THE 10 BEST GAMES TO SEE IN OHIO - WEEK TWO
By Kyle Holsinger
My apologies for getting the article out late this week. The spreadsheet that I use to compile all of the data—which will be known as The Database—is being reworked to help me make these articles and properly rank these teams.
I think I’ve got closer to getting better picks for the games. I’ve listened to all of the feedback since last season.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Bulldogs defeated Pandora-Gilboa at home, 42-12; and the Eagles lost at Ottawa-Glandorf, 52-7.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 29, 2025; L-B won at CG, 41-3.
Intrigue: Columbus Grove quarterback Rylan Palte threw 6-for-9 completions for 53 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Alex Meyer in last week’s win over rival Pandora-Gilboa. Meyer had three catches for 22 yards and the one TD.
Running back Brody McCluer picked up 89 yards and a TD on 14 rushes in the contest as the Bulldogs racked up 354 yards of total offense while only giving up 200 yards on defense. Brady Basinger scored on rushes of seven and one yards respectively while Trenton Wynkoop ran it in from three yards out in the rivalry win.
On special teams, Gavin Baxter picked up a 13-yard scoop-and-score on a punt that he blocked.
Liberty-Benton QB Connor Barbara threw for 47 yards and ran for 18 yards as the senior scored the Eagles’ lone TD last week. Asher Norman ran for 21 yards on 11 touches while Nemo Arredondo caught three passes for 20 yards. Wideout Karson Griffin caught one ball for 16 yards as well.
The Eagles defense gave up 35 points in the first half last week against Ottawa-Glandorf.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Tigers beat Defiance Tinora at home, 61-0; and Eastwood won at Kenton, 28-20.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 29, 2025; Liberty Center defeated Eastwood at home, 48-14.
Intrigue: Liberty Center sophomore QB Jack Badenhop went 2-for-5 passing for 75 yards and a TD plus gaining 57 yards on five runs and two more scores in last week’s lopsided victory. Max Perry had a 35-yard scoring strike to Jaxton Lawniczak. Lawniczak also sprinted to a 54-yard TD.
All-Ohioan Garrison Kruse ran for 105 yards on five attempts—scoring on a 54-yard run. Liberty Center gained 469 yards on offense with 356 of that on the ground and 113 through the air.
Defensively, Ethan Gray had an 18-yard pick-six as the Tigers held Tinora to just 14 total yards and -14 yards on the ground.
Eastwood junior QB Brayden Luidhart went 25-for-33 passing for 260 yards and three TDs in last week’s win. His primary receiver of the night was senior Cam Schumaker. Schumaker had 10 receptions for 136 yards and two TDs while classmate Landon Weemes caught nine balls for 70 yards.
The Eagles rushing attack garnered only 46 total rushing yards with 43 of those coming from senior RB Brayden Brown.
The Eastwood defense held Kenton to 117 rushing yards.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Eagles lost at McComb, 48-14; and the Tigers won at Gibsonburg, 44-26.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 5, 2025; Seneca East beat Monroeville at home, 14-2.
Intrigue: Monroeville heads into Week 2 with high hopes after last week’s loss at McComb. Another road test this week against Seneca East will make this season’s first win a challenge. I’m interested to how the Eagles will fare in that challenge.
A win would give Monroeville a great shot at making the playoffs, but a loss doesn’t hurt their chances all too much from where they stand now.
Seneca East sophomore QB Branson Robinson complete 20-of-24 passes for 244 yards and two TDs in last week’s road win. Robinson had seven different receivers with two or more receptions last week and four receivers with three or more.
Jamison Ruffing made four receptions for 58 yards; Colten Young had four for 36; Jarrett Bame had three for 42; Jordan Siesel was three for 24; Jaron Depinet had two for 33 yards and two TDs; and Gunner Polachek had two for 26.
Senior RB Jackson Gayheart led the Tigers with 21 carries for 140 yards and three TDs plus a couple catches for 24 yards. Eli Cline added 54 yards and a TD on none rushes.
Jackson led the Tiger defense with 10 tackles a week ago—with three TFL and a forced fumble. Cline had four tackles, three TFL, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Levi Dawson had three tackles, a TFL, and an INT. Bentley Gayheart hade four tackles, two TFL, one sack, and a forced fumble and recovery.
Seneca East had four fumble recoveries and forced five total turnovers last week. The Tigers gave up all 26 points last week in the first half—holding Gibsonburg scoreless in the second.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Polar Bears defeated Mohawk at home, 30-20; and Western Reserve beat Wellington at home, 45-7.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 29, 2025; Margaretta defeated WR at home, 21-0.
Intrigue: Margaretta senior QB Robbie LaCourse completed 10-of-18 passes for 137 yards, one TD, and three INTs. LaCourse also rushed for 38 yards and a TD on seven carries.
