More central Ohio high school football Week 4 previews
(2-1) Newark at (2-1) Thomas Worthington
Who knew when the schedule was made that Newark and Thomas would be playing with so much on the line. A win would go a long way to achieving that elusive winning season for both teams. Thomas hasn’t done it since 1999, and Newark last did it in 2005.
The Wildcats snapped a 20-game losing streak with a 35-34 win over Mount Vernon in Week 2 and followed that up with a 28-21 win over Marion Harding last week. They hadn’t won back-to-back games since winning their first three in 2016, when they finished 5-5. Newark was just 6-50 from 2017-21.
Thomas, which looks to bounce back from a 42-26 loss to Grove City in Week 3, has won both games since the series resumed in 2020, including 41-14 last season. The Wildcats won the previous 14. Thomas and Newark played every year from 1981-97 and 2001-08.
For the Cardinals on offense, Will Cooper was 30-for-50 passing for 473 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions against the Dawgs. But he was sacked 10 times. Simon Smith caught six passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Connor Smith had 15 tackles, Joey Zalewski forced a fumble, Abu Keita had a fumble recovery and Javon Hern had an interception to lead the defense.
Steele Meister was 13-for-18 passing for 236 yards with two touchdowns and an interception and Max Durbin had 11 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown to lead the Wildcats against the Presidents. Defensively, Kalen Winbush had six tackles and Trey Robinson III and Calvin Untied had 5.5 tackles. Three of Untied’s tackles were for a loss, including one sack.
(0-2) Bexley at (0-2) Beechcroft
The teams meet for the first time since 2014 when the Cougars won 39-20 in the first round of the Division IV, Region 13 playoffs.
The Lions lost to KIPP Columbus 36-7 on Sept. 2 as Jackson Frey was 8-for-8 passing for 84 yards and one touchdown. Aurelius Scott was 20-for-37 passing for 266 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and rushed for 57 yards and one score on 22 carries in the Cougars' 59-24 loss to Big Walnut. Jayden Douglas had five receptions for 122 yards and one score, and DeShawn Henderson had five receptions for 44 yards, rushed for 26 yards on three carries and completed his only pass for a 35-yard touchdown to Khalil Samuel.
Both teams had their Week 2 game canceled, with Beechcroft losing its game to the Columbus teachers strike and Bexley sitting out because of positive COVID-19 tests.
(2-1) Upper Arlington at (1-2) Westerville Central
In the latest meeting of a series the Warhawks lead 3-2, both teams are looking to bounce back after rough fourth quarters against undefeated teams.
The Golden Bears led Pickerington North 13-12 before the Panthers put together a 14-play, 97-yard drive that consumed most of the fourth quarter and scored with 1:15 left to win 18-13 and hand UA its first regular-season loss since Sept. 25, 2020.
The Warhawks trailed Hilliard Bradley 14-10 midway through the fourth before the Jaguars scored twice in 15 seconds, including a touchdown one play after an interception.
Central quarterback Jaystin Gwinn leads the Warhawks both on the ground and through the air, accounting for 314 all-purpose yards against Bradley.
UA quarterback James Hayek threw for a season-best 103 yards last week on 10-for-16 passing. Ground production has been spread between backup quarterback Tommy Janowicz (12 carries, 97 yards, 3 touchdowns) and backs Connor McClellan (28 carries, 102 yards, 3 TDs) and Jack Ubert (26 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs).
(1-2) Worthington Kilbourne at (2-1) Canal Winchester
The Indians and Wolves are headed in opposite directions as they begin OCC-Capital Division play.
Canal Winchester benefited from four turnovers, three of which were interceptions, in last week’s 24-11 win over Hartley. The Indians have 10 takeaways on the season to complement a run-based offense led by Corey Howard (39 carries, 159 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Kaseem Wade (35 carries, 139 yards, 2 TDs).
Canal Winchester outscored Hartley 21-0 in the third quarter.
Kilbourne has been outscored 59-6 the past two weeks, including a 21-6 loss at Groveport on Sept. 2, and has gained 322 total yards the last two games after amassing 392 in a season-opening win over Watkins Memorial. Quarterback Nash Biglin is 25-for-55 passing for 220 yards and two touchdowns — both to Tyler Cain — and one interception, and Ben Bartman has rushed for 272 yards and a touchdown on 61 carries.
(0-3) Lancaster at (3-0) New Albany
The Eagles hope to continue a dominance that has seen them play with a running clock in the second half in each of the first three weeks, including last week’s win at Walnut Ridge in which they trailed 8-7 midway through the first quarter but finished the game with 51 unanswered points.
Running back Christian Manville scored three touchdowns for the third consecutive game and has 361 yards on 35 attempts, an average of 10.3 yards per carry. New Albany averages 385 yards per game while giving up 116, including only 36 against the Scots.
A 21-0 run in the second half last week at Olentangy was not enough to prevent Lancaster’s third 0-3 start in five seasons. After being shut out in their first two games, the Golden Gales got 127 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries from Xavier Goss in a 35-20 loss to the Braves.
New Albany leads the series 2-0, with wins of 20-13 in 2020 and 34-20 last year.
