Friday nights in Dublin hit differently. If you’ve ever stood under the lights at 6780 Coffman Road, you know the vibe. It’s that specific mix of humid Ohio air, the smell of concession stand popcorn, and the deafening roar of the Shamrock faithful. But lately, things have felt... a little different.
The Dublin Coffman football schedule isn't just a list of dates on a calendar; it’s a gauntlet. Honestly, the 2025 season was a brutal reminder of how unforgiving the OCC-Central can be. Under new head coach Nick McVay, the program has been in a state of transition, moving away from the Geron Stokes era and trying to find its feet in what many consider the toughest public school division in the state.
Why the 2025 Dublin Coffman Football Schedule Felt So Heavy
Most people look at a 2-8 record and think the wheels fell off. But if you actually watched the games, the story is way more nuanced.
The season kicked off on August 22, 2025, with a 30-0 loss to a powerhouse Toledo Whitmer squad. Not the start anyone wanted. They bounced back the following week, grinding out a 10-6 win over Miamisburg at home. It was ugly, it was gritty, and it gave fans hope. Then, the "City Championship" happened on September 5.
Losing 24-7 to Dublin Jerome hurt. It always does.
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What followed was a five-game skid that would break most teams. Look at the names on that list: Pickerington North, Gahanna Lincoln, Olentangy Liberty, and Olentangy Orange. These aren't just high school teams; they are Division I factories. By the time the Shamrocks traveled to Hilliard Davidson on October 10, they were 1-6.
Then, they won.
That 24-20 victory over Davidson was basically their Super Bowl. It proved the "Fight on for Dublin" spirit wasn't just a song lyric. They finished the year with losses to Upper Arlington and Hilliard Bradley, but that mid-October win showed the foundation McVay is trying to build.
Decoding the Rivalries: Davidson and UA
You can't talk about the Dublin Coffman football schedule without mentioning the "Big Three" games.
The Hilliard Davidson rivalry is basically a clash of philosophies. Davidson usually wants to run the ball down your throat until you give up. Coffman historically likes to spread it out. Even in a "down" year, that 2025 game was a four-point heartbreaker for the Wildcats. Davidson still leads the series 12-6 since Coffman opened, but the gap is closing in terms of pure competitive intensity.
Then there’s Upper Arlington.
UA has had Coffman’s number lately. The Golden Bears have won four straight in the series, including a 42-7 blowout on October 17, 2025. It’s a rivalry that technically started in 2006, and while Coffman still leads the all-time series 11-9, the momentum is currently sitting firmly in Upper Arlington.
2025 Varsity Results at a Glance
- Aug 22: Whitmer (L 0-30)
- Aug 29: Miamisburg (W 10-6)
- Sep 5: @ Dublin Jerome (L 7-24)
- Sep 12: Pickerington North (L 0-24)
- Sep 19: @ Gahanna Lincoln (L 7-35)
- Sep 26: Olentangy Liberty (L 7-21)
- Oct 3: @ Olentangy Orange (L 7-45)
- Oct 10: @ Hilliard Davidson (W 24-20)
- Oct 17: Upper Arlington (L 7-42)
- Oct 24: @ Hilliard Bradley (L 3-29)
The Nick McVay Era: A Work in Progress
When Nick McVay took over, he didn't just inherit a roster; he inherited a culture. McVay came over from Olentangy Berlin, where he served as the offensive coordinator. He’s a Dublin guy—lives in the community, knows the expectations.
He brought in a staff with serious pedigree. We're talking guys like Greg Bahen (former Bishop Hartley/DeSales coach) and Chase Bodeman. They are trying to modernize the offense, but as we saw in 2025, that takes time. The defense had bright spots, led by guys like senior linebacker Nick Ross and defensive end Josh Hicks, but the sheer depth of the OCC-Central eventually wore them down.
One thing that gets overlooked? The youth.
The 2025 roster was peppered with sophomores and juniors in key spots. Quarterback Andre Emmenegger (Class of 2027) and Jack Morris (Class of 2028) both got looks. Running backs like Jordan Sanders and Matthias Madison did what they could, but when you're playing against 300-pound defensive lines every Friday, the learning curve is steep.
What’s Next for the Shamrocks?
If you're planning for the 2026 season, expect the schedule to look very similar due to the OHSAA two-year scheduling cycles. You'll likely see the same non-conference opponents (Whitmer and Miamisburg) before diving back into the OCC meat grinder.
The real question is: Can they bridge the gap?
The 2-8 record from 2025 is deceptive. Dublin Coffman is a program that reloads. They have a massive stadium that holds 8,500 people and an artificial surface that's perfect for a fast-paced game. They just need the execution to match the facilities.
If you're heading to a game, remember that tickets are almost exclusively digital now through the Dublin Athletics website. Don't show up with a $20 bill expecting to get in the gate.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents:
- Monitor the Offseason: Keep an eye on the transition from Emmenegger to the younger QBs. The 2026 season will hinge on who takes the reigns of McVay's system.
- Digital Tickets Only: Download the HomeTown Fan app. Dublin schools stopped taking cash at the gate years ago.
- Arrival Time: For the Davidson or Jerome games, if you aren't in your seat by 6:15 PM, you're going to be standing against the fence.
- Strength Schedule: Use the "Joe Eitel" rankings throughout the season. Because Coffman plays such a hard schedule, even a 5-5 record in 2026 would likely guarantee them a playoff spot in Region 2.
The road back to a 10-win season isn't going to be easy, but the pieces are there. It's just a matter of whether the Shamrocks can weather the storm of the OCC-Central.