Week 1 Ohio high school football preview: Capsules for games across the region

H.S. FOOTBALL PREVIEW

WEEK 1 CAPSULES

 Games of Aug. 21

Tuscarawas Central Catholic (0-9 last year) at Conotton Valley (9-4)

Last Year: Conotton Valley 39, TCC 6

This year: Conotton Valley embarks on the 2025 season coming off the heels of the most successful season in school history last year, winning two playoff games before bowing out in the regional semifinal, and CV has an even bigger edge by playing its first four games on the home turf. At the other end of the spectrum is TCC, which played nine games without a win a year ago and scored only 14 points. The good news is, supporters of the school have invested in the program and it should mean future dividends, if not an immediate payout. While the Saints own the all-time series lead 17-8, it is the Rockets who have prevailed in the most recent meetings, outscoring the Saints in the 2023 and 2024 matchups by a combined score of 86-6.

Sandy Valley (5-5) at Fairless (4-7)

Last Year: Fairless 21, Sandy Valley 14

This year: Despite the better overall record in 2024, the Cardinals stayed home while the Falcons advanced to the Div. V, Region 17 playoffs. Sandy Valley went 2-3 against teams in its region, so a win over Fairless could spell success down the road.

Games of Aug. 22

Triway (8-4) at West Holmes (7-6)

Last year: Triway 17, West Holmes 7

This year: Last year, the Titans took a 17-0 lead and rode a stout defense the rest of the way to its first win in the rivalry since 2017. Triway quarterback Luke Starr threw for 229 yards in the win, which sparked the Titans’ 5-0 start that led to a playoff berth and win. Starr tossed 25 TD passes last year (3,100 passing yards) and added over 500 yards and 10 more TDs running. THS alum Cody Kelly is quietly building a purple power at his alma mater, but Keaton Leppla, a West Holmes grad himself entering his second year leading the Knights, is seeking a different result. WH started 1-2 a year ago and also had a 3-game losing streak but recovered to win in Week 10 and then reeled off a pair of postseason wins to end at 7-6.

Wooster (2-8) at Orrville (4-6)

Last year: Orrville 41, Wooster 18

This year: The longest running rivalry in Wayne County (1903) and 13th most-played in Ohio will be renewed for the 114th time, but with both head coaches — Ray Leek of Wooster and Brent Besancon of Orrville — in their first game at their respective schools for the first time in the rivalry since 1926. A year ago, Orrville quarterback Cameron Kraft had a big game, throwing for 261 yards and 3 TDs as the Red Riders snapped a 3-game losing streak to the Generals. Craft threw for over 2,000 yards and 18 scores a year ago, while also back is RB Parker Hostetler, who shined in this game last season on his way to 812 rushing yards. Orrville, however, lost some veteran linemen, while the Generals, while unproven in the backfield and wide receiver spots, will boast the experienced line this year with 5 returnees, including 6-4, 280-pound tackle Hutson Copenhaver, as they try to improve their 59-45-9 lead in the series.

Hillsdale (14-2) at Black River (4-7)

Last Year: Hillsdale 44, Black River 12

This year: Hillsdale goes on the road as it tries to follow up on the best season in school history that led to a Div. VII state runner-up finish. Junior QB Kael Lewis (3,053 yards passing, 29 TDs) and senior RB Owen Sloan (1,658 rush yards, 31 TDs) are a top 1-2 combo and the Falcons have plenty of other pieces on both sides of the ball, including WR Hayden McFadden, who had 18 scores among his 62 catches (1,369 yards). Black River, meanwhile, doesn’t have many losing seasons but does have a lot of pride and will be ready to defend their home turf, especially given the quality of the opponent.

Chippewa (2-8) at East Canton (3-7)

Last Year: Did not play

This year: Chippewa continues to rebuild under coach Dan Edwards, and the Chipps’ chances to improve depend on finding the end zone with more regularity — they were shut out in their final 3 games last year, 5 times overall, and they scored only once in 2 other games. East Canton’s record a year ago under veteran coach John “Spider” Miller was deceiving, as four of the Hornets’ opponents won 8 or more games, including two non-conference foes no longer on the schedule.

