By Kyle Holsinger
The following are the ten best high school football games played by schools within the Heart of Ohio Sports coverage area. The top five will be released in an article two days from today, Friday. These will be a weekly article that come out on Mondays, but we've released it early for week one in excitement of the start of the season. If you’d like us to cover your region, please contact us at heartofohiosports.com. Recruiting rankings are from 247sports.com.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 18, 2023, Ottawa Hills defeated Gibsonburg on the road, 29-6.
2023 Records: Ottawa Hills 11-2, Gibsonburg 5-5.
Head Coaches: Ottawa Hills - Brandon Carter (2nd season, 11-2); Gibsonburg - Joe Wyant (5th, 27-16).
Intrigue: Can Coach Wyant and the Golden Bears turn the corner and make the playoffs? The Green Bears were regional semifinalists a year ago and will provide a good measuring stick for where the Gibsonburg playoff hopes are at currently.
Players to watch: Gibsonburg returns junior TE/MLB Luke Foster and senior RB/DL Antonio Salazar, who were both All-Sandusky Bay Conference - River division selections on both sides of the ball last year.
On offense, the Golden Bears return an All-SBC second-team pick at OT in Jett Litton, and sophomore FB/MLB Grant Smith received honorable mention on the All-SBC team.
Defensively, the Golden Bears bring back several All-SBC second team selections. On the defensive line, senior Spencer Waugaman and junior Dasch Sutter will accompany Salazar; senior Camden Mooney will help anchor the linebacking corps with Foster; and junior Aiden Morant and sophomore Reese Walby lead the defensive backfield.
Ottawa Hills returns honorable mention All-Ohio junior RB Rocco Pillarelli and All-NW Ohio first team senior K Micah Walker. Senior DB Jackson Snyder was a second team All-NW Ohio selection as well for the Green Bears in 2023.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Unknown (Not in this century).
2023 Records: Clear Fork 2-8, Perkins 12-1.
Head Coaches: Clear Fork - Aaron Brokaw (2nd, 2-8); Perkins - Jalen Santoro (5th, 34-13).
Intrigue: Is Perkins a state title contender? Will Clear Fork return to glory this year?
Player to watch: Perkins returns six seniors who earned All-Ohio honors last season. Weston Sturzinger, a three-star recruit committed to James Madison, was a first team All-SBC - Lake division pick on offense and defense last year while also being third team All-Ohio on defense. Offensive/defensive lineman Haiden Bollini was Division IV NW Ohio co-lineman of the year, first team All-Ohio, first team All-SBC on offense, and second team defense.
Tight end Braylon Collier, a three-star recruit committed to Michigan State, and LB Mike Young, a three-star Harvard commit, are two-time All-Ohio picks. Defensive lineman Reagan Kaufman was third team, and RB Isaac Bunts was honorable mention All-Ohio selections a year ago.
Aside from Bollini, senior C Vinny Strohl and junior OG Eli Sanchez were first team All-SBC last season. Senior OG Kameron Frazier was honorable mention All-SBC so the Pirates offensive line is looking pretty stout to start the season to say the least.
Accompanying Bollini and Kaufman on the defensive line will be second team All-SBC pick junior John McGlashan. Helping Young at linebacker will be junior Braxden Martin and senior Dylan Crabtree, who were first team and second team All-SBC defensive honorees last year, respectively. Returning in the defensive backfield for the Pirates are All-SBC first team senior Joey Diederich and second team senior Brady Legando.
Clear Fork returns senior WR Jay Jackson, who made second team All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference, and All-MOAC honorable mention pick RB/OLB Evan Tahmalwash for the Colts a year ago.
When: Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 17, 2023, Galion beat Wynford on the road, 28-20.
2023 Records: Wynford 7-5, Galion 8-4.
Head Coaches: Wynford - Cyle Skidmore (3rd, 9-13); Galion - Matt Dick (9th, 45-40).
Intrigue: Evenly matched game between Crawford County rivals. Wynford had several special teams mistakes that had to have them leaving the field last year wondering ‘what if?’ They get a chance for redemption on Thursday.
Players to watch: Wynford returns senior RB Anthony Evans and OL Evan Wright as well as junior Bryce Locker on the defensive line.
Evans was second team All-Northern 10 Conference and honorable mention All-NW Ohio. Wright was an All-N10 second team offensive and defensive selection last year, making him one of five players to be selected All-N10 on both sides of the ball last year, and the only returning player to do so. Locker was a second team All-N10 and honorable mention All-NW Ohio defender.
Senior DL K.J. Kotalik was All-N10 and All-NW Ohio honorable mention last year for the Royals.