(0-3) Franklin Heights at (2-1) Westerville North
North will try to keep it rolling in the OCC-Capital opener. The Warriors have won two consecutive games, including 17-14 at Chillicothe last week. Stanley Jackson had 23 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown, and Ronald Jackson was 11-for-18 passing for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Despite being shut out twice this season, including 14-0 last week against Briggs, the Falcons have already scored as many points (28) as all of last season. They’re trying to snap an 11-game losing streak. Anthony Jalloh had eight tackles, including two for loss and a sack, Kentre Robinson had six tackles, including three for loss and two fumble recoveries, and Shemar Westmoreland had an interception to lead the Falcons against the Bruins.
The teams didn’t meet last year because of COVID-19 protocols within the Franklin Heights program. The Warriors have won the last four meetings, including 17-0 in 2020.
(2-1) KIPP Columbus at (2-1) St. Charles
The Cardinals and Jaguars meet for the first time after posting blowout victories in Week 3.
St. Charles rolled over Amanda-Clearcreek 35-0 on Sept. 2 as Mason O’Reilly rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries and had seven tackles at linebacker. Aiden Fox ran for 109 yards and one score on 12 carries, and linebacker Colin Greenhalge had six tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
The Jaguars amassed 438 total yards, including 306 rushing yards on 43 carries, in a 36-7 win over Bexley on Sept. 2. Quarterback Tymir Wynn was 7-for-11 passing for 132 yards and had nine carries for 70 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Cameron Frazier had five carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns and three catches for 71 yards.
(0-3) Olentangy Liberty at (2-1) Olentangy Berlin
The Bears are looking for a third consecutive victory and their first over Liberty. The Patriots, who won 31-25 in 2020 and 38-14 last fall, are 0-3 for the first time. Despite going 1-9 in their inaugural 2003 season, they won their opener 14-0 at Licking Heights. Liberty lost to Pickerington Central 42-0 on Aug. 19, Cleveland Glenville 20-14 on Aug. 26 and Cincinnati St. Xavier 45-21 on Sept. 2. Andrew Leonard was 19-for-33 passing for 236 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions against St. Xavier, and Alex Okuley had seven catches for 135 yards and two scores. Berlin defeated Dublin Scioto 10-7 on Sept. 2 as Harrison Brewster was 12-for-25 passing for 101 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 48 yards on 14 carries.
(2-1) Whitehall-Yearling at (2-1) Grandview Heights
The Bobcats and Rams meet for the first time since 2019, missing the past two seasons because of positive COVID-19 tests. Whitehall won 60-13 in 2019 and has won four in a row and six of seven against Grandview. The Bobcats last won 45-8 in 2015. Jake Sakash caught 16 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns to lead Grandview past visiting Northridge 20-13 on Sept. 2. Brady Parsley completed 15 of 17 passes for 203 yards and one score. Andre Jackson rushed for touchdowns of 89 and 54 yards as Whitehall beat host Marion Pleasant 20-13 on Sept. 2 for their second win in a row.
(2-1) Westerville South at (0-3) Dublin Scioto
South and Scioto will kick off OCC-Capital play. The Wildcats are looking to rebound from their first loss, a 31-14 setback at Hilliard Darby on Sept. 2. Nasir Phillips rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries to lead South. Scioto remained winless with a 10-7 loss to Olentangy Berlin on Sept. 2. Byson Arthur passed for 166 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 39 yards to lead the Irish. South leads the series 10-6 and has won four of the last five meetings.
(2-1) Grove City Christian at (0-3) Fisher Catholic
Grove City Christian is looking to build on a 62-16 win at Paden City (West Virginia) on Sept. 2. Brayden Taylor passed for 265 yards and six touchdowns, Chad Blunt had six catches for 131 yards and one score and Cayden Carroll rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Fisher Catholic has been outscored 158-14 through three games and was held to minus-51 yards rushing in a 55-0 loss to Portsmouth Notre Dame on Sept. 2. It will be the MSL-Cardinal opener for both teams. The Irish lead the series 5-4.
(1-1) Centennial at (2-0) Columbus East
The Stars and Tigers enter their City League-North Division opener coming off Week 3 wins, with East beating Toledo Scott 22-20 on Sept. 3 and Centennial defeating Columbus West 34-8 on Sept. 1. Quarterback Wayne Lindsey III, who threw for one touchdown and rushed for another, and Taizaun Burns, who scored on a punt return, will try to lead East to a second consecutive win in the series after winning 46-7 last season. Centennial quarterback Roderick Peterson threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for one score, Ami Jones rushed for two scores and Kendrell Moxley had two touchdown catches against West.
(0-2) Northland at (0-2) Whetstone
After losing their first five games a season ago, the Vikings beat the Braves 36-6 to begin a three-game winning streak. Northland, which has won five in a row in the series, took a 6-0 lead over Urbana on Sept. 2 when Mekhi Kilburn returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a score but lost 40-20. Amir Brown ran for a 66-yard touchdown and Terryn Thomas and Alex Neff rotated at quarterback for the Vikings, who face a Whetstone team that has scored 10 points on the season. One of the bright spots for Whetstone has been running back Damarion McClinton, who had 105 yards rushing in a 55-8 loss to Watterson on Aug. 19 and 113 yards rushing in a 34-2 loss to Columbus South on Sept. 1.
