2025 BATTLE OF THE 740 SCHEDULE  (all games at Shawnee State University) Saturday, Dec. 13  * 11 a.m. - Meigs Eastern vs. Symmes Valley * 12:30 p.m. - Piketon vs. Northwest  * 2 p.m. - Southern vs. Portsmouth  * 3:30 p.m. - Columbus Africentric vs. Huntington High (W. Va.)  * 5 p.m. - Fairfield vs. Valley * 6:30 p.m. - Harvest Prep vs. Chesapeake  * 8 p.m. - Chillicothe vs. Fairland  Sunday, Dec. 14 * 12 p.m. - Hillsboro vs. West  * 1:30 p.m. - Huntington vs. Rock Hill * 3 p.

COLUMBUS – The Division IV and V football All-Ohio teams were announced Tuesday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.   Information used for the All-Ohio teams comes from the regular-season accomplishments and does not include playoff games. The seven districts of the OPSMA determine the all-district teams and nominate their best for the All-Ohio teams.   On Wednesday, the Division II and III All-Ohio teams will be announced, followed by the Division I team on Thursday.

CANTON — One way or another, Wheelersburg's memorable playoff run was set to come to an end. Unfortunately, it just didn't end the way everyone wanted. The Liberty Center Tigers used a diverse attack on offense and the defense stymied the Pirates to win 35-3 and claim the Ohio Division 5 state championship on Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The win completed the Tigers quest to bring home a title after finishing runners-up in the previous two seasons. The t

WHEELERSBURG — One more time for it all. The Wheelersburg Pirates will put it all on the line one final time on Saturday night when they square off with the Liberty Center Tigers in the Ohio Division 5 state championship game at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton. Both teams come into the game with loads of experience and a hard-nosed styles of play. Wheelersburg (14-0) comes into the game on the back of their defense, which has been the hallmark of this team all season long. On th

Act now to take advantage of our Christmas Special! No coupon code needed! WHEELERSBURG — After shrugging off a slow start, Wheelersburg Lady Pirates used a barrage of 3-pointers and a deep bench to power their way past the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings 62-31 on Monday night in a non-league crossover game between Southern Ohio Conference teams. "I felt like we got caught watching too much," said Wheelersburg coach Dusty Spradlin. "I thought we were good in spurts. Second half, I

2025 OHSAA Football State Championships Preview   Division I   St. Xavier By Mike Dyer, Cincinnati WCPO-TV   The St. Xavier High School football team has earned its eighth state final appearance in program history.   The Bombers (11-2), ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings, are seeking their fifth state championship. This Friday night is the first time St. X has competed in a state final in Canton since 2007.   St. X won the 2020 state title at Fortress Obetz and the 20

WESTERVILLE — There were two parades this week. On Thursday, it was the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and on Friday, it was the hit parade. Pads were poppin' and licks were being laid when the Wheelersburg Pirates overwhelmed the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals with their physical style of play to win 24-10 in the Ohio Division 5 state semifinal at Westerville Central Stadium. Wheelersburg improves their record to a perfect 14-0 on the season with the win and will head to Canton to pl

WHEELERSBURG — Finally. It’s the Final Four. After 10 regular season games and 4 more playoff weeks, the Final Four of the Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoffs get underway at 7 p.m. Friday and two of the four teams in Division 5 as the Wheelersburg Pirates and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney Cardinals at Westerville Central High School. For the Pirates, the perfect regular season is the fourth under head coach Rob Woodward and first since 2017. Now in his 18th

COLUMBUS — It took 7 years, but it sure was worth the wait. Strong play by both the offensive and defensive lines of Wheelersburg, and a big game from Elijah Brown proved to be the difference as the Pirates blanked the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes 41-0 on a wet Friday night to claim the Ohio Division 5 regional championship. The Pirates' dominant performance was perfectly highlighted by their play in the trenches. Offensively, the Pirates churned out 247 yards on the ground and

WHEELERSBURG — You can almost hear the late, great Olivia Newton John singing, “Let’s get physical.” Wheelersburg Pirates head coach Rob Woodward has been watching film of this week’s opponent and the one facet keeps rising to the top. “I haven’t seen every game they’ve played, but in the ones that I have been able to watch they are definitely more physical than their opponent,” said Woodward. “That’s allowed them to be at the 12-0 record that they are.” Wheelersburg and the

Wheelersburg Lady Pirates’ senior volleyball standout Grace Woodward signed a national letter-of-intent to play for Coker University. Attending the signing ceremony were: seated left to right, mother Mariah Woodward, Grace, and father Rob Woodward; standing left to right, brother Graer Woodward, and sisters Gradie Jo Woodward and Greta Woodward. WHEELERSBURG — The volleyball life of Grace Woodward may be “from the womb to the tomb” experience. The Wheelersburg Lady Pirates se

