The Columbus Grove (OH) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against St. John’s (Delphos, OH) on Friday, November 22 at 7:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 26 tournament.

Columbus Grove vs St. John’s Football Game Info:

What: Ohio High School Football
Who: Columbus Grove vs St. John’s
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Bracket: 2024 OHSAA High School Football Playoff Brackets (Ohio) – Region 26
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Game preview: Columbus Grove vs St. John’s

As the high school football season rolls into its final stretch, the St. John’s Knights (6-7) are preparing to take on the undefeated Columbus Grove Bulldogs (13-0) in a highly anticipated matchup. With both teams entering the game with strong, yet contrasting records, the contest promises to offer an intriguing clash of styles and strategies.

A Tale of Two Teams

St. John’s has had a tough season overall, posting a 6-7 record with a 2-6 record in conference play. Their offense has struggled to find consistency, averaging just 17.8 points per game. Despite solid efforts from key players, including junior Trenton Barraza, who leads the team with 186.4 rushing yards per game and 16.3 points per game, the Knights have struggled in all four quarters, especially in the third, where they’ve been outscored by an average of 0 points.

In contrast, Columbus Grove has been dominant, remaining undefeated at 13-0 with a perfect 7-0 conference record. The Bulldogs have displayed an explosive offense, averaging 41.2 points per game. Their well-balanced attack, led by running back Trenton Barraza (191.4 total yards per game), has been nearly unstoppable. The team has excelled in every aspect of the game, averaging 239 rushing yards, 106 passing yards, and 345 total yards per game.

Team Leaders and Key Stats

For St. John’s, Barraza’s efforts in both the rushing and passing game have been critical to their success. Quarterback Landon Best has added 94.7 passing yards per game, while wide receiver Trevon Baxter has contributed 44.4 receiving yards per game. Defensively, linebacker Jamesen Rader leads the team with 9.9 tackles per game, keeping the Knights competitive despite their struggles.

Columbus Grove’s success has been a product of their all-around dominance. Their offense, led by quarterback Trenton Barraza’s dual-threat ability, has been backed by a defense that allows just 134 points in 13 games. The Bulldogs have allowed fewer than 10 points per game in their last several contests, proving that their defense is as formidable as their offense.

Common Opponents

The two teams share a common opponent in Lima Central Catholic, with St. John’s falling short in a 14-13 loss on August 30. Columbus Grove, however, has dominated their matchups with Lima Central Catholic, winning both of their games, including a 38-6 victory on November 8. The contrasting results from these matchups speak to the disparity between these two teams, with Columbus Grove showing no signs of slowing down.

A Big Challenge for the Knights

With both teams set to clash, the Knights will need to address their inconsistency on offense and defense if they are to have any chance of knocking off the Bulldogs. St. John’s will rely on their strong individual performances from Barraza and Rader, but they will also need to improve their overall team dynamics, especially their scoring in the third quarter.

For Columbus Grove, the key to continuing their perfect season will be maintaining their aggressive offensive pace and suffocating defense. The Bulldogs will likely look to impose their physical style of play early and often, aiming to wear down the Knights’ defense and take advantage of any mistakes.

Record Breakdown

• St. John’s: 6-7 overall, 2-6 in conference
• Columbus Grove: 13-0 overall, 7-0 in conference
• St. John’s Home/Away Record: 1-4 at home, 3-3 away
• Columbus Grove Home/Away Record: 8-0 at home, 5-0 away

The game is shaping up to be a true test for St. John’s, with Columbus Grove continuing to demonstrate why they are one of the top teams in the state. For the Knights, this matchup is a final opportunity to build momentum as they look to finish the season on a high note, while the Bulldogs look to stay perfect and keep their championship aspirations intact.

As the two teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting game, fans can expect a hard-fought battle, but with Columbus Grove’s dominant performance all season, they will be the heavy favorites heading into this contest.