Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The 2026 high school football season gets underway this Friday for the nine area teams within The Press coverage area. All games begin at 7 p.m.
The Press will have a football roundup each week during the season, wrapping up the results of each area team’s performance. You can also find each team’s season preview at PressPublications.com. The direct link can be found here.
Here’s a brief look at each game, listed in alphabetical order by school.
Clay hosts Wapakoneta. It’s another tough opponent to start the slate for second-year head coach Derek Pennington, who guided his team to a playoff berth last year after opening on the road at Wapakoneta. The Eagles will feature four all-conference returners, including quarterback Landon Echelberry, center Augie Lohmeyer, receiver Max Morrison and safety Kyle Henneman --- as well as a very talented junior class.
Eastwood travels to Kenton. Fourth-year head coach Sam Cotterman will turn to Brayden Luidhardt at quarterback as he takes over for his graduated brother, Drew, who is now at Heidelberg. The younger Luidhardt was an All-Ohio safety a year ago and split out wide at receiver, but he started the first five games of the season under center when his brother was injured, so he has experience. The Eagles also return guys like running back Brayden Brown, wide receiver Cam Schumaker, tight end Brady Ramlow, and linebacker Edmund Opfer.
Genoa travels to Archbold. The Comets are coming off an historic season in which they won the NBC title and advanced to the regional final for the first time since 2018. This year’s senior class looks to lead the Comets once again with guys like Jaxon Magnone, Tyler Abbey, Alex Materni, Myles Mollenhauer, Adam Knight, Sam Myers, Tommy Braun, Carter Miller, and Gus Buffington. The Comets are led by fifth-year head coach Bill Fisher.
Gibsonburg hosts Seneca East. The Golden Bears made the playoffs last year under now second-year head coach Shane Dyer, and despite losing some talented players to graduation, the Golden Bears return three First Team All-SBC players in running back/linebacker Grant Smith, offensive and defensive lineman Hunter Wasserman, and quarterback/defensive back Reece Walby. Haydin Brown was also all-conference on both lines.
Lake travels to Hopewell-Loudon. The Flyers won’t have an easy task to open the season, matchup up against the defending Division VI state runner-up, but they’ll look to a talented, veteran senior class in doing so. Lake returns an all-senior offensive line, and they’ll feature veterans in the backfield such as running back Julian Rodriguez, quarterback KJ Magers, and the versatile Jaxson Rymers.
Northwood hosts Rossford. The Rangers feature 14 seniors this year, including third-year starter at quarterback, Tyler Osley. Also back in the senior class are guys like safety Aaron Torres, Second Team All-SBC fullback Skyler Rita, and receivers John Sawyer and Valyric Goings. Northwood is led by 41st-year head coach Ken James.
Oak Harbor hosts Huron. After going 9-3 last year and advancing to the playoffs once again, the Rockets graduated eight key seniors who earned all-conference recognition last year. Oak Harbor’s 19th-year head coach Mike May said the team will be young, although they return all-conference starters such as linebacker Micah Miller and defensive back Braxtin Witt, as well as others such as Henry Noble on the offensive line and Matthew Hubans at linebacker and fullback.
Waite hosts St. Francis. The game was originally slated to take place at St. Francis, but was switched on Aug. 17. Second-year head coach Russ Jennings, a longtime wrestling coach at the school, took over the football program last year and began to implement a new culture. The Indians are led by some talented players such as running back Carl Foard, linebacker Myell Carter, Damien Harrington, lineman Derrion Young, and wide receiver Antwaun Williams.
Woodmore hosts New London. The Wildcats made the playoffs for the second-consecutive season last year, but they’ll have to replace All-Ohio running back Landon Rich. Woodmore does return five reigning all-conference selections in receiver/defensive back Wesley Kayser, offensive tackle Parker Angel, linebacker Keegan Strong, specialist Auden Hemminger, and quarterback Calvin Lipstraw. The Wildcats are led by third-year head coach Scott Stecher.
NOTE: Cardinal Stritch canceled its season due to low participation.
