Heart of Ohio Sports Observer Vol 3.9
Written by: Joshua Morgret
Twitter (x): @Joshuamorgret
Welcome back to the weekly Observer here on Heart of Ohio Sports.
Here we are already at the final two weeks of the regular season. I think there's an above average chance that all five of our teams will make the playoffs and at least a couple of them will be home in Week 11.
Columbian and Calvert got big wins last week while Hopewell-Loudon sat at home without a game. There haven't been too many home, open dates in the area over the last several years, so it felt a little odd.
There are some huge games in the area this week and the weather looks pretty good outside. Did someone say almost 80 early next week? Yes please!
Without any further babbling, here's a look at our local teams:
The Tornadoes picked up perhaps the biggest win of the teams in our area last week when they beat Bellevue, 28-14. A loss to Bellevue very well could have eliminated any possibility of a playoff game for Columbian. Against the Redmen, quarterback Zach Shawberry completed just 8-of-20 passes, but it went for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Johnny Bremyer was the big recipient of that passing with five receptions for 171 yards and both of the touchdowns. The Tornadoes were certainly a favorite over Bellevue, mostly because they have a heartbeat offensively, so that's a nice win for TC. For the season, Shawberry is 83-of-167 for 985 yards and 10 touchdowns while Bremyer has a team-high 29 receptions for 460 yards and six scores. Masen Seitz continues to lead the ground game with 104 carries for 545 yards and four TDs. Brady Bonnell adds 69 carries for 322 yards and seven touchdowns rushing for TC. Up next for Columbian is its final home game of the season against Norwalk. This is also a game the Tornadoes will be a favorite in. The Truckers have been shut out in its last four games including losses to Edison (35-0), Vermilion (21-0), Sandusky (42-0), and Perkins (49-0). What is really interesting is these two are in the same region and among the last few teams that would make the field. A win by either likely (unofficially) clinches a playoff berth.
Current playoff positioning: 16th in Division III, Region 10
Up next: vs. Norwalk (2-6)
The Senecas flexed some muscles offensively last week when Calvert took care of business against Woodmore, 51-21. The Wildcats are no slouch this season under a first-year coach, but Calvert really turned the jets on in the second half to get to a running clock. Cal Warnament had the biggest of nights, running 14 times for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Logan DeMoss first had a 99-yard touchdown reception from Tucker Coleman and then added a 97-yard kickoff return TD. Calvert actually trailed early in the second quarter, but pulled away. For the season, Coleman is 63-of-119 passing for 906 yards and seven touchdowns while Warnament is up to 154 carries for 904 yards and 11 TDs. This week, the Senecas travel to Willard to take on a struggling Crimson Flashes team that has allowed 40 or more points in each of the last six games including 56 to Hopewell-Loudon and 55 to Gibsonburg the last two weeks. Willard does like to pass, as freshman Jake Rothhaar is 135-of-226 for 1,714 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Paxton Flores leads the team with 50 receptions for 681 yards and eight TDs. Calvert should get the chance to iron out any issues before facing Hopewell-Loudon in Week 10.
Current playoff positioning: 6th in Division VII, Region 26
Up next: at Willard (2-6)
As mentioned above, while everyone played last week, the Chieftains were home on a bye week after never being able to replace Fremont St. Joseph on the schedule when SJCC went to 8-man football after last year. Coach Brian Colatruglio told me over the summer he had every intention to replace the open week, but was vehemently turned down by Ottawa Hills, a 6-1 team that also had a bye. I believe with everything I know that that would've been a tremendous game. Maybe we'll get to see it in the playoffs. Anyway, not much has gone wrong for H-L this season. The defense has allowed a total of seven points over the last three games. Offensively, Jacoby Ellis has completed 75-of-114 passes for 897 yards and seven touchdowns while Braylon Martinez has racked up 92 carries for 628 yards and 11 TDs. The top receiver for the Chieftains is Jack Colatruglio with 31 catches for 430 yards. Colatruglio also leads the defense with four interceptions while Mason Reinhart paces H-L with 58 tackles and five sacks. Hopewell-Loudon gets back on the field this week when it hosts Woodmore, a team that is coming off of a 51-21 loss at Calvert last week. Calvin Lipstraw leads Woodmore with 40-of-74 passing for 525 yards. The Wildcats really get their game going on the ground as Landon Rich has 183 yards for 1,289 yards and 14 scores. There's nothing here to tell me Hopewell-Loudon won't move to 8-0 before traveling to Calvert in Week 10.
