THE 10 BEST GAMES TO SEE IN OHIO - WEEK ONE
By Kyle Holsinger
Welcome back for Heart of Ohio Sports’ third season of The 10 Best Games to See in Ohio.
Based off of feedback from last season, I’m focusing more this season on trying to find games that will be close in score more than ‘premier matchups’. It’s a hard task because you can’t predict the future, but I’m going to give it my best.
Midway through last season, I began to feature a game from each district as an honorable mention selection. The Northwest district’s top pick is featured in our local games so I will add an additional game to the honorable mention due to that this week. That same precedent will continue if and when it happens again.
I can’t wait to get back on the sidelines and watch some football.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Ross lost at Olmsted Falls, 69-38, in the Region 6 first round while Columbian lost at home to Perkins, 43-13, in week 10 of last season.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 22, 2025; Ross defeated Columbian at home, 13-9.
Intrigue: Two rivals slugging it out for bragging rights.
A year ago, Fremont Ross senior QB Breylen Garza earned honorable mention all-district while classmates wideout Mason Englund and tight end Jaxson Mackey each earned second team all-district accolades.
Kaiden Swint returns to the O-line after a second team All-NLL Cardinal performance in 2025.
Little Giants defensive back Kevin Jones was honorable mention All-Ohio last season. Englund was also first team All-NLL Cardinal as a cornerback.
Garza was also second team All-NLL Cardinal as a punter last season.
Tiffin Columbian’s Logan Gooding completed 130-of-236 passes for 1,846 yards and 22 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2025 as the starter for the Tornadoes. The senior signal caller earned second team all-district and All-SBC Lake for his efforts.
The Tornadoes’ Masen Seitz ran for a team-leading 434 yards and four TDs on 100 carries to go with 10 receptions for 93 yards despite missing four games due to injury as a junior.
As a sophomore, he ran for 1,054 yards and 10 TDs on 182 touches—averaging 5.8 yards a carry. Masen was awarded second team All-SBC Lake for the effort.
Senior wideout Daelen Brandeberry is the leading receiver returning for Columbian with 15 catches for 309 yards and two TDs. Brandeberry also had 12 tackles and a fumble recovery a year ago at defensive back.
On defense, linebacker Brock Siesel leads all returning players with 62 tackles and a sack.
Blake Miller snagged 10 catches for 127 yards and three TDs, along with 58 tackles, an interception, fumble recovery, and a defensive TD on the other side of the ball last year.
Miller received honorable mention on the All-Ohio team. He was first team all-district and All-SBC Lake.
The Tornadoes’ Seontae Moore had 21 tackles, a forced fumble, and a blocked field goal last year. His play earned him second team SBC Lake and all-district honorable mention.
Junior defensive back Braden Egbert returns after making 38 tackles, two forced fumbles and an INT a year ago.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Lexington lost at home to Toledo Central Catholic, 49-18, in the Region 10 quarterfinals while Ontario lost at TCC, 35-0, in the Region 10 first round a year ago.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 22, 2025; Lexington beat Ontario at home, 36-16.
Intrigue: How will the Lexington Minutemen fare in this game and season after the untimely passing of coach Andrew Saris in late June?
The staff at Heart of Ohio Sports and myself send our condolences and best wishes to the Lexington community.
Lexington’s O-line will be anchored by senior Andrew Badnell and junior Wyatt Cornell. Badnell was awarded second team all-district accolades while Cornell made honorable mention all-district. Tight end Daniel Hudson made honorable mention all-district.
Ontario junior kicker Kooper Kilgore was honorable mention All-Ohio a year ago,
Senior RB/LB Gavin Miller was third team All-Ohio on defense and first team all-district on offense. Also in the linebacking corps is second team all-district honorees Carson Moritz and Zane Curry—both juniors. Juniors Max Ciroli, Cardae Brown, and Maddix Smith allreceived honorable mention all-district as sophomores a year ago.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Mohawk lost at Leipsic, 36-7, in the Region 26 quarterfinals while Margaretta lost at home to Carey, 35-7, in the Region 22 quarterfinals in 2025.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 6, 2024; Mohawk defeated Margaretta at home, 36-14.
Intrigue: A battle between top level Northern 10 Athletic Conference and Sandusky Bay Conference schools.