(2-1) Logan Elm at (1-1) Hamilton Township
The Rangers returned to action Sept. 2 after having two opponents cancel games in Week 2 but lost to Heath 24-17 to drop to 1-1. Senior running back Zach Dawson and senior wide receiver Matthew Noel have been among the leaders for the Rangers, who beat Logan Elm 41-14 last season and have won 10 in a row in the series. The Braves have won two in a row after opening with a 25-13 loss to Chillicothe Zane Trace on Aug. 19, including beating Washington Court House Miami Trace 35-10 on Sept. 2 as running back Blayton Reid rushed for 46 yards and two touchdowns and added a touchdown catch.
(0-3) Corning Miller at (1-2) Worthington Christian
MSL-Cardinal action opens for both the Warriors and the Falcons, who will travel 80 miles for the game. After the Warriors won 31-0 in the first meeting between the programs in 2020, their matchup last season was canceled because of COVID-19 protocols. Worthington Christian followed a 45-0 win over Dayton Christian on Aug. 26 by losing 34-28 on Sept. 2 to Centerburg, with quarterback Hobie Raikes throwing for 224 yards and four touchdowns but being intercepted three times. Gibby Wilson had two receiving touchdowns and Ethan Albert rushed for 74 yards and one score. Miller is on a six-game losing streak.
(2-1) Gahanna Lincoln at (0-3) Reynoldsburg
Before last season’s Gahanna-Reynoldsburg game was canceled because of COVID-19 protocols, the programs had met every season since 1962. The Lions hold a 49-21 series lead, although the Raiders won 48-14 in 2020. On Sept. 2, Gahanna lost 10-0 to Centerville and Reynoldsburg fell 33-21 to Marysville. While the Lions got 137 yards rushing from Diore Hubbard and didn’t give up a defensive touchdown but finished with just 43 yards passing, Raiders quarterback Troy Martin threw for 236 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 54 yards and one score but was intercepted three times. Chris Karr and Jabari Mitchell finished with 12.5 and 11.5 tackles, respectively for Reynoldsburg.
(1-2) DeSales at (0-3) Clarksville Clinton-Massie
A pair of traditional powers off to slow starts will meet in a rematch of a game won 17-7 last season by DeSales. The Falcons, who are defending Division IV state champions, got 48 yards and one touchdown rushing from quarterback Logan Chesser but completed no passes in a 17-7 loss to Middletown Fenwick on Sept. 2. On the same night, DeSales lost for the second consecutive season to Berea-Midpark as it was limited to 145 yards in a 21-6 loss. The Stallions, who beat Dresden Tri-Valley 28-0 on Aug. 19, got a pair of field goals by Joey Bangert before giving up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.
(0-3) Hartley at (2-1) Cincinnati McNicholas
The previous time the Hawks opened with three consecutive losses was in 2002 when they started 0-4. Hartley’s 24-11 loss to Canal Winchester on Sept. 2 represents the first time it has lost three in a row during coach Brad Burchfield’s 15-year tenure and is the program’s longest losing skid since it dropped five in a row in 2006. That being said, things won’t get easier for the Hawks against McNicholas, a Division IV regional runner-up last season. The Rockets beat Goshen 49-13 on Sept. 2 as quarterback Braden BoBo threw for 254 yards and five touchdowns and Ty Snyder rushed for 82 yards and two scores. Hartley has been led by running back DeAunte’ Hubbard, who has 484 yards and six touchdowns on 85 carries.
(3-0) Watterson at (2-1) Tiffin Columbian
In the only previous meeting between the programs, the Eagles beat the Tornadoes 18-7 in the Division III, Region 10 title game on the way to winning the 2010 state championship. Coach Brian Kennedy, who was an assistant that season, will look to get his team to 4-0 for the second time in his tenure after Watterson also won its first four in 2019. To do so, the Eagles will look to continue the success they’ve enjoyed, particularly on defense, after holding Ready to 151 yards in a 28-7 victory Sept. 2. While Treyton Mercer has rushed for 337 yards and seven touchdowns for Watterson, Columbian is led by quarterback Brayden Roggow and running back Damien Brockington and has won two in a row.
(1-1) Ready at (0-3) Buckeye Valley
Ready will try to rebound from a 28-7 loss to Watterson on Sept. 2 against Buckeye Valley, which has lost five in a row. The Barons fell behind 21-0 on their way to a 34-16 loss to Ashland on Sept. 2. The Silver Knights, who defeated Buckeye Valley 23-13 last season, were outgained 304-151 against Watterson after beating Toledo Woodward 68-0 on Aug. 26. Senior running back Brian Fitzsimmons was limited to 32 yards rushing against Watterson but had 156 yards with four touchdowns on the ground against Woodward. Dalton Miller had five catches for 70 yards against Watterson.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: More central Ohio high school football Week 4 previews
