Which are the best HS football programs in Northwest Ohio historically?
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Topics like these are often done in casual conversation. An argument that often goes no where, as comparing teams and eras is often like comparing apples to oranges. However, what if this question was looked at from a more calculated, albeit, arbitrary standpoint?
I seek to answer this question by ascribing points based on playoff results by school. A state championship is worth 10 points, runner-up 5, final four 3 and a playoff appearance is worth 1. A single season will not be double-counted. For example, If a team won a state title, they will not also be given points for the final four or playoff appearance, just the 10 points. Tie-breaker will be furthest advancement.
Without further ado, here are the top high school football programs in Northwest Ohio dating back to the first playoffs in 1972.
10. Liberty Center (54 Points)
Liberty Center comes in at number 10 on the list. The Tigers have one state title to their credit (1997) and also three state runner-up finishes along with three other final fours. They edge out rival Patrick Henry by just 9 points on this list.
9. Minster (54 Points)
The Minster Wildcats edged out Liberty Center on a tiebreaker to take the number 9 spot on this list. The Wildcats have 3 state titles to their name. They also have a runners-up finish and a final four to their credit. Minster an impressive 36-18 all time in the playoffs.
8. Norwalk St. Paul (56 Points)
The private school on this list. Norwalk St. Paul has a state title and four runners-up finishes. They have made the playoffs a total of 25 times and currently have 12 years in a row.
7. Marion Pleasant (60 Points)
The Marion Pleasant Spartans took the first ever football playoff state title in 1972. They have since added two more, as well as a runners-up finish and final four appearance. They are the only school in Marion County to win a football state title.
6. St. Marys Memorial (60 Points)
The St. Marys Memorial Roughriders were a force to be reckoned with in the early 90s and 2000s. They edge out Marion Pleasant on this list by have 3 final four appearances as opposed to the Spartan’s one. The Roughriders have 3 state titles and a runners-up finish in their 23 playoff appearances.
5. Toledo Central Catholic (82 points)
The biggest school on this list, the Fighting Irish are currently on one of the best runs in area history. Toledo Central Catholic has made the playoffs every year since 2004, winning 5 state titles in the process. They have an all time playoff record of 53-20.
4. Delphos St. John’s (90 points)
Delphos St. John’s was the mightiest of the small catholic schools for decades. This includes 6 state titles, featuring a three-peat in ‘97, ‘98 and ‘99. They have racked up an impressive 56-13 record in the playoffs.
3. St. Henry (93 points)
St. Henry was the first Midwest Athletic Conference dynasty in football. Having four state titles and two runners-up finishes in the 90’s alone. They have an astounding 51-15 record in playoffs over 21 appearances.
2. Coldwater (126 points)
The Coldwater Cavaliers have an astonishing 7 state titles and 7 runners-up finishes. They have made the playoffs 27 years in a row with nearly half of their appearances ending in the state title game.
1. Marion Local (172 points)
The undisputed king of Northwest Ohio football. The Marion Local Flyers have an absurd 14 state titles, all coming since 2000. They have a 102-12 playoff record in their 26 appearances. Meaning, when Marion Local makes the playoffs, they win the title more than 50% of the time. The Flyers have the most playoff wins in OHSAA history.
Complete breakdown:
Top school by county:
Allen: Delphos St. John’s (90 points)
Auglaize: St. Marys Memorial (60 points)
Crawford: Galion (22 points)
Defiance: Def. Ayersville (21 points)
Erie: Huron (32 points)
Fulton: Archbold (36 points)
Hancock: McComb (51 points)
Hardin: Kenton (43 points)
Henry: Liberty Center (54 points)
Huron: Norwalk St. Paul (56 points)
Lucas: Toledo Central Catholic (82 points)
Marion: Marion Pleasant (60 points)
Mercer: Marion Local (172 points)
Ottawa: Oak Harbor (25 points)
Paulding: Wayne Trace (10 points)
Putnam: Columbus Grove (36 points)
Sandusky: Clyde (45 points)
Seneca: Tiffin Calvert (42 points)
Van Wert: Delphos Jefferson (22 points)
Williams: Montpelier (9 points)
Wood: Fostoria (47 points)
Wyandot: Carey (37 points)