Mohawk’s Andon Clouse was first team All-Ohio, all-district, All-N10 and was the N10’s offensive player of the year last season. He earned second team All-N10 as a punter last year too. As a sophomore, he was honorable mention All-N10.
Andon completed 105-of-168 passes for 1,936 yard, 18 TDS, and four INTs to go with 856 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 151 attempts. He also had a receiving TD.
Clouse also had 20 punts for 733 yards—a 36.7-yard average. Clouse also made 43 tackles, a team leading three INTs, 2.5 TFL, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Kaden Bish was Mohawk’s leading rusher and scorer in 2025 with 142 attempts for 1,443 yards and 22 TDs. Defensively, he accounted for 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two a team leading 21.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
A first team All-Ohio, all-district, and all-league as a running back, Bish was also first team All-N10 as a linebacker as a junior.
Levi Tiell made 36 receptions for 964 yards and nine TDs on offense. Defensively, he had 50 tackles, two TFL, one pick, and a forced fumble. Tiell also had five punt returns for 80 yards as a sophomore.
The Warrior wideout earned second team All-Ohio, and the first teams for all-district and All-N10 a season ago.
Junior linebacker Aden Patrizi made 28 tackles with 6.5 TFL, two forced fumbles, and a sack a year ago. Also, defensive back Jack Sager had 17 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery in 2025.
Margaretta coach Gary Quisno was Division VI coach of the year last season.
Offensive linemen Landon Weyer and Camden Hineline were selected to second team and honorable mention all-district.
Polar Bear senior WR Kale Bailey returns after making honorable mention all-district a year ago. Senior TE Mason Kromer was honorable mention All-SBC River.
On the defensive line, Weyer was first team All-SBC River while Junior Jace Berg was honorable mention All-SBC River as a sophomore.
Senior linebackers Tyson Bailey and Kromer were second team all-district last year.
DB Carter Luzader made honorable mention all-district.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Seneca East lost at Archbold, 44-12, in the Region 22 quarterfinals while Gibsonburg lost at Columbus Grove, 28-8, in the Region 26 quarterfinals last year.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 30, 2024; Gibsonburg won at SE, 56-34.
Intrigue: Same as the previous game: a N10 vs. SBC premier matchup.
Seneca East’s Jackson Gayheart was first team All-Ohio, all-district, and All-N10 as a linebacker, and second team All-N10 as a running back a year ago. As a sophomore on defense, he earned second team all-district and first team All-N10 and second team All-N10 as a freshman.
The Tiger team leader in rushing last season with 144 carries for 907 yards and eight TDs also had 22 catches for 286 yards and a couple TDs on the offensive side of the ball.
Defensively, Jackson was the team leader in tackles with 110 to go with 29 TFL and seven sacks.
On special teams, Gayheart had 23 punts for 780 yards—a 33.9 yard average.
Sophomores Branson Robinson and Jaron Depinet are the leading returning pitch-and-catch combo with Robinson the only returning passer—going 6-for-7 passing for 131 yards and three TDs. Depinet made 19 catches for 446 yards and five TDs.
Landyn Hicks, an honorable mention All-N10 selection a year ago, made 48 tackles with 18 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks as a junior. Senior linebacker Elijah Cline had 60 tackles, 16 TFL, three sacks, two INTs, and a fumble recovery last season.
Gibsonburg’s Grant Smith was an outstanding offensive AND defensive player a year ago in the SBC River—earning second team All-Ohio and first team all-district and All-SBC River as a running back. Smith was also first team All-SBC River as a linebacker as well last year. As a sophomore, he earned first team All-Ohio, all-district, and All-SBC River and as a freshman, he was honorable mention All-SBC River.
Grant carried the ball 236 times for 1,814 yards and 23 TDs last season.
On defense, he made 121 tackles and 0.5 sack.
Reece Walby was second team all-state and first team all-district and honorable mention as a defensive back while earning honorable mention All-SBC River as a quarterback a season ago. As a sophomore, Walby made first-team All-Ohio, all-district, and All-SBC River as a DB, and second team All-SBC River as a running back. He was second team All-SBC River defense as a freshman.
