Ohio
Ohio High School Football Rankings: Preseason Top 25 teams
Football is right around the corner in Ohio, and the Buckeye State is once again set to produce some of the best high school talent in the Midwest. Scrimmages may start on Aug. 9 with the regular season kicking off 10 days later on Aug. 19.
Preseason rankings are out, and according to the Massey Ratings — a model that combines statistics and ratings such as offensive and defensive power, as well home field advantage and strength of schedule — a three-time defending Ohio state champion ranks inside the top 50.
Four schools from the state of Ohio are in the top 100 nationwide — led by the Lakewood St. Edward Eagles. Below are the top 25 teams in Ohio heading into the 2024 season.
St. Edward finished 2023 as the Ohio Division I state champions after a 31-21 victory over Springfield. The Eagles went 15-1 with its lone loss coming on the road to Massillon Washington. St. Ed’s loses multiple blue-chip recruits from last year’s senior class — including Notre Dame EDGE signee Loghan Thomas and Ohio State offensive line signees Deontae and Devontae Armstrong. Yet, the Eagles return as the top-rated program in Ohio and the No. 42 team in the country. They will begin their season on Aug. 23 at Pickerington North as St. Edward looks to win its fourth-straight state title.
Massillon Washington has long been a staple of Ohio high school football, and that shouldn’t change in 2024. Ranked No. 75 nationwide, the Tigers are coming off of a 16-0 perfect season which includes a win over No. 1 St. Edward and an eventual Division II state championship. Heading into 2024, Wisconsin interior offensive line commit Nolan Davenport will anchor the Tigers O-Line. The defense features a host of high school recruits, including three-star corner Demari Clemons, Toledo safety commit Tyler Hackenbracht and Miami (Ohio) linebacker pledge Vito McConnell.
Moeller finished the 2023 campaign 10-5 with an overtime loss to Springfield in the state Division I semifinals. The Crusaders will look to go further this season against a usually difficult schedule featuring multiple out-of-state opponents and the three other members of the Greater Catholic League South. Two Moeller players are already committed to Power 4 schools: Louisville defensive back commit Micah Rice and Northwestern EDGE pledge Jonah Hayes. The Crusaders do lose a handful of P4 recruits from their 2023 senior class, including top-100 running back Jordan Marshall (Michigan) and corner Karson Hobbs (Notre Dame).
Hoban finished 13-2 with a season-ending 7-2 loss to Massillon Washington in the state championship. The Knights’ other lone loss came to No. 1 St. Edward. Hoban will kick off 2024 against Severn (Md.) Archbishop Spalding and Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep. Ohio State three-star linebacker commit Eli Lee returns along the defense, and junior cornerback Elbert Hill is the top player in Ohio for the class of 2026. That impressive junior class also includes four-star offensive tackle Sam Greer and four-star receiver Payton Cook.
Toledo Central Catholic capped a perfect 16-0 season with a Division III state title win over Columbus Bishop Watterson. The Fighting Irish lose Kentucky enrollee Marc Nave along the offensive line but retain Miami (Ohio) offensive tackle commit Jonathan Stangl. Junior cornerback Victor Singleton is the No. 117 prospect nationwide in the 2026 cycle. Central Catholic will kick off against Findlay and Georgia QB commit Ryan Montgomery on Aug. 23.
Lakota West went 11-3 in 2023, making it to the Division I playoffs before being ousted by Cincinnati Moeller. This year’s senior class is led by four-star Miami (Fla.) commit Luka Gilbert and Purdue linebacker commit Grant Beerman. Junior athlete Cam Thomas also ranks as a four-star prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. The Firebirds will open against Cincinnati St. Xavier.
Speaking of the Bombers, St. Xavier will look to improve on a 7-5 2023 season which ended with a playoff loss to archrival Moeller. Along the line of scrimmage, St. X’s senior class includes Notre Dame defensive line pledge Gordy Sulfsted and Kentucky offensive line commit Tucker Kattus. Junior linebacker Kobe Clapper is a four-star recruit and still uncommitted.
Springfield has made it to three consecutive Division I state title games. The Wildcats have also lost three consecutive state title games — all to Lakewood St. Edward. Springfield will look to get over that final hump this season. The ‘Cats will open against top-25 Ohio program Cincinnati Winton Woods. They do lose a major part of the defense from a year ago — Ohio State cornerback commit Aaron Scott Jr., the No. 35 overall prospect in the 2024 class.
Avon went 14-1 in 2023, its lone loss coming in the Division II state semifinals to Archbishop Hoban. This year, the Eagles will kick off on the road against Cleveland St. Ignatius. Senior defensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly is committed to Cincinnati, and junior athlete Jakob Weatherspoon is a top-200 prospect in 2026.
