Heart of Ohio Sports Observer Vol 3.4
Written by: Joshua Morgret
Twitter (x): @Joshuamorgret
We're here, Week 4!
Remember how it was nice and cool and dare I say a little chilly last Friday? Those beautiful warm temperatures that I like are back! Gimme that 80 degrees at kickoff!
Anyways, I think our teams are all doing pretty solid. Seneca East is looking to get a big win this Friday at home while the other four each have at least two wins. Hopewell-Loudon is spotless, but has a massive contest against Gibsonburg.
Without any more babbling, here’s some chatter on each of our five teams.
The Tornadoes got back to their winning ways by dismantling East Cleveland Shaw, 56-0. I don’t think there was ever any doubt that Columbian would be well-positioned to win this game. But the Tornadoes took care of business in one-sided fashion, which is what you want to see happen against a team you know you’re probably just better than. Against the Cardinals, quarterback Zach Shawberry was 7-of-8 for 137 yards and four touchdowns. Johnny Bremeyer caught two of those scores while DaShawn Russell and Isaac Woessner each had one TD reception. The stats didn’t pop out against Shaw, but that’s because Columbian spread the ball around and took care of business. For the season, Shawberry is 32-of-57 for 396 yards and six touchdowns. The ground has been pretty even as Mason Seitz has 29 rushes for 143 yards while Brady Bonnell has amassed 29 attempts for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Bremeyer paces the receivers with nine catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Things get significantly tougher this week as Columbian welcomes Division III, No. 2 Bishop Watterson to Frost-Kalnow Stadium. I know what you’re thinking. “I wonder who No. 1 in Division III is then?” Good question! That would be none other than Chardon, who the Tornadoes just played two weeks ago! I told athletic director Bill Beaston that I had a pretty good feeling when the first state poll came out Tuesday that Chardon and Watterson would be 1-2 and it was spot on. Columbian also faces Division IV No. 1 Perkins and Division IV No. 9 Clyde this season. What a schedule!
Up next: vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson (3-0)
Look, not everything is going to be pretty. Sometimes you’ll take a win when you just don’t play well, but you do enough. I think that is exactly what happened last Saturday when the Senecas slugged past Norwalk St. Paul, 10-6. The offensive numbers weren’t awful by any means for Calvert. Tucker Coleman completed 11-of-22 passes for 113 yards while Cal Warnament ran 28 times for 101 yards. The problem Calvert had was finishing drives. Thankfully, the Senecas got a pair of interceptions (Logan Demoss and Nolan Lee) to thwart some of the Flyers’ drives. Through three games, Coleman has completed 27-of-47 passes for 365 yards while Warnament has racked up 340 yards on 79 carries. After scoring 28 points in its opener against Mohawk, Calvert has mustered just 19 total points the last two weeks combined. DeMoss leads the receivers with 148 yards on seven catches while John Schumacher has nine receptions for 110 yards. It’ll be a bit of a Homecoming for coach Mike Lento as the Senecas head to Lakota, where Lento coached for seven years. The Raiders are led by 23-year-old head coach Ryan Lozier. Lakota also lost to Monroeville before beating Arcadia in Week 2. For the Raiders, Jalen Wagner has completed 42-of-74 passes for 792 yards and six touchdowns while running 12 times for 132 yards and two scores. Grant Bomer paces the receiving group with 11 catches for 299 yards while Avery Schilling has 12 catches for 143 yards.