Current playoff positioning: 1st in Division VI, Region 22
Up next: vs. Woodmore (4-3)
Speaking of taking care of business, the Tigers did just that in a 56-21 romp over Buckeye Central. You probably want to see a smidge better defense from Seneca East, but it's hard to complain in a one-sided win. That's a nice bounce back win for the Tigers after a crushing home loss to Colonel Crawford. Nicholas Parks has now completed 117-of-199 passes for 1,866 yards and 20 touchdowns. He does have 10 interceptions and that's something you want to see cleaned up a little bit too. Seneca East doesn't really have a big, breakout running game as Jackson Gayheart paces the Tigers with 76 carries for 310 yards. Taylor Young is the leading receiver with 48 catches for 804 yards and 10 touchdowns while Bryler Beamer has 38 receptions for 632 yards and five scores. Seneca East will be a massive favorite this week when it travels to winless Bucyrus. Barring a major upset, the Tigers will host Mohawk in Week 10 with a lot on the line including a possible Northern 10 Athletic Conference championship.
Current playoff positioning: 8th in Division VI, Region 22
Up next: at Bucyrus (0-8)
I hate to say I saw this coming, but with the injuries Mohawk has, a loss was bound to happen. With a 13-6 loss to Upper Sandusky last week, Mohawk, Seneca East, and Carey are all tied atop the Northern 10 Athletic Conference. The biggest thing for Mohawk is they play each of those two teams over the final two weeks of the regular season. Can the Warriors bounce back? For the season, Ben Bogner is 83-of-138 passing for 1,435 yards and 21 touchdowns while running 99 times for 675 yards and four scores. Without Kahne Hayman and Kaleb Bish, Drew Woodland has stepped up to be a top option at receiver. Woodland now has nine catches for 218 yards and three scores. Mohawk will have to find more options with its top two receivers out. They host Carey this week in the regular-season home finale before traveling to Seneca East next week. We are going to find out even more about the Warriors these two weeks than we did the first seven or eight weeks of the season. I'm curious to see if they can step up their game and win a league title on the shoulders of Bogner.
Current playoff positioning: 9th in Division VII, Region 26
Up next: vs. Carey (4-4)
This Friday, join us on the Adrenaline Stream as the Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes host the Norwalk Truckers in a battle of SBC Lake Rivals LIVE from Frost Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin. Nate Mullins will be on the call with Tommy Hall alongside Greg ‘The Wizard’ Kinn, with Austin Rodriguez on camera and Eric Hall on the sidelines bringing you every pulse-pounding moment LIVE on the pulse of the buckeye state!
Meanwhile, on the X-Stream, Dominic Helmstetter, Zack Dillon, Jacob Ellis, and Connor Roush deliver another thrilling week 9 matchup as the Mohawk Warriors host the Carey Blue Devils with both teams tied atop the BRUTAL N10 Conference standings! The X-Stream gang will bring you that one live from Warriors Field in Sycamore!
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!
These rankings are compiled from the voting tabulations of the sports writers in Ohio who cover these teams to determine a top 10 for each division. The OHSAA computer rankings, which are broken down by region, are used to determine playoff seeding.
This week's computer rankings can be found here: OHSAA COMPUTER RANKINGS
Here is the full breakdown of the OHSAA AP Poll rankings going into week 9 of the Ohio high school football season:
Division I
Rank | School | Total Points | Previous |
1. | Mentor (8) (8-0) | 139 | 1 |
2. | Cincinnati Moeller (5) (7-1) | 125 | 3 |
3. | Cincinnati Winton Woods (1) (8-0) | 114 | 2 |
4. | West Chester Lakota West (1) (7-1) | 78 | 4 |
5. | Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (7-1) | 68 | 7 |
6. | Perrysburg (7-1) | 65 | 6 |
7. | Lakewood St. Edward (5-3) | 49 | 10 |
8. | Galloway Westland (7-1) | 31 | 8 |
9. | Canton McKinley (6-2) | 29 | NR |
10. | Pickerington North (7-1) | 25 | NR |
Others receiving votes: 11, Powell Olentangy Liberty 21. 12, Hamilton 17. 13, Cincinnati St. Xavier 13. 14, Cincinnati Princeton 12. 15, Columbus Upper Arlington 8. 16, Toledo Whitmer 7. 17, Centerville 6. 18, Liberty Twp. Lakota East 5. 19, Pickerington Central 5. 20, Lorain 4. 21, Lewis Center Olentangy 3. 22, Kettering Fairmont 1.
