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5 things we learned from Ohio High School Week 7 games

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5 things we learned from Ohio High School Week 7 games

There are still several high-profile matchups to play in the final three weeks of Ohio's 2024 high school football regular season, but Week 7 featured a handful, including a wild back-and-forth between OCC-Central and Division I, Region 3- Powers Olentangy Liberty and Upper Arlington.

Impressive performances weren't just limited to the biggest schools, as Division VI Grove City Christian proved by holding Millersport to 3 total yards and recording its fourth straight shutout win, 48-0.

Here are five things we learned in Week 7:

1. Swiney and Wolpert become major threats for Upper Arlington

The Golden Bears have relied a little more on the run than the pass for six weeks, but out of necessity flipped the script on Friday, throwing for 270 yards in a 31-28 comeback win over visiting Liberty.

UA (6-1, 2-0 OCC-Central) scored 15 points in the final 3:50, and its biggest plays came through the air.

Trent Wolpert caught nine passes for 145 yards, including a touchdown to make it 28-23, and a 35-yard pass from Kyle Cox on UA's final drive for first-and-goal at the Liberty 1-yard line. Alek Diller scored the decisive touchdown on the next play.

A 30-yard catch for Swiney immediately preceded Wolpert's touchdown.

Swiney is UA's leading receiver (29 catches, 477 yards, 7 touchdowns), but Wolpert isn't far behind (23 catches, 390 yards, 3 touchdowns).

“Both were big guys,” UA coach Justin Buttermore said. “A lot of guys touched the ball. Trent and Wally both performed brilliantly throughout the evening and Kyle showed some confidence. It wasn’t an easy situation for him.”

“I’m just doing my job”: Meet Upper Arlington DE Cal Thrush

2. Westland thrives on the “hard road” mentality

When Trent Williamson took over the Cougars (6-1, 4-0 OCC-Capital) in 2023, his first goal was to change the culture.

He turned to a motto first introduced to the program by his father-in-law, Gary Barber, who was Westland's head coach in 2000 and 2001. Williamson's father, Chuck, was an assistant coach under Barber.

“My father-in-law was the head coach at Warren G. Harding,” Williamson said. “He trained Maurice Clarett. He brought “Tuff Street” to Westland. When I got here I wanted to use the same thing and just changed it to “hard road.” ”

This season, Williamson had the motto placed on the back of one of the team's three jerseys, above the player's number. The Cougars wore this black jersey with green numbers in Friday's 34-21 league win over Westerville North.

They secured their first winning season since 2006.

“That's what our typical Westland player is supposed to be – a tough kid who works hard, comes to training every day, works harder than everyone else and just has that mentality,” Williamson said. “I really believe that you are the strongest.” If you are on the field with your team every week, you always have a chance.

Westland is tied for first place with Big Walnut in the OCC Capital. The teams will face off in the regular season finale on October 25 at Big Walnut.

Watch Ohio High School Football on NFHS Network

3. Linden-McKinley is rolling toward the playoff spot

The Panthers (4-3, 3-1 City League-North) surpass a three-game win streak in seven weeks for the first time since 2021 in upcoming league contests against Whetstone (1-6) and Mifflin (0). -7).

Linden, which went 0-10 a year ago, held a late lead before losing 32-22 to Walnut Ridge in Week 2 and 20-12 to Northland on Sept. 13. The Panthers defeated Stewart Federal Hocking 65-0 on Saturday and are projected to finish 13th in Division III, Region 11 this week and are part of a tight bracket that includes teams ranked Nos. 12 through 16 fewer are more than one point apart.

The best 16 teams reach the playoffs.

“We see that we're loyal to these teams, but we had to call it quits,” said Casey Mock, who was Linden's offensive coordinator for the past four seasons before becoming head coach in June. “Offensively we weren’t quite as smooth, but we also had a pretty tough schedule. Now we have a few games in a row where hopefully we can get going and put up some numbers.”

After playing Whetstone and Mifflin, the Panthers will face East (6-1, 3-0) in Week 10.

Mock said his top players included defensive backs Jaiden Ashford (senior) and Manny Towns (junior) and defensive linemen Marqualyn Jones (senior) and Kenneth Kellam (sophomore). Starting quarterback Davell Brock is a freshman.

4. Columbus Academy continues to dominate Bexley

With the Mayor's Headmasters' Cup once again on the line, Academy defeated arch-rivals Bexley 42-0 at home on Friday.

The Vikings (7-0, 2-0 Central Buckeye League) have won eight straight games against the Lions (2-5, 0-2).

“Regardless of who has what record, our entire school, our entire student body is always excited for this game,” Academy coach Robin Miller said.

Cole Spalding passed for 122 yards and three touchdowns and Harmon Gouhin had 69 yards and a score to lead the Academy.

“We just had so many question marks (before the season) so we didn't know and we certainly didn't look as good in July and August,” Miller said. “We were very pleasantly surprised at how some kids performed, others performed above average and just found ways to win. It was fun.”

5. Reynoldsburg beats Groveport with a last-second field goal

After a 1-4 start under first-year coach JoJuan Armour, Reynoldsburg (3-4, 2-2 OCC-Buckeye) has won two straight, including a 22-21 victory Friday at Groveport (Fourth). :3, 2:3). 2) via senior Adam Lubaya's 24-yard field goal as time expired.

Lubaya is in his third season at the university, but his first as a kicker.

“I played soccer when I was younger,” he said. “When I had a concussion last year, I didn’t train all week, so I just kicked it in training. We kept moving it back and forth and I kept getting it done.”

The Raiders trailed Groveport 21-6 early in the fourth quarter.

“We are playing stronger as a team than last year,” Lubaya said. “This time last year, everyone was playing for themselves. This year everyone is playing together. Everyone takes it seriously. They don't think (selfish). If the coach wants you to change positions, he will change to help the team improve.”

Reynoldsburg went 1-10 last season.

“I’m absolutely having fun,” Armor said. “I enjoy the fact that the children demonstrate not only on the field but also in the classroom and that there are fewer incidents with football players at school. This is my proof of its impact.”

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