St. Thomas Aquinas vs Upper Arlington

[Montrell Hardy]

I'm starting to feel sorry for Columbus. Surely they have something... Home of Sloopy?

Columbus area sports aren't very good. They'll have good teams from time to time but none are consistently good programs. The best program is Columbus DeSales, they are usually good, but they play between Division II and Division III depending on their enrollment.
There is a huge dropoff between the big school division in Ohio (Division I schools) and the next division.

 

[Ohio Vol]

The best football in Ohio on a consistent basis is the Catholic schools. Cincinnati has Moeller, St. X, Elder; Cleveland has Ignatius, St. Ed's, and Benedictine; Columbus has DeSales and Watterson. The difference is that the last two are usually D-3 (if they end up in D-2, they're usually the smallest school in that division) and the first five are always D-1.

All of central Ohio has only six Catholic schools, none in D-1. Three are D-4 or smaller (for those outside the state, D-1 is the biggest ann D-6 the smallest). Two don't have an actual home field at all.

The extra problem that DeSales and Watterson both face is that they're in a three-team conference and thus need to have eight non-conference games. Filling the schedule usually means playing one of the big public schools, and since most refuse to play the Catholic schools, it necessitates lengthy road trips to fill out. DeSales has had or currently has series with Elder, Moeller, St. X, Benedictine, Youngstown Mooney, and Ignatius. Both DeSales and Watterson have had to play teams from out of state just to fill out the schedule.

And unlike most states, every game counts in Ohio. There are no warmups, no games that don't really count, or anything like that.

 

[Ohio Vol]

It really wouldn't matter who they matched them up with dude. Most teams in the country would have a time trying to beat that team. I really would like to see Glenville matched up with one of the south Florida team. Would make for a good game.

Glenville has athleticism and not much else. That's a pretty common problem with any of the city schools in Ohio, which is why they never win anything. Brookhaven in Columbus is the only team to win something recently, and that was after an admitted recruiting binge that brought them something like nine new senior starters from their City League rivals.

City schools here tend to produce a great number of D-1 players and that's about it. It's almost funny to watch a well-coached and vastly undertalented school pound them time and again.

I know Ohio State fans think football begins and ends in Columbus (in spite of tremendous and ever-increasing evidence opposing that view), but I didn't know Ohio HS fans felt the same way about HS football.

After that beat down by STA, Ohio should demand better representation. On the national scene, it looked like more evidence of what has been proven time and again by college football beat downs.

Ohio overrates itself in a near delusional way.

I said it before. In anything that is remotely an even matchup, I'll take the Ohio team. I'd love to see any of the top teams in Ohio take on Maryville sometime.

 

[BuckeyeVols]

Judging the entire state of OH's high school football programs because of the turnout when UA played the NUMBER ONE TEAM IN THE COUNTRY is crazy. UA vs. Aquinas is like a 5A school in TN taking on a team like Greenback, times 10. I played football in high school in TN. The quality of teams up here is light years beyond TN HS teams, with the possible exception of a couple Memphis area schools. Aquinas should have played Elder. Aquinas vs. UA was a blood bath from the second it was scheduled and everyone knew it.

 

[the.one.the.only]

Glenville has athleticism and not much else. That's a pretty common problem with any of the city schools in Ohio, which is why they never win anything. Brookhaven in Columbus is the only team to win something recently, and that was after an admitted recruiting binge that brought them something like nine new senior starters from their City League rivals.

City schools here tend to produce a great number of D-1 players and that's about it. It's almost funny to watch a well-coached and vastly undertalented school pound them time and again.



I said it before. In anything that is remotely an even matchup, I'll take the Ohio team. I'd love to see any of the top teams in Ohio take on Maryville sometime.

I'd love to see any of the top Ohio teams take on anyone in 1-AAAAA in south GA...

 

[The Breakerboy]

Glenville has athleticism and not much else. That's a pretty common problem with any of the city schools in Ohio, which is why they never win anything. Brookhaven in Columbus is the only team to win something recently, and that was after an admitted recruiting binge that brought them something like nine new senior starters from their City League rivals.