WHEELERSBURG - Different year.  Different round.  Different players.  Different venue.  But, still same result - now four football postseasons running. That's because, for the fourth consecutive state playoffs, the Wheelersburg Pirates put an end to the Barnesville Shamrocks' season - and this time they had the opportunity to put Barnesville to bed in the Pirates' seniors home finale.  With Wheelersburg scoring 36 of the final 42 points over the game's final 32 minutes and 16

WHEELERSBURG — As New York Yankee legend Yogi Berra once said, "It's deja-vu all over again." For the fourth-straight postseason, the Wheelersburg Pirates and the Barnesville Shamrocks will lock horns with a chance to advance in tournament play on Friday night at Ed Miller Stadium. Overall, this will be the fifth meeting between two programs rich in football tradition. The first ever meeting took place in 1992 with the Shamrocks winning 10-7 in an overtime thriller in the sno

WHEELERSBURG — The Wheelersburg Pirates made a lasting impression on the Morgan Raiders. The first meeting ever between the two schools was Friday in the Division 5 Region 19 quarterfinals and the Pirates pulled away in the second half for a 43-3 win. Wheelersburg is now 11-0 — thanks to its 10th unbeaten regular season — and will host Barnesville next Friday in region semifinals. Morgan (7-5) went 3-and-out to start the game and then Wheelersburg drove 56 yards in 9 plays wi

2025 Ohio Prep Sports Media Association Southeast Ohio All-District Football Team DIVISION 2 Special Mention: Carson Tottle, Logan ____________________ DIVISION 3 First Team Offense  QB — Owen Riley, Marietta, 6-1, 185, Sr; Bodhi Wolford, Jackson, 6-2, 195, Sr; Mason Dumpert, Hillsboro, 6-1, 180, Sr; RB — Cartae Ligon, Chillicothe, 6-1, 190, Soph; Julian Baker, Miami Trace, 6-1, 190, Jr; Logan Russell, Sheridan, 6-2, 195, Jr; Anthony Sutton, Athens, 5-9, 155, Sr; WR — Logan H

Southern Ohio Conference 2025 All-SOC 1 Boys Soccer Team First Team Christian Copen, Valley Sr. Jaxsyn Bender, Valley Jr. Hunter Sparks, Valley Jr. Nick Queen, Valley Jr. Carson Lyons, St. Joseph Sr. Jack Whaley, St. Joseph  Jr. Beckham Waginger, St. Joseph   So. Billy Miller, Portsmouth Clay  Sr. Evan Rider, Portsmouth Clay So. Tyler McQuithy, New Boston Jr. Riley Adkins, New Boston   Sr. Bruno Morales, Western  Jr. Second Team Jett Hall-Loftin, Valley     

OHSAA Football First Round Playoff Pairings Pairings shown with regional seed. All games on Friday, October 31, at 7 p.m., unless indicated otherwise.     Division I Region 1 No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9 No. 2 Mentor (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 7 vs. No. 10 No. 3 Canton McKinley (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 6 vs. No. 11 No. 4 Toledo Whitmer (8-2), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 5 vs. No

FLATWOODS  — Defense has been a key contributor to Russell's success this season and the steady play of senior quarterback Jayden Frasure has been as well. Both of those key components were on full display Friday night, as the Red Devils posted a convincing 35-6 win over the East Carter Raiders to claim the District 6 title at Henry R. Evans Stadium/Ivan McGlone Field. The win was a special one for the Red Devils, as they clinched back-to-back district titles for the first ti

WHEELERSBURG — There are a lot of reasons the Wheelersburg Pirates went unbeaten this season, but a big reason was the defense. The Pirates’ defense was on display again on Friday as Wheelersburg completed a 10-0 season and another Southern Ohio Conference 2 championship by rolling past the Portsmouth West Senators 49-12. While the offense racked up 402 total yards, the defense limited West to 125 total yards including a mere 22 yards rushing on 28 attempts. The Pirates shut

MINFORD — A dominant first quarter performance allowed the Wheelersburg Pirates to cruise their way to a 56-6 win over the Minford Falcons in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Friday night. The win keeps the Pirates a perfect 9-0 overall and 4-0 in the league. The win also clinches them at least a share of the SOC-2 title. The Falcons fall to 2-7 and 1-4 on the year. The Pirates rattled off five touchdowns in the first quarter to blow the game wide open. Senior running back