Heart of Ohio Sports Observer is back for week 3 of high school football.
A majority of our teams that won in Week 1 lost in Week 2 and vice versa. The only undefeated team is Hopewell-Loudon while each of our five teams have won at least one game.
There are some big games in our area and some interesting matchups like H-L vs. Danville and Calvert vs. St. Paul this week. Get out there and support the local kids and enjoy a game (or two?)!
Without any more babbling, here’s some chatter on each of our five teams.
Tiffin Columbian (1-1): We knew the challenge was large for Columbian taking a trip to Chardon and it was just as tough as expected. The Tornadoes lost 42-0 to a team that was state semifinalists last year. Not a lot went right for Columbian, but the good news is that its just one game out of 10. Zach Shawberry completed 13-of-28 passes for 118 yards and two interceptions at Chardon, but he was great in Week 1 against Fremont Ross. Columbian ran a total of 21 times for 49 yards against Chardon while Daelan Brandeberry caught six passes for 40 yards. For the season, Shawberry has completed 25-of-49 passes for 259 yards while Masen Seitz has rushed 23 times for 123 yards. Brady Bonnell has added 25 carries for 110 yards. More good news for the Tornadoes is they return home to face East Cleveland Shaw on Friday. The Cardinals have been outscored 87-13 in their first two games, so it sure looks like Columbian can get back on the winning track. After Shaw, the Tornadoes host Columbus Bishop Watterson (Division III state finalists last year) and travel to Huron before opening league play in a few weeks.
Up next: vs. East Cleveland Shaw (0-2)
Tiffin Calvert (1-1): Another tough task was dealt to Calvert last week when it hosted Monroeville. The Senecas played tough, but ultimately came up short, 23-9. Monroeville is no joke. In my travels, I’ve watched them numerous teams and you can’t tell it was a team that went 0-10 in 2022. The Eagles improved to 7-4 last year, making the playoffs, and have topped Lakota and Calvert already this year. Against Monroeville, Tucker Coleman was 8-of-16 for 113 yards and two interceptions (that’s seven interceptions in two games for Monroeville). Cal Warnament ran 24 times for 100 yards and Calvert’s lone touchdown. Through two games, Coleman is 16-of-25 for 252 yards while Warnament has tallied 51 carries for 239 yards. After two home games to start the season, Calvert hits the road for the first time and it’ll be three straight weeks with trips to St. Paul, Lakota, and Gibsonburg. First up is a Saturday game at Norwalk St. Paul. The Flyers have a new coach in Chris Doughty and they’re struggling. St. Paul has been outscored 79-2 in its first two games. Calvert doesn’t have a home Friday game again until October 11.
Up next: Saturday at Norwalk St. Paul (0-2)
Hopewell-Loudon (2-0): The lone undefeated team in our area is Hopewell-Loudon, who has been ultra-impressive through two games. The Chieftains picked up another nice road win when it topped bigger Marion Pleasant, 36-15. Against Pleasant, it was Jacoby Ellis that got a majority of the snaps at quarterback, completing 7-of-12 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. That score went to Jack Colatruglio, who hauled in six passes for 158 yards. Braylon Martinez was showcased at running back a lot more than Week 1, rushing 15 times for 86 yards and two TDs. Colatruglio also had a defensive touchdown for H-L. The Chieftains finally open home play this Friday in what should be another tremendous matchup against Danville. The Blue Devils lost in a Division VII regional final last year, finishing 13-1. It’s early, but Danville is atop Division VII, Region 27 while Hopewell-Loudon is atop Division VI, Region 22. High quality contest and kudos to both coaches for making this happen.