Division II
Rank | School | Total Points | Previous |
1. | Avon (7) (8-0) | 128 | 1 |
2. | Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (5) (8-0) | 117 | 2 |
3. | Cincinnati Anderson (1) (8-0) | 113 | 3 |
4. | Medina Highland (8-0) | 76 | 4 |
5. | Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (8-0) | 68 | 5 |
6. | Wadsworth (8-0) | 56 | 6 |
(tie) | Xenia (1) (8-0) | 56 | 7 |
8. | Massillon Washington (1) (5-2) | 41 | 9 |
9. | Akron Hoban (6-2) | 38 | NR |
10. | Sunbury Big Walnut (7-1) | 25 | 8 |
Others receiving votes: 11, Ashland 22. 12, Columbus Walnut Ridge 21. 13, Lima Senior 16. 14, North Ridgeville 15. 15, Harrison 15. 16, Green 6. 17, Cincinnati La Salle 6. 18, Columbus St. Francis DeSales 5. 19, Macedonia Nordonia 1.
Division III
Rank | School | Total Points | Previous |
1. | Columbus Bishop Watterson (7) (8-0) | 133 | 1 |
2. | Toledo Central Catholic (4) (7-1) | 109 | 3 |
3. | Steubenville (1) (8-0) | 107 | 2 |
4. | Youngstown Ursuline (1) (7-1) | 84 | T8 |
5. | Aurora (8-0) | 74 | 5 |
6. | Tipp City Tippecanoe (2) (8-0) | 72 | 4 |
7. | Wapakoneta (8-0) | 55 | 6 |
8. | Dresden Tri-Valley (8-0) | 40 | T8 |
9. | Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (8-0) | 35 | 7 |
10. | Athens (8-0) | 25 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: 11, Cleveland Benedictine 19. 12, London 19. 13, Newark Licking Valley 14. 14, Bellbrook 14. 15, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph 8. 16, Granville 7. 17, Gates Mills Hawken 4. 18, Chagrin Falls Kenston 3. 19, Rocky River 2. 20, Chardon 1.
Division IV
Rank | School | Total Points | Previous |
1. | Mentor Lake Catholic (10) (8-0) | 137 | 1 |
2. | Sandusky Perkins (7-1) | 105 | 2 |
3. | Perry (1) (7-1) | 95 | 4 |
4. | Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (8-0) | 81 | 5 |
5. | Cincinnati Wyoming (3) (8-0) | 78 | 3 |
6. | Shelby (8-0) | 62 | 6 |
7. | St. Clairsville (8-0) | 51 | 9 |
8. | Ontario (8-0) | 49 | 7 |
9. | Cleveland Glenville (1) (5-3) | 45 | 8 |
10. | Clarksville Clinton-Massie (6-2) | 32 | NR |
Others receiving votes: 11, Beloit West Branch 22. 12, Germantown Valley View 20. 13, Struthers 17. 14, Streetsboro 10. 15, Vermilion 7. 16, Cincinnati Indian Hill 7. 17, New Lexington 3. 18, Chillicothe Unioto 2. 19, Lorain Clearview 1. 20, Cincinnati Taft 1.
Division V
Rank | School | Total Points | Previous |
1. | Canfield S. Range (4) (8-0) | 123 | 1 |
2. | Liberty Center (3) (8-0) | 116 | 2 |
3. | Ironton (3) (7-1) | 98 | 5 |
4. | Milan Edison (4) (8-0) | 94 | 3 |
5. | Oak Harbor (8-1) | 83 | 4 |
6. | Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (6-1) | 58 | 8 |
7. | Jamestown Greeneview (1) (8-0 ) | 53 | 6 |
8. | Barnesville (8-0) | 43 | NR |
9. | Akron Manchester (8-0) | 36 | NR |
10. | Camden Preble Shawnee (8-0 ) | 33 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: 11, Pemberville Eastwood 18. 12, Sugarcreek Garaway 16. 13, Findlay Liberty-Benton 15. 14, Gahanna Columbus Academy 11. 15, Versailles 9. 16, West Liberty-Salem 8. 17, Proctorville Fairland 6. 18, Waynesville 2. 19, Belmont Union Local 2. 20, LaGrange Keystone 1.
