THE 10 BEST GAMES TO SEE IN OHIO - WEEK 7
By Kyle Holsinger
I read your comments and tweaked the analytics a bit. Now, the metrics are 40% competitiveness, 20% rankings, 20% combined wins, and 20% college prospects. I personally think watching some D-I prospects balling out makes for a great game—even if the game doesn’t end up close. If games ending with slim point differential is your preference then I’ll give y’all what you want. Enjoy!
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Clear Fork beat Marion Harding at home, 31-7; Shelby won at Caledonia River Valley, 42-0.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 11, 2024; Shelby won at Clear Fork, 34-7.
Intrigue: Winner will take sole possession of first place in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.
Clear Fork quarterback Marcus Hoeflich went 5-for-13 passing for 143 yards and two touchdowns with 57 rushing yard last week. Nash Evans, Hoeflich’s favorite receiver, had three catches for 126 yards and two TDs.
Hoeflich also had a 31-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown on defense as the Colts held Marion Harding to just 116 total yards.
Shelby’s Brayden DeVito threw 11-for-18 passes to completion for 189 yards and two TDs along with 34 yards rushing and three more TDs in last week’s win3. DeVito’s top target was Brady Bowman had five catches or 80 yards and a TD. Carter Kessler had two catches for 65 yards and one TD.
Defensively, the Whippets Landon Foltz had an interception last week.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Seneca East won at Upper Sandusky, 35-14; Colonel Crawford defeated Bucyrus at home, 48-0.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 4, 2024; CC won at Seneca East, 21-20.
Intrigue: Northern 10 Conference matchup. Colonel Crawford is tied for first with Carey with Seneca East and Mohawk sitting one game back.
Seneca East’s Nicholas Parks went 14-for-22 passing for 158 yards and one TD as well as rushing for 114 yards and three TDs in last week’s win. Freshman wideout Jaron Depinet had four catches for 50 yards. Junior Jackson Gayheart had 19 carries for 74 yards.
The Tigers held Upper Sandusky to nine first downs, 211 passing yards, and 46 rushing yards last week.
Colonel Crawford has used two different quarterbacks with Peyton Baker going 29-for-43 for 632 yards, six TDs, and three picks with 242 rushing yards and a TD this year. Brayden Holt is 24-of-31 for 334 yards and five TDs as well as 28 rushing yards. Their top target is Parker Weithman—who has 22 receptions, 488 yards, and seven TDs. Connor McMichael leads the team in rushing with 81 carries for 537 yards and eight TDs.
Defensively, the Eagles’ Gabe Stratton leads the team in tackles with 43 along with 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble this season. Payne DeGray leads the team in sacks and TFL with 6.5 and 19 respectively. DeGray also has 29 tackles and forced fumble. Weithman has 11 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a team-leading 3 INTs.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Huron beat Port Clinton at home, 35-21; Bellevue lost at Milan Edison, 21-14.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 4, 2024; Huron beat Bellevue at home, 19-7.
Intrigue: Huron is tied for first with Milan Edison in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division. Bellvue sits one game behind with Port Clinton.
Huron’s Landon Hohler three two TD passes and ran for another TD in last week’s win. Austin Sas caught a 60-yard TD pass from Hohler, Caleb Staley had a 21-yard TD catch, and Braxton Barrett scored on an 80-yard catch.
On defense, the Tigers’ Staley returned an interception 51 yards for a TD.
Bellevue’s Ike Brown threw 17-for-34 passes for 149 yards last week. Caden Cramer made seven receptions for 69 yards. Nolan Hartman had TD runs of 27 and 2 yards.
The Redmen held Edison to 99 passing yards and 95 rushing yards for 194 total offensive yards in their loss a week ago.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Oak Harbor lost at Genoa Area, 34-19; Eastwood won at Otsego, 34-21.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 18, 2024; Oak Harbor defeated Eastwood at home, 31-27.
Intrigue: Northern Buckeye Conference showdown with Eastwood tied with Genoa for first and Oak Harbor and Maumee sitting a game back.
Oak Harbor’s Travis Bouyer, Kason Marshall, and Blake Nickel had rushing TDs in last week’s loss to Genoa.
The Rockets rattled off five straight wins before last week’s road loss.
Eastwood’s Drew Luidhardt was 18-for-22 passing for 229 yards and three TDs last week. His brother, Brayden Luidhardt balled out with seven catches for 137 and a TD to go with eight tackles and two INTs on defense. Brayden Brown had 14 rushes for 73 yards in the victory.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Margaretta won at Woodmore, 35-0; H-L won at Lakota, 34-7.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 27, 2024; H-L won at Margaretta, 16-7.
