top targets are Brant Kirian and Levi Tiell. Kirian has 30 receptions for 515 yards and six TDs; and Tiell has 19 receptions for 494 yards and five TDs. The team’s leading rusher is Kaden Bish with 940 yards and 17 TDs on 94 carries.
On defense, the Warriors’ leading tackler is Owen Patrizi with 85 tackles, 5.5 TFL, two forced fumbles, a sack, and a fumble recovery this year. Bish leads the team in sacks (4) and TFL (17.5) along with 27 tackles and a forced fumble. Clouse has 24 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and a team-leading three interceptions.
Carey's Mace and Dash Puckett have 771 rushing yards with four TDs and 646 yards with six rushing TDs this season respectively. Quarterback Tripp Phoenix is 29-of-59 passing for 462 yards, six TDs, two INTs along with 169 rushing yards with four TDs. Bostyn Ritter is Phoenix's top target with eight catches, 212 yards, and three TDs.
Defensively, the Blue Devils' Puckett brothers lead the team in tackles with Mace having 79 tackles, 14 TFL, and a forced fumble; and Dash making 73 tackles, 18 TFL, four sacks, and an interception this year. Carter Bame has 58 tackles, 18 TFL, three sacks, and a forced fumble and recovery. Lucas Smith-Hayward (14 tackles, one TFL, one FR) is tied with Phoenix (15 tackles, one FR) for a team-leading two INTs.
HONORABLE MENTION: Huron (3-5) @ Perkins (5-3); Waynesfield-Goshen (5-3) @ Ridgedale (4-4); and Bellevue (5-3) @ Port Clinton (5-3).
THE FIVE BEST GAMES TO SEE IN THE STATE
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Vikings defeated Massillon Perry at home, 35-21; and the Blue Streaks lost at Canton McKinley, 24-21.
Previous Meeting: Nov. 1, Lake beat Hoover at home, 28-0, in a Region 5 first round game.
Intrigue: Federal League showdown. Hoover is tied with Massillon Jackson—sitting a game behind Canton McKinley while Lake is in fourth place a game back from them.
Hoover had rattled off six straight wins before losing the last two weeks in heartbreaking fashion: a 40-37 home loss to Massillon Jackson then losing at Canton McKinley, 24-21. Their wins are quality though: a 5-3 South Range, 4-4 Boardman, 7-1 Rocky River, 4-4 Massillon Perry, 1-7 Canton GlenOak, and 5-2 Canal Fulton Northwest.
Lake’s Davis Matson rushed for 105 yards and two TDs on 20 attempts in last week’s loss at McKinley. Quarterback Alex Quior was 11-for-26 passing for 154 yards, one TD, and three INTs. Zach Novak caught three balls for 65 yards, and Chase Fuller had 43 receiving yards and a TD on three receptions.
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Raptors beat Walnut Hills at home, 53-16; and the Warriors won at West Clermont, 35-0.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 18, 2024; Anderson defeated Winton Woods at home, 31-17.
Intrigue: Eastern Cincinnati Conference showdown with Anderson sitting atop the standings at 7-0 with Kings and Winton Woods tied for second at 6-1.
Anderson QB Owen Scalf completed 20-of-25 passes for 282 yards and a rushing and passing TD in last week’s dominating win. Jeremiah Glenn came in and was 4-for-8 passing for 48 yards and a TD as well as 83 rushing yards and a TD.
Wideouts Brayden Moore grabbed seven receptions for 81 yards, and Cooper Kathman had three catches for 78 yards and a TD. Five different receivers for Anderson had at least three receptions in the win.
Defensively, the Raptors’ Jonathan Jackson Jr. had eight tackles a week ago. Junior defensive end Braylon Coleman had five tackles and a sack; and Xander Hargis had five tackles and an INT.
Winton Woods’ Bryshawn Brown completed 12-of-13 passes for 242 yards, four TDs, and no picks in their victory against West Clermont. Backup Josiah Jones then came in and was 3-for-3 for 22 yards and a TD.
Their top receivers were Jon’ir Travis and Jachal Dubois. Travis had seven receptions for 158 yards and four TDs, and Dubois caught three balls for 50 yards and a TD. Zephaniah Smith led the team in rushing with 44 yards.
The Warriors’ leading tackler last week was Jayvion McKinney-Cooper with five talkies, two TFL, and a sack. Kehyon Roberts had four tackles, two sacks, and one TFL. Ka’Ronn Daugherty had three tackles and a pass deflection.