Division VI
Rank | School | Total Points | Previous |
1. | Kirtland (10) (8-0) | 144 | 1 |
2. | Coldwater (5) (8-0) | 138 | 2 |
3. | Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (7-0) | 107 | 3 |
4. | Bluffton (8-0) | 97 | 5 |
5. | Columbus Grandview Heights (8-0) | 92 | 4 |
6. | Galion Northmor (8-0) | 79 | 6 |
7. | West Lafayette Ridgewood (7-1) | 47 | 7 |
8. | Anna (5-3) | 25 | 9 |
9. | Hamler Patrick Henry (6-2) | 16 | NR |
10. | Andover Pymatuning Valley (7-1 ) | 14 | NR |
Others receiving votes: 11, Newcomerstown 13. 12, Huron 10. 13, Dalton 9. 14, New Middletown Springfield 8. 15, Bainbridge Paint Valley 7. 16, Cincinnati Country Day 6. 17, Beverly Fort Frye 4. 18, Toledo Ottawa Hills 3. 19, Woodsfield Monroe Central 2. 20, St. Bernard 2. 21, Waterford 1. 22, Columbia Station Columbia 1.
Division VII
Rank | School | Total Points | Previous |
1. | Maria Stein Marion Local (15) (8-0) | 150 | 1 |
2. | Columbus Grove (8-0) | 126 | 2 |
3. | Minster (7-1) | 108 | 4 |
4. | Jeromesville Hillsdale (8-0) | 88 | 3 |
5. | Monroeville (8-0) | 74 | 5 |
6. | Edon (8-0) | 55 | 6 |
7. | Berlin Center Western Reserve (7-1) | 54 | 7 |
8. | Beaver Eastern (8-0) | 25 | 8 |
9. | Malvern (7-1) | 23 | NR |
10. | Sidney Lehman (7-1) | 22 | NR |
Others receiving votes: 11, Gibsonburg 18. 12, McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 16. 13, Lima Central Catholic 12. 14, Warren John F. Kennedy 11. 15, Ansonia 10. 16, St. Henry 8. 17, New Bremen 7. 18, Ada 7. 19, Windham 3. 20, Cin. College Prep. 3. 21, Steubenville Catholic Central 2. 22, Danville 2. 23, Pandora-Gilboa 1.
Bookmark Heartofohiosports.com to stay up to date on everything sports related in the buckeye state!
We’ll start with the local games first…
The Five Best Games to See in the Area
#5 Huron (6-2) @ Clyde (5-3)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Huron lost at Vermilion, 13-10; Clyde lost at Sandusky, 22-21.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; Clyde won at Huron, 28-6.
Intrigue: Huron QB Landon Hohler has 844 passing yards with 11 TDs and 445 rushing yards with seven TDs to lead their offense this year.
The Tiger defense is led by Jackson McNulty and Paul Maloney. McNulty has 92 tackles, five sacks, one interception, and a forced fumble; and Maloney has 86 tackles and a forced fumble on the year.
Offensively, Clyde is led by Brennan Wilson, who has passed for 944 with nine TDs, rushed for 177 yards with a TD; and has 24 receiving yards with an additional TD on the season. Adam Young has rushed for 509 yards and seven TDs so far in 2024.
The Fliers look to Hector Garza, Cedric Messer, and Zander Burroughs as leaders on defense. Garza has 70 tackles, a pick, a forced fumble and recovery; Messer has 51 tackles and a forced fumble; and Burroughs has 48 tackles, a sack, and an interception this season.
#4 Vermilion (7-1) @ Milan Edison (8-0)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Vermilion beat Huron at home, 13-10; Edison defeated Port Clinton at home, 41-7.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; Edison won at Vermilion, 34-14.
Intrigue: Vermilion’s Aaron Mathis is a dual-threat QB. Mathis is 33-of-74 for 419 yards with a TD an two picks on the year while also rushing for 660 yards and 15 TDs. Evan Kuhns has rushed for 644 yards with five TDs as well having 162 receiving yards with another TD so far this season. Cohen Mooney has 416 rushing yards with five TDs.
Mooney also has 64 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception for the Sailors. Oliver Roy has 60 tackles and two interceptions on the year.
