Written by: Joshua Morgret
Twitter (x): @Joshuamorgret
What an exciting opening week of high school football. If you were not at Frost-Kalnow Stadium on Thursday or Friday, you missed out! I was there Thursday as Calvert picked up an exciting, down to the final play win over Mohawk. Friday, Columbian showed it still has plenty of gas in the tank with a solid win over a big Fremont Ross squad. More on those both in a minute.
We all say it and we know it’s coming, but these 10 weeks or so will fly by. I love this beautiful weather we have. That seems to bring the fans out and make the environment even more exciting. Make sure you take a Friday night and get out and support the local communities. I’m sure they will love seeing the stands packed to the brim!
Without any more babbling…
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here when I say a lot of us questioned whether Columbian would be the same with who the Tornadoes lost from last year’s senior class. But I think a lot of questions were answered last Friday as Columbian overcame a second-half deficit to top Fremont Ross, 27-11. It sounds like the Tornadoes simply wore Ross down and took advantage to pick up a nice win in Week 1. At quarterback, Zach Shawberry completed 12-of-21 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns while Brady Bonnell ran 18 times for 104 yards and two scores. Masen Seitz added 13 rushes for 87 yards. Johnny Bremyer led the receivers with five catches for 58 yards and a TD while Jack Newlove caught four passes for 46 yards and the other touchdown. DaShawn Russell paced the defense with 10 tackles. Up next is a road contest against Chardon, who Columbian topped in probably the game of the year last season, 50-49. Chardon is coming off of a 29-7 road win over Timber Creek in Florida. This will be a tough one for the Tornadoes.
Up next: at Chardon (1-0)
Speaking of big wins, Mike Lento got win No. 1 out of the way by topping Mohawk, 28-27. It didn’t come easy as the Senecas had the ball near the Mohawk redzone and the Warriors had no timeouts. A Calvert fumble gave Mohawk new life and the Warriors nearly converted with a Hail Mary pass to Kahne Hayman, but he was tackled before the miracle arrived. I’m sure that raised Lento’s heartbeat just a bit. But a win is a win. Tucker Coleman was 8-of-9 passing for 137 yards and two touchdowns while Cal Warnement ran 27 times for 117 yards for Calvert. Up next is a serious challenge for Calvert as it hosts Monroeville, who toppled Lakota, 45-13. The Eagles went from 0-10 in 2022 to a seven-win, playoff team last year. Monroeville picked five interceptions in the win over Lakota and is led by reigning Division VII Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Benfer, who is also the quarterback for the Eagles. I was there last year when Calvert won quite the contest against Monroeville, 35-34 in overtime.
Up next: vs. Monroeville (1-0)
Hopewell-Loudon had a combination of the two schools above in picking up a big win after the graduation of some big-name talent. The Chieftains went to Carey and came home with a 27-22 win after a Braylon Martinez touchdown catch in the final 30 seconds of the game. That’s a big win for coach Brian Colatruglio to kick off the season. Jacoby Ellis completed 16-of-22 passes for 210 yards while Martinez hauled in six catches for 114 yards. Kellen Frankart completed 3-of-5 passes for 39 yards and led the team with 14 rushes for 34 yards. Martinez ran just five times for 12 yards. I think that means there is a lot of moving pieces for Hopewell-Loudon and it’ll be interesting to see where the chips fall over the next few weeks. Another tough road test awaits for the Chieftains with a trip to Marion Pleasant this week. The Spartans enter after a dominating 44-0 win at North Union in Week 1. The Chieftains don’t get to open their home field until Week 3 against Danville.
Up next: at Marion Pleasant (1-0)
The trend continued for our local teams as Seneca East traveled to Ashland Crestview and dominated the Cougars to the tune of a 35-20 win. Nicholas Parks stepped in at quarterback after the graduation of Blake Foos and completed 16-of-28 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. I think that’s pretty good. Taylor Young led the receiving group with eight catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns while Bryler Beamer caught four balls for 106 yards. Seneca East got up over 100 yards on the ground, but it wasn’t a huge game rushing. Crestview is expected to compete at the top of the Firelands Conference, so the Tigers might continue to rack up playoff points with the Week 1 win. Seneca East gets its first home game of the season when it welcomes Gibsonburg, who opened the season with a 26-7 win over Ottawa Hills. The Golden Bears racked up 317 yards rushing on 40 carries with three scores. Reese Walby led the way with 15 carries for 167 yards and two touchdowns while Grant Smith added 15 attempts for 89 yards. I’ve been telling people for a while to watch out for this Gibsonburg team. It was a young team last year that went 4-1 in the second half of the season. This contest in Attica should be a dandy – although it might be over by 8:45 if both teams keep the ball inbounds.
