2025 Week 16 (Ohio)

Week 16 was an easy weekend compared to the past few weekends. Seven games in Canton just about an hour from home.

On Thursday afternoon, I headed out from home, taking I-76 west to OH225 down to Alliance and US62 into Canton. First heading over to the hotel for the parking pass, and then down to the stadium. Parking in the reserved lot, and over to the media building for my pass. I’ve been to Tom Benson Hall OF Fame Stadium several times in the past. As well as the previous Fawcett Stadium.

#58 – Avon v. Cincinnati Anderson

This was a rematch of 2024’s Thursday opener for the Division II Final. Not as close for this one. As Avon won comfortably, 37-20.

After the game, it was over to the hotel. Using points to cover the room for the weekend. And a quick stop over to Domino’s for a pizza.

The next morning, it was back to the stadium. The opener was the Division 4 Final between Shelby and Glenville. I started the game upstairs. With plans to go downstairs at halftime.

#59 – Shelby v. Cleveland Glenville

It was my first time seeing Shelby. Glenville wasn’t messing around. And this one went easily to the Tarblooders, 45-7.

After the trophy presentation, it was back upstairs. Finished up photos from the field, and get ready for game two. I was still in the press box at kickoff.

#60 – Toledo Central Catholic v. Columbus Bishop Watterson

This was another game that looked closer on paper than it turned out to be. Bishop Watterson won via running clock, 30-0 for their second straight state title.

Upstairs, they served dinner while I finished up the second game photos. And then got situated for the night game. Olentangy Orange was in their first state championship game. While St. Xavier had been here several times in the past.

#61 – Cincinnati St. Xavier v. Olentangy Orange

This was at least the closest game of the weekend, so far. Olentangy Orange were struggling at times. Though were barely in the lead. Before a second touchdown extended their lead enough to hold on to win, 28-14.

After the game, there wasn’t much to do. Straight to the hotel and get the final game’s photos finished up. And then back to the stadium in the morning for the final day.

The opening game was a bit of a surprise. Marion Local was upset in the playoffs this year by St. Henry. Snapping their 76 game winning streak. St. Henry, also from the MAC, came into the title game looking for their first state title since 2006. Their opponent was the Hillsdale Falcons, in their second straight appearance. After last year’s one-sided loss to Marion Local, they came into this one with a chip on their shoulder. And for a while were keeping it interesting.

#62 – St. Henry v. Jeromesville Hillsdale

It didn’t seem like this game was going to be one-sided. At least not at the jump. Hillsdale found the scoreboard with a field goal. But St. Henry kept hacking away at them. Unable to find the endzone while giving up several scores to St. Henry. St. Henry would win by another running clock, 37-3.

After the game, I stopped up at the concession stand to use my voucher. And though I had the Chicken Clucker in the past, I passed on it for a brat and a chicken sandwich. Both were good, but for the price only worth it with the voucher.

Especially since there is food in the pressbox in the evening, and drinks are available from the pressbox fridge.

The afternoon game was for Division 6. Kirtland (which my phone kept autocorrecting to Kirkland) was taking on Hopewell-Loudon. Neither were new for me. And Kirtland was here last year playing Coldwater. The Chieftains of Hopewell-Loudon were a bit of a surprise participant in this years finals. Overcoming MAC schools in the west to make the final.

#63 – Kirtland v. Bascom Hopewell-Loudon

I kept up my usual trend. Missing kickoff on the field to finish up in the pressbox. Get situated. Take some notes and watch the first half. Then go down and photograph the second half. It does limit some photographic opportunities, but for one person operation at the finals, it works. Though I did have a deal with Yappi to provide the article for games, and I would supply photos.

This game went, annoyingly, along the lines of the rest. Another running clock game. As Kirtland won easily, 41-6. It was the 5th of 6 games to end in a running clock.

I rushed upstairs to get ready for the final game of the weekend. Last year, it was Liberty Center v. Ironton. This year Liberty Center was back and going against Ironton’s chief rival, Wheelersburg, in the final. In many ways aided by the OHSAA’s ruling to remove Ironton from the playoffs.

It was, though, my first time seeing Wheelersburg play. My sixth and final new team of the weekend.

#64 – Wheelersburg v. Liberty Center

After the way the weekend had gone, it wasn’t surprising that the final game of the weekend would also end in a running clock. Liberty Center came out determined following the 2024 loss to Ironton and won by just over thirty: 35-3 over Wheelersburg. This was also the second game with the losing team ending with a field goal only.

Saturday night was also the Big Ten Championship game. After I was done in the pressbox, I headed out quickly to get home. The hour drive home went quickly, and I was home before the end of the Big Ten Championship Game. Though, I won’t delve into how that one ended.

ECONOMICS

For the weekend, I drove 130 miles total. Total expenses were $10 for the single pizza. Food was provided at the stadium, while the hotel was using rewards for the two free nights. There was no parking charged.

Overall, I saw four new teams.