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The final week: Photo blog of Tuscarawas County 2023-24 high school football season

andrew dolph, the times-reporter
·3 min read
New Philadelphia's warmup footballs await the team to tak the field before the game against Louisville, Friday, Aug. 18 at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia.
New Philadelphia's warmup footballs await the team to tak the field before the game against Louisville, Friday, Aug. 18 at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia.

The 2023 high school football has ended in Tuscarawas County.

Throughout the season, Times-Reporter staff photographer Andrew Dolph has chronicled what he saw from game to game across Tuscarawas County, on and off the field.

Dolph said: "Football, according to armchair quarterbacks, is either a game of inches, or a game of mistakes in which the winner is the one who committed the fewest. Either way, there’s a lot more to the game than runs, passes, big hits, or touchdowns. Walking the periphery of the field of ‘Anytown, USA’ reveals so much about what goes into the planning, support, and execution of each high school game. These galleries are devoted to some of what is seen with my cameras as I approach a different game in Tuscarawas County each Friday night. It's a unique privilege to document the hard work and energy put into every game."

Week 15 Garaway State Semifinal preview: Journey comes full circle for Garaway quarterback as team stares down state semifinal

Week 15 Garaway game story: Garaway football's dream season ends in state semifinals

The Kirtland Hornats celebrate their defeat of the Garaway Pirates, 17-0 in the Division VI, Region 23 State Semifinal game, Friday, Nov. 24 at the Louisville Leopards’ Stadium in Louisville, Ohio. This was the first time in program history that Garaway has competed in a State Semifinal game.
The Kirtland Hornats celebrate their defeat of the Garaway Pirates, 17-0 in the Division VI, Region 23 State Semifinal game, Friday, Nov. 24 at the Louisville Leopards’ Stadium in Louisville, Ohio. This was the first time in program history that Garaway has competed in a State Semifinal game.

Week 14 Garaway playoff preview: History on the horizon: Garaway the favorite to make state Final Four for first time

Week 14 West Jefferson playoff preview: 'We have grown a lot': Veteran line drives high-powered West Jefferson football offense

Week 14 game story: Garaway crushes West Jefferson to catapult into the state semifinals for the first time

Garaway celebrates their 42-7 win against West Jefferson during the Division VI, Region 23 final, Friday, Nov. 17 at John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium in Zanesville, Ohio.
Garaway celebrates their 42-7 win against West Jefferson during the Division VI, Region 23 final, Friday, Nov. 17 at John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium in Zanesville, Ohio.

Week 13 playoffs preview: Garaway football continues its march through the OHSAA playoffs

Week 13 game story: Pirates pillage way to playoff victory over Northmor Friday night in Heath

A referee ties the shoe of Nothmor's Ashton Clark, 11, during a week 13 division 6 high school football playoff game, Friday, Nov. 3 at Bulldog Stadium in Heath, Ohio.
A referee ties the shoe of Nothmor's Ashton Clark, 11, during a week 13 division 6 high school football playoff game, Friday, Nov. 3 at Bulldog Stadium in Heath, Ohio.

Week 12 playoffs preview: OHSAA playoffs: Garaway puts its top-seed ranking against East Knox

Week 12 game story: A heartfelt "Senior Walk": Garaway seniors celebrated after crushing East Knox

Garaway's marching band performs during the week 12 high school football playoff game against East Knox, Friday, Nov. 3 at Garaway High School, in Sugarcreek, Ohio.
Garaway's marching band performs during the week 12 high school football playoff game against East Knox, Friday, Nov. 3 at Garaway High School, in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Week 11 playoffs preview: OHSAA playoffs: New Philly heads to postseason for fifth straight season (and more)

Week 11 game story: Garaway rolls to 45-7 first-round win over Rock Hill

Garaway warms up during their week 11 high school football playoff game against Rock Hill, Friday, Oct. 27 at Garaway High School, Sugarcreek, Ohio.
Garaway warms up during their week 11 high school football playoff game against Rock Hill, Friday, Oct. 27 at Garaway High School, Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Week 10 preview: Countdown to one of the most storied high school football rivalries in Ohio

MORE: From 1896 to now: Every score in the Dover-New Philadelphia football series

Week 10 game story: Dan Ifft called it 'a senior type of game.' See how Dover's J.J. Barton keyed the win vs. NP.

Dover student-fans take selfies during week 10 high school football action against New Phila, Friday, Oct. 20 at the ‘Brick House’ in Dover, Ohio. This was the 120th annual Dover-Phila rivalry game, which was first played in 1896.
Dover student-fans take selfies during week 10 high school football action against New Phila, Friday, Oct. 20 at the ‘Brick House’ in Dover, Ohio. This was the 120th annual Dover-Phila rivalry game, which was first played in 1896.

