High school football in Ohio began Thursday with the first practices of the 2024 season.
Week 1 games are scheduled for Aug. 23.
Here are some sights and sounds from around The Blade’s coverage area on opening day on the gridiron. Check back for updates.
Central Catholic
The champs are here.
Hear from offensive coordinator Chad Huntebrinker, defensive coordinator Ryan Brown, DB Victor Singleton, WR Preston Fryzel, and RB Tyler Morgan as Central Catholic eyes a third straight state championship.
Oak Harbor
The defending Northern Buckeye Conference champs are back on the field.
At Oak Harbor for the opening day of high school football practice. The Rockets won a Northern Buckeye Conference title last season in their first year in the league. @OHRocketFB pic.twitter.com/DdnjuFQOTf
— Brian Buckey (@BrianBuckey) August 1, 2024
Below is coach Mike May and quarterback/defensive back Michael Lalonde speaking about the upcoming season.
Otsego
Otsego runs drills on its first day under new head coach Craig Rutherford.
Patrick Henry
Coach Ben Inselmann, QB Lincoln Creager, and the Patriots hit the turf on Thursday with a goal to replicate the 2023 season, when they made it to the playoff semifinals in Division VII.
2nd stop of the day is Patrick Henry where the Patriots are attempting to build off last year’s magical run to the Division VII state playoff semifinals. @ph_patriots1 pic.twitter.com/sUgPHx0If0
— Brian Buckey (@BrianBuckey) August 1, 2024
Napoleon
It was a rocky start to last season, but the Wildcats bounced back and gave themselves a chance in the Northern Lakes League. Napoleon fell short, but it feels closer to capturing its first NLL title since 2012.
Wildcats coach Tyler Swary talks about the start of practice.
Findlay
Quarterback Ryan Montgomery, the reigning All-Blade player of the year, warmed up with his Trojan teammates before Findlay’s first practice.
Bowling Green
Bowling Green took the field under first-year head coach and longtime assistant Shawn Kiss.
And so it begins … First day of high school football practice. Out at Bowling Green for the afternoon session of two a days. Bobcats (5-6 in 2023) are being lead by first year coach Shawn Kiss, a longtime BG assistant.
— Mark Monroe (@MonroeBlade) August 1, 2024
@BGBobcatAD pic.twitter.com/zuwiZCgxhb
Kiss talks about Day 1 and the upcoming season.
Maumee
Last season, Maumee snapped a 34-game losing streak and just missed the playoffs with a 5-5 record. The Panthers are kicking off Year 2 with coach Evan Karchner.
Perrysburg
When the 2023 playoffs came around, the Yellow Jackets took care of NLL foe Whitmer. They finished with an 8-4 record after a loss to Olentangy Berlin.
First Published August 1, 2024, 4:42 p.m.