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Bucks defeated Normandy at home, 42-0; and the Pirates won at Westlake, 43-13.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 18, 2024; Buckeye beat Rocky River at home, 55-0.
Intrigue: Cleveland West Conference’s two remaining undefeated teams going at it with the nearest teams, Valley Forge and Bay, sitting two games back from them.
Buckeye’s Liam Phillips carried the rock 14 times for 192 yards and two TDs last week along with one catch for 14 yards. Dolata completed 6-of-9 passes for 83 yards and two TDs. Snyderburn had three catches for 49 yards and two TDs.
Defensively, the Bucks gave up only eight first downs; 62 rushing yards and 71 passings yard for 133 total yards given up.
Rocky River’s Ryan Taylor is 80-of-110 passing for 1,419 yards, 15 TDs, and two picks. Taylor also leads the team in rushing with 380 yards and eight TDs. Their top receiver is Tristin Hughes with 36 receptions for 749 yards and 12 TDs.
Pirate senior Jeff Maslar leads the defense with 47 tackles, six TFL, two sacks, two INTs, and a forced fumble. Steven McHenry has 21 tackles, seven TFL, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble and recovery; and Jackson Greear has 31 tackles, six TFL, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, three pass breakups, and a blocked field goal.
When: Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Panthers won at Red Lion [PA], 56-18; and the Knights beat Glenville at home, 12-9.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 18, 2024; Hoban won at Central York, 41-7.
Intrigue: Central York QB Brooklyn Nace has completed 124-of-161 passes for 1,920 yards, 25 TDs, and ZERO PICKS. Nace also had 211 rushing yards with two TDs. Legend Johnson leads the team with 91 rushing attempts for 786 yards and 14 TDs. Brendan Smith leads the team with 45 catches, 767 yards, and 12 receiving TDs.
The Panthers’ leading tackler is Josh Bahr with 54 total tackles, four TFL, three INTs, three PBUs, and a blocked PAT. Colin Gurley has 37 tackles, 11 TFL, four sacks, and two deflections.Dwayne Morgan has 29 tackles, four TFL, four INTs, four deflections, two blocked PATs, a forced fumble, and a sack.
Hoban’s Brayton Feister took a snap in wildcat formation, and ran it 99 yards for a decisive TD last week versus Glenville. Feister ended with 18 carries, 187 rushing yards, and the TD.
The Knight defense gave up 32 rushing yards, and 140 passing yards for 172 total yards given up to one of the premier teams in Ohio and the nation.
Hoban has beaten some quality opponents, and their lone loss is the a great Archbishop Spalding squad out of Maryland. Their coming off of back-to-back wins against Walsh Jesuit and Glenville.
When: Sat., Oct. 18 at 3 p.m.
Last Week: The Crusaders beat St. Ignatius at home, 42-10; and the Eagles defeated Mississauga [ON] Clarkson Football North at home, 42-23.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 19, 2024; Moeller defeated St. Edward at home, 35-30.
Intrigue: Moeller’s Matt Ponatoski completed 15-of-20 passes for 259 yards and five TDs a week ago. Reggie Watson caught eight passes for 109 yards and two TDs. Greylo Coach led the team with 51 rushing yards.
St. Edward’s Jonny Evanchick was 12-of-13 passing for 155 yards last week. Evanchick’s top receiver was Zach Hackleman—who had five receptions for 100 yards. Brandon White had 22 attempts for 128 rushing yards.
Aside from the one-score loss to Massillon Washington, the Eagles have dominated all of their opponents.
The Crusaders’ defense was led last week by Cuozzo Conner with seven tackles and a TFL. Grant Emery made six tackles, and Jacke Schuckman had five tackles and a pass deflection.
HONORABLE MENTION:
EAST: Coal City [WV] Independence (6-0) vs. Barnesville (7-1) @ Marietta College’s Don Drumm Stadium;
CENTRAL: Olentangy Orange (8-0) @ Hilliard Bradley (4-4);
NORTHEAST INLAND: Columbiana Crestview (8-0) @ Garretsville Garfield (7-1);
NORTHEAST LAKE: St. Xavier (6-2) @ St. Ignatius (1-7);
NORTHWEST: Marion Local (8-0) @ Minster (5-3);
SOUTHEAST: Notre Dame (7-1) @ Symmes Valley (7-1);
SOUTHWEST: Archbishop Alter (6-2) @ Badin (8-0);
BONUS: Springfield (5-3) @ Fairmont (3-5); Springboro (5-3) @ Centerville (3-5); Tri-Village (8-0) @ Preble Shawnee (8-0); and Troy (7-1) @ Tippecanoe (8-0).
