The 10 Best Games to See - Week 1
By Kyle Holsinger
Welcome back high school football fans. I want to say thank you for coming back for the second season of The 10 Best Games to See article series. This week’s edition is coming out later than usual. It will be coming out Monday mornings for the remainder of the season.
I hope your school and all schools have a safe, sportsmanlike, and competitive season in 2025.
The Five Best Games to See in the Area
#5 Ottawa-Glandorf @ Liberty-Benton
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: O-G lost at Shelby, 26-14, in the Region 14 quarterfinals; L-B was defeated at Liberty Center in the Region 18 quarterfinals, 35-0.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 23, 2024; L-B won at O-G, 34-6.
Intrigue: Juniors Deegan Miller and Gage Bellman were honorable mention All-Western Buckeye League for the Titans.
The Eagles return running back Zach Elchert after a second-team All-Ohio selection as a junior. Twin brother and tight end Seth Elchert was first team all-district last season.
On the D-line, C.J. Barbara returns after a first team all-district nod as a junior. Senior LB Austin Collert was also first team all-district.
Defensive back Reid Irwin will be shadowing receivers after a second team all-district performance in 2024.
Isaac Schworm made honorable mention all-district a year ago. Schworm is listed as an offensive and defensive lineman.
#4 St. Marys Memorial @ Galion
When: Fri. Aug. 22, at 7 p.m.
Last Game: St. Marys Memorial lost to London, 30-7, in the Region 12 semifinals; Galion was defeated at home by Ottawa-Glandorf, 13-7, in the Region 14 first round.
Previous Meeting: Unknown.
Intrigue: Roughrider kicker Brady Triplett was second team all-district last season.
The Tigers’ signal caller is all-district honorable mention Ayden Schmidt.
Schmidt can rely on Jacob Chambers as a target again as Chambers is coming off a third team All-Ohio performance last season.
The Orange & Blue return senior defensive lineman Zach Sallee, a second team All-Ohio pick a year ago. Second team all-district member Trevor Shifley returns to the linebacker position.
#3 Tiffin Columbian @ Fremont Ross
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Columbian lost at Benedictine, 35-7, in the Region 10 first round; Ross was defeated in the Region 6 first round at Medina Highland, 52-7.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 23, 2024; Columbian won at home, 27-11.
Intrigue: Offensively, the Tornadoes are lead by senior wide receiver Johnny Bremyer. The honorable mention all-district selection had 36 receptions for 644 yards and eights touchdowns last season. He also amassed 436 return yards in 2024. Junior running back Masen Seitz, a second team All-SBC Lake selection, returns after rushing for 1,054 yards with 10 TDs.
On the defensive side, the Navy & Vegas Gold are led by two senior defensive lineman: Neven Neuman and Luke Kerschner. Neuman was honorable mention all-district after making 72 tackles and three sacks last season. Kerschner amassed 22 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble during an honorable mention All-SBC Lake campaign his junior year.
The Little Giants are led offensively by all-district honorable mention players: senior guard Kole Myers and junior tight end Jaxson Mackey. Junior wideout Mason England returns after receiving second team All-Northern Lakes League - Cardinal Division.
The Purple & White defense is led by third-team All-Ohio DL Marquez Williams. Senior linebacker Cade Reineck and junior cornerback Kevin Jones made all-district honorable mention the previous season. England was also second team All-NLL Buckeye defense as well as a cornerback.
#2 Pine-Richland (PA) @ Findlay
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Findlay lost at St. Edward, 48-0, in the Region 1 first round; Pine-Richland was defeated by Bishop McDevitt, 28-14, in the Class 5A state title.
Previous Meeting: None.
Intrigue: Trojan OG Brody Smith was honorable mention all-district. Perennial winner in the Pittsburgh, Pine-Richland, comes to Findlay to duke it out with the Trojans.
#1 Oak Harbor @ Huron
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Oak Harbor lost to Liberty Center, 24-21, in the Region 18 semifinals; Huron was defeated, 35-0, at Bluffton in the Region 22 quarterfinals.
Previous Meeting: Sept. 30, 2022; Oak Harbor beat Huron at home, 29-28, in overtime.
Intrigue: The Rockets return tight end Isaac Schulte, who was first team All-Ohio in 2024. Wideout Wyatt Augsburger was honorable mention all-Northern Buckeye Conference.