Up next: vs. Gibsonburg (1-0)
Man, what a tough loss for Mohawk last week. I didn’t think the Warriors could lose any tougher than they did last year (14-12 home loss, Mohawk called for a penalty on what would’ve been a go-ahead touchdown), but it was dang close last Thursday. As mentioned above, it looked like Calvert was going to run out the clock and probably could’ve just taken a knee, but Mohawk took the opportunity to strip the ball and give itself life. Ben Bogner and Kayne Hayman were so good for the Warriors last week and they nearly got a miracle on the final play of the game, but instead, it was the frustration of defeat. Bogner completed 12-of-19 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns while running 14 times for 57 yards. Hayman hauled in nine passes for 202 yards for Mohawk. The Warriors get their first home game of the season when they welcome in Cardington-Lincoln, a team that slipped by Elgin, 26-22 in Week 1. I’m curious to see if Mohawk can play at that high level again and get a win this week before hosting Margaretta in Week 3.
Up next: vs. Cardington-Lincoln (1-0)
Bookmark this site, because this Friday night you can tune in right here on HeartOfOhioSports.com for LIVE high school football action on the Pulse of the Buckeye State!
HeartOfOhioSports.com is your home for LIVE streaming high school football!
This Friday, join us on the Adrenaline Stream as Tiffin Calvert takes on Monroeville in a battle of two unbeaten teams. Nate Mullins will be on the call with Tommy Hall, alongside Greg ‘The Wizard’ Kinn in the press box and Eric Hall on the sidelines, bringing you every moment LIVE from Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin!
Meanwhile, on the X-Stream, Dominic Helmstetter, Jacob Ellis, and Connor Roush deliver another thrilling week 2 matchup as the Seneca East Tigers face off against the Gibsonburg Golden Bears—LIVE from Tigers Stadium in Attica!
To catch all the action, head over to HeartOfOhioSports.com, click on the ‘WATCH LIVE’ tab, and enjoy both games paywall-free from the comfort of your home on your smart TV. Of course, you can always take the games with you wherever you go on your smartphone or tablet. Your home for live sports in the Buckeye State is HeartOfOhioSports.com!
#5 Sandusky Perkins (1-0) @ Parma Padua Franciscan (1-0)
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Unknown.
Last Week: Perkins defeated Clear Fork at home, 55-0; Padua Franciscan won at Alliance, 34-6.
Intrigue: Perkins held Clear Fork to 37 total yards last week. After that dominating performance last week, the Pirates will get more of a contest from the Bruins. Perkins has one of the toughest schedules in Division IV this year with the majority of the teams on their opponents likely playing in Week 11.
This is one of the biggest games in the state as both teams look to make deep playoff runs.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Galion beat Wynford at home, 49-13; Carey lost to Hopewell-Loudon at home, 27-22.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 25, 2023, Galion beat Carey at home, 21-14.
Intrigue: This was a hard fought game last year. After Carey’s tough loss last week, they’ll be itching to get into the win column this year. However, I feel that the Tigers are an even better team than Hopewell-Loudon. That doesn’t mean that Carey can’t win this game. They’re just going to have to bring their A-game. Both of these teams are gunning for two home playoff games this season, and the points earned from this win could help clinch that opportunity in late October.
Carey’s Eli Steen ran for 138 yards and two TDs against Hopewell-Loudon last week.
Galion dual-threat QB Braxton Prosser threw for 131 yards and two TDs while also running for two TDs as well. Running back Jacob Chambers ran for 129 yards and three TDs in the Tigers’ victory last Friday.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Columbus Grove beat Pandora-Gilboa at home, 35-7; Liberty-Benton won at Ottawa-Glandorf, 34-6.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 25, 2023, Columbus Grove won at home against L-B, 24-14.
Intrigue: This is likely the toughest game on either team’s schedule this year, and one of the biggest games in the state this week.
Both teams dominated last week. Columbus Grove hopes to repeat as victors on Friday as well as hoist another regional championship trophy late in the season. They’ll be battle-tested with one of the toughest schedules in Division VII.
Bulldog running back Trenton Barraza rushed for 100 yards (all in the first half) against P-G in week one.
This will be a great one to watch!
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Tiffin Columbian beat Fremont Ross at home, 27-11; Chardon won at Orlando [FL] Timber Creek, 29-7.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 25, 2023, Tiffin Columbian edged Chardon, 50-49, at home.
Intrigue: This game went down to the wire last year. Chardon is also primed to make another run at a regional title again this year. This is easily one of the biggest games in the state this week. This will likely be the Tornadoes toughest opponent of the regular season.
Rushing duo Brady Bonnell and Masen Seitz combined for 194 yards rushing last week for Tiffin Columbian.
Chardon has a rushing duo of their own with Vinnie Columbi rushing for three TDs, and Caleb Hewitt going over the century mark rushing in the contest.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Hopewell-Loudon won at Carey, 27-22; Pleasant won at North Union, 44-0.
Intrigue: Pleasant performed phenomenal last week. Hopewell-Loudon wasn’t perfect in week one, but they got the job done against a top-tier program in NW Ohio and Division VI. The Spartans may even be more of a challenge for the Chieftains than the Blue Devils were.