Col. Bishop Ready (7-5) at Dalton (10-4)

Last Year: Did not play

This year: Bishop Ready will make the long drive from Columbus to eastern Wayne County and the Silver Knights would like nothing better than to carry over momentum from last year’s 6-game win streak that took them to the second round of the Div. IV playoffs, where they lost a 1-score game to St. Clairsville. The Bulldogs will start a third consecutive season with a new head coach, Reid Geibel. Geibel has only five seniors, although two are returning all-district picks in Conner Mori and Jaxon Ryder (1,192 rushing yards, 14 TDs), and the Bulldogs have a deep junior class led by QB Carter Hignight (2,506 pass yards), a first-team All-Ohioan a year ago who accounted for 39 TDs throwing and running as Dalton got past a pair of narrow losses in the league to win 3 playoff games.

Cle. JFK (2-7) at Rittman (5-6)

Last Year: Did not play

This year: The Div. II JFK Eagles won only two games last year, both against Senate League foes, while Rittman will debut with first-year head coach Mike Huff under the home lights. The Indians made the playoffs last season by winning the games they needed to, including a 3-0 non-league start against teams that won a combined 6 games.

Keystone (10-2) at Northwestern (1-9)

Last Year: Keystone 62, Northwestern 14

This year: Although Northwestern bounced back from last year’s drubbing to win in week 2, the Huskies then lost their next eight games. The rebuilding job is likely to continue for head coach Steven Carozza, and one thing is certain — any improvement the Huskies show on defense will help, as they allowed over 45 points a game in 2024. The rest of the non-league won’t help, with road trips to perennial playoff teams Black River and Columbia, before the WCAL kicks off with a visit from defending league champ Norwayne.

St. Clairsville (13-1) at Norwayne (10-2)

Last Year: St. Clairsville 28, Norwayne 21

This year: Not close in proximity, these schools first built a postseason rivalry that extended to the regular season — the Red Devils handed the Bobcats their lone pre-playoff setback last year and make the long trip north for another meeting. Norwayne’s roster isn’t huge, but it will rely on recent tradition, as well as QB Jacob Bruner (1,281 yards, 16 TDs, 2 INTs passing in 2024) to try and maintain its spot at the top of the WCAL, although the non-league slate is challenging with trips to Triway and Garaway looming.

Tuslaw (2-8) at Smithville (8-4)

Last Year: Smithville 17, Tuslaw 0

This year: This opener at Keith Schrock Stadium could be a tone-setter for both, as Tuslaw enters year 2 with Broc Dial at the helm wanting to improve on a 2-win campaign, while Smithville aims to challenge for a league title. Depth is a concern for the Smithies, but they have 4-year RB Mason Haines (1,300 yards, 11 TDs rushing), as much speed as they’ve had in a long time, and five solid seniors along the offensive line.

Medina (2-9) at Stow-Munroe Falls (3-7)

Last Year: Medina 42, Stow-Munroe Falls 14

This year: Medina is heading into its final year of play in the Greater Cleveland Conference before moving to the Suburban League for the 2026-27 season, when Stow will become a league foe. The Bees finished 2025 with a 2-8 record, falling six times to teams that made the Ohio playoffs, along with Detroit Cass Tech, which went 12-2. Medina heads into the season on a five-game losing streak, breaking a six-year run of seasons that ended in the playoffs.

Highland (13-1) at McDowell Pa. (7-5)

Last Year: Did not play.

This year: The Hornets, winners of their first 13 last season before losing to eventual state champ Avon in a thriller, will trek to Erie, Pa. to take on McDowell, which annually squares off with the better teams in northeast Ohio. Highland has questions up front but returns most of its skill players, including tailback Casey Myser, who last year totaled 46 touchdowns. The Hornets have posted double-digit victories four consecutive times, losing just four regular-season games over that stretch.

Buckeye (10-2) at Cloverleaf (5-6)

Last Year: Buckeye 49, Cloverleaf 21

This year: Buckeye has become a power of sorts in eight seasons under head coach Greg Dennison. The Bucks have a 63-15 regular-season record since Dennison took over, making the playoffs in each of those years. The Colts stumbled a bit last year, losing five of their final six, but still made it to the playoffs before falling to Bay. All six of their losses a year ago came against teams that made the playoffs. Cloverleaf has struggled in recent years against the Bucks.

Uniontown Lake (7-5) at South Range (14-1)

Last Year: Did not play

This year: This year: The Blue Streaks are one of two Div. II teams on the Raiders’ schedule this season. Lake, which advanced to the second round of the Div. II, Region 5 playoffs last year, won't look by South Range as the Raiders went 2-0 versus Div. II teams last year en route to a 14-0 start and a Div. V state semifinal appearance. Head coach Dan DeGeorge's Lake squad returns five starters on both sides of the ball but must replace a senior class that included Federal League Player of the Year Charlie Christopher and some stellar linemen.