Linebacker Travis Bouyer was second team all-district, and Hayden McGee received all-district honorable mention a year ago.
Senior kicker Fulton Krupp earned second team All-Ohio accolades last season.
Rocket coach Mike May was all-district coach of the year.
Tiger QB Landon Hohler, a second team all-district pick in 2024, returns to lead the offense. Hohler was also second team All-Sandusky Bay Conference - Bay Division as a defensive back.
Honorable Mention - Carey @ Hopewell-Loudon; Calvert @ Mohawk; and McComb @ Monroeville.
The Five Best Games to See in the State
#5 Glenville @ Massillon
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Glenville lost to Perkins, 13-11, in the Division IV state semifinal; Massillon lost to Big Walnut, 14-7, in the Division II state semifinals.
Previous Meeting: Nov. 28, 2009; Glenville beat Massillon, 31-17, in the Division I state semifinals.
Intrigue: The Tarblooders bring back first-team All-Ohio guard Marquis Whipple to bang in the trenches, leading the way for third team All-Ohio RB C.J. Newell. Receiver Joseph Saffold, an honorable mention All-Ohio pick last year, transfers from St. Edward after catching 52 balls for 723 yards and five TDs in 2024. Pauly Sadler III, a BGSU commit, was honorable mention all-district a year ago at wideout.
Defensively, linebacker Cincere Johnson was Division IV co-defensive player of the year last season. On the defensive front, DL Dion’dre Taylor transfers from St. Edward after committing 53 tackles, nine TFL, five sacks, and a forced fumble and recovery last season. Taylor is committed to play for Kent State.
In the defensive backfield, Aaron Scales was a second team All-Ohio pick, and Jordin Johnson was honorable mention all-district a year ago.
The Tigers have made it to the regional finals the eight previous seasons—advancing to the state semifinals six of those times.
On offense, junior QB Mandwel Patterson returns the most experience from last season on the squad. Patterson was 4-of-9 for 62 yards, one TD, and two INTs as a sophomore. Junior wideout Deontay Malone comes back after 22 receptions for 248 yards and two TDs to be Massillon’s top returning receiver.
Junior Savior Owens is the Tigers’ lead returning rusher with 126 yards and a TD a year ago.
Defensively, linebacker Ja’Dyn Williams—a three-star Indiana commit—returns after 81 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a second team all-district selection in 2024.
In the secondary, Lennox Lemon, a three-star committed to Kent State, made 30 tackles, six pass breakups, two INTs, and a fumble recovery a year ago.
Demari Clemons, a three-star cornerback, had 18 tackles, four PBU, two TFL, and a sack the previous season.
#4 Ursuline @ Steubenville
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Ursuline lost to Toledo Central Catholic, 7-6, in the Division III state semifinals; Steubenville was defeated by Watterson, 37-7, in the Region 11 finals.
Previous Meeting: Aug. 17, 2023; Ursline defeated Steubenville at home, 36-28.
Intrigue: The Irish have been in the Region 9 finals the previous two seasons, winning last year.
Ursuline expects big things from DeVonte Taylor, a 2024 Honorable Mention All-Ohio wide receiver who is a three-star prospect.
On the other side of the ball, the Irish have defensive lineman A.J. Snyder roaring to get back on the field after a second team all-district season a year ago.
Senior linebacker Kevin Boudrey was also a second team all-district selection for the Green & Gold.
The Crimson & Black can count on junior LB Landon Crosier. Crosier was a first team All-Ohio pick as a sophomore. Senior DL Ephy Kelley made third team All-Ohio a year ago.
Kicker Cole Bowers made All-Ohio honorable mention as a junior.
Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia earned all-district coach of the year last season. Saccoccia’s RB Ca’Juan Bryant was second team all-district as a junior.
#3 Princeton @ Moeller
When: Sat. Aug 23, at 4 p.m.
Last Game: Princeton was defeated by Moeller, 28-10, in the Region 4 finals; Moeller lost to Olentangy Liberty, 28-14, in the Division I finals.
Previous Meeting: Nov. 15, 2024; Moeller defeated Princeton, 28-10, in the Region 4 finals.
Intrigue: The Vikings are led on offense by tight end and honorable mention All-Ohio pick from last season, Landen Miree. Quarterback De’Angelo Birch was second team All-Greater Miami Conference as a junior.
