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Ohio 2024: Week 1


OdbCle

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The Ohio season kicks off this week on Thursday. Once again I think we are looking at top three of Massillon/Hoban/Ed's, but I don't see any consensus favorite this year despite Massillon leading the way in most of the pre-season polls. Several others could challenge the Big 3, who all lost significant contributors from last year.  Here's my first stab in the dark at this. The top three are more like 1a,b, and c at this point.

1. Massillon - The Tigers return most of their top playmakers on offense, and Jalen Slaughter is finally poised to assume to the QB1 roll after he had to relinquish it last year to the transfer Owens. Massillon actually got another transfer QB this year from the Buffalo area, but I think the job is still Slaughter's to lose. They also picked up a D1 corner from the same school. The early returns from their scrimmages have been a mixed bag, but they are implementing a new offensive system and may need some time to gel.  The big question for me is if they can replace what they lost on the defensive side of the ball, which is really what carried them to their first playoff title. They will open up on the road in Oregon on 8/22 to take on NFL Academy London. 

2. Archbishop Hoban - Hoban is probably the most talented group on paper. They have D1 guys returning at every level of the offense and defense and picked up a transfer QB from Brunswick.  How well he performs will dictate whether this very talented group reaches its full potential. Head coach Tyrrell is a great assembler of talent, but I have found Hoban's offense approach to be too vanilla. They play host to Archbishop Spaulding (MD) on 8/23. 

3. St. Edward - The Eagles are rebuilding in the trenches after graduating one of the best offensive lines to come through the school as well as two D1 defensive lineman. However, the pipeline is strong and they have looked good in two preseason scrimmages with Hilliard Davidson and Glenville. Breakout sophomore Brandon White will look to build on a spectacular second year campaign, and there is very good talent at the WR positions for QB Thomas Csanyi to utilize. He got valuable reps last year when Bullock went down and recently committed to D2 Ashland. He doesn't have Bullocks legs, but he looks to have more arm talent. Defensively, Ed's added a transfer DT from Benedictine that will shore up the interior of the line. All-state LB Nate Gregory and DB Bradley Eaton will lead an deep and athletic back 7. Eaton has also been taking some reps on offense as a RB/Slot back.  Big test right out of the gates as they head down 71 to square off with an equally talented Pick North team on 8/23. 

4. Avon - An annual threat in the D2 scene for years now, this could be the year they break through for a title. They did lose their top two guys in OT Hamilton (Michigan) and RB Caffey (Cincinnati), but return QB All-Ohio QB Nolan Good and their top two receivers. DB Jakob Weatherspoon has an OSU offer. They will open against Ignatius at Browns Stadium on 8/23. 

5. Moeller - The Crusaders bring back talented signal caller Matt Ponatoski and D1 prospect WR Jovan Love to headline the offense. I believe they have another very talented TE as well. The defense features D1 commits Micah Rice (DB, Louisville) and Jonah Hayes (Edge, Northwestern). Moeller should be as big and talented as anyone. 8/23 at Princeton. 

6. Springfield - The Wildcats will look to return to the D1 championship game for the 4th time in as many years. They have shown the ability to reload at the skill positions and return their QB Brent Upshaw. Their offensive line featured several underclassmen last year which led to their undoing against St. Edward, but that group should be improved. Their usually potent offense will face a stiff week one test against a loaded Winton Woods defense on 8/23. 

7. Pickerington North - North seems to have overtaken Central as the destination school for Columbus area talent. It's become hard to keep track of the transfers back and forth down there. Junior QB Jarin Mock (Wisconsin) comes over from Reynoldsburg, and although they lost Williams-Dixon to graduation, they have another D1 RB in Michael Taylor (Ohio U) and WR Preston Bowman (Kentucky) returning on offense with a few D1 caliber o-lineman. Their junior class boasts several kids with D1 offers. Hosts St. Edward on 8/23. 