Up next: at Lakota (1-2)
Check out what Lakota head coach Ryan Lozier had to say about this matchup on the Coaches Corner from this past Tuesday:
Another week, another tough, but quality win for the Chieftains after dispatching Danville, 12-8. Danville is Division VII, but among the top teams in Region 27 and very well could be the favorite to come out of that region. That’s the second time this year H-L has won a game by five points or less. You like those early on because you figure out a lot about your team. The game was the Chieftains’ first home game this season and the schedule is favorable for Hopewell-Loudon. The Chieftains only play one road game from Aug. 30 (at Marion Pleasant) until the finale on Oct. 25 (at Calvert). That’s not a lot of travel for Hopewell-Loudon in the middle of the season. Against Danville, Jacoby Ellis was 21-of-34 for 215 yards and a touchdown while Braylon Martinez ran 17 times for 74 yards and a TD and caught the touchdown pass from Ellis among his eight receptions for 66 yards. Jack Colatruglio actually led H-L with nine catches for 87 yards. For the season, Ellis is 44-of-68 for 569 yards while Martinez has run 37 times for 172 yards. Colatruglio leads the receivers with 20 catches for 310 yards, but Martinez is a solid option with 15 catches for 182 yards. The Sandusky Bay Conference River division title very well might be on the line this week when Gibsonburg comes to town. The Golden Bears are coming off of a similar score loss to bigger Edison (12-7), but churn up yards on the ground like nobody’s business. Gibsonburg has amassed 126 rushes for 905 yards and 11 touchdowns in three games. Grant Smith has 58 carries for 339 yards and three touchdowns while Reese Walby has 41 rushes for 351 yards and five scores.
Up next: vs. Gibsonburg (2-1)
After opening the season with a nice win over top Firelands Conference team Ashland Crestview, things have gone south for the Tigers. Seneca East has been torched for 92 points the last two weeks combined, meaning the defense has struggled majorly. The Tigers have allowed 747 yards rushing this season, which is second-worst in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference The 1,001 yards total Seneca East has given up is also second-worst in the league. Things have got to turn around in quick order if the Tigers want to be a playoff team this year and compete for the league title. Through three games, quarterback Nicholas Parks has completed 44-of-71 passes for 711 yards and nine touchdowns while Taylor Young is the leading rusher with 16 carries for 127 yards. The two-headed monster of Bryler Beamer and Young out wide continues to be huge for Seneca East. Beamer has 19 catches for 306 yards and four TDs while Young has caught 14 passes for 242 yards and three scores. The good news for the Tigers is they are back at home this week as they host Wynford, a team that just got its first win last week over Western Reserve. It is the Royals that have allowed the most yards defensively (1,068) through three games this season among N10 teams. Getting a win could be huge for the Tigers as they face Carey and Colonel Crawford in two of the next three weeks. Falling to 1-3 could spell doom for Seneca East’s chances of making the playoffs for the 10th straight year under Ed Phillips.
Up next: vs. Wynford (1-2)
On the other end of the spectrum in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, the Warriors have been super impressive since a one-point loss to Tiffin Calvert in Week 1. Mohawk has bounced back with huge wins over Cardington-Lincoln (54-6) and Margaretta (36-14). The biggest thing for the Warriors this season has been the defense. Mohawk is second in the league in total yards allowed and rushing yards allowed. Coach Eric Daniel talked to me a few times about this team being physical and tough and it has shown in all three weeks this year. One of the other big stats that jumps out with the Warriors is the lack of turnovers. Mohawk has committed just one turnover this season and that was a discombobulated trick play in Week 1 that resulted in a fumble. Quarterback Ben Bogner is 40-of-59 for 677 yards and nine touchdowns while running 33 times for 196 yards. Kahne Hayman continues to shine as the top receiver in the league, catching 23 passes for 435 yards and six touchdowns. Those two have been absolutely solid for the Warriors this year. For as well as things have gone so far for Mohawk, business picks up quite a bit this week as the Warriors travel to Division VI, No. 10 Colonel Crawford. The Eagles have been not only the best defensive team in the league so far, but also the best offensive team through three games. Colonel Crawford has allowed a total of 344 yards across three games while amassing 1,377 yards itself. The Eagles rely a bit more on the running game, leading the league with 808 yards on 82 carries with 15 touchdowns and zero fumbles. Connor McMichael tops the Eagles with 26 carries for 379 yards and six touchdowns. Through the air, Peyton Baker is 13-of-21 for 336 yards and four touchdowns. Whether Mohawk comes home with a win or not, it will be favored in the next two games with contests against Bucyrus (0-3) and Buckeye Central (1-2). Worst-case scenario, Mohawk should be 4-2 after six games with a trip to Wynford to open October.
Up next: at Colonel Crawford (3-0)
This Friday, join us on the Adrenaline Stream as the Lakota Raiders host the Tiffin Calvert Senecas in a battle of two SBC River Rivals with some homecoming flavor included as former coach Mike Lento makes his return to Raiders Field in Kansas. 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 pulse-pounding moment LIVE from Raiders Field in Kansas!
