Top High School Football Game for Each Week of the Regular Season in NWO
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Week 1 - Wapakoneta vs. Marion Local
The defending champions of the MAC and WBL square off in Week 1 for the third year in a row. Marion Local went a perfect 16-0 last season and only gave up 39 points on the year as they won the Div. VI state title. This year they have dropped down to Div. VII. Meanwhile, Wapakoneta lost the opening game last year to the Flyers before rattling off 11 wins in a row, losing in the Sweet 16 to Hamilton Badin. Both schools will be looking to defend their conference titles and this Week 1 matchup as Wapakoneta looks like this may finally be the year they knock off the Flyers.
Honorable Mentions: Findlay vs. Toledo Central Catholic, Allen East vs. McComb, Bellevue vs. Clyde, Colonel Crawford vs. River Valley, Liberty-Benton vs. Elyria Catholic
Week 2 - Elyria Catholic vs. Perkins
The defending SBC-Lake champions Perkins Pirates will be going up a against star-studded cast of coaches in Elyria Catholic. Elyria Catholic is led by head coach Chase Farris, a former NFL lineman. Also on the coaching staff is former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and NFL player Doran Grant. Perkins will rely heavily on their skill players and try beat Elyria Catholic for the second year in a row.
Honrable Mentions: Sandusky vs. Fremont Ross, Tiffin Columbian vs. Chardon, Coldwater vs. Bellefontaine, Columbus Grove vs. Liberty-Benton, Eastwood vs. Elmwood
Week 3 - Carey vs. Lima Central Catholic
The defending N10 champions Carey Blue Devils will go up against NWO’s only independent in Lima Central Catholic. The matchup will be both schools’ biggest test of the year up to that point and will be the Thunderbirds’ third straight away game. Carey will be looking for a big non-conference win as Lima Central Catholic is coming off a final four appearance.
Honrable Mentions: Columbus Grove vs. Patrick Henry, Arlington vs. Liberty-Benton, Maumee vs. Toledo Bowsher
Week 4 - Toledo Start vs. Toledo Scott
The biggest matchup on the City League schedule happens in the first week of conference play. Start had a rare off year last season while the Bulldogs took home the league title. Both teams will have played stiff competition in their non-conference schedule before this contest. The Bulldogs may be the team to beat as they return the top quarterback, running back and wide receiver in the league. This Week 4 game may very well decide who takes home the City League title.
Honorable Mention: TCC vs. Warren De La Salle, Perkins vs. Warren JFK, Tiffin Columbian vs. Bishop Watterson
Week 5 - Toledo Central Catholic vs. St. Ignatius
The defending Div. II state champions have dropped down to Div. III. The Fighting Irish will be in their first season in the Detroit-based CHSL. But this mid-season non-conference matchup will be one to watch. St. Ignatius is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance where they lost to eventual state champion and rival St. Edward. The Fighting Irish are again loaded with talent. The defense will have transfered defensive back Jaylen Watson who committed to Iowa, while the offense has linemen Marc Nave who committed to Ohio State and Elijah Williams who committed to Kent State. Meanwhile, St. Ignatius will have D1 recruits in Sean Martin, AJ Spellacy and Cody Haddad.
Honorable Mention: Marion Local vs. New Bremen, Van Wert vs. Wapakoneta, Arlintgon vs. Worthington Christian, Lima Central Catholic vs. Bishop Hartley
Week 6 - St. Marys Memorial vs. Van Wert
A big WBL match up between the Roughriders and Cougars highlights Week 6. The Cougars only had one loss in the regular season last year, a one point defeat to eventual WBL champions Wapakoneta. They then marched through the playoffs before losing to eventual state champion Cleveland Glenville. Meanwhile the Roughriders only had two losses last year. You guessed it, to Wapakoneta and Van Wert. This year’s matchup will have a lot on the line as both will have already played Wapak, meaning this matchup could end up deciding the WBL title.
Honroable Mention: Colonel Crawford vs. Carey, Elmwood vs. Lima Central Catholic, Sylvania Southview vs. Toledo Scott
Week 7 - Liberty Center vs. Patrick Henry
Liberty Center is coming off a Final Four appearance a year ago while Patrick Henry looks to be the new powerhouse in Div. VII. The battle of Henry County will more than likely have NWOAL title implications on the line. Liberty Center is the odds-on favorite, but the Patriots have the top returning passing and receiving athletes from last year.
Honroable Mention: Findlay vs. Anthony Wayne, Whitmer vs. Perrysburg, Fort Loramie vs. Norwalk St. Paul
Week 8 - Tiffin Columbian vs. Bellevue
Tiffin Columbian and Bellevue will face off in a non-confernece matchup for the first time in nearly 80 years. Bellevue looks to be the favorite in SBC-Bay while Columbian will fighting to be at the top of the SBC-Lake. Last year’s game ended in a close one in favor of the Tornadoes. Both teams return a lot of talent so expect this one to be just a big of battle as last years’.
Honorable Mention: Findlay vs. Perrysburg, Fremont Ross vs. Sylvania Southview, Genoa vs. Oak Harbor
Week 9 - Findlay vs. Whitmer
Both schools will be entering their first year in the NLL and have plenty of talent on the field. Senior linebacker and D1 recruit Jasen Kelly will be leading a stout Whitmer defensive while junior lineman Carter Lowe, who is being recruited by a myriad of schools, will lead the offense. They will have to try and stop Findlay’s junior Quarterback Ryan Montgomery who is being recruited by some of the biggest schools in the country.
Honroable Mention: Gibsonburg vs. Margaretta, Oak Harbor vs. Eastwood, Archbold vs. Patrick Henry
Week 10 - Perrysburg vs. Anthony Wayne
Perrysburg and Anthony Wayne will be looking to remain top dogs of the NLL by their Week 10 matchup. Perrysburg are the defending league champions but graduated some top tier talent. Anthony Wayne’s only regular season loss last year came to the Yellow Jackets. The Generals will be led by two BGSU commits, lineman Dillon Robinson and Wide Receiver Winn Sharp.
Marion Local vs. Coldwater, Perkins vs. Tiffin Columbian, Lima Central Catholic vs. Fort Loramie