10. Elder (Cincinnati)
The third GCL South school in the Ohio top 10, Elder went 7-5 in 2023 before getting knocked from the Division I playoffs by Lakota West. Senior linebacker Maddox Arnold (Toledo commit) and tight end classmate Brayden Boeing (Miami Ohio commit) will held lead this talented Panthers squad. Elder will open on the road against Cincinnati Withrow
11. Princeton (Cincinnati)
12. Marion Local (Maria Stein)
13. Gahanna Lincoln
14. Chardon
15. Upper Arlington
16. Pickerington North
17. Pickerington Central
18. Anderson (Cincinnati)
19. Centerville
20. St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
21. La Salle (Cincinnati)
22. Winton Woods (Cincinnati)
23. Walsh Jesuit (Stow)
24. Dublin Coffman
25. Hilliard Bradley
Ohio
UC Bearcats baseball playing Ohio State, Vanderbilt in Nashville in 2027
UC Bearcats coach Jordan Bischel, Nathan Taylor, Derrick Pitts/NCAA
UC Bearcats coach Jordan Bischel, Nathan Taylor, Derrick Pitts/NCAA baseball tournament in Starkville
Another non-conference weekend has been announced for the University of Cincinnati baseball team, as it will participate in the 2027 Nashville College Baseball Series at First Horizon Park March 5-7, 2027.
The rest of the field includes Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.
The UC Bearcats and Ohio State Buckeyes have met 99 times previously, with the last meeting coming in head coach Jordan Bischel’s first season in 2024. The Bearcats and Commodores have met 13 times, with the last meeting taking place in 2004. Next year’s game will also mark the 53rd all-time meeting between Cincinnati and Virginia Tech. The two teams met annually from 1979 to 1991 as Metro Conference foes.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that UC would face Georgia Tech, Illinois, and Tennessee at the 2027 Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic in Jacksonville, Florida.
More on College Baseball Series, First Horizon Park
.The College Baseball Series is a premier collection of early-season Division I college baseball tournaments.
First Horizon Park opened in 2015 and is the home to the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium is located in the Germantown neighborhood just north of downtown Nashville. Elements that make First Horizon Park one of the best venues in Minor League Baseball include a spacious 360-degree walkable concourse for an enhanced viewing experience; unique group outing spaces; an expansive suite level; LED ribbon boards; a nine-hole miniature golf course; and of course, the iconic guitar scoreboard.
UC Bearcats outfielder Derrick Pitts Invited to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp
UC outfielder Derrick Pitts has been invited to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp. Pitts is one of just four Big 12 players to receive an invite and one of 53 players total invited to camp.
Should Pitts make the team, he would be the first Cincinnati player ever to represent the program on the squad.
The St. Louis native appeared in 58 games in 2026 and hit .329 with six home runs, 42 RBI, 12 doubles, and 49 runs scored while swiping 17 bases.
Pitts appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays twice this season and his infectious energy captured the attention of ESPN’s broadcast crew during UC’s NCAA Tournament games in Starkville.
Shortly after the end of the season, Pitts announced his intentions to return to UC for his junior season in 2027, along with All-Americans Quinton Coats and Enzo Infelise.
USA Baseball Collegiate National Team schedule
The summer schedule will kick off with three days of exhibition doubleheaders for a combined six games between June 27-29 in Burlington and Cary, North Carolina, and Danville, Virginia. Following the three days of exhibition games, the annual Stars vs. Stripes series will begin June 30 at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The next three games will be held at the National Training Complex in Cary from July 1-3, and the series will return to Segra Stadium July 4 for the finale.
The Collegiate National Team, which will be named on July 5 following the conclusion of Training Camp, will then compete in the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship at Taichung City Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung City, Taiwan, from July 11-15.
Rack up more honors for UC Bearcats Quinton Coats, Enzo Infelise
The postseason accolades keep coming for UC as Quinton Coats and Enzo Infelise both earned more All-America accolades on Thursday, June 25.
Coats was named a Third Team All-American by D1Baseball and Infelise was placed on Baseball America’s Freshman All-America squad.
It’s yet another All-America honor for Coats, who has now received the accolade from six outlets: ABCA/Rawlings, Baseball America, College Baseball Foundation, D1Baseball, NCBWA, and Perfect Game.
In addition, Coats was also named the NCBWA District 5 Player of the Year and earned All-Region honors from ABCA/Rawlings as well. The Olathe, Kansas native turned in one of the best offensive seasons ever by a Bearcat, setting single-season school records in home runs (28) and total bases (183) while tying the single-season RBI record (79). Coats hit .339 and slugged .738 and ended his season ranking among the Top 10 nationally in home runs, total bases, and RBI.
For Infelise, it’s his third Freshman All-America honor after also earning recognition from the NCBWA and Perfect Game. He led the Bearcats with a .374 batting average, hitting 10 home runs while adding 48 RBI, 10 doubles, and 38 runs scored. Infelise collected 85 hits in his first college season, the most among all freshmen in the country as of the end of UC’s season. That figure also ranks tied for seventh in a season in school history and is the most hits by a Bearcat since Lance Durham’s record-setting 99-hit season in 2009.
