If you spent any time on a metal bleacher in Franklin or Delaware County this past autumn, you know that 2025 wasn't just another year. It was a complete shift. For a long time, the narrative around central ohio high school football scores was dominated by the same few powerhouses in Pickerington or the occasional run by a Dublin squad. But things got weird this year—in a good way.
We saw a team from Lewis Center finally kick the door down. We saw a legendary program in Columbus remind everyone that tradition still carries a heavy punch. Honestly, if you blinked during the month of November, you missed some of the most chaotic, high-stakes football this region has ever produced.
The Historic Run of Olentangy Orange
Basically, everyone is still talking about the Pioneers. Before this season, Olentangy Orange was often seen as "the other" Olentangy school—solid, but maybe not ready for the big stage. That changed. They didn't just win; they dominated their way to a perfect 15-0 record and a Division I state title.
It culminated in Canton at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The final score? Olentangy Orange 28, Cincinnati St. Xavier 14.
Levi Davis was the engine. He threw for 177 yards and two scores, but it was his legs that really broke the Bombers' spirit. He added 93 yards on the ground. Lukas Fickel was a workhorse, taking the rock 31 times for 133 yards. You don't see that kind of volume much anymore in the modern spread era. They played "old school" football with a "new school" athlete at quarterback.
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It was the first state title for the program. Seeing a Central Ohio team take down a GCL South giant like St. Xavier? That doesn't happen every day. It sorta changes how people view the OCC (Ohio Capital Conference) on a statewide level.
The Resurrection of Bishop Watterson
While Orange was making history in D-I, Columbus Bishop Watterson was busy reminding everyone why they're a legendary name in Ohio football. They went back-to-back.
They faced Toledo Central Catholic in the Division III final and—to be blunt—it wasn't even close. A 30-0 shutout. In a state final. That is almost unheard of against a program as prestigious as TCC.
- Final Score: Bishop Watterson 30, Toledo Central Catholic 0.
- The Catalyst: Drew Bellisari. He threw for 250 yards and a touchdown.
- The Defense: They forced four turnovers. Carter Bellisari even took an interception 35 yards back for a house call.
Watterson finished 14-0. They’ve reached a point where they aren't just winning games; they’re demoralizing opponents. If you're looking for the gold standard of Central Ohio private school football right now, this is it.
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The Heartbreak and the "Almosts"
You can't talk about central ohio high school football scores without mentioning the games that were decided by a blade of grass.
Pickerington Central had one of those "what if" seasons. They were rolling. They beat Upper Arlington in a regional semifinal thriller, 17-16. Rocco Williams led a 12-play drive late in the fourth quarter, capping it with a 12-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes left. It was peak high school football.
But then they ran into the Olentangy Orange buzzsaw in the regional final. Orange won that one 39-7. It was a sobering reminder of just how high the ceiling was for the Pioneers this year.
Then there’s Big Walnut. They provided one of the biggest shocks of the postseason by taking down Washington Massillon 27-21 in late November. Massillon is a name that usually strikes fear into everyone, but the Golden Eagles didn't care about the name on the jersey.
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Why These Scores Matter for 2026
The parity is growing. Usually, you could circle Pickerington Central or Gahanna Lincoln and just assume they’d be the last ones standing. Now? You've got schools like Big Walnut and Olentangy Orange proving that the suburban schools in the northern part of the metro area have caught up in terms of depth and physicality.
Notable Regular Season and Playoff Results
- Pickerington Central 42, Groveport-Madison 7: A statement win early in the playoffs.
- Upper Arlington 30, Pickerington North 27: A regular-season nail-biter that defined the Region 3 seedings.
- Gahanna Lincoln 20, Olentangy Liberty 14: A defensive struggle that showed the Lions' grit.
- Canal Winchester 28, Westerville South 21: A physical battle in the Division II bracket.
What Most People Get Wrong About Central Ohio Football
There is this lingering myth that Northeast Ohio and Cincinnati are the only places where "real" football is played. This season's scores proved that’s garbage.
When you have Olentangy Orange beating St. Xavier and Bishop Watterson shutting out Toledo Central Catholic, the "soft" label for Columbus-area football is officially dead. The athletes are bigger, the coaching has gotten more sophisticated, and the community support is at an all-time high.
Honestly, the biggest challenge now is the "Mega-Conference" structure of the OCC. These teams beat each other up so much during the regular season that staying healthy for a five-week playoff run is a miracle.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruits
- Watch the Trenches: If you want to predict next year's scores, look at the offensive lines at schools like Liberty and Orange. They are returning a surprising amount of size.
- The "Rocco Williams" Factor: Keep an eye on the transfer portal and coaching changes. With several high-profile seniors graduating, the QB landscape in Central Ohio is wide open for 2026.
- Regional Realignment: OHSAA is always tweaking things. Stay updated on the regional boundaries, as a slight shift can move a powerhouse like Pickerington Central into a different path, completely changing the playoff "scores" we expect to see.
The 2025 season is in the books, but the shift in power feels permanent. Central Ohio is no longer a stop on the way to a state title for other regions; it is the destination.