Up next: vs. Danville (2-0)
Seneca East (1-1): After a really nice win in Week 1 at Ashland Crestview, Seneca East was brought back down to reality, giving up 56 points in a loss to Gibsonburg. I’ll again take this opportunity to say I think there’s a good chance Gibsonburg wins the Sandusky Bay Conference River division, but getting gashed for 56 points may be a major concern for Seneca East. Almost all of Gibsonburg’s offense came on the ground as the Golden Bears ran 48 times for 408 yards and seven touchdowns. Seneca East won’t be able to allow that – not only this week – but also when league play starts soon. For the season, Nicholas Parks has completed 32-of-48 passes for 529 yards and seven touchdowns while Jackson Gayheart leads the rushing attack with 29 carries for 112 yards. Bryler Beamer has 13 receptions for 220 yards and Taylor Young adds 10 catches for 167 yards. Beamer and Young each have two touchdown receptions. Up next is the aforementioned Monroeville squad, led by reigning Division VII Defensive Player of the Year Evan Benfer, who is also the quarterback. Again, the Eagles have already nabbed seven interceptions across two games. Seneca East will have to be very careful and very precise in the passing game.
Up next: at Monroeville (2-0)
Mohawk (1-1): I think the team in our area that played best last week was Mohawk, who stomped Cardington-Lincoln, 54-6. Cardington-Lincoln had a win in Week 1, but the Warriors took out some frustration after a close loss to Calvert in Week 1 themselves. Coach Eric Daniel told me he was curious how his team would respond after the loss to Calvert and they seemed to have done it in a positive way. Through two games, Ben Bogner has completed 23-of-33 passes for 411 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. Kaden Bish leads the team with 123 yards on the ground on 20 rushes while Bogner adds 114 yards on 22 attempts. The top receiver by far has been Kahne Hayman, who has caught 13 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns. Mohawk looks to keep it rolling this week when it hosts winless Margaretta. I actually saw the Polar Bears last Friday in a 42-14 loss at Western Reserve. Margaretta’s starting quarterback, Judah Keller, was out, but Jake Bouy played well in his place. The biggest problem for Margaretta was its defense. Western Reserve quarterback Hayden Keith completed 13-of-16 passes for 335 yards and six touchdowns. Mohawk has to be chomping at the bit to play that defense this week.
Up next: vs. Margaretta (0-2)
This Friday, join us on the Adrenaline Stream as Hopewell-Loudon takes on Danville in a battle of two unbeaten teams who stand atop their regions in their respective divisions. 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 Chieftains Stadium in Bascom!
Meanwhile, on the X-Stream, Dominic Helmstetter, Zack Dillon, and Jacob Ellis deliver another thrilling week 3 matchup as the Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes face off against the East Cleveland Shaw Cardinals LIVE from Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin!
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!
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Gibsonburg won at Seneca East, 56-34; Milan Edison won at Norwalk St. Paul, 41-2.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 1, 2023; Edison won at Gibsonburg, 42-6.
Intrigue: Gibsonburg ran for 394 yards last week with sophomores Grant Smith and Reece Walby running for 195 and 134 yards, respectively.
The Golden Bear defense gave up 396 total yards, but did force four turnovers in Week 2. Walby had two interceptions to help the cause.
Edison downed the Flyers last week, gaining 320 offensive yards with 145 through the air and 175 on the ground for a fairly balanced attack.
The Chargers defense gave up only 5 passing yards and 114 total yards on defense.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Danville won at Utica, 24-14; Hopewell-Loudon won at Pleasant, 36-15.
Previous Meeting: First meeting.
Intrigue: Danville senior QB Jacob Hackman is 13-of-22 for 175 yards, one TD, and one INT on the season. Hackman also has 123 yards rushing on the year. Senior RB Aiden Burke has 305 yards rushing and three TDs so far in 2024. Freshman RB Cyren Wallace has 87 return, 55 rushing, and 12 receiving yards to be a top contributor to his team.
The Blue Devils defense is lead by senior MLB Joshua Byers, who has 27 tackles on the year. Blake Colopy has 17 tackles with 2 TFL for the Danville D.
Hopewell-Loudon’s Braylon Martinez is an all-around spark for his team’s offensive attack. Martinez has 188 kick return yards, 116 receiving yards, 98 rushing yards, and he’s 7-for-7 on PAT kicks. Quarterback Jacoby Ellis has thrown 23-of-34 passes complete for 354 yards, two TDs, and one INT. Jack Colatruglio has caught 11 balls for 223 yards and a TD. Kellen Frankart adds 65 passing, 46 rushing, and four receiving yards to his team’s offensive cause.