Warrensville Hts. (1-9) at Marlington (2-8)

Last Year: Marlington 24, Warrensville Hts. 12

This year: In doubling up the Tigers last season, Marlington was able to notch a victory before dropping six consecutive contests. The Dukes move from Div. III, Region 9 to Div. IV, Region 13 this year, where they should have a better chance of advancing to the postseason entering head coach Joe Cardinal's third season. After going 6-4 in Cardinal's debut, the Dukes dipped to two wins a year ago but having three-sport standout Cam Evanich, a first-team All-Eastern Buckeye Conference pick last year as a sophomore, back at WR and LB is a good place to start the climb back up.

East Liverpool (7-5) at Carrollton (7-4)

Last Year: Carrollton 20, East Liverpool 13

This year: Last year’s loss sent the Potters off to a 1-4 start before they rebounded for 6 straight wins, including one in the playoffs. The Warriors, meanwhile, ushered in the Storm Hill era with a close win in an 11-game campaign that ended with a playoff loss to Tri-Valley. Carrollton will look to not only make the playoffs this year but get over the hump and notch its first postseason victory since 2021, but Hill will miss a great group of 2025 grads, including four all-EBC first-teamers, two second-teamers and a pair of Honorable Mention picks. All-EBC second-teamers Isaac Husted and Tucker Burgett, both seniors, and junior Levi Kiko lead the returnees.

Minerva (1-9) at United (9-2)

Last Year: United 27, Minerva 0

This year: Although the Lions snapped their 33-game losing streak last season, new head coach Zach Slates and staff need to find some offense — last year’s opening-night shutout was one of six suffered by Minerva in 2024. The loss to the Golden Eagles in 2024 was the first of four the Lions endured before getting off the schneid and with a new coach taking the reins after four seasons at Perry, Minerva hopes to get the Slates Era off on the right foot at United.

Malvern (11-2) at Valley Christian (7-4)

Last Year: Malvern 36, Valley Christian 16

This year: The Hornets used last year’s win over the Eagles as a springboard to a 9-1 regular season that ended with a heartbreaking last-second 50-48 third-round loss in the Div. VII playoffs against eventual state runner-up Hillsdale. IVC North Player of the Year Jared Witherow is among Malvern's graduation losses, but plenty returns for head coach Matt Chiurco, including seniors Julius Gore (RB) and Owen Ball (WR/TE/LB), both first-team all-IVC North picks as juniors, along with second-teamers Roy Simmons and Josh Untch.

Coshocton (2-8) at Ridgewood (11-2)

Last Year: Ridgewood 42, Coshocton 2

This year: This Coshocton County rivalry has been one-sided in Ridgewood’s favor since resuming after a break from 2009-16 — the Generals have swept all 7 meetings by an average score of 40-13. The Redskins traditionally button it up, but coach Steve Smith promises a more wide-open attack this year as QBs J.J. Herman and 6-4 sophomore Mason Williams have been throwing it in the preseason to a corps led by senior Coen Phillips. Ridgewood’s John Slusser said his team is banged up more than any team he can recall in his many years at the school, including a number of key players. Jace McQueen is a good athlete taking over for All-Ohio QB Grant Lahmers and two-way lineman Kaleb Nettles and all-IVC performers Jackson Cabot (WR/DB) and RB/LBs Talon Carns and Bryce Tolliver are among the returnees for Slusser and the Generals.

Claymont (1-9) at Harrison Central (2-8)

Last Year: Harrison Central 28, Claymont 13

This year: Second-year Claymont head coach Buddy White will bring his Mustangs to Harrison County to square off with the Huskies in the Battle for Tappan Lake rivalry opener, featuring two squads that struggled last season. Harrison Central started and ended the season with victories, but came up short in the other eight, all of which were against teams that finished with winning records and postseason berths. More than half of those eight made it at least to the second round of the playoffs. Claymont posted its lone win in Week 7, edging Tusky Valley 30-26. The Mustangs played against six playoff teams along the way. The ’Stangs haven’t topped Harrison since 2011 but return all 11 starters on defense this year in hopes of snapping a six-game skid in the rivalry series. On the other sideline, Huskies head man Anthony Hayes and his staff will be looking to reverse course from last season’s 2-8 campaign. Brady Hyre returns at quarterback, with playmakers such as Jacob Quito and Chaz Culbertson expected to make plays on both sides of the ball.