City schools here tend to produce a great number of D-1 players and that's about it. It's almost funny to watch a well-coached and vastly undertalented school pound them time and again.



I said it before. In anything that is remotely an even matchup, I'll take the Ohio team. I'd love to see any of the top teams in Ohio take on Maryville sometime.

So basically what you're saying is that the teams in Ohio are coached up with mediocre talent? If that is so I would like to see what will happen when the play a coached up team with top 100 talent like maybe STA or Byrnes? You can play the homer card all you want but I don't know if it's a team in the nation this year that wants some of Byrnes.

 

[OHvol40]

I've seen alot of HS football in Ohio and otherwise. The only state that is hands down better than Ohio in talent per capita is Florida. Texas is a huge state with huge cities. Cali is too. (Georgia may compair in the per capita argument I must admit)

This matchup with STA and UA should have never been scheduled. UA has no business playing a team of that caliber, but there are plenty of teams in ohio that would give STA (or any other team in the country) a run for thier money in any given year.

Colerain, Elder, Glenville, and several others (various Cleveland and Cinci schools) are all rated in the top 25 this year. (I have seen Elder ranked anywhere from #2 to #5)

 

[the.one.the.only]

I've seen alot of HS football in Ohio and otherwise. The only state that is hands down better than Ohio in talent per capita is Florida. Texas is a huge state with huge cities. Cali is too. (Georgia may compair in the per capita argument I must admit)

This matchup with STA and UA should have never been scheduled. UA has no business playing a team of that caliber, but there are plenty of teams in ohio that would give STA (or any other team in the country) a run for thier money in any given year.

Colerain, Elder, Glenville, and several others (various Cleveland and Cinci schools) are all rated in the top 25 this year. (I have seen Elder ranked anywhere from #2 to #5)

I guarantee you those teams would not compare with the speed at every position down in south GA. And that's about all I've got to say about that.

 

[Ohio Vol]

I'd love to see any of the top Ohio teams take on anyone in 1-AAAAA in south GA...

Believe me, I'd love to see it.

So basically what you're saying is that the teams in Ohio are coached up with mediocre talent? If that is so I would like to see what will happen when the play a coached up team with top 100 talent like maybe STA or Byrnes? You can play the homer card all you want but I don't know if it's a team in the nation this year that wants some of Byrnes.

No, I clearly referred to the city schools getting regularly thumped in the playoffs by team that can't compare in the "speed" and "athleticism" department. City schools tend to suffer from vastly inferior coaching. I watched a regional final a few years back between two Columbus City League schools that featured no more than six different plays between both schools, and none of them actually had any type of timing.

As for the idea of "mediocre talent", give me a break. This isn't a case of pulling kids off the farm and putting them with good coaching and expecting magic to happen. Take a look at exactly how many Ohio boys are playing D-1 college ball.

If I had half a million dollars, I'd be putting together a postseason exhibition between Byrnes and whoever the Ohio D-1 state champion is.

I guarantee you those teams would not compare with the speed at every position down in south GA. And that's about all I've got to say about that.

Assuming what you say is true, so what? The most ridiculous thing I've heard since OSU/Florida is all this garbage about "team speed". You don't think that maybe those city schools I was talking about, the ones that go 5-5 while putting 5-10 guys a YEAR into D-1, maybe have some "speed and athleticism"? If that honestly meant that much, those teams would never lose. And they're sure as hell never lose to a lesser-skilled team in the playoffs....yet it happens every single year like clockwork.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

So basically what you're saying is that the teams in Ohio are coached up with mediocre talent? If that is so I would like to see what will happen when the play a coached up team with top 100 talent like maybe STA or Byrnes? You can play the homer card all you want but I don't know if it's a team in the nation this year that wants some of Byrnes.

Maryville wouldn't stand a chance against the Ohio powers (St Ignatius, Elder, Colerain, St X, etc...). They just wouldn't.

I lived in Tennessee for 10 years and high school football in TN is very weak in comparison to Ohio.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

So basically what you're saying is that the teams in Ohio are coached up with mediocre talent? If that is so I would like to see what will happen when the play a coached up team with top 100 talent like maybe STA or Byrnes? You can play the homer card all you want but I don't know if it's a team in the nation this year that wants some of Byrnes.

