Games to watch in the 2024 season

The regular season is packed with games that will fill stands across the region and in Ohio. Here are a few games fans may want to mark their calendars before the season begins on August 22nd.

Dalton at Kirtland, Aug. 23: The Hornets are the defending Division VI state champions, while the Bulldogs are the defending Division VII runners-up. Kirtland won last year, 14-7. The rematch should be great.

Massillon Jackson at Mentor, Aug. 23: The opportunity to see the Cardinals' stellar offense is reason enough to be on this list, but when you add in all the excitement of Mentor's 100th football anniversary celebrations, it's even more important.

Tiffin Columbian at Chardon, Aug. 30: The Hilltoppers were a Division III team in the state championship Final Four last year and the Tornadoes were a Division III regional finalist. Columbian won that matchup last year, 50-49.

Mentor vs. St. Ignatius at John Carroll, August 30: The Wildcats had just two wins last year, both against the Cardinals. This game is always packed. Because it's played in a smaller stadium at JCU, it's packed.

Perry at Euclid, Aug. 30: Perry was Division V state champion last year while Euclid had a 1-9 record, but this year teams should be wary of the Panthers under new coach Damion Creel.

Chardon at Avon Lake, Sept. 6: The Hilltoppers' tough non-league play continues against the traditional Shoremen, led by 6-foot-5, 275-pound Maxwell Riley, who is being courted by most major colleges across the country.

Kirtland at Perry, Sept. 6: It's rare that two defending champions meet in a regular season game, but this one does. Perry won 24-6 last year. Don't think Kirtland has forgotten that. The letter “P” in Kirtland's weight room has been covered up on all the signs.

Gilmour at Hawken, Sept. 6: There have been some epic battles between these two programs, but this one could rival them all. The experience and talent on the field tonight at Cliff Walton Stadium is worth the price of admission.

VASJ at Kenston, Sept. 13: These two teams split last year, with the Bombers winning the regular season and the Vikings winning the second round of the Division III playoffs. This rematch will be very emotional.

Kenston at Lake Catholic, Sept. 19: The Cougars crushed the Bombers 49-14 last year and have most of their players from that team back. The teams will have only a short break as the game is Thursday night.

Cleveland Heights at Mentor, Sept. 20: Heights won this game last year 14-13 in overtime when the Cardinals missed a conversion point to end the game. This game features many high-profile college recruits.

Bishop Watterson at Chardon, Sept. 20: Chardon's nonleague schedule is tough, and this is a rematch of last year's game, which the Eagles won 14-10. Watterson finished second in Division III last season.

Berkshire at Cardinal, Sept. 27. The battle for the Kinsman Cup is reignited. The overall record of this rivalry is 35-35-1.

University at Gilmour, September 27: These two schools are just two miles apart, one of the biggest rivalries in the area. This will be a heated game.

Padua at Lake Catholic, Oct. 4: Although there is no North Coast Conference championship game this season—that doesn't begin until next year—this “independent” game could pit the two best teams in this up-and-coming league against each other.

South vs. North, Oct. 11: The annual Border War takes place at Harry E. Winters Stadium. South leads the overall standings 33-29-2, although North won the game last year 10-3.

Youngstown Ursuline at VASJ, October 11: The Irish finished the Vikings' season 27-20 last year. Two of VASJ's four losses last year came against Ursuline. VASJ certainly remembers that.

Madison at Geneva, Oct. 18: This was Geneva's last year winning the CVC Lake Division title game, and the Blue Streaks would like to return the favor this year on the Eagles' home turf.

Hawken vs. Perry, October 25: Many consider these to be the two best teams in the Chagrin CVC. Hawken has its best team in recent memory. Perry is the defending Division V state champion and also well-staffed.

Lake Catholic at NDCL, Oct. 25: Lake has its best record ever at 25-9 and the Cougars have a strong team. Will that matter when the two meet for a rematch? No.

Chardon at Riverside, October 25: The WRC always seems to come down to these two teams and that could be the case again this year. What a colossal showdown in Week 10.

Originally published: August 18, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

Games to watch in the 2024 season – News-Herald

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