The seedings are set, the brackets established. It’s time to determine the best high school football teams in Ohio and Michigan.
Computer points, used to determine playoff qualifiers in Ohio and Michigan, no longer matter. But what are some numbers — other than the final score, of course — that will help decide which teams will take lengthy journeys down the postseason trail?
Here’s a look at five X-factors for Toledo-area teams heading into Friday’s opening round.
1. Findlay’s presence under center
Sure, Findlay quarterback Ryan Montgomery brought every bit of hype with him heading into the 2023 season. He threw for 2,420 yards and 29 touchdowns as a ninth-grader on varsity, and he completed 60 percent of his passes en route to 1,787 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore as he racked up recruiting offers from a number of blue-chip programs. After a 5-6 record as a sophomore, however, some might have wondered if there was more sizzle than steak going on. Montgomery has squashed many of those doubts, topping the 3,000-yard mark for the season in Friday’s victory over Northview as Findlay clinched a share of the Northern Lakes League Buckeye Division title. He has 35 touchdown passes through 10 games, with Findlay averaging 45.8 points in its eight victories. The magic moment for Montgomery came in Week 8 at Perrysburg, when, a week after the Trojans were held to 14 points in a loss to Anthony Wayne, he led his team to two fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 42-28 victory. A convincing 40-14 victory the following week at Whitmer effectively secured the division title share. Now Montgomery and his teammates aim for an extended playoff run after going out in the first round last year.
2. Anthony Wayne’s stout defense
In Anthony Wayne’s eight victories this season, the Generals yielded a combined 75 points, an average of 9.4 per game. That stout defense was breached twice, in the season opener at Hillard Darby and in Week 6 at Whitmer, but the Generals stayed in both contests despite giving up 34 and 42 points, respectively. The AW defense has the ability to flip the field, with Carter Schaller going end zone to end zone in returning an interception for a score against St. John’s Jesuit in Week 2 and Ben Nieckarz returning an pick 85 yards for a touchdown against Start in Week 5. The Generals host the Spartans a second time in this week’s opening round, with a meeting against NLL Cardinal Division member Fremont Ross possible in Round 2.
3. Southview’s power player
Isaac Sexton is perhaps the area’s biggest workhorse running back. His 230 rushing attempts are the most in the Toledo area, and his 1,409 rushing yards topped both divisions of the NLL. Southview’s all-time leading rusher kept the Cougars out front in the NLL Cardinal race after a knee injury forced quarterback Will Mayzes out for a handful of games. With Mayzes, the son of former Southview state championship head coach Jim Mayzes, back in the mix under center, the Cougars’ offense will be in strong position entering the postseason. The Cougars open with Cleveland Rhodes on Friday, with a potential rematch with division foe Clay looming in the second round.
4. Central Catholic’s balance
A key reason to Central Catholic’s 25-game winning streak is its ability to move the football in several ways. The Irish will bring the run, with Marquan Braswell’s four touchdowns against Detroit Cass Tech in Saturday’s Prep Bowl bringing him to 25 on the season. Tyler Morgan bolstered that scoring total with 14 touchdowns of his own. Figure out the run, then there’s the play-making ability of receivers like Jaylen Watson, who had a 50-yard touchdown reception against Cass Tech, to contend with. Central rolled past first-round Division I hosts Findlay and Whitmer early in the season, and aside from a 28-23 Week 5 victory over Warren de La Salle has won all of its games comfortably.
5. Liberty Center’s brick wall
Unbeaten Northwest Ohio Athletic League champion Liberty Center proved difficult to score against during the regular season. The Tigers posted four shutouts, including an impressive 62-0 romp of 8-2 Patrick Henry in Week 7, and held four other opponents to six or seven points. Defiance Tinora and Archbold were the only teams to crack double figures, and they were held to 14 points apiece. Find a way to score against Liberty Center, there’s the matter of keeping pace offensively: LC averaged 49 points per game, with a season low of 35 in Week 1 against Tinora. Special teams plays a role: Cam Kahle has a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown this season, as well as punt returns of 65 and 52 yards.
First Published October 23, 2023, 3:18 p.m.