Pickerington North may be one of the strongest Division I high school football teams in Central Ohio this season, but what about the state?
The Panthers hope to get a first look at where they stand when they open the season on Friday with a game against three-time defending champion Lakewood St. Edward.
In the USA Today Network Ohio Super 25 preseason poll, St. Edward is ranked No. 1 and North is ranked No. 10.
St. Edward has had exclusive success against Central Ohio in its recent history, defeating Hilliard Bradley (26-3 in 2023), Gahanna Lincoln (31-7 in 2022) and Upper Arlington (16-10 in 2021) in the state championship semifinals the past three seasons.
Check out Lakewood St. Edward in Pickerington North
Attractions near Lakewood St. Edward
Schedule 2024: August 23 at Pickerington North; August 31 vs. Philadelphia St. Joseph’s Prep; September 7 vs. Danville (Ky.) Boyle County; September 14 vs. Cincinnati Elder; September 20 vs. Massillon Washington; September 28 vs. Cleveland Glenville; October 4 at Cleveland St. Ignatius; October 12 vs. Mississauga (Ontario) Clarkson Football North; October 19 at Cincinnati Moeller; October 26 vs. Akron Hoban
Seeking their fourth straight Division I title, the Eagles have one of the toughest schedules in Ohio, playing four defending champions. In Weeks 2 and 3, they face the top two, St. Joseph’s Prep (Pennsylvania 6A) and Boyle County (Kentucky 4A). In Weeks 5 and 6, they face defending Ohio champions Massillon (Division II) and Glenville (Division IV). The tough games don’t end there, though. Moeller (Week 9) lost in the Division I semifinals last year and Hoban (Week 10) was Massillon’s opponent in the title game. St. Edward has one of the best linebackers in Ohio in senior Nate Gregory.
High School Football: Your guide to the 2024 season
Pickerington North
Schedule 2024: August 23 against Lakewood St. Edward; August 30 against Grandville (Michigan); September 6 at Pickerington Central; September 13 against Dublin Coffman; September 20 at Thomas Worthington; September 27 at Westerville Central; October 4 against Central Crossing; October 11 at Grove City; October 18 at New Albany; October 25 against Gahanna Lincoln
Is this North’s best team yet? Time will tell if it’s better than the only team to reach the state semifinals (2012), but the Panthers have as much talent as any Division I team in central Ohio. Future college players include quarterback Jarin Mock (Wisconsin), running back Michael Taylor (Ohio University), wide receivers Preston Bowman (Kentucky) and Emy Louis Jr. (Youngstown State), and offensive lineman Ayden Annarino (Miami University). The Panthers finished 11-2 last season and lost in the Region 3 semifinals. The matchup with St. Edward could be a preview of the state semifinals.
Watch Lakewood St. Edward vs Pickerington North live high school football in Ohio
You can watch this showdown and other games across Ohio live on the NFHS Network.
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