What to know about Ohio high school football in the Columbus area before the season begins
Central Ohio high school football teams are preparing for the 2022 season, and the ThisWeek sports staff is right there with them.
Our writers have been watching practices and talking with coaches and players to give fans insight to their favorite teams – and their opponents. The season previews have been written and edited, and it’s time to share them, along with some fantastic photos from our photographers.
Our preview stories again are online only, and all will be linked on this page. Season previews will be posted daily from Aug. 15-17, and Week 1 game previews will be posted Aug. 18.
High school football preview cover story
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Central Ohio recruiting update
Central Ohio high school football:Will Smith Jr., Garrett Stover lead area recruits
Preseason Super 24 team
Preseason Super 24: The best high school football players in the Columbus area entering 2022
Preseason Super 7 poll
Super 7 poll:Pickerington Central opens seventh consecutive season atop ThisWeek Super 7 poll
League predictions
Columbus high school football:ThisWeek staff predicts league champions
Week-by-week schedule
Your team's slate: 2022 weekly schedule for Columbus and surrounding areas
Central Ohio team previews
CCL
DeSales: Veteran Stallions ready to meet challenges
Hartley: Hawks expect to continue winning ways despite graduation losses
St. Charles: Senior leadership critical as Cardinals seek first winning season since 2013
Watterson: Strong offseason boosts Eagles' hopes
MSL
Bexley: New coach Mike Kerr has Lions excited for season
Buckeye Valley: Barons hope speed provides edge
Columbus Academy: Vikings preparing to challenge Harvest Prep for MSL-Ohio title
Grandview Heights: Veteran leadership, experience to fuel Bobcats
Grove City Christian: First-year Eagles coach Ben Schall excited for season
Hamilton Township: Rangers ready to make up for inconsistent, injury-riddled 2021 season
Harvest Prep: Warriors aiming for league, regional, state championships
Whitehall-Yearling: Rams continuing to make strides, but roster 'not very deep'
Worthington Christian: Warriors growing stronger on, off field
City League-North
Beechcroft: Cougars not backing down from lofty goals
Centennial: Stars hoping to return to pre-pandemic success
Columbus East: Tigers look to take next step
Linden-McKinley: Panthers out to prove 2021 was no fluke
Mifflin: Punchers getting fresh start under veteran coach
Northland: Vikings building program into 'one cohesive unit'
Whetstone: Braves working to turn corner
City League-South
Africentric: Nubians embrace potential of freshman-dominated roster
Briggs: Bruins staying positive in pursuit of better results
Columbus South: Bulldogs hope to continue ascension
Columbus West: Cowboys on quest to end losing streak
Eastmoor Academy: Warriors expect to be among City League's best
Independence: Experienced 76ers anticipate strong season
Marion-Franklin: Red Devils look to recapture past success
Walnut Ridge: Scots hope to take next step in rebuild
OCC-Buckeye
Central Crossing: Comets counting on senior leadership to guide young roster
Groveport Madison: Energetic Michael Robinson II plans to pace Cruisers
Lancaster: Inexperienced Golden Gales banking on unproven players to grow up in a hurry
Newark: Good mix of experience, youth has Wildcats poised for breakthrough
Pickerington Central: Tigers expect to remain among Ohio's elite programs
Reynoldsburg: Raiders building culture under new coach Mark Philmore
OCC-Capital
Big Walnut: Coming off breakout season, Golden Eagles not looking ahead
Canal Winchester: Nonleague schedule to set tone for Indians
Delaware Hayes: Pacers eager to get started under new coach Ryan Montgomery
Dublin Scioto: New-look Irish expect to remain OCC-Capital contender
Franklin Heights: Falcons learn from winless 2021 campaign
Westerville North: Warriors ready to take on more responsibilities
Westerville South: Dominic Birtha to lead Wildcats' quest for OCC-Capital title
Worthington Kilbourne: Wolves to lean on 'enforcer' Marcus Gipson, other two-way players
OCC-Cardinal
Dublin Jerome: Celtics seeking OCC-Cardinal championship
Hilliard Darby: Panthers counting on defense to set tone
Marysville: Monarchs look to remain among top teams in central Ohio
Olentangy: Braves begin new era under coach Wade Bartholomew
Olentangy Berlin: Large roster gives Bears numerous options
Thomas Worthington: Picetti hopes off-field work leads to success for Cardinals
OCC-Central
Dublin Coffman: Shamrocks look to get 'stoked' in second season under coach
Hilliard Bradley: Youthful Jaguars hope to put it all together this season
Hilliard Davidson: Wildcats look to build on winning 2021 season
Olentangy Liberty: Patriots working to rebound from rare losing season
Olentangy Orange: Pioneers determined to rebound after disappointing 2021 season
Upper Arlington: With standard raised, new faces to guide Golden Bears
OCC-Ohio
Gahanna Lincoln: Expectations rise for veteran Lions
Grove City: First-year Dawgs coach hopes to bring renewed energy to program
New Albany: Eagles first-year coach Brian Finn to rely on same formula
Pickerington North: Talent abounds for close-knit Panthers
Westerville Central: Miley looking forward to leading Warhawks
Westland: Cougars see success on horizon
Other central Ohio teams
Columbus Crusaders: Club program continues building toward league title
Jonathan Alder: Pioneers look to step up in coach Nate Snedeker's second year
KIPP Columbus: Jaguars expecting to continue growth process
London: Red Raiders look to add to recent run of success
Ready: Silver Knights building strong foundation
West Jefferson: New-look Roughriders maintain high expectations
Week 1
Central Ohio high school football opening-game previews
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Ohio High School Football 2022 Preview Guide