Meanwhile, on the X-Stream, Dominic Helmstetter, Zack Dillon, Jacob Ellis, and Connor Roush deliver another thrilling week 4 matchup as the Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes face off against the Bishop Watterson Eagles 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!
By Kyle Holsinger
The following are the five best high school football games played by schools within the Heart of Ohio Sports coverage area and the five best games throughout the state. This will be a weekly article that come out on Mondays.
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.
We’ll start with the local games first…
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Bucyrus lost at Cardington-Lincoln, 46-8; Buckeye Central won at Fairport Harding, 21-14.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; Buckeye Central won 55-14.
Intrigue: Although last year was a blowout. This year looks to be more competitive. This is the best shot each team has for the remainder of the season to get a victory.
Bucyrus’ Demaris Munn-Page scored on a 70-yard fumble return and then ran in the two-point conversion to have the Redmen’s only points last Friday. Munn-Page had 14 rushes for 37 yards in the contest.
Buckeye Central’s Jack Phillips had a rushing TD, two passing TDs, and an interception for the Bucks.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: St. Francis beat Brother Rice [Bloomfield Hills, MI] at home, 49-28; Clyde won at Waite, 42-0.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 19, 2022; Clyde beat St. Francis at home, 22-18.
Intrigue: St. Francis had been one of the most improved teams in the state so far this year. After going 1-9 last season, the Knights have already notched two victories only three weeks into the season. They also need every victory they can get if they want to get a postseason berth this season.
Clyde has 538 yards passing after three games. Senior QB Brennan Wilson leads the way, completing 25-of-37 passes for 339 yards and six TDs.
Five different receivers for Clyde have five or more catches for 70+ yards on the year so the Fliers’ air assault has multiple weapons to whom they get the ball. Junior RB Adam Young has rushed 33 times for 192 yards with three TDs to lead the Clyde rushing attack.
Hector Garza is the Fliers' leading tackler with 24.5 tackles and a sack.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Watterson beat Westerville North at home, 41-6; Tiffin Columbian beat Shaw at home, 56-0.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 8, 2023; Bishop Watterson beat Tiffin Columbian at home, 33-14.
Intrigue: Watterson is performing at an extremely high quality and doing it against an incredibly tough schedule to boot. They’ve outscored their opponents 106-6.
Zach Shawberry leads Columbian in passing, going 32-of-57 for 396 yards, six TDs, and two INTs. Johnny Bremyer has nine receptions for 128 yards and three TDs.
The rushing workload is shared equally between Masen Seitz and Brady Bonnell. They each have carried the ball 29 times, Seitz for 143 yards and Bonnell for 136 yards and three TDs.
Jack Newlove leads the Tornado defense in tackles with 17.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Gibsonburg lost at Milan Edison, 12-7; Hopewell-Loudon beat Danville at home, 12-8.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 8, 2023; Hopewell-Loudon won at Gibsonburg, 26-7.
Intrigue: Gibsonburg’s Reese Walby and Grant Smith are the top performers on offense. Walby has rushed for 351 yards, passed for 39, and has 35 receiving yards as well with five TDs. Smith has rushed 339 yards and 3 TDs.
Defensively, the Golden Bears’ top playmakers are Antonio Salazar, Luke Foster, and Walby. Salazar has 27 tackles and an INT; Foster 17 tackles, a sack, and two fumble recoveries; and Walby 20 tackles and four INTs on the season.
Hopewell-Loudon has a dual-QB system with Jacoby Ellis passing for 569 yards, three TDs, and an INT; and Kellen Frankart whose thrown for 117 yards, rushed for 101, and has 38 receiving yards. Braylon Martinez has 172 yards rushing and 182 yards receiving with six total TDs.
The Chieftains defense is led by Mason Reinhart, who has 25 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. Will Nutter has 24 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Brayden Brickman has 20 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery; and Jack Colatruglio has 18 tackles and two INTs for H-L in 2024.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Harvest Prep won at Ashland Blazer [KY], 26-10; Perkins won at Rocky River, 49-0.
Previous Meeting: first meeting.