A year ago, he accounted for 105 tackles, six INTs, 0.5 sack, one forced fumble and two defensive TDs.
Offensively, he went 32-for-73 passing for 597 yards, eight TDs, and five INTs. He had 60 rushes for 422 yards and seven TDs as a junior.
Hunter Wasserman made 59 tackles, a team-leading 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and recoveries and a defensive TD in 2025.
Wasserman was second team All-Ohio as an offensive lineman. He was first team all-district and All-SBC River as a guard and second team as a defensive lineman last year.
Haydin Brown led the Golden Bears last year with 3.5 sacks. He also wrapped up 28.5 tackles with a forced fumble and recovery.
As a sophomore, Brown made the SBC River offensive honorable mention list as a center. As a junior, the Golden Bear earned honorable mention on both sides of the ball—playing offensively as a guard.
Brown also punted for a 31.6 yard average—16 times for 510 yards in 2025.
Junior Tristin Pacak made 36 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and recovery, and a defensive TD a season ago.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: VASJ lost to Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 42-7, in the Region 9 finals at Twinsburg HS Tiger Stadium while Perkins lost at Galion, 17-14, in the Region 14 semifinals.
Previous Meeting: First meeting.
Intrigue: Villa Angela-St. Joseph DL D’Angelo White was a second team All-Ohio selection a year ago. White is committed to play for Louisville. Linebacker Marcel Dixon is back after making second team all-district.
The Perkins Pirates begin a new era in the NOC Lake. Although, it’s the same schools as last season’s Lake division in the Sandusky Bay Conference—their previous conference.
Senior DBs Kaden Legando (20 tackles, six INTs, and a defensive TD) and Bryce Davie (34 tackles and five INTs) were second and third team All-Ohio a year ago, respectively. Linebacker Landon Flores (128 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble) was honorable mention all-district, and Levi Jackson (48 tackles and an INT) was honorable mention All-SBC Lake.
Jackson was the team’s leading rusher last year with 531 yards and nine TDs on 90 carries.
On the offensive end, Davie and junior JoJo Moore were honorable mention All-SBC Lake as a running back and as a defensive back a season ago. Moore ran for 524 yards and seven TDs; had 53 receiving yards with a TD; and made 58 tackles, one INT, one sack, a defensive TD, and one forced fumble and recovery.
Law Davlin appears to be the heir apparent at QB after replacing an injured Sam Schweinfurth last year. Davlin threw 8-for-11 passing for 89 yards and two TDs while also rushing for 119 yards and a TD as a sophomore. Legando and Conner Smith are the team’s leading returning receivers with Legando making 17 catches for 375 yards and 11 TDs while Smith grabbed 19 receptions for 388 yards and four TDs. Smith also made 25 tackles, three INTs, and had two defensive TDs in 2025 as well.
Honorable Mention - Monroeville @ McComb; Leipsic @ Calvert; and Huron @ Oak Harbor.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: St. X lost to Lewis Center Olentangy Orange, 28-14, in the Division I state final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton while Lakota West lost at Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, 33-14, in the Region 4 quarterfinals.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 22, 2025; St. X beat Lakota West at home, 14-7.
Intrigue: Two premier Cincy programs banging it out in Week One.
St. Xavier does not return a player who recorded a pass last season. The Bombers’ leading rusher that’s coming back is junior Aiden Graham. Graham toted the rock 36 times last year for 167 yards while also making four receptions for 50 yards.
Senior receivers Aidan Newdigate and Logan Von Holle are the top returning wideouts. Newdigate made 32 catches for 373 yards and three TDs while Von Holle grabbed 19 balls for 286 yards and three TDs.
St. X’s senior kicker Owen Davidson is the Bombers leading returning scorer after going 39-of-40 on PATs and 9-of-13 on field goals with a long of 37 yards.
Junior linebacker Griffin Lyons is the team’s leading returning tackler with 67 tackles, 16 TFL, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception, and a pass deflection.
Buffalo-commit Josh Fasbender returns after making 41 tackles, 3.5 TFL, a deflection, and a force fumble and recovery.
Alex Walker made 41 tackles, five deflections, and two TFL in 2025.
Lakota West QB Jackson Smith was honorable mention all-district after completing 137-of-225 passes for 1,959 yards, 20 TDs and five picks. Smith also had 52 rushes for 154 yards and three TDs.