Galion’s offense is led by senior dual-threat QB Braxton Prosser, who earned second team All-MOAC honors as a junior. The only returning receiver with a reception last season is honorable mention All-NW Ohio receiver Jacob Chambers.
The Tiger defense is anchored by senior LB and 2023 All-MOAC second teamer Jimmy Hardy. Senior OL Alex Griffith, a Tiffin University wrestling commit, returns after second team All-MOAC and honorable mention All-NW Ohio honors a year ago.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Unknown.
2023 Records: Liberty-Benton 9-2, Ottawa-Glandorf 1-9.
Head Coaches: Liberty-Benton - Scott Garlock (9th, 72-21); Ottawa-Glandorf - Ken Schriner (29th, 198-116).
Intrigue: A potential first time matchup (in a long time) between two storied football programs.
Players to watch: Liberty-Benton junior TE Seth Elchert, a Toledo commit, was first team All-Ohio as well as second team All-Blanchard Valley Conference as a DB last year. His twin brother, Zach Elchert, was second team All-NW Ohio as an offensive athlete and second team All-BVC as a linebacker. Classmate C.J. Barbara received honorable mention All-NW Ohio and second team All-BVC honors last year at the DL position.
Offensively, senior WR Brayden Lemire was second team All-BVC, juniors OT/DT Will Granger and WR/DB Reid Irwin received honorable mention All-BVC in 2023. Honorable mention All-BVC OL/DL Issac Schwarm will be accompanying Granger in the trenches on the both sides of the ball this season.
On special teams, Senior K Garrett Nealis returns after a first team All-BVC performance, and senior P Trevin Leib earned second team All-BVC accolades in 2023.
Defensively, junior LB Austin Collert was a second team All-BVC pick a year ago for the Eagles.
Ottawa-Glandorf senior OT/DT Austin Haley was honorable mention All-NW Ohio, and seniors RB Grant Evers and LB Vinnie Brinkman were honorable mention All-Western Buckeye League for the Titans last year.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 18, 2023, Clay beat Sandusky at home, 33-32.
2023 Records: Clay 4-7, Sandusky 6-5.
Head Coaches: Clay - John Galyas (8th, 23-46); Sandusky - Jamaris Brown (1st).
Intrigue: This was a nail-biter last year. Can Sandusky slow down Clay’s QB?
Players to watch: Clay senior QB Mason Heintschel, a three-star recruit committed to Pitt, was honorable mention All-Ohio and Northern Lakes League - Cardinal division offensive player of the year in 2023. He’s rated as the 42nd best QB in the nation, making him one of the top 50 prep quarterbacks to watch this season.
Heintschel has some help on offense from honorable mention All-Ohio picks seniors WR Troy Hazuda and TE Hudson Byers. Senior RB Jake Titgemeter and senior OLB Landon Eversman were second team All-NLL for the Eagles a year ago.
Sandusky returns senior WR Amir Aaron, who was honorable mention All-NW Ohio as well as a honorable mention All-SBC - Lake division DB and specialist. Throwing to Aaron will be senior QB Jason Henlon, returning from a honorable mention All-SBC performance in 2023.
On the defensive side, the Blue Streaks have senior DB Aa’zoriyon Bonner. Bonner was an honorable mention All-NW Ohio and second team All-SBC selection last season.
When: Friday., Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 19, 2023, Huron defeated St. Paul on the road, 31-28.
2023 Records: Norwalk St. Paul 8-5, Huron 8-4.
Head Coaches: St. Paul - Chris Doughty (1st); Huron - Sam Hohler (9th, 52-32).
Intrigue: St. Paul’s first game post-John Livengood, and against a tough opponent to boot! Livengood coached at St. Paul for 36 years, 33 years as head coach, and had amassed 310 wins, one state title, four state runner-ups, eight regional titles, and 21 Firelands Conference titles.
Players to watch: St. Paul senior OG/DT Tristan Nickoli was a second team All-Ohio and first team All-NW Ohio defender while making first team All-Firelands on both sides of the ball for the Flyers in 2023.
Huron returns senior All-Ohio honorable mention WR Jackson McNulty on offense, All-SBC - Bay division honorable mention LB Nic Lewallen on defense, and two-time All-Ohio pick senior K Cameron Manner on special teams.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 18, 2023, Clyde defeated Bellevue at home, 14-6.
2023 Records: Clyde 5-6; Bellevue 5-6.
Head Coaches: Clyde - Ryan Carter (12th, 96-38); Bellevue - Ed Nasonti (34th, 258-108).
Intrigue: Two storied programs, SBC rivals, districts next to each other…only one can walk away with bragging rights.
Players to watch: Clyde senior DB Kam Shortridge was an honorable mention All-NW Ohio and second team All-SBC - Lake division selection.