His top receiver was classmate Kale Bailey—who had five receptions for 58 yards. Mason Reinbolt’s lone reception was a 46-yard TD.
Carter Luzader rushed for 92 yards and two TDs on 19 attempts and also had three catches for 20 yards.
Polar Bear senior defensive lineman Tyler Johnson made 15 tackles and one TFL last game. Also on the D-line is fellow classmate Landon Weyer—who had 12 tackles and two sacks.
Senior linebacker Mason Kromer had 12 tackles, two TFL, two INTs, and a deflection.. Junior LB Jace Berg had nine tackles, two TFL, and a sack.
Reinbolt had four tackles and four deflections from the defensive backfield.
Western Reserve used an explosive third quarter to get the game against Wellington out-of-reach.
Quarterback Colton Meagrow went 12-for-18 passing for 145 yards and two TDs. Meagrow’s primary target was Lucas Summerfield—who caught seven balls for 92 yards.
Landyn Wiegel had 168 rushing yards and two TDs on two touches while Cooper Roe toted the rock eight times for 65 yards and a TD.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Pirates won at Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan, 42-28; and the Chargers lost at Hamler Patrick Henry, 42-21.
Previous Meeting: First meeting.
Intrigue: Bluffton gained 436 offensive yards with 172 through the air and 264 yards on the ground while amassing 20 first downs.
Senior QB Tayte Giseige went 13-for-19 passing for 264 yards with three TDs and one pick while rushing for 101 yards and a TD on 14 touches. Lleyton Miller—Giseige’s top receiver—made six catches for 136 yards and two TDs.
The Pirates defense gave up 393 yards and 23 first downs to Benjamin Logan with 219 of it passing and 172 of it rushing.
Giseige made 15 tackles and one TFL last week to lead his team. Zayden Morales made 11 tackles. Kizer Young had nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Dylan Painter recorded eight tackles.
Edison’s playoff changes decrease dramatically with a loss to Bluffton, but a win would have them potentially looking at a home playoff game. They will need at least six wins to guarantee a postseason berth. The Chargers brutal schedule down’t let up this week.
Galion (0-1) @ Carey (0-1), Tiffin Calvert (0-1) @ Norwalk St. Paul (0-1), and Toledo Start (1-0) @ Clyde (0-1).
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Trojans defeated Medina at home, 27-7; and the Spartans beat Piqua at home, 42-13.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 29, 2025; Findlay won at Lima Senior, 17-7.
Intrigue: Findlay gained 22 first downs and 443 total yards on offense—and226 passing yards and 217 rushing yards.
Quarterback Riley Korkos threw 15-of-22 completed passes for 226 yards with three TDs and two picks. His top target was Carter Imke—who had seven receptions for 84 yards. Grayson Geiser had four catches for 72 yards.
Ramier Williams had 130 rushing yards and one TD on 13 carries.
The Trojan defense gave up 20 first downs and 358 total defensive yards—297 passing yards and 61 rushing yards.
Lima Senior freshman QB Elijah Kerber completed 33-of-44 passes for 432 yards, five TDs, and one pick. Junior Jeff Williams caught 17 balls for 234 yards while classmate Dakaden Taylor made 10 catches for 162 yards.
Senior Jayden Jones led his team with 41 rushing yards on four carries.
Spartan sophomore LB Jay’von Batts made 18 tackles. Classmate Nehemiah Ramsey made 11 tackles, four TFL, and one sack.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Arrows beat Madison at home; and the Tigers won at De Graff Riverside, 32-8.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 29, 2025; Preble Shawnee defeated Ansonia at home, 34-8.
Intrigue: Preble Shawnee senior signal caller Caleb Blankenship was 4-for-8 passing for 67 yards and two picks while also rushing for 92 yards and a TD on 16 runs.
Junior Ethan Mauller gained 126 rushing yards and two TD on 19 attempts.
The Arrows defense was led by junior Foster Jewell—who had 11 tackles, two TFL, one deflection, and one INT. Classmate Klayton Taylor made eight tackles, one TFL, a fumble recovery, and one sack. Mauller recorded eight tackles and one TFL.
Sophomore Kaiden Haddix had four tackles, three deflections, and one INT.
Ansonia senior QB Cade Shellhaas went 2-of-3 passing for 24 yards while also rushing for 63 yards and two TDs on three attempts.
Seniors Lander Shives (19 attempts, 94 rushing yards and a TD) and Jacob Schmitmeyer (9 carries, 78 rushing yards, one rushing TD; one catch for 21 yards)along with Shellhass picked up the majority of the team’s 272 rushing yards last game.
Junior RB Carson Tobe rushed for 23 yards and caught a three-yard pass.