Edison’s Cy Finnen has 704 rushing yards with eight rushing TDs and an additional receiving TD on the year. Quarterback Abe Hermes has 792 passing yards with seven TDs and four picks while also rushing for 441 yards and six TDs. Bryson Wittmer has also rushed for 384 yards and seven TDs on the year.
The Chargers’ Ryder Kramb has 66 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one sack, and one interception. Finnen also has 55 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and recovery on the year.
#3 Sandusky (5-3) @ Perkins (7-1)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Sandusky beat Clyde at home, 22-21; Perkins won at Norwalk, 49-0.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; Perkins won at Sandusky, 31-14.
Intrigue: Sandusky’s Maky’Veon Lately has 481 rushing yards with seven TDs and 192 receiving yards with a TD. Jason Henlon has thrown for 960 yards with eight TDs and five picks. Henlon has also rushed for 123 yards with a couple TDs this season.
The Blue Streaks are led by Dennarius Walk, Rocco D’Amico, and Aa’ Zoryion Bonner defensively. Walk has 88 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery. D’Amico has 64 tackles and a sack. Bonner has 57 tackles, two picks, one forced fumble and recovery.
Perkins has Isaac Bunts to count on as a playmaker on offense. Bunts has 1,425 yards, 20 rushing TDs, 173 receiving yards, and two receiving TDs. Sam Schweinfurth has 1,411 passing yards with 17 TDs and four picks.
The Pirates defense is anchored by Dylan Crabtree, who has 64 tackles, two picks, and 1.5 sacks. Reagan Kaufman has 47 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and recovery.
#2 Eastwood (8-0) @ Oak Harbor (8-0)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Eastwood beat Otsego at home, 35-20; Oak Harbor beat Genoa Area at home, 38-7.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; Oak Harbor won at Eastwood, 35-21.
Intrigue: Eastwood QB Drew Luidhardt is 98-for-137 passing for 1,759 yards with 24 passing TDs, four INTs, and three rushing TDs on the season. Luidhardt’s top target is Andre Lewis, had three TD catches in five minutes in last week’s win. Lewis has 39 catches for 725 yards and 10 TDs. Kevin Lewis has 589 rushing yards for eight TDs and 97 receiving yards as well.
Sophomore RB/LB Cam Schumaker has 400 receiving yards with five TDs plus 137 rushing yards and three TDs this year. He also leads the defense with 46 tackles, three picks, two sacks, and two forced fumbles and recoveries this season.
Defensively, the Rockets only gave up 76 yards rushing and 169 passing for a total of 245 yards give up last week. They held Genoa Area to 2-of-8 on third downs and forced one turnover via interception.
#1 Ontario (8-0) @ Shelby (8-0)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Ontario defeated Marion Harding at home, 45-14; Shelby won at Clear Fork, 34-7.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; Shelby won at Ontario, 37-31.
Intrigue: Ontario’s Bodpegn Miller, a Ohio State commit, was 11-of-20 passing for 265 yards with two TDs last week. Miller also rushed for 186 yards and two TDs. Noah Poole had six receptions for 150 yards; Jon Mahon caught three passes for 111 yards and a TD; and Mason Vantilburg had 63 rushing yards and two TDs.
Shelby’s Brayden DeVito threw 22-of-30 completions for 476 passing yards and four TDs last week. Kaden Price had four receptions for 141 yards, and Brady Bowman caught seven receptions for 171 yards. Nic Eyster had five receptions for 53 yards.
Honorable Mention - Carey (4-4) @ Mohawk (6-2) and Norwalk (2-6) @ Tiffin Columbian (3-5).
The Five Best Games to See in the State
#5 Lakota East (6-2) @ Lakota West (7-1)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: East beat Sycamore at home, 56-12; West won at Oak Hill, 52-7.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 6, 2023; West won at East, 34-0.
Intrigue: East’s Jamison Kitna was 10-for-13 passing for 251 yards and three TDs last week. Jayden Seay caught four passes for 108 yards and a couple TDs, and Patrick MacFarlane had three receptions for 69 yards and a TD.
The Thunderhawks gave up 258 total yards of defense with 145 through the air and 113 on the ground. The defense was able to force a couple turnovers last week too.
West QB Sam Wiles was 10-of-14 for 171 yards and a TD in last week’s win. Wiles also rushed for 79 yards on five attempts for a TD as well. Trey Barnette had four catches for 79 yards and a TD.