Intrigue: Both teams are tied for first in the SBC River.
Margaretta’s Jake Bouy is 19-of-35 passing for 472 yards, four TDs, and a pick. Bouy also has 301 rushing yards and eight TDs in 2025. Kale Bailey, Bouy’s favorite target, has 12 receptions for 287 yards and a couple TDs. Judah Keller has 70 rushes on the year for 609 yards and nine TDs.
On defense, the Polar Bears’ Keller is the leading tackler with 60 tackles along with two INTs. Brett Miller has 58 tackles and 3.5 sacks so far this season. Bailey leads the team with three INTs to go with 18 tackles.
Hopewell-Loudon’s Jacoby Ellis has completed 57-of-85 passes or 696 yards with 13 TDs and three INTs this year. His top targets are Brody Brickman and Jack Colatruglio. Brickman has 23 catches, 290 yards, and eight TDs while Colatruglio has caught 17 balls for 281 yards and four TDs. Jaysin Cramer has rushed for 357 yards and four TDs, and Kellen Frankart has 353 rushing yards with three TDs so far this season.
Defensively, Mason Reinhart leads the Chieftains in tackles with 51 along with a sack and fumble recovery. Brickman leads the team interceptions with three to go with 27 tackles, a forced fumble and recovery. Three Chieftains are tied for the team-lead in sacks with three—Aiden Ewald, Joe Ewald, and Isaiah Hook.
Honorable Mention - Calvert (2-4) @ Northwood (3-3); Leipsic (6-0) @ McComb (3-3); and Tiffin Columbian (3-3) @ Norwalk (2-4).
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Minford lost at Portsmouth West, 40-8; Waverly lost at Oak Hill, 13-12.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 4, 2024; Waverly won at Minford, 36-0.
Intrigue: Southern Ohio Conference Division II showdown.
Minford senior QB Curt Glenn was 78-for-149 for 1,278 yards, 10 TDs, and five INTs. Glenn leads the team in rushing as well with 86 rushes for 493 yards and four TDs this season. His top target has been Wyatt Swick, a freshman whose had 23 receptions for 568 yards and five TDs.
The Falcons are led defensively by Bryce McLaughlin—who has 113 tackles, 10 TFL, three sacks, and a forced fumble and recovery. Noah Widdig has 26 tackles, six TFL, and three sacks. Glenn also has 39 tackles, four TFL, and an INT.
Waverly’s Briar Barch threw a TD pass last week to Trae Perry. Barch also ran in a score for the Tigers in the loss.
The Tigers’ first five opponenets have winning records and the closest they came to any of them was a 21-point loss to undefeated Miami Trace in week one. Last week’s game against Oak Hill, who is 1-5 on the year, was a one-point loss. We’ll see if they can get their first win of the season this week.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Both teams are tied or first in the Central Buckeye League with Bishop Ready.
Franklin Heights beat Buckeye Valley at home, 17-14; Columbus Academy won at Bexley, 40-20.
Previous Meeting: Unknown; the teams haven’t played each other this century.
Intrigue: Prior to beating Buckeye Valley last week, Franklin Heights hadn’t beat a team with a win this season. Their two losses came to London and St. Charles—both solid programs.
Columbus Academy’s Gabriel Davis-Ray rushed for three scores and caught a TD reception last week. Michael Tishkoff threw the TD pass to Davis-Ray while Charles Pizzotti had a rushing TD and Parker Stoner scored on a fumble return defensively.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Ritter was on a bye but won at Kansas City [MO] St. Pius X the week before, 36-8; Massillon lost to Mississauga [ON] Football North, 34-2.
Previous Meeting: First meeting.
Intrigue: The two-time Missouri state champion coming to face the Tigers of Massillon.
Ritter QB Rhylan Moore was 13-for-18 passing for 207 yards, three TDs, and an INT last week. His top receiver was Ryan McDavis—who caught six passes for 106 yards. Manny Ellis ran 22 times for 276 yards, and Kenny Robinson rushed for 108 yards on seven attempts in last week’s victory.
On defense last week, The Ritter Lions' Joquez Beck and Jocques Felix each had eight tackles. Felix also had two sacks, and Beck had an interception.
Massillon QB Mandwel Patterson completed 13-of-24 passes for 117 yards and an INT in last week’s loss. Patterson’s favorite targets in the game were Giorgio Jackson Jr. and George Rivera. Jackson caught four balls for 16 yards while River had two receptions for 39 yards. Running back Savior Owens had 14 rushes for 51 yards.