8. St. X - The Bombers were a bit of a mixed bag last year, but were playing some good football down the stretch before falling to Moeller in the second round of the playoffs. The defense should be stout but they will need to get the offense figured out with Herbstreit's kid at the helm. Big things were expected when they hired Andrew Coverdale as the OC, but his high flying offense never bore fruit in Ohio and he headed off to Louisville. At Lakota West on 8/23. 

9. Princeton - Slotting them here for now as they are getting a lot of hype down in the Cincy area with the bevy of talent they have. An undefeated regular season last year ended with a disappointing loss to LW in the third round where they could not muster any offense. Big test week 1 to see if they are legit. Hosts Moeller on 8/23. 

10. Toledo Central Catholic - TCC graduates a number of guys off their D3 state championship team, but their program seems to reload rather than rebuild these days. For that reason I'm giving them the nod at the ten spot for now. Hosts Findlay on 8/23. 

On the bubble: Lakota West, Gahanna-Lincoln, Mentor, Winton Woods, Cleveland Heights

Others: Pick Central, HH Wayne, Canton McKinley, Upper Arlington, Walsh Jesuit

 

 

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On 8/19/2024 at 3:10 PM, OdbCle said:

The Ohio season kicks off this week on Thursday. Once again I think we are looking at top three of Massillon/Hoban/Ed's, but I don't see any consensus favorite this year despite Massillon leading the way in most of the pre-season polls. Several others could challenge the Big 3, who all lost significant contributors from last year.  Here's my first stab in the dark at this. The top three are more like 1a,b, and c at this point.

1. Massillon - The Tigers return most of their top playmakers on offense, and Jalen Slaughter is finally poised to assume to the QB1 roll after he had to relinquish it last year to the transfer Owens. Massillon actually got another transfer QB this year from the Buffalo area, but I think the job is still Slaughter's to lose. They also picked up a D1 corner from the same school. The early returns from their scrimmages have been a mixed bag, but they are implementing a new offensive system and may need some time to gel.  The big question for me is if they can replace what they lost on the defensive side of the ball, which is really what carried them to their first playoff title. They will open up on the road in Oregon on 8/22 to take on NFL Academy London. 

2. Archbishop Hoban - Hoban is probably the most talented group on paper. They have D1 guys returning at every level of the offense and defense and picked up a transfer QB from Brunswick.  How well he performs will dictate whether this very talented group reaches its full potential. Head coach Tyrrell is a great assembler of talent, but I have found Hoban's offense approach to be too vanilla. They play host to Archbishop Spaulding (MD) on 8/23. 

3. St. Edward - The Eagles are rebuilding in the trenches after graduating one of the best offensive lines to come through the school as well as two D1 defensive lineman. However, the pipeline is strong and they have looked good in two preseason scrimmages with Hilliard Davidson and Glenville. Breakout sophomore Brandon White will look to build on a spectacular second year campaign, and there is very good talent at the WR positions for QB Thomas Csanyi to utilize. He got valuable reps last year when Bullock went down and recently committed to D2 Ashland. He doesn't have Bullocks legs, but he looks to have more arm talent. Defensively, Ed's added a transfer DT from Benedictine that will shore up the interior of the line. All-state LB Nate Gregory and DB Bradley Eaton will lead an deep and athletic back 7. Eaton has also been taking some reps on offense as a RB/Slot back.  Big test right out of the gates as they head down 71 to square off with an equally talented Pick North team on 8/23. 

4. Avon - An annual threat in the D2 scene for years now, this could be the year they break through for a title. They did lose their top two guys in OT Hamilton (Michigan) and RB Caffey (Cincinnati), but return QB All-Ohio QB Nolan Good and their top two receivers. DB Jakob Weatherspoon has an OSU offer. They will open against Ignatius at Browns Stadium on 8/23. 

5. Moeller - The Crusaders bring back talented signal caller Matt Ponatoski and D1 prospect WR Jovan Love to headline the offense. I believe they have another very talented TE as well. The defense features D1 commits Micah Rice (DB, Louisville) and Jonah Hayes (Edge, Northwestern). Moeller should be as big and talented as anyone. 8/23 at Princeton. 