The Chieftains defense is led by Mason Reinhart, who 22 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble so far in 2024. Colatruglio leads the team with two INTs.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Perkins won at Parma Padua Franciscan 35-0; Rocky River won at Cleveland John Marshall, 42-14.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 1, 2023; Perkins beat Rocky River at home, 59-28.
Intrigue: Battle of the Pirates!
Perkins’ Isaac Bunts has ran for 275 yards and seven TDs with 67 receiving yards in just two games. Quarterback Sam Schweinfurth is 27-of-39 for 383 yards, four TDs, and one INT. Braylon Collier has 10 receptions for 130 yards with three TDs. Collier is also averaging 43 yards per punt this season.
The Pirate defense hasn’t given up a single point and has only given up 94 yards total after two games this season. As a unit, they Perkins defense has had five interceptions so far.
After throwing five passing TDs last week, Rocky River junior QB Ryan Taylor is 33-of-46 passing for 457 yards with eight TDs and one INT. Taylor also has 74 yards rushing and a rushing TD to boot. Junior RB Joey Disalvo leads the team in rushing with 105 yards on 18 attempts. Senior WR Cameron Bulkowski has 13 catches for 187 yards and 3 TDs. Senior Josh Mommers has six receptions for 92 yards and two TDs.
Defensively, Mommers leads the team with 16 tackles, one TFL Ben Kuhnen has eleven tackles and two TFLs.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Southview won at Toledo Waite, 41-6; Findlay lost to Lima Senior at home, 35-31.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 1, 2023; Findlay won at Southview, 49-14.
Intrigue: Southview gained 335 yards in Week 2, 249 of which were on the ground. The Cougars were only in a third down scenario on offense thrice the entire game. They did give up two fumbles however.
The Cougars defense only gave up 66 rushing yards to Waite last week, and has only given up six points all season.
Findlay’s Israeal Moore 141 receiving yards, 51 rushing yards, and a 93-yard kick-six to give a jolt to the offense in the Post-Montgomery era.
The Trojan defense gave up a touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining last week to come up short. I think they will be sufficiently motivated to do better in Week 3.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: L-B lost at home to Columbus Grove, 42-14; McComb won at Convoy Crestview, 31-14.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 20, 2023; Liberty-Benton beat McComb at home, 44-22.
Intrigue: Liberty-Benton’s Zach Elchert rushed for 72 yards while also catching a TD pass in last week’s defeat.
The Eagles defense gave up TDs on each of it’s first five possessions in Week 2.
McComb QB Grady Schroeder threw a couple TD passes and ran for a TD against Convoy Crestview last week. Brayden Shoop had 26 rushing attempts for 108 yards and a TD.
The Panther defense only gave up 66 rushing yards in last week’s win.
Welcome to Tiffin, Cardinals.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Milford won at Walnut Hills, 38-0; Winton Woods beat Kings at home, 19-5.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 6, 2023; Milford won at Winton Woods, 3-0.
Intrigue: Milford sophomore Jordan Davis ran the ball 13 times for 139 yards and 2 TDs in last week’s dominating win. Senior Caden Bailey had three catches for 111 yards and two TDs. Senior QB Luke Brand was 9-of-12 passing for 187 yards and 2 TDs before being substituted out last Friday. Brand is averaging 225.5 passing yards per game while throwing six TDs (five of those to Bailey) and zero picks so far this year.
Eagle senior LB Christian Felix leads the defense with 12 tackles and two fumble recoveries on the year.
Winton Woods’ defense has scored more points than its given up after two games. Senior LB Landen Anderson already has 13 total tackles, three TFLs, a sack, three pass deflections, and two INTs (one of which was a 60-yard pick six last week) under his belt this year. Delan Massey-Wright has 10 tackles, three TFLs, and a sack; and sophomore DE Jaylen Mercer has 10 tackles, two sacks, and two TFLs already in the 2024 campaign. Senior DE and Alabama commit Justin Hill and senior LB Erick Morris have each had nine tackles, two sacks, and two TFLs, respectively.