Infelise was named the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors last month.
Ohio
Prevent Blindness Ohio warns of firework dangers ahead of July 4 celebrations
COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s almost America’s 250th birthday, and many Ohioans may already be planning their celebrations.
Many of those celebrations may include the use of fireworks. Prevent Blindness Ohio is warning about the potential dangers associated with the colorful explosives in light of its sixth annual Fireworks Safety Week, which runs from June 28 through July 4.
In a press release, the organization cites the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in noting that there were 15 fireworks-related deaths and 13,000 injuries reported in 2025.
Most of the injuries were to hands and fingers, followed by the head, face and ears, with burns being the most common of all the injuries.
“The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that in the most severe eye injury cases, firework accidents can rupture the globe of the eye, cause chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions and retinal detachment — all of which can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss,” the release reads. “Fireworks-related eye injuries can combine blunt force trauma, heat burns and chemical exposure.”
The organization said it supports a ban on fireworks for all except licensed operators during public displays.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. We urge all Americans to celebrate safely by avoiding consumer fireworks,” said Amy Pulles, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio. “Accidents happen even during firework displays conducted by licensed professionals, so please use caution when attending those as well.”
For those who decide to use fireworks during their celebrations this year, the National Safety Council has the following safety tips:
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“Never allow young children to handle fireworks
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Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
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Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
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Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
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Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
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Never light them indoors
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Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
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Never point or throw fireworks at another person
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Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
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Never ignite devices in a container
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Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
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Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
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Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
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Never use illegal fireworks”
Unless prohibited by local laws, Ohioans can discharge legal fireworks from 4 to 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5, as well as the weekends before and after.
For more information on firework rules in Ohio, click here.
Interested in finding a Fourth of July fireworks show near you? Check out our list here.
Ohio
Property transfers in Marion County, sales range from $40K to $415K
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USA TODAY
These real estate transactions were recorded in Marion County between June 12 and June 17.
City of Marion
336 Silver St., Marion; Jeffery A. Hallie to Cassidy Manley and Jamal Tyre Manley; $100,000.
597 E. George St., Marion; Robert E. Edens Jr. and Kristin Edens to Clifford D. Hall and Judith K. Hall; $100,000.
395 Park St., Marion; Robin Hirsch to Christian Jaimes Mejia; $165,500.
1007 Fariwood Avenue, Marion; Sherry D. Smith, Jerry L. Winget and Vickie L. Pinyerd to Tami S. McCarty; $149,900.
302 Silver St., Marion; Heaven M. Daniel to US Bank National Association; $44,100.
358 Nye St., Marion; Trever Rinehart to Daniel Murfield and Athena Murfield; $199,000.
538 Cherry St., Marion; Marry On LLC to Tylere Shuster; $150,000.
618 Irey Avenue, Marion; Keith A. Radebaugh to Brittany Marie Crampton; $125,000.
1138 Independence Avenue, Marion; Marion County General Surgery LLC to Independence Avenue Medical LLC; $215,000.
1950 Linda St., Marion; Ralph W. Smith Jr. and Betty J. Smith to Dawn Comer; $116,000.
555 Avondale Avenue, Marion; Angela R. Rivers to Prospect Endeavors LLC; $75,000.
523 Mary St., Marion; Frank Hoffman and Robin Hoffman to Crystal A. Bonsel and John H. Thacker; $175,000.
436 Thompson St., Marion; Shovel City Investment LLC to Duel Patrick Davidson; $47,500.
661 Adams St., Marion; Hideaway Properties 4 LLC to Crystal Lynn Hall; $85,200.
288 Chicago Avenue, Marion; Jeffrey L. Young and Kimberly M. Young to OpenDoor Property Trust; $179,900.
691 Bennett St., Marion; Steven Higgins, Larry Higgins Jr. and Shawn Patrick Higgins to Kyle R. White; $200,000.
Richland Township
5544 Tittlebaugh Road, Marion; John E. Morgan, Rebecca Sue Morgan, Bridget Corcoran and Patrick Corcoran to John E. Morgan and Rebecca Sue Morgan; $87,340.
Pleasant Township
2.345 acres on Gooding Road, Marion; 533 Farm Holdings LLC to Thomas Savage and Lissa Savage; $250,000.
4714 Larue Prospect Road S., Prospect; Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance to Allyson Fitch and Brandon Fitch; $260,000.
1552 Marion County Club Drive, Marion; WY Corp II to ABI Development LLC; $40,000.
Prospect Township
8323 Hughes Road, Prospect; Cole A. Hess and Cheyenne Hess to Kamryn Miah Jean Sutherland and John Daniel Yersavich; $415,000.
608 Water St., Prospect; EyE Homes Inc. to Mary Elizabeth Machingo and Jeffrey Paul Machingo; $305,000.
Tully Township
2946 Martel Road, Caledonia; Vincent L. Cleveland and Jo D. Cleveland to Carly Rene Bailey-Stultz and Dennis Stultz; $375,000.
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