Two Catholic school powerhouses will meet Friday evening in Canton to decide the OHSAA Division III state football championship.
It’s Bishop Watterson and Toledo Central Catholic for the crown, and it promises to be a classic.
Watterson enters the game as the defending state champion and carrying a 13-0 record this season.
They’re led by quarterback Drew Bellisari, a commit to Miami (OH). Bellisari is 29-0 in his career as a starting quarterback.
Watterson has won three state titles overall (2002, 2010, 2024) and has been runner-up four times.
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Toledo Central Catholic carries an 11-4 record into the final and is trying to be the first state champion to have lost its first three games of a season.
TCC is a five-time state champ (2005, 2012, 2014, 2022, 2023) and was runner-up to Watterson a season ago, and runner-up in 2015.
They’re led by Texas A&M CB commit Victor Singleton and Notre Dame TE commit Preston Fryzel.
Below, you can follow along with live updates throughout the game.
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BISHOP WATTERSON 7, TOLEDO CENTRAL CATHOLIC 0: 1ST QUARTER
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FIRST QUARTER
– Central Catholic went three-and-out, and Nate Henderson returned the punt 39 yards to the TCC 31-yard line to set up Watterson’s next drive.
– Touchdown Bishop Watterson. Jack McCoy pounded it in from a yard out to take the lead, with the extra point good. The TD run was set up by a 17-yard pass from Bellisari to Noah Holsinger down to the 1-yard line. (7-0 Watterson, 6:53 1Q)
– Drew Bellisari two big pass plays for Watterson on their opening drive, first 30 yards to Nate Henderson and then 35 yards to Caden Mangini to get to the 21-yard line.
– After one good run, Watterson’s defense gets a stop and forces a punt to earn their first possession. They’ll start at their own 10-yard line.
– The state final is underway. Toledo Central Catholic returns the kickoff to its own 36-yard line and we’re off. Jeremiah Fuller runs for 15 yards on the ensuing first play from scrimmage.
PREGAME
– Bishop Watterson won the coin toss and deferred. Toledo Central Catholic will receive the opening kickoff, which appears slated for a few minutes after 3 p.m.
– Both teams are coached by alums, Brian Kennedy for Watterson and Greg Dempsey for Central Catholic.