The Scarlet & Gray have a leader on the field with coach’s son and third team All-Ohio LB Andre Parker Jr. Defensive back Andrew Wells made honorable mention all-district accolade last season.
Two-time All-Ohio QB and 2024 Division I Offensive Player of the Year, Matt Ponatoski is back for his senior year. Ponatoski, a four-star commit to Kentucky, completed 70.7-percent of his passes for 4,107 yards, 56 TDs, and three INTs a season ago.
Ponatoski has two three-star tight ends to whom he can toss the pigskin: Cooper McCutchan and Sam Hamilton. McCutchen, a UNC commit who was selected honorable mention all-district, caught 32 passes for 534 yards and seven TDs; while the West Virginia-commit Hamilton snagged 22 balls for 272 yards and five TDs for the Crusaders.
On the O-line, blocking for Ponatoski, is three-star junior Patrick O’Brien.
The defensive front is led by three-star Wake Forest commit Christian Harris. Harris’ stat line for last season was 45 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble and recovery.
Senior LB Connor Cuozzo is the leading returner tackler for Moeller with 56 total, 4 TFL, and a sack. Safety Ricky Thomas leads all returning defenders with two INTs along with 40 tackles, nine deflections, and 2.5 TFL.
#2 Lakota West @ St. Xavier
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Lakota West lost to St. Xavier, 16-13, in the Region 4 semifinals; St. X was defeated by Moeller in the Region 4 finals, 28-23.
Previous Meeting: Nov. 15, 2024; St. Xavier beat Lakota West, 16-13, in the Region 4 semifinals.
Intrigue: The Firebirds Brayden Johnson was second team All-GMC last year.
The Red, White, & Black defensive attack is led by LB Cam Thomas, who was third team All-Ohio in 2024. D.J. Edwards was second team All-GMC as a linebacker also.
Kolyn Ogletree, a defensive back, was second team All-GMC.
Senior kicker Kofi Adubofuor was made All-Ohio honorable mention last year.
The Bombers have third team All-Ohio RB Daniel Vollmer back to lead the offense. Helping out in the backfield is first team All-GCL South Jake Britt.
Offensive linemen Grant Hester and William Sweeny were first team all-league a season ago.
Tyson Davis was all-district honorable mention last season.
The Royal Blue & White defense is led by first team All-Ohio DB Ja’Kobe Clapper. Clapper was also All-GCL South defensive player of the year.
Helping Clapper in the defensive backfield will be Brayden Reilly, who was honorable mention All-Ohio a year ago. Shane Strayhorn, made second team all-league, returns to the backfield also.
Linebacker Aden Reeder comes back after earning first team all-league as a junior. Junior DL Josh Fasbender was second team all-league.
#1 Walsh Jesuit @ Toledo Central Catholic
When: Fri. Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Last Game: Walsh Jesuit lost to Hoban, 21-7, in the Region 5 final; TCC lost to Watterson, 19-14, in the Division III state finals.
Previous Meeting: None.
Intrigue: The Warriors look to senior second team All-Ohio receiver pick Milan Parris for offensive spark. Blocking up front is another All-Ohio second teamer: Colton Crosley. Running back Marty Tobin is back after rushing for all-district honorable mention.
The Maroon & Gold defense is anchored by LB Caden Carter. Carter was third team All-Ohio last year as a junior. Defensive backs Grant Blascak and James Brewer were second team all-district in 2024.
The Fighting Irish and reigning Division III co-defensive player of the year Viktor Singleton are looking to get back to the state finals and win it after last season’s close loss to Watterson, 19-14. The four-star senior cornerback is a top 100 prospect in the nation that’s committed to play at Texas A&M.
Helping Singleton on defense is middle linebacker Gavin Eckhart, who was honorable mention all-district a year ago.
Offensively, the Scarlet & Gray return two tight ends that are D-I commits. Three-star prospect and All-Ohio honorable mention Preston Fryzel is committed to Notre Dame, and second team all-district pick Sharard Vaughn is committed to play for Toledo.
Senior offensive lineman and second team All-Ohio selection Zenaje Liggons has committed to play at Lafayette.
Honorable Mention - Anthony Wayne @ Upper Arlington; Big Walnut @ Watterson; and Union (KY) Cooper @ Cincinnati Anderson.