Week 9 preview: Week 9: New Philadelphia, West Holmes face off in crucial OCC clash

Week 9 game story: West Holmes' Fair snatches victory from New Philly as time expires

The West Holmes High School marching band enters Quaker Stadium during week 9 high school football action, Friday, Oct. 13 in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
The West Holmes High School marching band enters Quaker Stadium during week 9 high school football action, Friday, Oct. 13 in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Week 8 preview: Week 8: New Philadelphia faces 'good test' in OCC foe Lexington

Week 8 game story: Week 8: Malvern 'refused to lose' grudge match against Newcomerstown

Kelly Hinds, senior cheerleader and trumpeter in the marching band, gives a thumbs up as cheerleaders enter Lee Stadium for the football game between Newcomerstown and Malvern during week 8 high school football action, Friday, Oct. 6 at Lee Stadium in Newcomerstown, Ohio.
Kelly Hinds, senior cheerleader and trumpeter in the marching band, gives a thumbs up as cheerleaders enter Lee Stadium for the football game between Newcomerstown and Malvern during week 8 high school football action, Friday, Oct. 6 at Lee Stadium in Newcomerstown, Ohio.

Week 7 preview: On the road again: Dover continues with demanding schedule in Week 7

Week 7 game story: Junior tailback's pivotal touchdown run helps Garaway to 7-0 record

The last super moon of 2023 is seen rising behind the lights at Braves Stadium during week 7 high school football action between the Braves of Indian Valley and the Pirates of Garaway, Friday, Sept. 29th in Gnadenhutten, Ohio.
The last super moon of 2023 is seen rising behind the lights at Braves Stadium during week 7 high school football action between the Braves of Indian Valley and the Pirates of Garaway, Friday, Sept. 29th in Gnadenhutten, Ohio.

Week 6 preview: Week 6: New Philadelphia looks to improve in match up against Mount Vernon

Week 6 game story: Ridgewood grinds out 14-7 win over Tusky Valley

Ridgewood's Grant Lahmers fakes the handoff to Kole Robinson during week 6 high school football action, Friday, Sept. 22, at Tusky Valley High School in Mineral City.
Ridgewood's Grant Lahmers fakes the handoff to Kole Robinson during week 6 high school football action, Friday, Sept. 22, at Tusky Valley High School in Mineral City.

Week 5 preview: Week 5 preview: Dover rides win streak into fierce rivalry vs. Steubenville

Week 5 game story: Dover can't catch a break in Week 5 loss to Steubenville

Dover cheerleader Caycee Albaugh, a junior, waves the Dover flag during pregame warmups in week 5 high school football action against Steubenville, Friday, Sept. 15 at Crater Stadium in Dover.
Dover cheerleader Caycee Albaugh, a junior, waves the Dover flag during pregame warmups in week 5 high school football action against Steubenville, Friday, Sept. 15 at Crater Stadium in Dover.

Week 4 preview: New Philadelphia looks for second straight win against an OCC opponent

Week 4 game story: Garaway jumps out to 4-0 start to season

Carrollton High School sophomore Connor Welch plays the part of the warrior mascot during the game against Garaway, Friday, Sept. 8 at Warrior Stadium in Carrollton.
Carrollton High School sophomore Connor Welch plays the part of the warrior mascot during the game against Garaway, Friday, Sept. 8 at Warrior Stadium in Carrollton.

Week 3 preview: Dover football 'hungry' for Friday night win against Indian Valley

Week 3 game story: Dover breaks into the win column with confidence-boosting victory

T-R staff photographer Andrew Dolph was out with a week-long illness for week 3, so there was no photo coverage.

Week 2 preview: Dover travels to Canton South in an epic showdown

Week 2 game story: Canton South (w, 50-40) vs. Dover – 'We're growing': A comeback comes up short, but Dover football makes Week 2 progress

Canton South marching band director Matt Stemple leads the band in warmups shortly before kickoff against Dover, Friday, Aug. 25 at Clyde Brechbuhler Stadium in Canton.
Canton South marching band director Matt Stemple leads the band in warmups shortly before kickoff against Dover, Friday, Aug. 25 at Clyde Brechbuhler Stadium in Canton.

Week 1 preview: Talented rosters face off as Dover heads north to take on Green

Week 1 game story: New Philadelphia (w, 42-21) vs. Louisville – New Philadelphia finds its rhythm in season-opening victory vs. Louisville

New Philadelphia's Owen Schoelles makes a leaping catch to set up a touchdown conversion to tie the game 14-14 against Louisville, Friday, Aug. 18 at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia.
New Philadelphia's Owen Schoelles makes a leaping catch to set up a touchdown conversion to tie the game 14-14 against Louisville, Friday, Aug. 18 at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia.

If you have tips, suggestions, or story ideas, please feel free to reach out by phone at 330-289-6072, or by email at, adolph3@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Photo blog looks back at Tuscarawas County high school football season