The Firebird defense held Oak Hills to 133 total yards with 78 passing and 55 rushing yards. Lakota West also held their opponent to 3-of-10 third down conversions.
#4 Minster (7-1) @ Marion Local (8-0)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Minster defeated Versailles at home, 35-0; Marion Local won at Anna, 42-0.
Previous Meeting: Nov. 10, 2023; Marion Local beat Minster, 28-7 in the Region 28 semifinals at Lima Shawnee High School.
Intrigue: Minster is led by Brogan Stephey, who threw 16-of-20 completions for 213 yards, two TDs, one pick, and 64 rushing yards in last week’s win. Tyler Bergman caught four balls for 49 yards and a TD, Cole Albers had three receptions for 51 yards and a TD, and Dylan Heitkamp had three catches for 52 yards.
The Wildcat’s Conner Schmiesing had 7.5 tackles, 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks last week. The defense was able to pick off a couple passes in the victory as well.
Marion Local is currently on a 56-game winning streak. A win versus Minster would tie them for the state record for consecutive wins, held by Delphos St. John’s.
The offense gained 390 total yards. Justin Knouff was 8-of-10 for 144 yards for two TDs and he rushed for a third.
The Fliers gave up just 142 yards to Anna last week.
Side note - I was at the game where St. John’s streak ended against the Flyers on Nov. 24, 2000 in a Division VI state semifinal at Donnell Stadium in Findlay. It was unforgettable.
Minster’s coach Seth Whiting is the son of former Delphos St. John’s coach, Vic Whiting,who was part of that record-breaking win streak.
#3 Davidson (6-2) @ Olentangy Liberty (6-2)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Davidson won at Coffman, 42-14; Liberty beat Bradley at home, 37-14.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 13, 2023; Davidson beat Liberty at home, 10-6.
Intrigue: This game is to see who can stay in the Ohio Capital Conference - Central Division title. Liberty controls their own destiny with Davidson and frontrunner Olentangy Orange over the next two games.
Each of these teams need this game in order to clinch two home playoff games.
#2 St. Edward (5-3) @ Archbishop Moeller (7-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m.
Last Week: St. Edward defeated Mississauga [ON] Football North (via Clarkson SS) at home, 22-12; Moeller won at St. Ignatius, 44-0.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 14, 2023; St. Edward defeated Moeller at home, 28-21.
Intrigue: St. Edward receiver Zach Hackleman caught 11 passes for 141 yards and two TDs last week. Thomas Csanyi had 225 passing yards and three TDs. Luke Hess contributed four catches for 53 yards.
The Eagles defense only gave up 73 rushing yards and 175 passing yards for 248 total yards in last week’s victory.
Moeller QB Matt Ponatoski was 11-of-14 for 192 yards and four TDs in last week’s win. Deacon Simmons had 11 rushes for 97 yards and a TD. Matthew Fowler caught four balls for 112 yards and 2 TDs.
The Crusader defense gave up 68 passing yards and 69 rushing yards for 137 total defensive yards. They held St. Ignatius to 2-of-11 on third down conversions.
#1 Winton Woods (8-0) @ Anderson (8-0)
When: Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Winton Woods beat West Clermont at home, 12-7; Anderson won at Walnut Hills, 46-7.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 22, 2023; Anderson beat Winton Woods at home, 20-13.
Intrigue: Winton Woods has outscored opponents 239-35 this season including three shutouts and seven games holding opponents to seven points or less this year. Anderson will be the Warriors’ toughest test in the regular season.
Bryshawn Brown was 14-of-18 for 90 yards and a TD in last week’s win. Isaiah Garrett rushed for 60 yards and a TD.
The Warriors defense held West Clermont to just six first downs last week and 96 total yards of offense, all of which were on the ground.
Anderson QB Justice Burnam was 10-for-15 for 228 yards, two passing TDs and a rushing TD. Aiden McClanahan had three catches for 101 yards and a TD, Cooper Kathman had four receptions for 41 yards, and Trace Gallic caught two passes for 79 yards and a TD.
The Raptor defense held their opponent to 34 rushing yards and 143 passing yards for 177 total offensive yards last week.
Honorable Mention - Bishop Chatard [IN] (6-1) @ Elder (4-4) and McDowell [PA] (6-2) @ Steubenville (7-0).
Thanks for reading. I hope to see you next week.