A mediocre 5-4 Cincinnati Moeller team played Byrnes a few years ago when Byrnes was #3 in the nation. Final score Byrnes 21 Moeller 20 in Overtime.

 

[bburger991]

Maryville isn't even all that great this year.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

I guarantee you those teams would not compare with the speed at every position down in south GA. And that's about all I've got to say about that.

They would compete just fine.

Ohio has always competed well with the rest of the country.

Even that #1 Lakeland, FL team from a few years ago needed overtime to beat Cincinnati St Xavier 24-21.

Last year #1 St Thomas Aquinas only beat Cincinnati Elder 35-24 and Elder imploded in that game with 7 turnovers.

The Ohio powers in Cleveland and Cincinnati would match up just fine with anyone in the country.

In just the last 3 years Cincinnati teams have beaten Charlotte Independence, Prattville AL, East St. Louis, IL, Hoover AL, Don Bosco Prep NJ, Louisville Trinity, DeMatha Hyatsville MD, among others. All these teams were nationally ranked going into the game. While losing by 3 points to #1 nationally ranked Lakeland, FL in 2006, #3 Byrnes 21-20 in 2007, #1 nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas 35-24... I dont see where they haven't been competitive with the best of the best.

Bottom line is Upper Arlington's program and Central Ohio programs in general are not very good.

Elder just beat #10 USA Today's East St. Louis by 21 points and they were hyped up just last week by USA Today as having one of the fastest teams in the country this year.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

Maryville isn't even all that great this year.

Yeah I dont know anything about them being good or not but someone earlier mentioned them.

 

[utmba93]

I said it before. In anything that is remotely an even matchup, I'll take the Ohio team. I'd love to see any of the top teams in Ohio take on Maryville sometime.

Why Maryville? I don't think Tennessee HS football is even in the debate.

Imo, the Ohio HS teams have a better chance at earning the state's respect than does tOSU. That's the source of skepticism about football in Ohio. No team in the history of football has talked more about its greatest and demonstrated less than have the Buckeyes. Until Buckeye fans put a 'sock in it' after a beat down instead of making excuses about what happens pre-game in their locker room, these arguments about Ohio HS football will be hard to win without demonstrating it on the field.

Perhaps Moeller, St. Ignatius, etc. can do that, but few people outside the state will accept such claims after the utter embarrassment tOSU has reined upon the state over the past several years.

 

[utmba93]

They would compete just fine.

Ohio has always competed well with the rest of the country.

Even that #1 Lakeland, FL team from a few years ago needed overtime to beat Cincinnati St Xavier 24-21.

Last year #1 St Thomas Aquinas only beat Cincinnati Elder 35-24 and Elder imploded in that game with 7 turnovers.

The Ohio powers in Cleveland and Cincinnati would match up just fine with anyone in the country.

In just the last 3 years Cincinnati teams have beaten Charlotte Independence, Prattville AL, East St. Louis, IL, Hoover AL, Don Bosco Prep NJ, Louisville Trinity, DeMatha Hyatsville MD, among others. All these teams were nationally ranked going into the game. While losing by 3 points to #1 nationally ranked Lakeland, FL in 2006, #3 Byrnes 21-20 in 2007, #1 nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas 35-24... I dont see where they haven't been competitive with the best of the best.

Bottom line is Upper Arlington's program and Central Ohio programs in general are not very good.

Elder just beat #10 USA Today's East St. Louis by 21 points and they were hyped up just last week by USA Today as having one of the fastest teams in the country this year.

What is the Ohio win-loss record against Florida teams in this summary?

Isn't it 0-2? And, that's not counting the STA win over UA (which really isn't a fair comparison), but still.

The bottom line in your own analysis still favors Florida, right?

 

[Montrell Hardy]

Why Maryville? I don't think Tennessee HS football is even in the debate.

Imo, the Ohio HS teams have a better chance at earning the state's respect than does tOSU. That's the source of skepticism about football in Ohio. No team in the history of football has talked more about its greatest and demonstrated less than have the Buckeyes. Until Buckeye fans put a 'sock in it' after a beat down instead of making excuses about what happens pre-game in their locker room, these arguments about Ohio HS football will be hard to win without demonstrating it on the field.