RB Kenyon Norman earned honorable mention All-Ohio last season. Norman’s 167 carries produced 915 yards and 13 TDs. The Northwestern commit also caught 29 passes for 311 yards and three TDs.
Wideout Karmelo Jordan and tight end Xavier Ratica were both second team All-Greater Miami Conference in 2025. Jordan caught 17 receptions for 209 yards and two TD while Ratica—a Louisville commit—had eight receptions for 114 yards.
On defense, DLs Reilly Newman and Eli Hodge return after Newman—an Iowa commit—made second team All-Ohio after 48 tackles, seven TFL, two fumble recoveries, two deflections, and 1.5 sacks. Hodge was second team All-GMC last season after 50 tackles, seven TFL, and four sacks, and two deflections.
In the defensive backfield is Purdue-commit Roman Combs.
Junior four-star prospect LB Judah Blair had 66 tackles, 16.5 TFL, three sacks, and a pick-six. Blair’s performance was good enough for a first team All-GMC selection in 2025. Andrew Fryer made 107 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Watterson defeated Toledo Central Catholic, 30-0, in the Division III state final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton while Anthony Wayne lost at North Ridgeville, 42-7, in the Region 6 quarterfinals.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 24, 2012; Watterson won at Anthony Wayne, 28-14.
Intrigue: Can Watterson keep their run going against a NW Ohio powerhouse?
On offense, Watterson returns receiver Carter Bellisari, and lineman Davis Seaman—both earning second team All-Ohio accolades in 2025. Bellisari caught 54 receptions for 1,005 yards and 11 TDs. Seaman is committed to play for Ohio State.
Returning on defense, DL Michael Boyle (123 tackles, 57 TFL, and 13 sacks), and LB Ben Uhlenhake (152 tackles, 20 TFL, two sacks, and an interception) were first team All-Ohio. Second team All-Ohio DB Nate Henderson (62 tackles, six INTs, two TFL, and a fumble recovery) and honorable mention All-Ohio DL. Honorable mention All-Ohio DL Jack Schuler, a Michigan State commit, had 84 tackles (84 tackles, 20 TFL, and nine sacks) are back as well.
Kaden Jones (130 tackles, 17 TFL, and two sacks) and Rocco Purcell (90 tackles and 10 TFL)
each earned honorable mention all-district honors.
For the Generals, LB Mateo Harmon comes back after an honorable mention All-Ohio performance.
Punter Beau Seelenbinder was second team all-district.
When: Sat. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Taft lost at Cincinnati Indian Hill, 25-19, in the Region 16 semifinals while Kirtland beat Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 41-6, in the Division VI state final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Previous Meeting: First meeting.
Intrigue: Is there a fall-off for Kirtland after losing much of their offensive production from last year?
Taft receiver Eddie Holloway made honorable mention All-Ohio last season after catching 25 balls for 351 yards and five TDs. Interior offensive lineman Kris Scott is a three-star prospect.
Taft’s leading returning rusher is junior Marley Godfrey. Godfrey ran for 255 yards and a TD on 27 attempts with a couple catches for 33 yards.
Holloway also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD while also returning five punts for 244 yards and four TDs.
Linebacker Josiah Pouncy is a 2025 honorable mention All-Ohio selection who is committed to play at Louisville. Pouncy wrapped up 127 tackles, 30 TFL, three PBUs, and a 46-yard pick-six.
Kirtland QB Mario Lorber, honorable mention all-district, will be the starter after throwing for 463 yards and eight TDs in 2025. Lorber’s top returning receiver is Tommy Caimi. Caimi had eight receptions for 303 yards. Mat Rus is the team’s leading returning rusher with 80 yards on 16 carries.
On the O-line, Lucci Cantini and Jack Turk were first team and second team All-Ohio, respectively. Vince Prusock made honorable mention all-district.
Kicker Marco Valentic earned first team All-Ohio honors.
Linebacker Zander Perko (131 tackles, nine TFL, three sacks) was first team All-Ohio and DB Sebastian Becker (101 tackles, 14 TFL, two sacks, and an INT) made second team All-Ohio.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Glenville defeated Shelby, 45-7, in the Division IV state final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton while Massillon lost to Sunbury Big Walnut, 27-21, in the Region 7 final at Zanesville HS Sulsberger Stadium.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 22, 2025; Glenville won at Massillon, 33-27, in overtime.