Crooksville (4-6) at Newcomerstown (9-3)

Last Year: Did not play

This year: Newcomerstown started strong a year ago, winning its first seven games before stumbling down the stretch a bit. The Trojans finished second in the Inter-Valley Conference North Division, trailing only champion Malvern, which went unbeaten in league play. The Ceramics also got out of the gates quickly last season, starting 4-1, then did not win again and failed to make the playoffs.

Garaway (10-3) at River View (0-9)

Last Year: Garaway 56, River View 0

This year: River View scored 19 points in a winless 2024, but alum Tyler McKee has brought in a new plan, some new staffers and a new energy. The first-year coach has a young team and no grace period with perennial playoff participants Garaway and Ridgewood opening the schedule. Garaway is replacing some skill positions but returns a lot up front for 25-year coach Jason Wallick, including Dillon King, Colson Keller and Braxton Speed, set to protect first-year QB Christian Raber. CB/WR Jaxon Garber is also a Pirate to watch.

Danville (12-3) at Worthington Christian (5-6)

Last Year: Danville 50, Worthington Christian 21

This year: The Danville football team will be looking for another solid opening game this season against a familiar foe. The Blue Devils steamrolled WC last season, and despite losing a big, strong senior class, have plenty of athletes ready to pick back up where they left off last season. Cyren Wallace is back at tailback after a surprising freshman season that saw him gain more than 1,000 yards. Nolan Ridgway takes over at quarterback this season and will have plenty of weapons on the outside in Aidan Mickley, Wesley Payne and Ashton Spaulding. Defensively, the Blue Devils will hope to slow down the high-flying Warriors, who scored on plays of 63 and 40 yards a season ago. Two of the players responsible for those big plays — quarterback Thomas Hartings and running back Gabe Long — return for the Warriors. All 6 of Worthington Christian’s losses a year ago came to teams that averaged 11 wins each.

Marion Harding (1-9) at Mount Vernon (2-8)

Last Year: Marion Harding 31, Mount Vernon 27

This year: Revenge will be on the mind of the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets in their opening game. The Jackets will host Marion Harding, which held on for a 31-27 victory last fall. MV trailed 24-6 in the game before rallying for 21 straight points to take the lead, getting two touchdowns from quarterback Jake Taylor, but the Presidents hit a long pass play late to pull out the victory. Mason Richards, who split time with the graduated Taylor at quarterback last year, is ready to take over full time. The dual threat quarterback has some weapons in tailback Dakota Stafford and wideout Darrin Monahan. The offensive line will have its work cut out for them protecting Richards and opening holes for Stafford. Harding returns second-team All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference linebacker Lucas Keller. The 5-10, 210-pound senior had 128 tackles and nine sacks a year ago. The Presidents will be breaking in a new quarterback this season, sophomore Jaden Jordan. He’ll have a solid receiver in senior Ray-J Harbolt, who had 50 catches for 561 yards and four touchdowns a year ago.

Northridge (5-6) at East Knox (4-6)

Last Year: Northridge 8, East Knox 7

This year: East Knox will be looking for a quick start from its offense in order to avenge last season’s Week 1 loss to Northridge. The Bulldogs struggled offensively in their opener a year ago but hope a fourth season from quarterback Jaxon Lester proves magical. He has several of his main targets back, including receivers Logan Hercenberg and Logan Clark and tight end Rush Beatty. The Vikings lost several starters from last year’s 5-6 team, but do have running back Jayce Golden, who rushed for nearly 500 yards as a sophomore. Also back is senior dual threat quarterback Ty Koehler. A deep and talented East Knox defense will be counted on to keep the Vikings at bay once again. The Bulldogs surrendered less than 200 yards of offense in the opening loss a year ago.

Utica (4-7) at Centerburg (8-4)

Last Year: Centerburg 21, Utica 6

This year: Centerburg is hoping its high-powered offense comes out of the gate firing this fall as the Trojans, who averaged over 30 points per game last fall, return two of the biggest cogs in that scoring wheel in quarterback Blane Ball and running back Miles Marshall. Ball threw for 1,695 yards and 21 touchdowns a season ago, leading the Trojans to the second round of the state playoffs. Marshall was a workhorse in the backfield, rushing for 1,224 yards and 16 scores. Both were key in last year’s victory over the Redskins, who had a three-game win streak last fall and advanced to the state playoffs where they lost in the first round. Utica lost dual threat quarterback Hayden Piper to graduation but return a pair of seniors in the backfield — Kamden Hall and Mason Brewer — who will be a tough matchup for the Trojan defense.