Perhaps Moeller, St. Ignatius, etc. can do that, but few people outside the state will accept such claims after the utter embarrassment tOSU has reined upon the state over the past several years.

I mentioned Maryville because someone up top said they could compete with the Ohio powers. Wouldn't happen.

I agree about OSU fans. They are morons and delusional and are some of most unobjective fans you will ever find. The do put the state of Ohio in a bad light but honestly it's all true. Try living with them.

Fortunately I live in Cincinnati which is by far the least pro-OSU city in Ohio. It's nice to see a variety of fans in this city. Lots of ND, Michigan, UC, Tennessee, Kentucky fans in this city.

 

[utmba93]

I mentioned Maryville because someone up top said they could compete with the Ohio powers. Wouldn't happen.

I agree about OSU fans. They are morons and delusional and are some of most unobjective fans you will ever find. The do put the state of Ohio in a bad light but honestly it's all true. Try living with them.

Fortunately I live in Cincinnati which is by far the least pro-OSU city in Ohio. It's nice to see a variety of fans in this city. Lots of ND, Michigan, UC, Tennessee, Kentucky fans in this city.

Great post!

With the Bearcats on the rise there in football, the OSU influence should become even more diluted.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

Great post!

With the Bearcats on the rise there in football, the OSU influence should become even more diluted.

No doubt. It certainly has over the last 2-3 seasons. It's never been a huge OSU area but it is becoming even less so with UC's rise.

 

[orangepeel]

They would compete just fine.

Ohio has always competed well with the rest of the country.

Even that #1 Lakeland, FL team from a few years ago needed overtime to beat Cincinnati St Xavier 24-21.

Last year #1 St Thomas Aquinas only beat Cincinnati Elder 35-24 and Elder imploded in that game with 7 turnovers.

The Ohio powers in Cleveland and Cincinnati would match up just fine with anyone in the country.

In just the last 3 years Cincinnati teams have beaten Charlotte Independence, Prattville AL, East St. Louis, IL, Hoover AL, Don Bosco Prep NJ, Louisville Trinity, DeMatha Hyatsville MD, among others. All these teams were nationally ranked going into the game. While losing by 3 points to #1 nationally ranked Lakeland, FL in 2006, #3 Byrnes 21-20 in 2007, #1 nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas 35-24... I dont see where they haven't been competitive with the best of the best.

Bottom line is Upper Arlington's program and Central Ohio programs in general are not very good.

Elder just beat #10 USA Today's East St. Louis by 21 points and they were hyped up just last week by USA Today as having one of the fastest teams in the country this year.

Thanks! That's a very good run-down of the Ohio teams,and how they've fared against other schools.

I will add though,Tennessee HS football has taken some pretty good steps forward,but I still think Ohio is superior by quite a margin. The TSSAA does a lot of stupid stuff that doesn't help matters,for instance in my area we have a few home schooled kids that can't play for the teams they are zoned for,which I think is stupid considering the parents pay the county taxes to the county,and they should be able to IMO. I know some may disagree with me on that,but to me it's no different than a kid driving 60 miles one way (and out of state) to play ball at a private school....yes, my friends kid done that to play at Goodpasture,and he lived in Logan County Kentucky.

 

[vol_in_ar]

Game Day

GO Vols

 

[Montrell Hardy]

Thanks! That's a very good run-down of the Ohio teams,and how they've fared against other schools.

I will add though,Tennessee HS football has taken some pretty good steps forward,but I still think Ohio is superior by quite a margin. The TSSAA does a lot of stupid stuff that doesn't help matters,for instance in my area we have a few home schooled kids that can't play for the teams they are zoned for,which I think is stupid considering the parents pay the county taxes to the county,and they should be able to IMO. I know some may disagree with me on that,but to me it's no different than a kid driving 60 miles one way (and out of state) to play ball at a private school....yes, my friends kid done that to play at Goodpasture,and he lived in Logan County Kentucky.

I'm glad to hear it! I hope Tennessee High School football continues to improve! It is a huge huge advantage to have quality in-state programs and talent.