Defensively, senior DE Oden Hoening made six tackles, two TFL, and a fumble recovery.
Senior LB Jake Pierre wrapped up a team-leading 13 tackles along with a forced fumble. Shives made 11 tackles and one TFL in the linebacking corps.
Freshman DB Austin Tobe amassed 10 tackles. Carson Tobe had nine tackles, one TFL, and a fumble recovery.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Pioneers defeated West Liberty-Salem at home, 41-10; and the Vikings beat Columbus Northland at home, 36-6.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 29, 2025; Alder defeated Columbus Academy at home, 14-12.
Intrigue: Jonathan Alder sophomore QB Drew Hughes completed 11-for-13 passing for 197 yards and four TDs in last week’s win. Hughes’ top target was junior Trey Bentley caught six balls for 107 yards and two TDs.
Christian Amann made eight rushing attempts for 132 yards and two TDs.
On the defensive side, junior Cody Yates made seven tackles, four TFL, and one sack. Bentley had 6 tackles, two TFL, an INT, and a forced fumble. Ben Petzinger wrangled six tackles, a sack, and a TFL. Luke Tubbs had four tackles and two TFL.
Columbus Academy had one of the best team performances in Division V last week against Northland. A win would pretty much guarantee a home playoff game for the Vikings, but a loss wouldn’t discount those odds too much.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Wildcats won at Milford, 35-0; and the Rockets beat Cincinnati Turpin at home, 31-10.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 28, 1994; McNicholas beat Harrison at home, 42-35.
Intrigue: Harrison senior QB Brady Lawhorn threw 17-of-22 completed passes for 360 yards and three TDs while also picking up 15 rushing yards and another TD. Lawhorn had three receivers who had four or more receptions—Colton Rehage (five catches, 67 yards); Christian Roether (four catches, 78 yards); and Kyle Davidson (four catches, 73 yards, one TD).
On defense, junior LB Issiah Taylor had seven tackles, one TFL, and one sack. Ben Markarian had two picks and one tackle.
McNicholas senior QB Evan Sandfoss connected on 14-of-21 passes for 140 yards and a TD while also rushing for 38 yards. Finn Mayer was Sandfoss’ primary receiver with three catches for 27 yards.
Junior RB Joseph Reuss carried the ball 20 times for 159 yards while Tyler Richardson had nine carries for 33 yards and three TDs.
Senior kicker Bobo Iliev drained a 40-yard field goal and went 4-for-4 on point-after-tries.
Senior DB Zack Burkhardt had seven tackles to lead the defense. Also in the defensive backfield, Jack McGhee made six tackles and a pick; and Max Orlando made two tackles and had an INT. McGhee also had two punts for 86 yards with one downed inside the 20.
Senior LB Sam Whitcomb wrapped up five tackles, a sack, a TFL, and a forced fumble.
When: Fri. Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: The Tarblooders lost at Massillon Washington, 31-18; and the Patriots lost at Lakewood St. Edward, 15-12.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 29, 2025; the Glenville beat Olentangy Liberty, 13-7.
Intrigue: Glenville had 75 yards passing and 71 yards rushing in their Week 1 loss to Massillon Washington.
LaMarques Greenwood went 4-for-14 passing for 42 yards while also rushing for 65 yards on 14 attempts. Greenwood’s primary receiver was Eniere Lemon—who caught two balls for 41 yards.
Lemon also had five punts for 212 yards—a 42.4-yard average—while putting one of those punts inside the 20.
DeAnthony Crittenden had two kick returns for 91 yards and Jaylen Edwards had two returns for 58 yards.
On defense, the Tarblooders gave up 186 passing yards and 183 rushing yards.
Jaquan Gibson had nine tackles, one TFL, and one forced fumble. Dontez Sheppard had seven tackles a TFL, and a sack. Edwards had seven tackles, two deflections, and 1.5 TFL.
Olentangy Liberty has gone 23 games without giving up 30-plus points on defense. The Patriots play one of the toughest schedules in the state. A win would give Liberty a shot at a home playoff game whereas a loss would make the odds of that happening a lot harder.
CENTRAL - Delaware Buckeye Valley (0-1) @ Columbus Africentric Early College (0-1).
EAST - Waterford (1-0) @ Caldwell (1-0).
NORTHEAST INLAND - Hudson (1-0) @ Massillon Jackson (1-0).
NORTHEAST LAKE - Aurora (1-0) @ Painesville Riverside (0-1).
NORTHWEST - Archbold (1-0) @ St. Henry (0-1).
SOUTHEAST - Vinton County (0-1) @ Bainbridge Paint Valley (0-1).
SOUTHWEST - Troy (0-1) @ Xenia (0-1).
Let’s hope for an exciting and healthy weekend!
