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Columbus high school sports reporters roundtable: Thoughts on 2023 football season
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- Columbus high school sports reporters roundtable: Thoughts on 2023 football season
At 5:46 p.m. Friday, the high school football season came to an end for central Ohio.
The area's last surviving team, Watterson, ran into a juggernaut in Toledo Central Catholic in the Division III state final and lost 27-7. The Eagles had plenty of chances in a game that featured a few particularly pivotal plays, but the first non-Division I title for Greater Columbus since Hartley won Division IV in 2016 was not to be.
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Three area teams appeared in the state semifinals , four more played for regional titles and 63 qualified for the playoffs.
High school sports reporters Dave Purpura and Frank DiRenna exchange some final thoughts on 2023 as we enter the offseason:
Watterson's Dominic Purcell (6) and Joe Hayes (23) tackle Toledo Central Catholic's Marquan Braswell during the Division III state final.
Purpura:Well, it's been a long four months since we went out to the first day of practice, started previewing teams, predicting league champions, all of that. If we asked ourselves then which teams would challenge for state titles, we probably would have nailed a few and missed on others. But Watterson was a possibility all along, and the Eagles showed why even in defeat. Linebacker Dominic Purcell put on an amazing performance with 21 tackles. We noticed in the press box early on that he was all over the field, but that number still caught us by surprise after the press conference. In any case, what a run for the Eagles.
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DiRenna:It was truly a special season for Watterson and coach Brian Kennedy, who completed his seventh season as head coach after serving as an assistant there since 2004. A 1992 graduate of Watterson, Kennedy took extra pride in the Eagles' success this season. Kennedy was the freshman coach in 2010 when Watterson won its last state title and had the Eagles on the cusp of another this season. Watterson should return a solid nucleus next season.
Freshman running back Ben Uhlenhake gained valuable experience in Watterson's run to the Division III state final.
Purpura:The Eagles expect 12 starters back, including two freshmen (cornerback Joe Hayes and running back Ben Uhlenhake). You don't replace guys like quarterback A.J. McAninch, Dom Purcell, et cetera, and they might have a few growing pains next year, but I don't think it would surprise anyone if they were serious regional championship contenders next fall.
DiRenna:It was also a special season for Hilliard Bradley and Harvest Prep, which saw their campaigns end in state semifinal losses. Bradley survived several challenges to win its first regional title. The Jaguars won arguably the most exciting game we covered, a 35-28 double-overtime victory over Upper Arlington in a Division I regional final, completing a season sweep of the Golden Bears. They also beat UA in OCC-Central play.
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Playing an independent schedule after leaving the now-disbanded MSL-Ohio, Harvest Prep fought off all challengers to reach its fourth state semifinal. Considered one of the highly respected coaches in the area, Milan Smith should have the Warriors in position for another postseason run next fall.
Freshman Declan O’Neil started Hilliard Bradley's state semifinal at quarterback because Bradyn Fleharty was injured.
Purpura:Those are two more teams that aren't going anywhere. Bradley saw its future, so to speak, when Bradyn Fleharty's injury meant freshman Declan O'Neil started at quarterback in a state semifinal against Lakewood St. Edward . What a baptism by fire, but he acquitted himself well the more he played even though the Jaguars scored only a field goal, losing 26-3.
Harvest Prep has some important underclassmen coming back, including sophomore quarterback/linebacker Dezmond Porter. He ran for 1,221 yards this year and had 10 tackles for loss in the postseason alone.
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DiRenna:Gahanna Lincoln emerged as one of the area's top teams in Division I early in the season and earned the top seed in Region 3. Although the Lions (12-1) lose several key players to graduation, coach Bruce Ward should have them in position for another strong season in 2024.
It was also a special season for West Jefferson (12-2), which got to the Division VI, Region 23 final. The Roughriders' high-powered, spread offense was led by sophomore quarterback Austin Buescher (3,747 passing yards, 38 touchdowns). He should be one of the area's top signal callers again next season.
Gahanna quarterback Brennen Ward attempts a pass during a Region 3 semifinal against Upper Arlington in November 2023.
Purpura:Buescher and Brennen Ward, Bruce's son, might be the top two returning quarterbacks next season in central Ohio. They will be fending off college coaches.
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Even if favorites didn't win every league championship or every playoff game, go figure that at the end of the day, six Associated Press poll champions won their division's state title. St. Edward got its three-peat in Division I, and joining them were Massillon Washington (II), Toledo Central Catholic, Perry (V), Kirtland (VI) and Maria Stein Marion Local (VII).
DiRenna:Former Dublin Jerome coach Bob Gecewich led Perry to that state title, its first. He wanted to go back to his home area, having grown up in Euclid, after six years at Jerome, and look what his team has done. Congratulations.
Purpura:Next August feels far away, but it will be here sooner than we think. And football is really never out of the news anyway, with the first national signing period coming up Dec. 20-22 and the February signing period not long after that, plus camps, showcases, whatever. Any early thoughts on the teams to watch next year?
DiRenna:With a year of head-coaching experience at their current schools under their belts, Olentangy Liberty's John Sansbury and Pickerington Central's Jeff Lomonico could have their programs in position for long postseason runs next fall. Both teams dropped close decisions in regional quarterfinal matchups and should return solid foundations. Also, expect ample coaching news in the offseason with Buckeye Valley, Mount Vernon, Olentangy Orange , Westerville Central and Worthington Christian already looking for new leaders.
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Purpura:Just part of the news cycle. Football always finds a way to keep us busy.
Now to cover inside sports for a while.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus high school reporters roundtable on OHSAA football season