The Warrior offense is led by junior QB Bryshawn Brown. Brown has completed 10-of-27 passes for 85 yards, a TD (as well as rushed for a TD) and an INT. Senior RB Tyler Gooding (64 rushing and 22 receiving yards) and sophomore RB Isaiah Garrett (58 rushing and 2 receiving yards) both pitch-in on the offensive workload in the backfield.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Gahanna Lincoln lost to Groveport-Madison at home, 8-7; Liberty beat Glenville at home, 24-13.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 1, 2023; Gahanna Lincoln beat Olentangy Liberty at home, 46-28.
Intrigue: Gahanna Lincoln senior RBs Jayden Gwynn (35 carries, 150 yards, one TD) and Avion Brown (16 carries, 113 yards, two TDs) are a tandem in the backfield. Senior QB Brennen Ward has completed 19-of-28 passes for 170 yards, one TD, and two INTs.
The Lion defense has only given up 18 points this season against two solid opponents.
Liberty senior RB Jake Struck had three TDs against Glenville last week.
The Patriots defense held Glenville to 199 yards, only giving up 120 in the air and 79 on the ground to the Tarblooders while forcing a fumble and interception.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Kirtland won at Ashland Crestview, 42-6; Perry won at Euclid, 42-0.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 1, 2023; Perry won at Kirtland, 24-6.
Intrigue: Kirtland’s Jake LaVerde had 199 rushing yards on five attempts and two TDs, and also threw for two TDs last week. LaVerde has 540 rushing yards after two weeks of play this season.
Perry ran for 223 yards last week against Euclid, and threw for 108 yards.
The Pirate defense held Euclid to only 155 yards last week, 75 yards passing and 80 yards rushing.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Lakota West beat Hamilton at home, 31-0; Princeton won at Sycamore, 52-0.
Previous Meeting: Nov. 10, 2023; Lakota West beat Princeton in the Region 4 semifinals at Mason’s Atrium Stadium, 19-7
Intrigue: Lakota West senior QB Sam Wiles has completed 17-of-32 passes for 241 yards, three passing TDs, one INT, 109 rushing yards and three rushing TDs. Sophomore RB Kenyon Norman has 93 receiving and 78 rushing yards, junior RB Braydon Johnson has 60 rushing and 47 receiving yards as additional weapons in the Firebird offensive arsenal.
Princeton junior QB De’angelo Birch has completed 27-of-41 passes this season for 321 yards, four TDs, and no picks as well as a couple rushing scores. Senior RB Teryntino Brown-Freeman has rushed for 111 yards on 11 carries and a TD, gained 81 return yards, and also has 30 receiving yards on the year. Junior TE Landen Miree had eight receptions, 129 yards, and three TDs after two games.
Senior LB Paul Nelson leads the Vikings in tackles with 14, one TFL, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Junior LB Andre Parker has 12 tackles and three TFLs so far this year.
When: Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Glenville lost at Olentangy Liberty 23-14; Avon beat Canton McKinley at home, 21-14.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 1, 2023; Avon beat Glenville at home, 24-16.
Intrigue: As I had said previously, Glenville wasn’t able to get much going offensively against a tough Olentangy Liberty team.
Their defense gave up 265 yards with 147 of them passing and 118 rushing in last week’s defeat.
Avon racked 332 yards against Canton McKinley in Week 2. Kent State commit QB Nolan Good was 14-of-25 for 264 yards, two TDs, and three INTs. Wide receivers Matt Maxey had 10 receptions for 168 yards, and Grant Barr had five receptions for 94 yards last week.
The Eagles defense held McKinley to 212 total yards last week.
Honorable Mention - Garaway @ West Muskingum and Boyle County, KY @ Lakewood St. Edward’s
I recommend attending one of these games this weekend. Thank you for reading. I'll see you next week!
Top 5 written by Kyle Holsinger, taken from his weekly Top 10 best games to see articles on heartofohiosports.com. The games are picked through a combination of analysis, rankings, competitiveness, and statistics. If you’d like us to cover your region, please contact us at heartofohiosports.com. Any recruiting rankings are from 247sports.com.