Sparta Highland (3-7) at Fredericktown (5-6)

Last Year: Fredericktown 30, Highland 28

This year: The fireworks went off early and often in last season’s matchup between the Freddies and Scots as the teams traded touchdowns throughout the game before the Freddies were able to hold on for the narrow victory. The Freddies return a good portion of that firepower, led by senior quarterback Blake Sipes, who rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown in that Week 1 victory. Brode Davis and Gavin Toombs also return on the outside for the Freddies. The Scots have some big shoes to fill in the fireworks department as quarterback Kolton Stover was lost to graduation. They do return his younger brother, Kane, as well as senior Zachary Church.

Louisville (4-6) at New Philadelphia (7-4)

Last Year: New Philadelphia 12, Louisville 7

This year: The Quakers are hoping to ride some momentum from the 2024 season, which ended with a five-game regular-season winning streak before a one-possession loss to Jackson in the first round of the Div. III playoffs. The Quakers finished 4-2 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, leaving them in a second-place tie with Lexington, behind unbeaten champ Ashland, and the final three victories in the Quakers’ streak were against Lexington, West Holmes and Dover, all of which won two playoff games. Mike Johnson enters his fifth season at his alma mater needing to replace a 3-year starting QB in Keaton Fausel and 2 more first-team all-OCC picks, but there's lots of talent back — LB Caleb Crowthers was first-team all-OCC as a sophomore and with sr. LB Vincent Magoni (second team) both piled up over 100 tackles a year ago. Sr. C.J. Carlisle is a potential game-breaker who had over 700 receiving yards in earning first-team all-conference, RB Myles Tyson is poised for a big senior year and seniors Brodie Lindsay, Carter Watson and Cohen Winters all picked up some all-OCC mention as juniors.

Dover (9-4) at GlenOak (1-9)

Last Year: Did not play

This year: Dover is under new guidance for the first time in 30 seasons, as new head coach Matt Rees takes over from Dan Ifft, who won 247 games in his legendary three-decade run. It’s also the last season in limbo for the Crimson Tornadoes before joining the Ohio Cardinal Conference in football in 2026. While Dover has been a member of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, it has essentially been independent. It rejoins the likes of Ashland, Mansfield Madison, West Holmes and Wooster — all on the upcoming schedule. The Tornadoes had another memorable season a year ago, notching a pair of playoff victories after a 7-3 regular season. GlenOak, which competes in Div. I, notched its lone win of the season, a 52-14 victory, over Mansfield Senior of the OCC. The Golden Eagles were shut out in four of their nine losses and scored seven or fewer points in four others.

Tusky Valley (2-8) at Waynedale (3-7)

Last Year: Tusky Valley 41, Waynedale 35

This year: These two have been meeting early in the season for some time and the winner usually gets a boost, but that wasn’t the case last year when the Trojans won a high-scoring affair and started 2-3, then lost their last five and their coach. Then, new head coach Zach Dennis stepped down in late July to take the job as Smithville AD, with assistant Cade Adams taking over. Jesse Kanter, meanwhile, is back for Year 2 to try and stabilize the once-proud Golden Bear program. The Bears aren’t big, but Kanter likes his team speed and the blend of seniors and younger talent.

Indian Valley (16-0) at Green (7-5)

Last Year: Did not play.

This year: Indian Valley is coming into this season off the magical ride of 2024 that concluded with a thrilling 37-36 win over Sandusky Perkins in the Division IV state championship game. The Braves, led by returning RB Grady Kinsey, the Div. IV co-Offensive Player of the Year who scored 50 times last year, spent most of 2024 playing with second-half running clocks. Exceptions were a 45-41 win over Dover in Week 4 and a 40-35 victory over Garaway in Week 7. The Braves’ first five playoff victories came by an average margin of 26 points. Green, a member of the Federal League, should provide a staunch opening test. The Bulldogs last year finished 7-4 against a schedule that included three Division I and seven Division II foes.

Strasburg (3-8) at Windham (10-2)

Last Year: Did not play

This year: Strasburg’s 2024 schedule was something else — 3 of the Tigers’ opponents won double-digit games, 2 others won 9 and one won 8. So, of course, head coach Jimm Morris and his squad open on the road against a Bomber team that won 10 games a year ago, went to the second round of the Div. VII playoffs, and is eyeing a return to the postseason under head coach Jake Eye.

 Contributors: Fred Main, Ray Sarvis, Todd Stumpf, D.J. Watson and Mike Plant.