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This is your guide to 10 can’t-miss high school football games for the Greater Akron area

nate ulrich, akron beacon journal
·4 min read
St. Vincent-St. Mary quarterback Gabe Mansel is chased out of the pocket by Hoban's Rickey Williams, left, and Deon Rodgers on Oct. 7, 2022.
St. Vincent-St. Mary quarterback Gabe Mansel is chased out of the pocket by Hoban's Rickey Williams, left, and Deon Rodgers on Oct. 7, 2022.

There is a huge void on the Greater Akron area high school football scene.

Rivals Archbishop Hoban and St. Vincent-St. Mary won't meet in the regular season for the first time since 1995, an outcome connected to STVM accusing a Hoban coach of directing improper language toward STVM.

Yes, there could still be an encounter in the playoffs because Hoban and STVM occupy Division II, Region 5, but nothing is guaranteed.

Fortunately for Northeast Ohio fans, there isn't a shortage of fascinating football matchups throughout the area among schools big, small and somewhere in between.

This is your guide to 10 can't-miss Akron-area games on the 2023 schedule.

1. Hudson (13-1 last season) at Highland (12-1), 7 p.m. Aug. 18, Week 1

These teams' only losses were to the Division II state title game participants. Suburban League National Conference champion Hudson lost 41-7 to Hoban in a regional final. Suburban League American Conference champ Highland fell 42-6 to eventual state champ Toledo Central Catholic in a regional semifinal.

Ticket info: highlandhornets.net/event-tickets; 330-239-1901

Mogadore junior Austin Constantine runs the ball during a regional semifinal Nov. 12, 2022, against Cuyahoga Heights in Twinsburg.
Mogadore junior Austin Constantine runs the ball during a regional semifinal Nov. 12, 2022, against Cuyahoga Heights in Twinsburg.

2. Mogadore (12-1) at Dalton (10-3), 7 p.m. Sept. 1, Week 3

They won't clash in the playoffs because competitive balance moved Dalton from Division VI, Region 21 to Division VII, Region 25, but this is still an intriguing matchup.

Ticket info: 330-828-2405

The Wadsworth High School football team takes the field on Sept. 23, 2022.
The Wadsworth High School football team takes the field on Sept. 23, 2022.

3. Wadsworth (7-5) at Medina (11-2), 7 p.m. Sept. 1, Week 3

Medina won both meetings last season — 45-35 on the road in the regular season and 49-35 at home in a Division I regional quarterfinal.

Ticket info: medinaathletics.com/event-tickets; 330-636-3226

Norton cornerback Noah Willig is tripped up in the end zone by Bay running back Charles Rice after intercepting a second-half pass in a Division III playoff game on Oct. 28, 2022.
Norton cornerback Noah Willig is tripped up in the end zone by Bay running back Charles Rice after intercepting a second-half pass in a Division III playoff game on Oct. 28, 2022.

4. Woodridge (7-4) at Norton (10-3), 7 p.m. Sept. 15, Week 5

A couple of months before its run last season to a Division III regional semifinal, Norton lost 28-21 in overtime to visiting Woodridge. Norton, Woodridge and Cloverleaf shared the Metro Athletic Conference title.

Ticket info: nortonpantherathletics.com/event-tickets; 330-825-4167

Walsh Jesuit football coach Nick Alexander congratulates his team after a touchdown against Mentor Lake Catholic on Oct. 7, 2022.
Walsh Jesuit football coach Nick Alexander congratulates his team after a touchdown against Mentor Lake Catholic on Oct. 7, 2022.

5. Walsh Jesuit (9-3) at STVM (8-4), 7 p.m. Sept. 22, Week 6

Walsh beat St. Vincent-St. Mary 41-14 last season at home. This year's rematch between the Division II, Region 5 foes will come a week before STVM hosts Youngstown Ursuline at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. Last year, STVM triumphed 35-28 on the road over Ursuline (10-3 in 2022).

Ticket info: stvmathletics.com/box-office; 330-253-9114

Hoban defensive back Xavier Williams intercepts a first-half pass intended for Iona Prep's Michael Senatore on Sept. 3, 2022.
Hoban defensive back Xavier Williams intercepts a first-half pass intended for Iona Prep's Michael Senatore on Sept. 3, 2022.

6. Walsh (9-3) at Hoban (14-2), 7 p.m. Sept. 29, Week 7

Walsh stuck with eventual Division II state runner-up Hoban for a while last season but lost 32-20 at home.

Ticket info: hoban.org/athletics/fan-zone/ticket-information; 330-773-9107

Tallmadge football coach Mike Hay reacts to a second-half penalty at Green on Sept. 2, 2022.
Tallmadge football coach Mike Hay reacts to a second-half penalty at Green on Sept. 2, 2022.

7. Aurora (8-4) at Tallmadge (9-3), 7 p.m. Sept. 29, Week 7

In this matchup of Division III, Region 9 and Suburban League American Conference teams, Aurora won 31-30 at home last season.

Ticket info: tallmadgeathletics.org/event-tickets; 330-633-6956

Hoban football coach Tim Tyrrell works a huddle with his team during the first half of a Division II home playoff game on Nov. 4, 2022.
Hoban football coach Tim Tyrrell works a huddle with his team during the first half of a Division II home playoff game on Nov. 4, 2022.

8. Cleveland Glenville (15-0) at Hoban (14-2), 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Week 8

Hoban will host defending Division IV state champion Glenville and then defending Division I state champ Lakewood St. Edward (15-1 in 2022) at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the regular-season finale for both teams. Hoban lost 41-20 on the road to St. Ed's last season.

Ticket info: hoban.org/athletics/fan-zone/ticket-information; 330-773-9107

CVCA running back Ricky Levak, left, celebrates his second-half touchdown with teammates at Northwest on Sept. 30, 2022.
CVCA running back Ricky Levak, left, celebrates his second-half touchdown with teammates at Northwest on Sept. 30, 2022.

9. Northwest (8-4) at CVCA (7-4), 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Week 8

Last season, Northwest hosted the Principals Athletic Conference showdown between the two teams and prevailed 29-28 in overtime.

Ticket info: athletics.cvcaroyals.org/sports/2020/8/25/tickets; 330-929-0575

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Buchtel football coach Bryan Williams reacts to a play on the field during the second half against Ellet on Sept. 24, 2022.
Buchtel football coach Bryan Williams reacts to a play on the field during the second half against Ellet on Sept. 24, 2022.

10. East (6-5) at Buchtel (7-5), noon Oct. 7, Week 8

Buchtel defeated East 19-13 last season at Ellet. Buchtel and East finished first and second, respectively, in the City Series. The Griffins earned a Division IV regional semifinal appearance.

Ticket info: akronschools.com/district/departments/athletics/tickets; 330-761-7945

More must see high school football: 10 Greater Akron area players we can't wait to watch during the 2023 season

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 10 can’t-miss Akron-area high school football games in 2023