H-L’s Braylon Martinez was the spark plug for the Chieftain’s offensive engine against Carey last week. He had over 200 all-purpose yards and two total TDs (including the go-ahead TD with 17 seconds remaining).
There’s a chance that both of these teams represent NW Ohio in the state semifinals this season.
Honorable Mention - Gibsonburg (1-0) @ Seneca East (1-0)…Two local teams started their season off right, but only one can go to 2-0.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 8 p.m.
Last Week: Hamilton beat crosstown-rival Badin on the road, 15-0; Lakota West won at home against St. Xavier, 17-13.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 20, 2023; Lakota West won at Hamilton, 42-14.
Intrigue: Hamilton avenged last season’s loss and ended Badin’s 38-game regular season winning streak last week. Running back Gracen Goldsmith rushed for 95 yards and two TDs for the Big Blue.
This is likely the toughest opponent on Hamilton’s schedule.
Lakota West QB Sam Wiles was 8-of-16 for 105 yards passing with an additional 82 yards rushing against St. X last week. Grant Beerman, a Purdue-commit, had 13 tackles.
The Firebirds are poised for a deep playoff run, and this game will help decide if they’re the ‘real deal’ or not as far as Region 4 title contenders go.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: McKinley won at home against Warren Harding 26-19; Avon beat Cleveland St. Ignatius, 41-21, at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 25, 2023; Avon won at McKinley, 28-7.
Intrigue: McKinley senior RB Nino Hill had 28 carries for 161 yards and two TDs against Warren Harding.
Aside from rival Massillon in Week 10, this is likely the Bulldogs’ toughest opponent this year.
Avon gained 432 total yards on offense last week. Senior QB Nolan Good, a three-star recruit committed to Kent State, completed 14-of-22 passes for 197 yards and rushed for 64 yards as well. Junior RB Cam Wendell rushed for 93 yards as well in the victory. Senior All-Ohioan Matt Maxey had six catches for 80 yards.
The Eagles are looking to make a run at the Division II state title this year. Their very tough schedule has them potentially getting two home playoff games with a 7-3 record or better.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Kings beat Cincinnati Sycamore at home, 42-7; Winton Woods won at Springfield, 16-6.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 29, 2023; Winton Woods beat Kings at home, 13-12.
Intrigue: Winton Woods blocked the first two punts their special teams faced last week. The first one gave them two points for a safety, and the next gave them seven as they recovered the ball and scored.
The Warriors defense only gave up 130 yards in Week 1.
Winton Woods and Kings are both looking to make a run to the Region 8 title and beyond. This could be a preview of the title game.
Kings had 627 offensive yards last week. They rushed for 364 yards and the remaining 263 were through the air.
With defense like Winton Woods and offense like Kings: something is going to have to give.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Whitmer beat Dublin Coffman at home, 42-14; and Toledo Central Catholic bested Findlay at home, 54-21.
Previous Meeting: Central Catholic beat Whitmer on the road, 35-8.
Intrigue: Central Catholic gained over 500 yards offensively against Findlay, and scored on each of its offensive possessions in the game. Senior RB Tyler Morgan rushed for 141 yards and two TDs in the winning effort.
The Fighting Irish are currently on a 32-game winning streak and back-to-back state championship seasons.
Whitmer QB Brady Ford completed 12-for-16 passes and 2 TDs in their blowout of Coffman.
The Panthers are looking to make a deep playoff run themselves in Region 1.
This is likely the toughest matchup each will face in the regular season.
When: Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Glenville went on the road and beat Upper Arlington, 6-0; Liberty defeated crosstown-rival Olentangy, 28-0.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 25, 2023; Glenville won at Liberty, 34-10.
Intrigue: Glenville have won back-to-back state titles, and are looking to make it a three-peat.
The Tarblooders lone TD was Jaylen Edwards’ 37-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.
Liberty senior QB Andrew Leonard, a three-year starter, had 171 total yards and two total TDs against his school’s rival. Senior WR Christian Moulton had two catches for 111 yards and a TD.
The Patriots are gunning for a Region 3 title this year, and a matchup with Glenville is a great way to prepare for a deep playoff run. This is the toughest opponent on Liberty’s schedule.
Honorable Mention - Mentor (1-0) @ St. Ignatius (0-1)…two rivals in NE Ohio going at it again. A lot of history between these two teams, and it can go either way.
The season is still early. With the OHSAA expanding the playoffs a few years back, the make-or-break importance of winning these early matchups isn't as dire as it was before to a school's playoff hopes. That being said, these games are still just as good and are still important in the playoff picture in regards to seeding for home games.
I recommend catching one of these games this weekend. I hope to see you back next week, and thank you for reading.
Top 5 written by Kyle Holsinger, taken from his weekly Top 10 best games to see articles on heartofohiosports.com. CLICK HERE to find the 10 best games to see in Seneca County or CLICK HERE to find the 10 best games to see in Ohio.