Defensively, the Tigers’ Isaac Maxheimer had a sack and two TFL last week.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Wadsworth beat Brecksville-Broadview Heights at home, 49-12; Hudson won at Twinsburg, 35-0.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 27, 2024; Wadsworth defeated Hudson at home in overtime, 21-14.
Intrigue: Wadsworth is in first place in the Suburban League with Hudson one game behind with Nordonia and North Royalton.
Wadsworth QB Brysen Hall threw 13-of-16 completions for 232 passing yards and two TDs a week ago. Hall’s favorite target was Calix Lemp—who had four receptions for 140 yards and two TDs. Cooper Gray and Gavin Madigan each rushed for over 100 yards in the victory over Brecksville. Gray rushed for 181 yards and three TDs while Madigan had 115 rushing yards with two TDs.
The Grizzlies held Brecksville to 14 first downs, 118 rushing yards, and 105 passing yards for 223 total offensive yards.
Hudson junior QB Hayden Lipinski is 55-for-82 passing for 636 yards, eight TDs, and three INTS this season. Classmate Nathan Judy is Lipinski’s top target with 15 catches for 134 yards and three TDs. Reno Ferri leads the team in rushing with 73 carries for 518 yards and six TDs.
The Explorers only loss was to 6-0 Medina Highland by a score of 32-0. Aside from getting blown out in that game, Hudson has outscored their other five opponents: 182-17.
When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
Last Week: Moeller defeated La Salle at home, 42-7; Elder won at St. Xavier, 23-13.
Previous Meeting: Oct. 4, 2024; Moeller beat Elder at home, 42-14.
Intrigue: Both titans are tied for first in the Great Catholic League South Division.
Moeller’s Matt Ponatoski was 17-for-22 passing for 206 yards and three TDs last game. Cooper McCutchan had six receptions for 86 yards and a TD while Reggie Watson had six catches for 69 yards and a TD. Freshman RB Juice Glover-Brown had 15 rushes for 129 yards and two TDs.
Defensively, the Crusaders’ Cuozzo Conner had nine tackles and one TFL in the victory over La Salle. Linebackers Andrew Griga and Andrew Stofko played well with Griga had four tackles and a sack while Stofko had seven tackles and 0.5 sack. Joe Geier had four tackles, one pass deflection, and an interception.
Elder QB Kaden Estep was 18-of-21 passing for 205 yards and one TD with 61 rushing yards last week. Receivers Drew Wauligman and Jackson Ruth were Estep’s top targets. Wauligman caught six passes for 34 yards, and Ruth had five receptions for 107 yards and a TD. The leading rusher last week was Tommy Becker—who had 16 carries for 87 yards and one TD.
The Panthers defense was led by sophomore linebacker Brody Turner with eight tackles. Senior Alex Dugan had four tackles, two sacks, and two TFL. Linebacker Pete Fortkamp had seven tackles and 0.5 TFL.
Elder kicker Adam Re was 3-of-3 on field goals last week with the longest being a 33-yarder.
Honorable Mention - Louisville [KY] Trinity (5-1) @ St. Xavier (4-2); Portsmouth West (3-3) @ Lucasville Valley (5-1); Dublin Scioto (3-3) @ St. Charles (3-3); Dublin Jerome (3-3) @ Hilliard Darby (2-4); Springfield (3-3) @ Wayne (4-2); Symmes Valley (6-0) @ Beaver Eastern (6-0); North Union (3-3) @ Benjamin Logan (3-3); Canton McKinley (5-1) @ Hoover (6-0); Strongsville (5-1) @ Mentor (6-0); Findlay (5-1) @ Perrysburg (5-1); Lehman Catholic (6-0) @ Miami East (5-1); Eaton (2-4) @ Monroe (1-5); St. Ignatius (1-5) @ St. Edward (5-1); Upper Arlington (6-0) @ Olentangy Liberty (3-3); Margaretta (5-1) @ Hopewell-Loudon (6-0); Lakota East (4-2) @ Middletown (5-1); Canfield (6-0) @ Louisville (5-1); Indianapolis [IN] Roncalli (4-2) @ La Salle (4-2); Brookville (6-0) @ Oakwood (5-1); Bishop Hartley (4-2) @ Walsh Jesuit (5-1); Mariemont (2-4) @ Deer Park (5-1); and Mt. Gilead (6-0) @ Centerburg (5-1).
I look forward to the weekend and seeing how close the games are, and what transpires on the field. Here's to a healthy and sportsmanlike Week 7!