6. Springfield - The Wildcats will look to return to the D1 championship game for the 4th time in as many years. They have shown the ability to reload at the skill positions and return their QB Brent Upshaw. Their offensive line featured several underclassmen last year which led to their undoing against St. Edward, but that group should be improved. Their usually potent offense will face a stiff week one test against a loaded Winton Woods defense on 8/23. 

7. Pickerington North - North seems to have overtaken Central as the destination school for Columbus area talent. It's become hard to keep track of the transfers back and forth down there. Junior QB Jarin Mock (Wisconsin) comes over from Reynoldsburg, and although they lost Williams-Dixon to graduation, they have another D1 RB in Michael Taylor (Ohio U) and WR Preston Bowman (Kentucky) returning on offense with a few D1 caliber o-lineman. Their junior class boasts several kids with D1 offers. Hosts St. Edward on 8/23. 

8. St. X - The Bombers were a bit of a mixed bag last year, but were playing some good football down the stretch before falling to Moeller in the second round of the playoffs. The defense should be stout but they will need to get the offense figured out with Herbstreit's kid at the helm. Big things were expected when they hired Andrew Coverdale as the OC, but his high flying offense never bore fruit in Ohio and he headed off to Louisville. At Lakota West on 8/23. 

9. Princeton - Slotting them here for now as they are getting a lot of hype down in the Cincy area with the bevy of talent they have. An undefeated regular season last year ended with a disappointing loss to LW in the third round where they could not muster any offense. Big test week 1 to see if they are legit. Hosts Moeller on 8/23. 

10. Toledo Central Catholic - TCC graduates a number of guys off their D3 state championship team, but their program seems to reload rather than rebuild these days. For that reason I'm giving them the nod at the ten spot for now. Hosts Findlay on 8/23. 

On the bubble: Lakota West, Gahanna-Lincoln, Mentor, Winton Woods, Cleveland Heights

Others: Pick Central, HH Wayne, Canton McKinley, Upper Arlington, Walsh Jesuit

 

 

Like to see if CH and/or Mentor can challenge R1

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37 minutes ago, hardhit1 said:

A couple Ohio scores

Avon 42 Iggy 21

Glenville 6 Upper Arlington 0

Eds 28 Pinkerton North 0

Hey, everyone — welcome to another season of Ohio High School Football!  Eds with a very nice road win against a PN team that’s expected to be very good this year, while Iggys get smacked around by Avon.  LOL.  What a glorious start to the season!

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1 minute ago, reggid said:

Hey, everyone — welcome to another season of Ohio Hogh School Football!  Eds with a very nice road win against a PN team that’s expected to be very good this year, while Iggys get smacked around by Avon.  LOL.  What a glorious start to the season!

Hey R what’s up?

Great start but next week going to be a tough one. Need to improve & sleigh with them win or lose. Lots of potential! 

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2 minutes ago, hardhit1 said:

Hey R what’s up?

Great start but next week going to be a tough one. Need to improve & sleigh with them win or lose. Lots of potential! 

Would love to see Eds roll to another title.  Hoping today is a good sign for the defense this year.  I’m sure the offense will improve from some first game jitters.

What really concerns me is whether my freaking Guardians will win as many games the rest of the way as Ed’s.  🥵

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1 minute ago, reggid said:

Would love to see Eds roll to another title.  Hoping today is a good sign for the defense this year.  I’m sure the offense will improve from some first game jitters.

What really concerns me is whether my freaking Guardians will win as many games the rest of the way as Ed’s.  🥵

😂 I’m going to Monday nights game 

Kind of regretting it now - we will see 

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I'll come out with my updated Ohio power ranking at some point this week, but the big winners in my book this week were Ed's, Moeller, Winton Woods and Lakota West (especially the first two). Ed's shutting out PN on the road and Moeller exploding offensively against a hyped Princeton team put the rest of D1 on notice. WW and LW put on extremely impressive defensive displays, but the book is still out and their offenses. Nonetheless, both will make big jumps this week.

Less than impressive were Massillon, Hoban, Springfield and X. I still like the potential of those four teams and all faced some stiff week one tests (less so Massillon), but they will need to find answers. 

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