Central Catholic steamrolled its way through in-state competition in 2023 and captured another state football championship in the end.
The Fighting Irish beat every Ohio school it played by at least 15 points en route to capturing the Division III title, one season after winning the D-II crown. Central Catholic, competing in Region 11 of Division III, is riding a 31-game winning streak to start the season.
Here’s a look at several teams that could pose a threat to the Fighting Irish’s three-peat chase. All teams were in Division III last season, unless noted.
Bellefontaine (11-3, Region 12)
Ohio State commit and quarterback Tavien St. Clair has all the star power, and he guided the Chieftains to the regional final last season, falling 19-13 to state runner-up Columbus Bishop Watterson. St. Clair is ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2025 by Rivals and No. 2 by 247Sports. He also has under his belt a pair of postseason wins over unbeaten teams — a scenario that could arise against Central Catholic. Head coach Jason Brown had stepped down in December, but he returned in February after his replacement resigned.
Here is a look at St. Clair’s highlights from last season.
Cincinnati Mount Healthy (10-2, Region 12)
Senior quarterback Jahmeir Spain was a second-team All-Ohio pick last season. Spain, a three-star prospect, has three of his five D-I offers from Mid-American Conference schools. The Fighting Owls also boast a pair of impact defensive playmakers in defensive back Jaimier Scott and linebacker Raishawn Cotton, who both landed on All-Ohio teams.
Columbus Bishop Hartley (10-3, Division IV, Region 15)
The Hawks were bumped up a division and present a postseason track record rivaled by few schools. Bishop Hartley has won three state championships (2010, 2015, 2016) since last missing the postseason in 2009. Senior linebacker Denim Cook was a first-team All-Ohio pick and is a commit to Pittsburgh as a three-star prospect. Junior running back Robert Lathon also is three-star prospect with an offer from Kentucky among his college interests.
Columbus Bishop Watterson (14-2, Region 11)
It was the Eagles, not the Fighting Irish, who scored first in the D-III state championship game last season. It was, however, their only score (Central Catholic scored the final 27 points). Bishop Watterson will be without a few key contributors this season. All-Ohio defensive player of the year Dominic Purcell graduated, as did their first-team All-Ohio quarterback and six other players with All-Ohio honors. Wide receiver Jake Uhlenhake was also third-team All–Ohio. Past all the elite talent, the Eagles enjoyed a dominant regular season, notching seven 30-point wins, before finding ways to win in the postseason. Each of their last three playoff victories were by 13 points or less.
Dresden Tri-Valley (9-3, Region 11)
The Scotties boast a lethal offensive tandem in quarterback Max Lyall and running back Jayden Wallace — both first-team All-Ohio selections. Tri-Valley was narrowly ousted by undefeated Granville in a Region 11 second-round matchup. The returning talent doesn’t stop there as Tri-Valley had honorable mention All-Ohio picks at wide receiver/tight end, offensive line, and defensive line.
Granville (12-1, Region 11)
Having a returning All-Ohio quarterback is a solid starting point, and the Aces have that in second-team pick and senior Beckett Long. All-Ohio linebacker Kyle Kirby is also back. Heath Hinton was promoted to head coach after being an assistant last season. He spent three years prior at Chillicothe Zane Trace, going 23-10, and was once Ohio coach of the year at his first stop, Wellston High School, in 2004.
Villa Angela-St. Joseph (9-4, Region 9)
The high-end talent is one year older for the Vikings. Senior running back Lamar “Bo” Jackson is an Ohio State commit, and No. 4 at his position nationally, according to 247Sports. Villa Angela also has a pair of senior D-I recruits in offensive lineman Robert Smith (Boston College) and tight end Brian Kortovich (Purdue).
Wapakoneta (10-3, Region 12)
The Redskins had three regular-season wins over teams that eventually picked up a playoff win and fell by four points in their second-round matchup against Hamilton Badin. Wapakoneta does graduate five players who earned All-Ohio recognition, but returns Grant Houser, a three-star senior tight end committed to Louisville. Throwing to Houser will be junior quarterback Caleb Moyer, an honorable mention All-Ohio pick.
Youngstown Ursuline (13-1, Region 9)
The region’s top seed last season suffered its only loss to Chardon one step away from the state semifinals. The Fighting Irish graduated four players with All-Ohio recognition from the 2023 season, including first-team running back Christian Lynch and co-defensive player of the year Ty’Req Donlow, a defensive lineman. Sixth-year head coach Dan Reardon has led Ursuline to multiple playoff wins the past four seasons, including a state runner-up finish in 2021. He’ll lean on senior second-team All-Ohio picks D.C. Ferrell (WR/TE) and Phil Bowser (offensive line).Senior safety Tairan Davis is an Akron commit, while junior wide receiver Devonte Taylor is a three-star prospect via 247Sports.
First Published August 13, 2024, 4:48 p.m.