Intrigue: This is one of the top games in the state this weekend.
Harvest Prep has beaten some stiff competition so far as they play one of the toughest schedules in Division V. The Warriors will likely face their toughest competition this week. They’ll need a win Friday if they’d like to qualify for two home games in the postseason.
Perkins QB Sam Schweinfurth is 27-of-39 for 383 yards, four TDs, and one pick. Isaac Bunts leads the team in rushing with 275 yards and seven TDs. Braylon Collier has 10 catches for 130 yards and three TDs, and Brady Legando has four catches for 102 yards and a TD.
Honorable Mention - Calvert (2-1) @ Lakota (1-2) … Coach Lento back to his old stomping grounds.
Wynford (1-2) @ Seneca East (1-2) … bonus pick this week because of the reduction from top ten to top five. I just think this’ll be a close game.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Manchester won at Marlington, 40-0; Northwest beat Louisville at home, 35-28.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 8, 2023; Northwest won at Manchester, 42-21.
Intrigue: Manchester was 1-9 last season, and have rattled off three straight wins to start 2024. There’s a good shot the Panthers will make the playoffs, but if they want to get a home game then they’re going to have to win this one.
Northwest QB Chase Badger threw for 268 yards and four TDs while rushing for a fifth TD last week.
This is one of the tougher opponents either team will face in the regular season.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Harvest Prep won at Ashland Blazer [KY], 26-10; Perkins won at Rocky River, 49-0.
Previous Meeting: first meeting.
Intrigue: This is one of the top games in the state this weekend.
Harvest Prep has beaten some stiff competition so far as they play one of the toughest schedules in Division V. The Warriors will likely face their toughest competition this week. They’ll need a win Friday if they’d like to qualify for two home games in the postseason.
Perkins QB Sam Schweinfurth is 27-of-39 for 383 yards, four TDs, and one pick. Isaac Bunts leads the team in rushing with 275 yards and seven TDs. Braylon Collier has 10 catches for 130 yards and three TDs, and Brady Legando has four catches for 102 yards and a TD.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Olmsted Falls beat Canfield at home, 35-6; North Ridgeville beat North Royalton at home, 31-0.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 8, 2023; North Ridgeville won at Olmsted Falls, 10-3.
Intrigue: Olmsted Falls RB Owen Singleton rushed for 101 yards on 13 attempts and three TDs in last week’s win.
North Ridgeville has outscored their opponents, 128-13, after three weeks. The Rangers defense held North Royalton to 69 total yards and created five turnovers last week.
If the Rangers want any shot at getting two home playoff games then they will need to beat the Bulldogs on Friday.
When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m.
Last Week: Elder beat Springboro at home, 30-6; St. Edward lost at home to Boyle County [KY], 38-21.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 9, 2023; St. Edward won at Elder, 34-33.
Intrigue: Elder QB Kaden Estep has completed 32-of-46 passes for 341 yards with fours TD and an INT this year. Estep also has 121 yards rushing. Joey Thamann had 160 total offensive yards and two TDs last week. Christoper Paff has 10 catches for 138 yards and two TDs in 2024.
Defensively, Joey DiTullio had two INTs and a fumble recovery for the Panthers.
DiTulliohas 16 tackles on the season. Senior OLB George Guidugli leads the defense with 34 tackles, and Maddox Arnold has 28 tackles and two sacks.
St. Edward RB Brandon White had 69 yards rushing to leads his team in last week’s defeat.
Their defense has given up 42 points over the last two weeks, but after last week’s home defeat. The Eagles will be wanting nothing more than to get back to their winning ways on Saturday.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Liberty beat Gahanna Lincoln at home, 31-0; Berlin beat New Albany at home, 40-14.
Previous Meeting: Berlin won at Liberty in overtime, 24-17.
Intrigue: Liberty has outscored their first three opponents, 83-13. A win against their crosstown rival could help set up a deep playoff run.
If Berlin wants two home playoff games then a win Friday is essential to that goal.
There’s also a chance for a rematch in the postseason between these two teams. It should be a good one.
Honorable Mention - St. Ignatius (1-2) @ Walsh Jesuit (3-0) and Chesapeake (3-0) @ Dawson-Bryant (2-1) … both should be great games.
