Opening week for Ohio high school football has begun, and some of the state’s best teams will compete to kick off the 2024 season.
Below are the top games of the week in the state of Ohio.
Officially used during the BCS era, the On3 Massey Ratings are a model that rates sports teams by analyzing game results, playing strength, and win margin.
Ohio Games of the Week
23.August
No. 7 St. Xavier at No. 6 Lakota West: St. Xavier will travel to Lakota West on Friday to continue a streak that has produced nail-biting, low-scoring games in each of the past two seasons. Lakota West won the 2022 contest 16-13 before losing the game last year 10-0. St. X Bombers linebacker Kobe Clapper is a four-star prospect for the class of 2026, while Notre Dame is committed Gordy Sulphsted and Kentucky Promise Tucker Kattus keep things under control in the trenches. This year’s Firebirds graduating class is led by the four-star player from Miami (Fla.) Lukas Gilbert and Purdue linebacker sign Grant BeermanYoung athletes Cam Thomas is also rated as a four-star candidate in the On3 Industry Ranking 2026.
No. 1 St Edward at No. 16 Pickerington North: The nation’s No. 54 team and three-time defending champion St. Edward travels to Columbus on Friday to face top-25 Ohio opponent Pickerington North. The Eagles lost three Power 4 recruits at the line of scrimmage but return as the top team in the Buckeye State in 2024. Pickerington North Senior Wide Receiver Preston Bowman and young athletes Malachi Taylor are both committed to Kentucky.
No. 3 Archbishop Moeller in No. 11 Princeton: The preseason best team in the Greater Catholic League will face Princeton this weekend as both teams look to build on their solid 2023 seasons. Moeller made it to the Division I semifinals, while Princeton’s only loss came in the regional semifinals against Lakota West. Two Moeller players have committed to Power 4 schools: Louisville defensive back committed Michael Rice and Northwestern EDGE Promise Jonah Hayes. Princeton’s linebacker corps should shine this year with the signing of a senior player from Indiana Paul Nelson and three-star junior Andre Parker.
No. 9 Avon at No. 20 St. Ignatius: This clash in the Cleveland area will feature several Power 4 contenders on Friday night. Senior defensive lineman from Avon Jeremiah Kelly is committed to Cincinnati and young athletes Jacob Weatherspoon is a top-200 prospect in 2026. St. Ignatius continues to produce Power 4 talent, with a four-star junior OL Will Conroy Joining the senior security Cody Haddad (Ohio State commit) and running back Grant Washington (Minnesota Promise).
No. 22 Winton Woods at No. 8 Springfield: Springfield will look to get over the hump this season as the Wildcats hope to win their fourth straight state title and are still looking for their first win. They will face No. 22 Winton Woods, which has one of the state’s top talents in its ranks in Alabama’s top-100 EDGE commit. Justin Hill.
#29 Mason at #13 Gahanna Lincoln: Mason will make the hour-and-a-half drive down I-71 on Friday to face Gahanna Lincoln. Lincoln will be led by Kentucky’s new quarterback Burn Wardwho threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns a year ago. Gahanna Lincoln beat Mason last year by a score of 10-5. The Lions lost to Upper Arlington in the regional semifinals, while Mason lost to Moeller that same weekend.