Bellevue senior WR/DB Cooper Moyer was a second team All-SBC - Bay division pick on both sides of the ball. Senior OG Trent Kubach returns after a second team All-NW Ohio and first team All-SBC season for the Redmen.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 18, 2023, Columbian beat Ross on the road, 41-14.
/2023 Records: Fremont Ross 4-7; Tiffin Columbian 11-3.
Head Coaches: Fremont Ross - Chad Long (10th, 41-54); Tiffin Columbian - Judd Lutz (9th, 55-36).
Intrigue: Two of the bigger local rivals opening the season against one another.
Players to watch: Fremont Ross senior OG Kaden Mayle, a three-star recruit committed to Kent State, was first team All-Ohio, All-NW Ohio, and All-NLL - Cardinal division last year.
Accompanying him on the first team All-NLL team and the offensive line is senior OT Zavier Lopez. Lopez made second team All-NW Ohio last season for the Little Giants along with seniors OLB Zalen Harris and CB Jacob Frymire.
Tiffin Columbian senior OL Ethan Reynolds was an honorable mention All-Ohio and first team All-SBC - Lake division selection a year ago.
Defensively for the Tornadoes, senior DL Leo Diamantopoulos returns from an honorable mention All-SBC performance last year.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 18, 2023, Hopewell-Loudon defeated Carey at home, 36-19.
2023 Records: Hopewell-Loudon 12-1; Carey 10-3.
Head Coaches: Hopewell-Loudon - Brian Colatruglio (15th at H-L, 130-40 | 21st overall, 182-58); Carey - Jonathon Mershman (8th, 66-21).
Intrigue: Two of the best programs in the area, and former Midland Athletic League foes, going at it to start the season. The home team has won all three of the season openers they’ve played since 2021.
Players to watch: Hopewell-Loudon senior RB Braylon Martinez was a third team All-Ohio and All-NW Ohio a year ago. Martinez was also first team All-SBC - River division as a RB and a DB last year. Junior WR Jack Colatruglio, who was a second team All-SBC honoree, returns to be another weapon in the Chieftains’ arsenal this year.
Junior lineman Aiden Ewald was an honorable mention All-Ohio and first team All-NW Ohio as a DL and was first team All-SBC on both sides of the ball. Also helping Ewald in the defensive trenches will be senior DL Wyatt Crow. Crow was an honorable mention All-NW Ohio and All-SBC last season.
Junior Mason Reinhart returns after an honorable mention All-NW Ohio and All-SBC season to lead the linebacking crew. Senior Brayden Brickman, an honorable mention All-SBC selection last year, will give some experience to the Chieftain secondary.
Carey’s offense runs through junior RB Eli Steen, who received second team All-NW Ohio and first team All-N10 in his sophomore year. The defense returns second team All-N10 LB Dash Puckett. Senior K Nathan Gery leads the Blues Devils special teams.
When: Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 18, 2023, Central Catholic won at Findlay, 47-14.
2023 Records: Findlay 8-3, Toledo Central Catholic 16-0.
Head Coaches: Findlay - Stefan Adams (4th, 22-13); Toledo Central Catholic - Greg Dempsey (25th, 254-52).
Intrigue: Toledo Central Catholic is on a 31-game winning streak and looking to make a run at a third consecutive state title. Plus, the Georgia QB vs. Ohio State CB commit matchup could be a glimpse into future College Football Playoff foes.
Players to watch: Findlay senior QB Ryan Montgomery, committed to Georgia, is the ninth-rated QB in the nation. The four-star recruit is a two-time All-Ohio selection and was Division I NW Ohio offensive player of the year last year.
Montgomery has classmate and honorable mention All-NW Ohio WR Jacob Ragland as a familiar target in 2024. He’ll also be protected by first team All-NW Ohio senior OT Ben Mueller and three-star Indiana commit senior OG Baylor Wilkins.
Defensively, senior DL Ashton Yeager returns after a first team All-NW Ohio performance for the Trojans last year.
The Toledo Central Catholic offense returns junior TE Preston Fryzel, a three-star recruit with 12 Division I offers.
On the defensive line, senior Curtis Strode, Jr. comes back after an honorable mention All-NW Ohio and a Catholic High School League All-League worthy performance last year.
TCC junior Victor Singleton, Jr. is a four-star recruit committed to Ohio State. Singleton was honorable mention All-NW Ohio as a sophomore last year, and will share the defensive backfield with senior Kevin Arnold III. Singleton and Arnold also shared CHSL All-League honors last year.
Honorable Mention: Mohawk @ Calvert. Two former MAL rivals starting the season off against each other Thursday at 7 p.m. after last season’s game came down to the final play.
We’ll see you next week.