Intrigue: Glenville junior wideout Emiere Lemons is a three-star prospect.
Tarblooders junior three-star prospect Jaylen Edwards was honorable mention All-Ohio as a defensive back last season. Helping out in the defensive backfield is junior free safety and three-star prospect Jaquan Gibson—who was honorable mention all-district a year ago.
Linebacker Kaylon Bailey is a three-star recruit committed to Colorado who earned honorable mention all-district accolades a season ago. Fellow linebacker Da’Von McDougle is a James Madison-commit who made honorable mention all-district in 2025.
Athlete DeAnthony Crittenden is a three-star recruit. On the offensive line, Eason Hankins is a Kent State commit who also made honorable mention all-district.
Massillon first team All-Ohio running back Savior Owens returns after amassing 1,572 rushing yards and 21 TDs on 222 attempts a year ago. Owens is committed to play at Michigan State.
Massillon’s leading passer and receivers are back. Mandwell Patterson completed 112-of-174 passes for 1,415 yards, 19 TDs, and eight INTs. Giorgio Jackson Jr.,second team all-district as a tight end, caught 43 passes for 533 yards and eight TDs. Deontay Malone, a second team All-Ohio selection on defense that’s committed to Ohio State, caught 34 balls for 498 yards and seven TDs in 2025.
On the O-line, Dayvionne Floyd was second team all-district last season as a junior.
Brothers Brayton and Brydon Feister transfer from Akron Archbishop Hoban. Senior Brayton was a first team All-Ohio selection who is also a four-star prospect committed to Oregon while junior Brydon—a three-star prospect—made honorable mention All-Ohio a season ago.
Defensively, Malone had 39 tackles, six PBUs, three INTs, 1.5 TFL, and a forced fumble and recovery. Also in the defensive backfield, second team all-district player Braylon Gamble wrangled 46 tackles, seven PBUs, 3.5 TFL, three INTs, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Gamble is committed to play at Boston College.
Defensive tackle Marcus Garner Jr. returns after making 18 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and a PBU after earning honorable mention all-district accolades a year ago. Linebacker Isaac Maxheimer—a 2025 second team all-district pick—made 69 tackles, 10 TFL, three sacks, three interceptions, two PBUs, and two fumble recoveries.
When: Fri. Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Walsh lost to Avon, 38-7, in the Division II state semifinals at University of Akron InfoCision Stadium while Highland lost to Avon, 36-19, in the Region 6 final at Brunswick HS Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 3, 1982; Walsh defeated Highland, 27-0; unsure of location.
Intrigue: Quarterback David Ternosky returns after a second team all-district effort as a junior, and defensive lineman Dario Jeras was honorable mention All-Ohio a season ago.
Playing one of the toughest schedules as an independent, I have to give the Warriors credit for taking all comers.
Highland’s Evan Foust made second team All-Ohio as a tight end, and kicker Jonah Kowza was honorable mention All-Ohio.
Returning second team All-Suburban League American Division is junior Lukas Grillis and senior Chris Metzger. Seniors Spencer Marquis and Jake Weber were honorable mention All-Suburban American a year ago.
EAST - New Matamoras Frontier @ Bridgeport .
CENTRAL - Pickerington Central @ Gahanna Lincoln.
NORTHEAST INLAND - Hudson @ Austintown-Fitch.
NORTHEAST LAKE - Olmsted Falls @ Mentor.
NORTHWEST - Genoa Area @ Archbold and our #1 local game, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph @ Sandusky Perkins.
SOUTHEAST - Jackson @ Chillicothe Unioto.
SOUTHWEST - Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller @ Cincinnati Princeton.
Here’s to a healthy, competitive, and sportsmanlike 2026 football season!
Kyle Holsinger is a writer for Heart of Ohio Sports, covering Ohio high school athletics with a focus on football. He is the author of the Heart of Ohio Sports weekly “Top Ten Games of the Week,” highlighting the biggest matchups and storylines from across the state, with a slight focus on our coverage in Seneca County.
